I try to attend at least one a year there is one coming up in my area around 2wks. from now will try to attend it just to check out some items and see if i can find a bargain.Last time I attened came across some bargains.
I’ll be at all 4 of the GSMTS shows in Timonium. I either go as an exhibitor with the club layout, or if the club skips a show, I go as a spectator. But either way, I’m there. I wont go o the Greenberg shows anymore. I got tired having to look through all the dolls, Tin toys, painted wall switchplates, and other stuff to find the trains.
Usually I don’t attend any shows as they are usually to far away. 200 plus miles. I live in a remote area and the closest train is approximately 140 miles away. There is limited interest in my area towards trains. These shows that I mention are local as there is not enough interest or population for the big guys.
I’ll get to as many as I can, but being a shift worker with a somewhat unusual shift arrangement, I don’t always have weekends free.
Here in calgary we only have two show a year so thats all that I can attend do to the work enviroment, and my family comitments though my girls are into the trains just as much as I am.
I live in West Central LA and there is nothing out here. Nearest train hobby shop is about 60 miles away. Next closest is in Shreveport which is a tad over 100 miles away. Needless to say, the only closest city for a train show would be probably Houston, TX. Unless one comes closer to me such as Lake Charles, Shreveport or Alexandria, LA.
Duke…
at least I am only two blocks from KCS N/S tracks from Shreveport to Beaumont.
[:(]
I try to attebd at least two shows a year inb the Detroit area. I to am partly disabled with an artifical leg. Although I can walk, it is never for long distances. I find most shows do not provide anywhere for some one to sit down for a five minute rest. As a result, I have had to curtail going to the large shows which are in exabition halls with no seating>
Since there are only a couple of model train stores here in the Virginia suburbs of D.C., my daughter and I (Rebecca is nine and models in 0 and I’ve been in N since my days with Lone Star 000 scale) usually go to four shows per year. Of the shops here, none really cater to either scale with either decent selection or prices. Unfortunately, eBay has cut down on the selection in the flea markets. But, I’ve bought items on eBay from folks on the Best Coast that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. And, of the shows, even the best isn’t what it used to be, namely the Greenberg show in Philly -now transplanted to Fort Washington. It’s only a shell of its former self. The “Great Scale Model Train Show” in Timonium comes close. But, not quite. The show that really needs help is the Greenberg one at Dulles. The buyers grossly outnumber the sellers at this one! I don’t know why vendors shun this one in favor of the ones in Maryland. Is it Virginia’s sales tax laws? It certainly can’t be a lack of buyers. The crowds inside and out are testimony to that! The only reason we go is because it’s only a 20 minute drive from our house.
The most recent show that I went to was not a “flea market / swap meet”. It was a Model Railroad Workshop, with a series of clinics, videos, demonstrations, and layouts that were very informative. This was the 24th annual show hosted by NMRA North Central Region, Division 6.
I visit three to six swap meets a year, and agree with others comments about retail dealers not wanting to negotiate prices. However, I do not begrudge them a profit, I just enjoy talking to the individual and club dealers and rummaging through their “junk boxes”.
I am blessed with a wife that participates in this hobby, and goes to the shows with me. It can be a bit embarassing when she wins in the raffles!! Her participation adds a new dimension to the hobby. All of our buildings will have curtains!!
Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving one and all!!
I plan on going to 1 or maybe 2 shows this coming year. My biggest deterent is the distance to the shows - here in the southwest, the distances are over a hundred miles for any large city, where most of the big shows are produced. We’re in Carlsbad, NM and the closest city is El Paso, TX. With the gas prices so high and with being retired and on social security, the price can get pretty steep, especially eating out for at least two people! Also, we can’t afford to stay overnight, so, after walking around a show, we still have to drive 100 - 150 miles back home in one day! I’m sure that many folks have these same problems!
Hello:
I like on the Canadian side of the border in Niagara Falls. I make it to 6-7 shows a year. I do not always buy anything but I do always have a good time. I really enjoy the modular layouts and always find an idea that I would like to try on my own N-scale layout. Some of the best shows for modelling ideas are over 5 hours away on the USA side of the border but being a Candian National fan I tend to spend more money at the shows on this side of the border.
Either way model railroading is fun
STAN
In the past I usually try to make it to at least 3-4 shows a year.
This year I’ve made it to one.
I was going to the “big” local one& the BIG one on the west side of Toronto this past weekend, but never made it.
UGH! i guess there’s always next year.
Gordon
[|)]The G A T S was in St. Paul recently. It had the best variety of vendors in several years, however, when you pay $12.00 for parking, plus admission, it does not make the purchases very reasonable . . . especially when you have several well stocked MR stores in the area. Last year it was held in a distant suburb. . . . VERY POOR vendor attendance and was very disappointing from a hobbyist looking to buy. Locally produced shows have many more local people selling and no parking charge… . Maybe GATS should look for inner-ring suburban locations . . . not out in the sticks . . . with free parking, they would then get much better attendance.
I like to go to as many shows as I can during the year.
The Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonum Maryland is a very good show.
In the Southern New Jersey area a good show is The Great Brooklawn Scale Train Meet at American Legion Post #72.
I put none.
In years past I used to attend EVERY show in the area, to the point of catching a ride on Sunday mornings with the guys after I’d been at work all night, because I was trying to build up my collection of rolling stock for “the empire” I was building. I pretty much got all of what I needed back then and I’m glad I did because I acquired most of my models before the high priced, RTR plague hit the hobby.
Now there isn’t much that I really need at this point, and with the disability thing now, frankly I don’t think I could take being on my feet and all the walking anymore, plus the traveling. I went once, just for fun, when I didn’t think there was anything I really needed, but bought some bucks just in case. Well even though I didn’t think I’d be buying anything I ended up spending all the money on other “stuff”, just 'cause I had it. Don’t want to do that now as I have to buy all my benchwork lumber, electrics, track, roadbed, etc. yet to actually build the new layout. Gotta hold onto the cash for that now.
Take care,
My club puts on two shows a year and there are usually a few shows within a couple hours drive. I enjoy them and go to as many as I can afford.
The club I belong to sets up for 4 or 5 shows a year (closet aprox 20 miles and the farthest about 200 miles). I also try to attend at least two others where we are not displaying so that I can spend all my time looking at other layouts and borrowing ideas for my own and dealing with vendors to get good prices. While I think that anyone who is looking to purchase product had better br buyer beware, so far the vast majority of venders we have come across are freindly, helpful and honest. And last but certainly not least the reason I can attend so many shows a year and travel to get to them is because my wife is a model railroader too. Life is good!!!
I’m more interested in going to shows to look at layouts than to buy stuff. I don’t find any great deals there and usually fare better at year-end sales at local hobby stores.
Club and home open-houses are great places to get ideas and inspiration. Recently my family and I attended the open house at the Aberfoyle Junction layout near Guelph Ontario. Another very good one is the home open-houses put on by the Double-Headers out of Kitchener and Cambridge Ontario. They have some great home layouts on the tour.
Charles
Hillsburgh Ontario
I actively avoid all those “Train Shows” which are primarily “Train SALES.”
I’ve seen too many disappointed families and children spending time and money to attend something advertised (in the general media, not the railfan media) as a “Show” which has nothing but Dealers. Nothing to look at. Nothing to do. Nothing to see. Only things to buy.
Ones with a mix of dealers and displays are great, as are the true “Shows” with no or few sales tables. I love a bargain, but I feel that if they’re advertised to the general public, they should have things which the general public can enjoy, and which present a positive image of the hobby.
my year is from the first show i went to till that same day the next year. i’m guessing if i’m lucky i’ll go to maybe 5-6. depending if the group i go with will let me tag along. i’ve been to 2 so far and i’ve spent at least $100 plus at each. i really need to stop spending so much money on this hobby. well so fast anyways.
most likely though i’ll go to 5-6. they are usually an hour or so away which kind of sucks.