What are the best shows out there for exploring the world of HO model railroading?
Syracuse N.Y November 3rd and 4th at the New York State fairgrounds…two massive buildings completely filled with tons of operating layouts and at least several hundred vendors…visit www.cnynrhs.org/train_show.html This is a great show that brings in many vendors from many states…feel free to email me at fireman216@hotmail.com with any questions
Great Scale Train Show in Timonium Fairgrounds down in Maryland. I think it is two halls worth of acreage packed trains stuff.
My favorite is the Amherst Railway Society sponsored Railroad Hobby Show each January in West Springfield, MA. Here is their link:
Plenty of dealers and plenty of layouts.
How does Syracuse compare with E. Springfield? Is it worth the longer trip from NJ?
I have never been to springfield…so i have nothing to compare it with…
In my opinion nothing on the East coast compare to West Springfield not even the recent NMRA train show held in Philly. I have been to West Springfield 7 years in a row missing only last year, will be there in 2008. While I have been to Philly I never went to Timonium or Syracuse, reports on others lists are these two shows are much smaller then West Springfield, less exhibits, less good venders, more junk.
Syracuse is however a very good place for railfanning was there last year on my way to the NMRA show and will stop again this year on my way to the NMRA Detroit show.
Jack W.
Jack,
I don’t know how far you are from Timonium, Maryland but the Great Train Expo will be there August 4-5.
I travel from Fredericksburg, VA about 140 miles to the show. The building they use has three huge rooms full of vendors selling new and used stuff. They also usually have 4-5 layouts from area clubs in various scales.
It will take several hours just to walk through to see who has what. It may not be as big as other shows but it’s the biggest I’ve seen from Richmond to Baltimore.
They have several shows each year. Both The Great Train Expo and The Great Scale Model Train shows are there each year.
Bill
I can vouch for the Syracuse train show in Nov. I’ve gone almost every year and also live in Liverpool. The Fair Grounds show is worth going to if you live within a couple hours of Syracuse, but it hasn’t changed much in years and doesn’t seem to have that many good deals on new released items anymore.
It’s a 3.5 hour drive to Springfield Mass from Syracuse and I’ve made the trip 3 times in the past 7 or 8 years. Its much better than the Syracuse show and usually held in January or February - there are many more company tables there from major manufacurers.
The Great American Train Show GATS used to be a good show but it seems to have fizzled out in the past 5 years or so. Used to be you could check an ad in MR magazine and get the schedule.
MapQuest quote 10:30 hours drive for 642 mile from Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada to Baltimore MD a bit too far just for a train show. It could be a good trip if done in a full week rail fanning along the way.
Last year we took a week travelling to Philladelphia rail fanning in Syracuse, Altoona and Cumberland MD (not too far from Baltimore) to end the journey in Philadelphia PA for the NMRA show, some memorable trip.
This year we are going to Syracuse, Altoona and the NMRA show in Detroit. The trip back home will be a two day affair but I love rail fanning.
This saturday july 21 they will be a show at Spencer NC.
You are right about railfanning in syracuse…i am glad i was born and raised where i don’t have to go far to watch a ton of trains…[tup]