After just attending the OKC train show I’m all about going to another. I was considering driving the 5 or so hours to Dallas and seeing the train show there next month. Anyone know how large this is? I’m assuming it’s pretty big since Dallas is the 6th largest metro in the united states. thanks. I’m mainly interested in a lot of layouts.
I assume you are talking about the Dallas Area Train Show in Plano. I would say it’s probably one of the largest if not THE largest held in the Dallas area each year. Now, it’s been a few years since I’ve been (found my way to East Texas for a bit), but it took up pretty much every room in Plano Centre and even had vendors set up out in the hallway.
I guess when I think of train shows in town and pretty much anywhere else when I go to shows, I always compare them to this one.
If I remember right, there are close to 10 clubs that set up. I could be way off and bow to any with better knowledge on the subject.
Steve
The OKC show was bout 50,000 sq. ft. would you say this is even larger?
They list the facility at 86,000 square feet on their website. Now, I am not 100% sure but beside kitchen facilites, restrooms, and utility rooms, I think it takes up every other room in the place. So, I would say somewhere in the area of 80,000+ square feet.
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/PlanoCentre/
Basically, the place will be packed just about to the brim.
now to convince the fiance to go to another train show…this time a longer drive.
I went to their virtual tour page on the website and added up the listed square footage, it uh, well, its nowhere near 86,000 square feet, more like 45,906. Not sure where that discrepency lies.
I think I’m going to drop them an email to find out.
Steve
JJ Ryan,
I’m trying to convince the wife that the Dallas Train Show would be a perfect weekend RV trip…she’s not buying it just yet…
Don Z.
I sent an e-mail as well. I’ll post my reply here.
They’re going to love us [:D]
gotta ask these questions if i’m going to drive 5.5 hours to the show 
The Plano train show is typically one of the best in the Dallas, Ft Worth area. It may be about 2/3 the size of the OKC train show. Unlike OKC, there won’t be any manufacturers present - that sort of thing just does not happen at DFW train shows. For anyone attending from out of town, Discount Model Trains in Addison is worth visiting.
jjryan,another show?? Sounds like awinner to me. When is it? I have a sister that lives in Lewesville, just to the North of dfw. She has done everything except beg me to come down there. Looking forward to another show. Mike
I’ll second that for Discount Model Trains. Most excellent shop.
Did get a reply, that 40,000 number is the actual meeting area they have, so it’ll be a little smaller than the OKC show I guess. Maybe next time they have one in OKC I’ll have to scoot up there and check it out.
Steve
Heres the reply I recieved:
Dear JJ Ryan,
Our 22nd annual Dallas Area Train Show is January 13 and 14, 2007 at the
Plano Centre. Located on 2000 E. Spring Creek Pkwy.
We are open to the public on Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and on Sunday from
10 AM to 4 PM.
I don't know the exact sq ft number of the show, but can tell you that we
are using every inch of the Plano Centre. Including the hallways and every
meeting room they have.
We will have 16 individual layouts set up and operating in all different
scales (from N to Garden). In addition we will have approx. 70+ vendors. We
will also hold clinics throughout the weekend.
Another feature of our show is the layout tours. At the show you will
receive a free booklet with a list of home and clubs layouts that will be
open to the public that weekend. It is a self guided tour you can take at
your leisure - just check the opening times of the different layouts since
lots of those layouts are in peoples private homes.
Yes, we do have a web page: [http://www.dfwtrainshows.com](http://www.dfwtrainshows.com/)
We also have an information phone number: 817-721-5064
If you have any questions regarding our shows, please feel free to contact
me.
Thank you for inquiring about our show and I hope to see you in January.
Please fee free to see me during the show. I will be at the layout of the
Tex-N Modular Railroad Club.
Be warned , none of the layout tours are all that close to Plano. Some are more than an hour away, and a couple are not even layouts (Age of Steam is at the Fairgrounds and is a static display of equipment, including a Big Boy and an F45 warbonnet). Fort Worth isn’t exactly next door. Even Dallas isn’t that close.
Thank You! I appreciate that. Have you or anyone else here on the boards been to this Plano show before?
World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour is coming to Fort Worth on 3-17 and 3/18. Is this a better show than the Dallas one? Here’s the information below:
Categories
Model Railroad, Operating Exhibit, Railroad Memorabilia, Swap Meet, Toy Train / Collectible Show, Train Show and Sale
Location
Fort Worth Convention Center
1201 Houston Street
Fort Worth, Mid-South, TX 76102
United States
Times
Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission Fees
$9 for adults, kids under 16 are FREE
Description
The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour is a new kind of event that showcases the hobby of model railroading. Sponsored by the Model Railroad Industry Association and by the World’s Greatest Hobby Program, the show is intended to introduce the general public to model railroading in an entertaining, lively and family-friendly atmosphere. The show hopes to create new train enthusiasts by exposing the public to the very best model railroading has to offer. The hobby of model railroading has a unique ability to bring the family together in activities that teach many skills. Model Railroad skills span from carpentry to artistry, from electrical engineering to historical research. Model Railroading is the World’s Greatest Hobby.
Additional Information
Wheelchair Accessible - Yes
Contact Info
World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour
105 S. Villa Avenue
Villa Park, IL 60181
Phone: (6
Not to disparage Ft. Worth, but I’ve never been to a show there that was as good as the one in Plano, however, I have not been to the WGH show before.
Now, there was a good show in FW, but they combined it with a computer parts sale thing as well. Picked up some rolling stock AND some new computer cases all in one stop.
Steve
The World’s Greatest Hobby show is a new event for the DFW area. At this time, any comparisons to the Plano show would be speculation.
The other excellent (but with somewhat less floor space than the Plano show) swap meet is the Lockheed Martin RR club’s show in October.
are all the WGH shows the same?