Train Shows

[trainguy59]

Haven't posted in quite awhile, but now that I'm retired I have more time. I live in eastern PA. and am blessed with numerous different train shows in my area threw out the year. I have been finding some terrific bargins this year. Of course like anything, it all depends on what your looking for and in hat condition. I'm an operater so my trains do not have to be perfect and in the box. I'm a Lionel /  American flyer guy,,which drives most of the dealers crazy lol. Give a shout out and lets here how every one else is finding the shows? Will post more later. Btw, as soon as this old guy cam figuer it out I will post some pictuers 

[fifedog]

I've done very well with PW Lionel and AF at the local shows in my area (Cumberland-Altoona-Hagerstown). I employ patience in my long game. But with 4 grandsons, YORK will be singing it's siren song in a season or two.

[philo426]

Any luck finding a 681?

[trainguy59]

681 is a nice running engine. I have a 671 that I actully brought at a train show in a show in Cherry hill Nj. About 35 years ago. i remeber buying it off a guy who said they used to run it every year on a christmas display that they put up in the fire house. Said it was a great runner and it still is today. 

[trainguy59]

I also do York. But just in the Fall. It's become the start of the Holiday season to my wife and I . 

[MidlandMike]

Here is a car that I picked up yesterday at the Lansing (Michigan) Train Show.  It's a K-line die-cast hopper that weighs a ton.

[TheWaysideRailroader]

I usually just do a train show that the Piedmont division NMRA hosts in Cartersville, GA every March. I've gotten some good deals and have picked up some great stuff at that show!

[8ntruck]

I made it to the local train show in Sedalia, Mo. last Saturday.  Was a small show with mostly HO equipment. 

I brought home a pair of Lionel 200 series Alcoa in yellow UP livery (heavy handed repaints), a well worn 2056 Hudson, a well worn 2016 2-6-4, a couple of miss matched tenders, a stamped steel trestle bridge, an operating crossing gate, and a fairly nice 6011 log car.  Got about $50 wrapped up in those 'treasures'.  

Actually, the biggest value I got from the show was running into and talking with a few other train guys that I haven't seen in a long time.

MidlandMike - was that show in Lansing held at MSU?  We just returned to our Michigan location for a few weeks today.  I was going to look that show up, hoping to attend this year.  Well, maybe next year..... 

[Flintlock76]

trainguy59

I live in eastern PA. and am blessed with numerous different train shows in my area threw out the year.

That you are!  Pennsy's got a very vibrant model railroading culture and shows seem to abound. 

I've had some very good stuff find ME this year, two Lionel 2065's, a Lionel Reading Pacific AND six Reading passenger cars (by Williams) to go with it, also an MTH Union Pacific "Forty-Niner" engine. 

You know, the one that some call "The Slug?"  It's so ugly it's beautiful!

Wait for it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cytLmJY8Pw

Can't complain at all. 

[MidlandMike]

8ntruck

MidlandMike - was that show in Lansing held at MSU?  We just returned to our Michigan location for a few weeks today.  I was going to look that show up, hoping to attend this year.  Well, maybe next year..... 

Yes it was at MSU.  If you are traveling, you need to plan ahead when there is a home game, as hotels were pretty full and expensive.  It is supposidly now the largest train show in Michigan, 500 tables.  I think next years show is the second weekend in November.

[8ntruck]

Yup.  I grew up in Lansing, am a MSU alum, and lived in East Lansing for a while.  I know all about football Saturdays.

I've been to that show several years ago.  Was bigger than I expected.

We are currently  living about an hour north of Lansing.  Lodging won't be an issue.

[MidlandMike]

Sounds like you would be close to this train show next spring:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-mid-michigan-model-train-sale-tickets-625830033477