ivesboy I have attended many York meets and also sell at both the fairgrounds and the "bandit" meets. I have noticed a trend in the last few years. The nice trains are at the bandit meets, the junk is at the fairgrounds. I hope that anyone who is thinking about attending York for the first time does not take this seriously. In fact, there are very few dealers at the "bandit meets", and since the "bandit meets" are open to the public, I have not found many true bargains.
I have attended many York meets and also sell at both the fairgrounds and the "bandit" meets.
I have noticed a trend in the last few years. The nice trains are at the bandit meets, the junk is at the fairgrounds.
I hope that anyone who is thinking about attending York for the first time does not take this seriously. In fact, there are very few dealers at the "bandit meets", and since the "bandit meets" are open to the public, I have not found many true bargains.
Just food for thought and an honest suggestion.
I have noticed a trend in the last few years. The nice trains are at the bandit meets, the junk is at the fairgrounds. The bandit meets are at the hotels mon tues wed. If you are looking for nice trains come for the bandit meets and maybe one day to the fairgrounds to see it. Its not what it used to be.
By the time the trains get to the fairgrounds the good stuff has been picked clean by the dealers and early birds at the bandit shows. Trust me, ive seen it many times.
Membership Application Forms can be downloaded from the Eastern TCA Web Site.
The York Registration Packet can also be downloaded from the same site as well as Hotel lists.
www.easterntca.org www.easterntca.org/map1.pdf
"Earlybird Registration" for April 2011 is now open! Only 162 days to April York!
By using the" Pre-Register" package you get a discount and the badges are mailed so you can walk in any door without standing in line. If you want a Table you mail the form to one address, if you just want a Badge you mail it to a different address.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Concerning the "where to stay?" question:
Now is the time to book a room for the lowest rate, HOWEVER, if you have to cancel, these low rates will usually mean you will be charged for at least one night, show or no.
The motel rates DO go up during York week. If you don't mind driving 30-45 minutes to/from the fairgrounds, cheaper motels can be found. I personnally opt for the short drive, because I may as well drive the 2 hours to get home ,rather than drive 45 minutes and pay for a motel.
Debates on "where is the best place to stay", on the OGR Forum, are worthless IMO...sort of a "Ford vs. Chevy" debate for the most part. Motels within 3 miles of the fairgrounds run from $100.-$140./night. The "cheap" motels, Super8 and Rodeway, used to cost $65, but no longer( I've stayed at both of them). Now I stay at the Holiday Inn, one mile from the fairgrounds, for about $125.
Regarding theft, while it is a very safe environment, I have a friend who is a dealer with several tables. He has had a number of items taken from the tables. Most of it is spare parts and not very valuable. Obviously, take due caution, but you should have plenty of fun. Also, plan on comfortable shoes. You will want to make several trips to your car to drop off purchases.
And as Fife would say...there are arrows on the floor.....follow them!
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
rtraincollector Theres more than enough folks willing to sponsor you at the door. From what I have been told there even guys here you mail your membership form to and they will mail it toanother and then another then back to you and you will be set to join chief, Fife, and a few others
Theres more than enough folks willing to sponsor you at the door. From what I have been told there even guys here you mail your membership form to and they will mail it toanother and then another then back to you and you will be set to join
chief, Fife, and a few others
I got my form signed by a local. The big benefit of that was I got to tour his layout. Wow! Then I sent it to Fife and he signed it and sent it back. Great guy Fife. Hope to meet him one day at York. Hope to meet many others of you. Haven't been to York yet, but hope to next April. My question is do I need to pre register? I got a packet in the mail but it was unclear if that was just for table space or to get a badge. Can I just show up and get in?
Terry Thomann Fredericksburg, Virginia That is me on the left. My brother got the train TCA 09-64381
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Thank you, DMUinCT. One last question, if you will: I am not yet a member. How can I "join at the door," given the TCA's requirement that you have to have two members to vouch for you? I don't live anywhere near a city, and in my area, I don't know anyone who's interested in trains, scale, toy or otherwise.
I'd like to attend the April show, but I'd also like to know in advance what to expect.
Thanks.
MAP OF TCA YORK PA.
www.easterntca.org/map1.pdf
Your wife and family are not guests, THEY ARE FREE on your membership. You can bring "Guests" (even more than one) but they must pay admission.
Your membership covers family members. At York TCA, and most other TCA Meets, your Wife (or significant other), and your children under 18 are always free. Yes, they will be issued badges too, under her name, in small letters, "Family of TCA your member number".
DMUinCT Being all members, members are responsible for their guests...
Being all members, members are responsible for their guests...
Do spouses count as "guests?"
To add, Twice a year:
Average attendence 14,000 members and guests. 1,100 Member Tables. 250 Dealer Booths.
It is 3 days long (Thursday Friday Saturday), not to give you a choice of days. It'll take 3 days to go through all 8 buildings looking at each table.
Each person wears a 3X4 inch printed name badge in a holder around your neck. It is checked by Security each time you enter any hall.
Being all members, members are responsible for their guests, you can walk around without a worry about theft.
Bring money, but they do have 2 "ATM Machines" at key locations next to the halls.
Free Ice Cream on Friday night, free coffee and donuts on Saturday morning!
Jodo Kast 3 My best friend and I are looking to go next year and really don`t know what to expect and would love some visual reference... A few photos would not capture this "mind blowing" experiance (8 large buildings filled with trains). Every "O" or "S" train person should attend at least once. You can have a great time without spending much money. A 45 minute drive from York is "train capital" Strasburg, PA...live steam RR, PRR Museum, huge layout at the Choo-Choo Barn, and the TCA train museum. To attend the York Meet, you must be a TCA member, or a guest of one. You can also "join at the door".
My best friend and I are looking to go next year and really don`t know what to expect and would love some visual reference...
A few photos would not capture this "mind blowing" experiance (8 large buildings filled with trains). Every "O" or "S" train person should attend at least once. You can have a great time without spending much money. A 45 minute drive from York is "train capital" Strasburg, PA...live steam RR, PRR Museum, huge layout at the Choo-Choo Barn, and the TCA train museum.
To attend the York Meet, you must be a TCA member, or a guest of one. You can also "join at the door".
Best place to go for information: www.easterntca.org It will have all you need to know about going to York. Have a good trip.
A Day Without Trains is a Day Wasted
Craig,They don't want people showing up, taking pictures, sending those pictures to other people to resell the items. That is also why cellphone use in the halls is not allowed as well. It is also a safety issue as well. Also strollers aren't allowed either.
Dennis....
Thanks for the info.
No pics at the show huh? Kinda weird but ok....rules are rules.
Yeah, we`re looking forward to going maybe in April if things go right. Anyplace we can find info about it online? Our biggest question will be close hotels to stay at and getting to the fairgrounds.
Thanks..
Craig
"I finally got my Lionel barstool with a back."
Craig, if you were able to get photos from the dealer halls, the folks who took them would be gone. Photos at York are verboten in accordance to the Eastern Division of the TCA rules. They have two shows per year, October and April. It is well worth your time to go. I saw more stuff there than at any point in my life and just about all of it involved trains! Only thing I was not able to find was a CTT anniversary Divco truck. Still, I suggest you make it a point to join the TCA and go to York. Bring plenty of cash, but also bring the plastic as no matter how much money you bring, you will need more.
Has anybody taken any really good pics of the train show? Just for example the dealers rooms, the main buildings, the grounds ect?
Thanks...
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month