I not only had permission from my wife to go yesterday, but she joined me as well. I think the economy has hit a couple of the vendors and their response was to drastically raise some prices. The wife looked at several tables at one booth that were filled with tyco, lifelike, and similar cars (HO) going at $20 used. I politely pulled her in another direction. In general I noticed prices up a buck or two on alot of stuff, and new RTR and kits being at or above LHS prices. My wife bought me a brass AC-12 that someone tried to paint with what I can only say is Rhino-liner. I don’t model the SP, or even the western US, but it will be a nice addition to run the rails from time to time. I will strip the paint, get it running up to snuff, and letter it for the SP 4294. It looks a good match and there are a ton of pictures out there for it. I also came away with another half dozen hoppers and some detail parts for buildings. All things considered,I would have to say the biggest disappointment was the hotdogs.
I also attended the GTE in Columbus, Ohio yesterday (Sat). I also saw a lot of high prices for some low class “junque”. However, I found a couple of new Walthers passenger cars for prices comparable to lowest prices I could find on-line (usually Wholesale Trains). However, I had to pay $5 for parking and $7 admission so probably ended up costing more than the S&H I would have spent on-line.
That being said, it was very gratifying to see a big crowd of families and kids there, including many purchases of basic train sets for kids to get started. Also a well-done Lego display of “Miracle on the Hudson” showing a downed plane with little Lego people on its wings and surrounded by a variety of ferry boats, tugboats, and emergency boats. Lot of people taking pictures of it.
I enjoyed the Expo, but I didn’t try the hotdogs. Then I went to the Train Station LHS just a few miles north and spent even more money on another couple of Walthers cars. Not much of discount on either except another 5% with my Golden Buckeye card.
What, you Guy’s go and nobody post’s photo’s???
Tyco stuff certainly isn’t worth a lot of money, but I believe they are in the category of “Collectible” now.
Only if they come with a certificate of authenticity[:D].
I regret not getting any pictures but my phone/camera went belly up. It took good pics, but the phone I ended up getting today takes great pictures. After wandering the booths for several hours the wife was too tired to continue. Maybe next time.
I thought about hitting the Train Station but ended up taking the wife to JoAnn to grab fabric. There is another train store a couple blocks over but I havn’t gone looking for it.
I agree. Things are getting a little more expensive, but the only real EXPENSIVE ones are the cheappy plastic stuff to go with train sets, 1 because they are already built, and 2 they are meant to hit the people who don’t know any better. The better things are a little cheaper because the co. knows we can scratch build.