The Amherst Railway Society will hold its annual Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA. on January 26 & 27, 2013. I am considering attending the show that seems to be a big one. As I live 300 miles north of West Springfield, attending the show will take at least two days with the expenses for lodging and eating.
Is there anyone that attended this show before who can tell me if it is worth the trip?
I can’t tell you if it would be worthwhile for you, because different folks have different expectations. However, I can say that a group of folks I know travel from Pennsylvania every year, and for them it is around 270 miles one way. They also have the motels, tolls, meals, admission expense for two days, and parking fees for two days to deal with. I’ve gone the past couple years, but I have a sister nearby so I have a place for the better half and myself to crash.
The attendance for the show has been over 20,000 people spread over the two days. From the vendor’s viewpoint, the first day (Saturday) is when those who are the most serious buyers attend. The second day is when you seem to get the need something to do with the family after church crowd.
The show uses four buildings on the property. They don’t necessarily have all the vendors lined up in rows so you can’t just cruise up and down the aisles. In my opinion you cannot comfortably look at everything in one day. I wish they had the show in better weather because there is always the chance of some miserable snow storm bollixing everything up.
There are a number of manufacturers who have displays at the show, so if you happen to have questions about someone’s product, you might be able to get an answer.
There will be a lot of different products available, but that doesn’t mean that you will necessarily find that specific trivet from XYZ Company that you have been hunting for for the past 4 years. You will find some items that are not available anywhere else.
However, there is a financial tradeoff. With all the product available through e-bay and on-line hobby vendors, I’m not sure that you will find enough “bargins”, if that’s what you’re looking for, to offset the trip expenditures.
All that said, I am of the opinion that some visit this show for the experience. And if you haven’t attended, you
As someone who’s been attending for over twenty years, I think it’s the best show I’ve seen. You’ll definitely see more products, dealers and layouts in one place than anywhere else. We attend for business so it’s an easy decision. Would I go that far just for fun? I don’t know. I can’t really be objective after attending for so long. But I definitely think it’s worth attending at least once if you’re a model railroader. I have friends that come from all over the US to attend and look forward to it each year. I still do after twenty three years.
I’ve heard some people complain about having to pay for parking, food prices, the crowd and not always finding what they want. The way I see it, many people pay a LOT more to visit Disney World because it’s fun. The same for folks who travel to play golf around the country. If you look at your trip as an “experience” and as fun, I think you’ll enjoy it. You’ll get to meet a lot of well-known folks in the hobby manning their booths, see a huge amount of great models & layouts and spend the weekend surrounded by trains. It doesn’t get much better than that. Hope you decide to attend!
The folks running the show have also added a day of clinics on Friday this coming year. It will be interesting to see how that works out.
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/
Jim
I love this show but I do only live 20 mins away. As already mentioned you’ll get to meet with most of the manufacturer’s reps, great if you have a problem or question. Also, you will be able to see new products that will be introduced soon. There are a lot of different layouts to see in N, Ho, O and I have gotten inspiration from. Deals can be hit or miss, depends on the year, who is there and if that dealer has bought a large estate. I have found some hard to find items over the years. But shop around at the show as dealers can vary from full MSRP to 30% off. I am curious to see Exact Rail at the show this year, not going to debate their new sales model but wondering if they will have show specials. Check out the link that Jim provided for clinics that might interest you.
This show is really my Christmas as no one ever seems to buy me anything even train related. I blow a lot of money at the show, but I often find some things I never knew I needed.
I’m sure someone will start a thread soon asking who is going. Let us know if you decide to attend.
Derek
Up to last year I went to that show every year for the past 10 years. I missed it in 2012 due to my traveling buddy illness. From your name and location I gather you are from Quebec Canada, myself I live in Trois-Rivieres Qc and the trip is about 600km or 373mi traveling time is 6hours on dry road.
To me and my friend it was a weekend vacation, an occasion to meet fellows modelers from many city in Quebec and New Brunswick that also make the trip every year. I guess once you seen that show you get hooked and want to go back every year. As a comparison I went to 3 NMRA national convention and none of the train show provided, were as huge or as entertaining as the West Springfield.
We use to leave Trois-Rivieres early on Friday morning, do some railfanning upon our arrival to West Springfield, spend full day Saturday and Sunday at the show and return home on the Monday morning. It is a good show, good food and lodging and a good time with friends.
I went for the first time last year. It’s the biggest train show around. Four buildings full, lots of vendors, layouts, stuff. Enough stuff to keep your interest for both days.
It’s 90 minutes each way for me. I do a one-day trip. To be honest, my old legs wear out before my enthusiasm does.
Since I only spend one day there, I plan ahead by looking at the vendor and exhibitor list and noting where each will be, since I’m likely to make only one pass through each of the buildings, and I don’t want to miss anything.
Last year, a few of us swapped cell phone numbers and arranged to meet at the show.
Same here Mr. B. Last year the spirit was willing to stay until someone kicked me out but the flesh left before closing time and could just make the walk back to the car.
Can’t tell if it would be worth while? Really? Seems like a no brainer with this one. I’ve been to shows all over the country save the big NMRA show, and the Springfield/Amhearst MA show is the best one I’ve been to.
I think I’ll stand behind my statement. I have no idea what the OP expects. If he is looking for 40% off list to justify the expenditure to get there, I’m certainly not going to promise that. If he is looking for someone who has a display of every detail part Cal Scale has ever made, I’m not going to promise that either.
Yes, it is a great show and I think it would be worthwhile for the OP to attend just for the “experience”. But a “no brainer”? I can’t agree with that.
I have been going for many years, even when it was a one day, one building show. Someone provided the link. Print out the building layout and vendor list just before you leave your house. Some vendors do get moved. The site usually keeps you updated so watch it.
I use to help a friend who sells there. You should see the buying and selling that goes on before the doors open.
There is a CSX yard nearby.
Hopefully the weather will be good. Last year we had a mild winter up here.
The line can get quite long for the ATM. No idea if any more ATM’s have been added.
The technology is improving so possibly more vendors will be able to accept cards.
Each building has food stands but the lines can get long at lunch time… Also plenty of restaurants in the area.
The Better Living Center has a Dunkin Donuts stand inside along with a food vendor.
Memo’s Coffee Shop is right across the street for a great breakfast. Many MRR’s eat there before heading in. Memorial Drive is the street that goes right by the fair grounds in West Springfield.
Google Maps will show you a lot of places with street views in walking distance which will depend on the weather.
I have heard over the years of people who headed to the fair and were told Springfield Tran show and they had wasted time trying to find the place. There are still some old timers who refer to it as the Springfield show.
Rich
Thank you everyone. I now know what to expect and I will probably attend, weather permitting.
I think you’ll enjoy yourself. Be sure to stop by our tables (City Classics) and say hello. If we all make it, that is!
In about three weeks we’ll start watching the weather reports to see what they’re predicting, mainly for the drive up. Hopefully we’ll have a repeat of this year’s weather which was about as good as you can hope for.
Jim