I’m going to the Ottawa Show May 5th.
Driving up early Sat morning & returning Saturday night.
If anyone from the GTA wants to go & split gas, I’m all for it.
I live in Whitby & will be leaving from there.
Let me know if you’re seriously interested.
Thanks
Gordon
Things are starting to firm up for the Ottawa Train Expo. There will be a smartphone Guidebook appearing in the next week or so.
The raffle table is something to see. Craftsman kits from companies such as Full Steam Ahead, Laser Modelling 3 and Rail Scale Miniatures. Rolling stock from ExactRail. Trainsets from Lionel and Bachmann. A set of 4 passes for a trip to Quebec City from Ottawa courtesy of VIA Rail… Raffle to benefit Roger’s House at CHEO.
And a lot of other things, too numerous to mention.
At 48,000 square feet, it will be the largest train show in Eastern Canada. HOTrak will be there, as well as NTrak. Layouts from Ottawa-Gatineau and Montreal. Vendors and manufacturers. Clinics.
Plus the largest Lego layout you will ever see.
Ottawa Train Expo Website has maps and more info.
What’s a GTA? ?
Greater Toronto Area.
GTA = Greater Toronto Area
Is anyone from the GTA, other than the OP, going?
(This will not be like the Toronto Christmas Train Show…)
A buddy of mine is coming along too.
Rapido will have a fairly large booth, hopefully with the train seat lounge. Dan and Matt will be there both days, and I will be there on the Sunday.
-Jason
I am hoping you were bringing the seats, because I might need a place to sit and rest my feet for a few minutes.
Are you coming by train? Will you ride the O-Train to the site?
Looking forward to seeing you there. (I also hope to have my Canadian Box Set by then.)
I’ll be going Saturday. This will be my first time in Ottawa.
Hard to believe it is only four weeks away now.
The Clinic List is finalized and it looks interesting. Topics include Weathering, DCC, Operations, LED lighting, and more. Offered in English and French too.
Are the clinics part of the admission costs or do you have to pay to attend?
No, they are included in the admission price.
Be sure to download the rack card which has a dollar off coupon for admission.
FastTracks will be there as well, so you can see what Tim Warris is building. And everyone’s favourite, HobbyWorx.
It is going to be the biggest event since the Bytown Bobber NMRA Regional Convention back in 2008.
I’ve already printed off the coupon and the Mapquest directions, lol. I haven’t seen Tim’s progress on his Bronx Terminal project in a few years. The Toronto show was the last time I’ve seen it in person. Hobbyworx, lol. Dave Goodhead is a character isn’t he.
Just remember two land marks: the Airport and the Racetrack (which has signs on 416 because of the slots).
The university is about 15 minutes by car from the airport to the university using the Airport Parkway (RR79) or 10 min from Hunt Club.
Ok,
My plan for the day is to leave roughly 7am from my place in Whitby. Drive to Smiths Falls, railfan the CP yard for a bit then continue on to the show in Ottawa.
Probably close the show, find a place for dinner then drive back.
There’s a couple of clinics I want to check out so I would like to be in Ottawa by noon if at all possible.
As it stands today, there’s only one other going with me but we have room for more.
If we get enough people, I’ll probably take my van as it’ll be more comfortable for the trip & have room to haul whatever you might buy at the show back to Whitby.
Gas will be split evenly amongst everyone.
Gordon
I saw the final floor plans at a club meeting last night. Next year there will be a need for more floorspace.
Three weeks to go.
48000 square feet isn’t enough? I can’t wait for next years show and I haven’t been to this years yet. [(-D]
Some of the vendors who usually were at Railfair are at another event around the same time, so they can’t do two shows at the same time. If they are coming next year, then more space will be needed.
Rapido Trains will be there (as Jason mentioned), and True Line Trains too. A large HOTrak layout, NTrak, LEGO (huge layout too), and the live steamer set.
Bytown Railway Society will be there too, and you can get your copy of “When Steam and Steel get in Your Blood” right from the source. The book won an award from the CRHA recently.
Plus there are 60 (sixty) items on the raffle table.
Since Railfair will not be happening this fall, this show is THE show to be at now. The Ottawa Train expo will be “The Largest Train Show East of Calgary!”
Did I forget to mention there is Timmy’s on site?
A Timmy’s too. I might never leave.