A nice canvass bag would be handy. Comfy shoes. 2. Plenty of eats on the fairground (Generally, fairground type food, but not bad considering …). 3. Depending on how early you want to get there, you can find a spot within 20 feet of a door. Get to the fairgrounds, say, an hour before it opens on Friday, and you’ll find lots of space. Thursday, with the late opening, could be a bit more dicey. 4. You’re on your own. 5. The orange hall (Toyota center) is where the mfgrs and major dealers (Charles Ro, Trainworld, etc.) are located, I believe most of the rest of the halls have member individual sales tables and some retailers. I haven’t been able to get further than the old purple hall in several Yorks. Also, the rare is pretty common at York, so take your time and have fun (I used to believe prewar Blue Comets were rare till I saw eight of them at the first York I attended). But if something is really really uncommon, you might want to linger. The only thing I ever wanted at a York that I waited too long for (and it was sold by the time I went back to buy is) was a three-rail OO NYC Hudson. Lots of two-rails around, but the three-rails were less common than I thought. The CTT buttons, as usual, are handed out at our booth on Friday morning.
Actually there usually is a table set up outside the halls that you can join by grabbing 3 members (must have 3 members sign your app) and then you can get a temp membership which you can buy admission to the event with. (what I was told a couple of years ago by a Friend when I was there to meet someone to sell some trains to.
Dennis…Get a buddy with a handicapped pass. You can park right outside the doors. When you buy something you just run out to the car and put it in the trunk.
Jason,
There may be enough time. What you would need to do is print out the application, then mail it to me to get my signature, then you’ll need one more… I’m sure someone here would do it. Then you mail the application into National. You’ll get your membership card in about a week to two weeks, then you can register online for the meet. You need to get start tomorrow though.
Thank you for the offers to sign the app. I have an app from last Nov. signed and ready to go. I went to a local T.C.A. train show last Nov. and killed two birds with one stone. I got an app signed and did a little shopping. The only thing that concerns me is it only has room for two signatures. I saw that RT said something about 3 signatures. Thanks again for the offer.
Jason,
You only need two signatures. Sign your check and mail the application into National. They have excellent turn around. You need your TCA Member Number for the online registration, and you have until March 23rd to do your online registration and not have to stand in the 1/4 mile line… and waste hours that you could be viewing trains.
Watch the forum as well because in about a month or so we’ll be discussing when we’ll be meeting for the CTT Forum Photo Op.
A couple years back, someone used a pedometer and paced off 7 miles during YORK (I believe once around…) Most comfortable shoes you own will be paramount. Oh, and most important . . .
Do not forget the TCA Museum in nearby Strasburg. Open House is the day before York , April 22nd, with each Manufacturer makeing a presentation. See page 11 of your York Application. www.easterntca.org
Keep in mind 3 things —
You can’t see it all in one day, the Dealer Halls have big displays, Member Halls are all single (one per member) tables. You can look and look and look.
If you see something you want and still want to price shop, WRITE DOWN THE TABLE NUMBER AND HALL COLOR! Or you will never find it again.
If it’s scarce and what you want, buy it now. It may not be there later.
Ok, So I am new to this whole York thing, and I have some questions I hope that our “experienced” members here can help with.
Dennis, I’m certainly not the “experienced” member you are referring to, but having been there ONCE, thought I would share with you my perspective. (Of course, your probably driving as oppossed to flying in. Therefore, take the BIG car, avoid the flight. Lots of hidden expenses by flying. (Return freight cost.)
Any pieces of advice for what to bring? (ie: a back pack to hold the booty while continuing to shop/look), etc.
Maybe a small canvas bag to hold the small stuff, and more importantly a MONEY BELT! Whatever you budget for the trip, double it, then add another 50% for the “incidental” items. Also, get an advance on “birthday money, father’s day money, anniversary money, & Christmas money”, don’t forget parents, aunts/uncles, brothers/sisters, neighbors, great great aunts ($5 adds up). As far as carrying stuff no problem there will be plenty of guys from the forum to carry for you, and if needed I’m sure you can stage stuff at the CTT booth.
What about food? Should I carry some goodies on the journey to toy train nirvana?
Food, your kidding right? You won’t have any time or appetite. Be cautions of CTT members that want to go sit down for “Coffee” that is a LOT of time. WASTED ! (There are tables to explore.) You can eat AFTER the show closes, always a bunch of guys going to a restaurant.
How far away do we park so that we can make return trips to haul more booty?
As we can see from the post above, DonB is always willing to lend a helping hand!
What he fails to mention is that the ‘fee’ for using his address is he gets to hold onto and check out (including run any engines) your purchases to ensure their proper working order! [;)]
I always make a little list of things I’m looking for and vendors who are likely to have 'em. Keeps me focused, otherwise my little noggin would go into choo choo sensory overload.
I also take a little notepad, with my set budget at the top, and make deductions as I buy. Saves some embarrasment if you try to negotiate that last bargain piece and find you don’t have the cash on ya.
Save the layout display hall (black hall) for last.
Comfortable shoes, an absolute must. Follow the arrows on the floor (aaahhhh).
If bringing young folks with you like I usally do, bring approproate snacks. I find they’ll keep happy smiles on their face if you’ll occasionaly drop off your load at the car, and give 'em a little chance to take a break and recharge once in a while. Not bad advice for the older folks either.
I bring my own lunch. The sight of kielbasa sandwiches being served at 9:30 in the morning is a little un-nerving. I do treat the young folks to a nice off-site dinner afterwards.
