Who went to the DuPage model railroad fair?[?]
I went to the show.1st time in about 3 years. it seemed to be different this time around. well i picked up some nails,and cork roadbed and a magizine
Scot
I have never been as it is a bit of a haul from St. Louis. what is it like? Do they have layouts on display? Is it a good place for bargains? What do you think, would you drive 250 miles each way to see it?
I took my dad out there today. We’ve been going for the past 25 years. This was my first trip in the past 5 or 6 years though.
What’s it like???
I don’t really know how to explain it. There are only 2 or 3 operating layouts - nothing in size or detail though.
The stuff for sale is probably 75% Lionel. If’ you’re in the market for old tinplate stuff, this is the show for you. My dad and I both collect American Flyer and we enjoy roaming through the aisles checking out what’s for sale and what current market price on our stuff is.
Not much from the model railroading “modern era” (1990+).
Fun place to roam through and haggle with sellers. Everything is negotiable. They’ve got test tracks in each building to test any used engines you buy. That’s pretty nice.
I think of it as the antithesis of the Milwaukee show each November. They’re polar opposites if each other. The DuPage show is more of a model railroad flea market. If you need the a particular lightbulb for a 1954 A.C. Gilbert accessory - this is the place to be. Little kids get pretty bored at this one. Not like the Milwaukee show which is really marketed to families right before the holidays. The DuPage show is a place to go if you know exactly what you want and you’re willing to rummage around a bit for it.
Side note: Some of the best cheeseburgers on the planet at this show. Good stuff… 
Paddler
Thanks for the info. I wondered if it would be any good for kids and it sounds like it would not be worth 8 hours of “Are we nearly there/home yet?” Also as an HO scale modeler, it does not sound as if there would be a lot to interest me. Thanks again
Yeah… it can be long with kids. I WOULD make the trek in November to the Milwaukee show at the State Fair Park. It’s only an extra 1.5 hours of driving. One HUGE room filled with tons of operating layouts, sellers, demonstrations, etc…
Not to favor one show over the other. I love 'em both. They’re both very different and attract different crowds.
The show in Madison this coming weekend is a good one too!
This weekend, we get the GATS show in Collinsville, IL, just 4 mile down I55 from my house. This is usually a good local show, so I will be heading to that one with the kids. Plenty of layouts to look at.
The flyers for TrainFest in Milwaukee each November are careful to state “NOT a swap meet.” TrainFest is primarily operating layouts plus commercial dealers and manufacturers. DuPage is basically a swap meet although much of the stuff is new being sold by dealers or “basement dealers.” Even with used stuff there is of course not much real swapping that takes place at swap meets, but you do see some …
I go to DuPage once or twice a year, my impression is that saying 75% is Lionel is a bit high depending on the day. Certainly Lionel might be at least half though. During warmer weather they have a substantial outdoor selling area with more dealers so I prefer to go in warmer weather – plus the UP railfanning nearby (and the BNSF railfanning not too far away) makes the trip worth while.
Dave Nelson
Haven’t gone in several years now. It was getting too expensive for admission, IMO, and I am able to get most items locally or at shows in this area pretty much.
When was it?
Where was it? (And don’t say Dupage County).
How close or far away from St. Charles?
Archie
http://www.greatmidwesttrainshow.com/
Follow this link. The next one is March 13th