World’s Greatest Hobby held their show in Omaha this past weekend. Evidently the event set a single-day attendance record for the venue, the Qwest Center. All I know is that I was at the NTS in Milwaukee and it sure seemed like we had a lot more folks in the WGH show. My hats off to the moms in the crowd as they waited in a very long line to get their kids on the Thomas ride! Glad I got today off to recover from 2 solid days of standing and running trains on a layout there.
Ricky
Yup, quite a large show. Could have been a bit better organized - there was a HUGE line to ride the Thomas train and it ran across the middle of the hall. The event organizers should have had it running along the wall or such. Many nice vendors. I was pleased to see Scenic Express out here - all our local shops carry only Woodland Scenics, which is quite good, but I like the variety of getting a different scenery vendor out here in the West. Athearn, MTH, Lionel and Walthers were there. I got to have a nice chat with Mr. Engstrom from Athearn. Wow, their U50 looks sharp! I’m not an SP guy, but they had test shots of the new caboose and it sure is impressive. MTH was too busy to talk to and I missed Walthers (grandson was tired by then!). Lots of good layouts to see, but it was awfully crowded around them - the price of people wanting to see the trains. The turnout was good for a cold Saturday in Omaha. As an old modeler I was impressed that so many people would spend $10 bucks a head to come see the trains. At least we don’t have bed bugs, so the public are safe!
Local note - the Lincoln, NE model RR show will be 2/19-20 at the Lancaster Event Center at 84th and Havelock in Lincoln, NE.
My wife and I attended the show on Sunday with our friends, we arrived at 9:45 am and there about 200 people waiting fro the doors to open.
The show was outstanding and The Thomas train ride was booked solid with a long line waiting.
Vendors were very friendly and willing to answer questions.
The operating layouts on display were super, we took several photos and videos.
My wife requested that I restrain myself from spending a lot of money there which I did (Ha, Ha).
I have gone to many shows across the US and this one was a pleasure to attend because the booths had plenty of room in front of them so things did not seem so crowded like some I have atteneded.
I will attend next year as I found it worth the time & money plus I think it got one of our friends hooked on the hobby.
Hey Ricky,
Did you guys set up a Freemo layout for the Omaha show? The one in Cleveland was VERY enjoyable to watch. [Y] I think I stopped by three or four times throughout the day.
Tom
Yeah I was There… and yes alot people to get around with… did check some lay outs. wish there was an club you could sign up with?
are any of you guys from Omaha or out town?
Tom
Yes, we had a couple of the guys up from Southern Kansas Free-Mo along with 4 from around here. We had a nice 150 X 20 area so we snaked the layout from one loop to another. Other than a couple of crossed wires that were giving us fits on Saturday, had a pretty good time. Lots of great comments on how it differed from the rest of the layouts. I guess seeing a proto length Amtrak Southwest Chief gliding around an S curve is pretty cool. Could have used a couple more operators as we had a very difficult time with a layout that size, talking to the public, keeping hands off things (our barricades didn’t make it from KS), and trying to break away to catch a bite or see the show.
I really want to get a core set of folks to build and operate Free-Mo here in the Omaha area, I’m hoping the show helps.
Ricky
yes it was a grate show.I took 4 grandkids early sunday morning ans was glade one of the people told use about the lines for the kids train ride.we hurried right over and still had to wait awhile before ours got to ride. but then we walked and walked thro several layout displays. then on to the stores of several rows.I know I was tired at the end and I think the grandkids where ready to go home and play with ours again.thank you slow train Ed
WGH is coming to Edison, NJ this February, I plan to attend (haven’t since Dec. 2004) as it’s within easy enough driving distance for me.
Hopeful the show is as good as the Omaha one sounds (I’m not particularly worried about the lines for Thomas).
hey Ricky,
are you from around Omaha? I sure liked that long set up. yeah saw you guys had wire problems…
steve
Bellevue, I can see Omaha from here!
Ricky
do you have a train lay out at home? or are you with an club?
be great to get together sometimes.
steve