I live in Miami. World Greatest Hobby on Tour is coming to Tampa (5 Hour drive from Miami) in March.
Has anyone gone and is it worth it? I would also have to get a Hotel room. I went to a show in Orlando a couple of years ago which was a real waste. Thanks in advance.
Harold
Yes I went to the show in Denver last year. There was a lot of the manufacturers there (Atals, Athearn, MTH, etc.) showing off new releases and such. But the Athearn rep was really rude when I asked them about their new SD70Aces.
Also I ran into a few of the “crazies” you know the guys that haven’t seen the sun for a while. Pushing and shoving there way through everybody. It was packed.
But overall, it was pretty good. The layouts were cool.
I thought the one I attended recently (St.Paul MN) was good. Nice to be able to visit with the various manufacturers and pick up free catalogues and such. There were quite a few sellers there and I got some good deals on out of stock items I was looking for. There was also a very large area set aside for local/regional clubs to set up operating display layouts.
I thought $10 to get in and $10 parking was a little steep. I don’t know if I would have gone if it was so far away I had to get a hotel room…that being said, I have done that before (stayed overnight someplace to go to a train show the next day) and it was kinda fun to do a little “road trip”, I mixed in some railfanning too.
I found the WGH tour to be ok. You will have the chance to meet a good number of the major manufacturers and the major magazines. The one I went to also had a good number of the local modular groups. But 5 hours drive and a hotel room seams much.
The only two shows I have been to that I feel would be worth it would be the Amherst Train Show at the End of January in Springfield, MA and the NMRA Train show attached to the annual NMRA meet.
Chris
Warner Robins, GA
Harold,
I guess it depends what you are looking for in a show. I went to the one on Cleveland a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much. Most of the big manufacturers were present and it gave one an opportunity to talk to the reps “face-to-face”, as it were.
At that point Atlas had just released their HH600/660 switcher, which I was very eager to add to my roster but there wasn’t one in the NYC paint scheme. I inquired into the rep whether they were planning a 2nd release and told him I would LOVE to see a NYC HH600 come out. The rep said they hadn’t made a decision at that point but probably would soon. (Four months later Atlas announced that they would be releasing two models in the NYC scheme - this time with sound.)
Now, do I think that my single inquiry was the sole reason why Atlas decided on another run of their HH600/660s? Absolutely not! However, maybe Atlas received enough of them at these shows from other patrons helped in the decision-making process. Who knows? (BTW, Atlas already has a 3rd run scheduled for 2011.)
Anyhow, Harold, I enjoyed the show and spent nearly the entire day there. My favorite part, though, was the Freemo layout setup. I had heard of Freemo but hadn’t really had a chance to see one in person. I must have gone back 4 different times just to watch the action and look at the detailing. It was quite something.
The other big plus was that I was able to meet and chat with a few MR forum members at the WGH show. And that’s probably one of the things that I enjoy most about being in MRRing and going to the shows - i.e. meeting other MRRers.
With that said: 10 hours of driving (both ways)…plus motel room…plus parking…plus
Fortunately I do. The redone Dali Museum is opening in Feb. Thanks
Harold
I enjoyed the one in Washington D.C. a few years back. It was only a 15 minute drive and parking was free. So for me it was easily worth it. And you see a different set of folks from the other shows. But by the time you factor in the gas for a five hour drive and a hotel room, it’s getting a little problematic as to whether it’s worth it. I would not go under those circumstances, but I would if it were a 3 hour drive and I could make the round trip in a day.
Enjoy
Paul
Here’s my take on it.
First and foremost, it depends on your budget and preferences. I often take my kids for a weekend “getaway”. We would attend an event (air shows, train shows, tourist attractions, whatever) on one day and just kind of see what else struck our fancy for the rest of the time. It’s a nice weekend, and gives the wife a break from her boys (all 4 of us). Normally, we’re in the 3 hour or less driving range (or we take the train), but if a 5 hour trip doesn’t bother you, go for it. It’s also fairly expensive, but that may or may not be an issue.
As far as the shows, I generally go to shows for 3 reasons: 1) to look at layouts; 2) to see what new items are available, and 3) to get free samples. I don’t really do a lot of shopping, unless I see a really good deal (it’s only rarely that I find prices at train shows that I can’t equal or beat on the Internet).
So, from my point of view, the small local shows with a couple of layouts, no manufacturers, and a lot of dealers (mostly pushing used junk) just aren’t worth it.
OTOH, the big shows – WGH On Tour, Greenberg, Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show (the one coming up in Springfield, MA) and the National Train Show (the NRMA event) – are worth the price of admission and worth making a trip for.
Luckily, when it came to Kansas City, I only had an hour and a half drive, but it was well worth it. Some of the manufacturers have some neat tutorials. Not to mention, see some of the new products coming out firsthand. It’s one thing to read a review or see a video, but when you can see it in person…
I never been to a WGH show, but the two show I have attended was worth my $7.00 (free parking). I walked away with some good buys that was more than the $7.00 admission.
Why - my area has a lack of a good local hobby shop for model railroad. I can get paint, and glue in a general hobby shop but getting a Branchline kit, “36” wheels, 2-56 tap or special Kadees. I have to mail order or wait to the next train show (2x a year in Fredericksburg VA).
I went to the one in Philly the other year. It was a total circus on the first day…I think 21k people showed up and I think they planned for about 7k. Needless to say, I waited in line for an hour and never made it in the front door before I cut my losses and left.
Bring your A-game so you can defend yourself from stroller operators that ram into your ankles and shins at will.
Odie wrote: Bring your A-game so you can defend yourself from stroller operators that ram into your ankles and shins at will.
Don’t ya just hate those double wide buggies and how there’s seldom a “Sorry!” or 'Excuse me!" ?
Wolf:
I live here in Tampa and was asking the same question recently. I attended a large flea market at the FL state fairgrounds right before Christmas and saw many familiar private resellers/vendors I have come to know at other regional markets. I was also wondering if this is a true “trade show” or also a combined flea market environment as well?
If anyone has info on that question, please post…
Either way, I think it will be worth a drive (anything to get out of Miami, huh?) and my best suggestion is to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel nearby- they have a great set of restaurants and you can pull a few levers/punch buttons on the slot machines at the same time.
C U there!
Cedarwoodron
Ya, but the the high end models have pneumatic tires. A few HO track nails scattered around the Exhibition grounds clear’em out in short order. They’re off to the stroller pits for tire changes. Then it’s just a case of elbowing through the rest of the old geezers and snapping up the bargains first. [swg]
Brent