Well this weekend was definitely "A Tale of Two Trainshows". First on Saturday was the Depot Stove Gang's annual train show and swap meet at Lena, Il. Well attended as expected with three large rooms full of vendors, including several American Flyer sellers, and multiple operating layouts in the HS gym. Literally every scale layout from Z to G was represented. (A shoutout here to the State Line S-scalers group of Illinois and Wisconsin for their layout.)
Sunday was the Great American Train Show in Rock Island, Il. Not very "Great" at all, I could tell that as soon as I walked up to the ticket booth and saw that the exhibition hall was half empty. ONE operating layout, courtsey of the local N-Trax group. No more than a dozen vendors, and that's counting the chiropractor and the lady selling rain gutter guards. I'm usually prepared to be dissappointed at the GATS, mainly because they cater largely to the "commerical" scales, but this year was the worst I've seen it since they started coming to the area.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
The "World's Greatest Hobby On Tour" show that was held in Hampton Va. several weeks ago was a bit of a disappointment, not as spectacular as the last one here several years ago. Not as many exhibitors as the last go-'round but the local club layouts were pretty interesting. A Greenberg show I attended in Edison NJ in November was a lot better.
On the other hand, I DID get a good deal on an MTH "General", and some rail DVD's and a few books as well, so it could have been worse.
I am finding that "local" shows are much better than the traveling shows. I have two that I really like in Ohio and it is the local guys that put it together.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Wish I would of know about the show in Lena, Il. I am only about an hour or so south of there.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Click "Resources" on the top of the Classic Toy Trains website, then "Coming Events." It's a good way to find out about train shows in your area. Handy feature!
bad or not, at least you got to go to a train show.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
LL675 bad or not, at least you got to go to a train show.
Yep, a bad day at a train show is better than a good day at work! Or something.
Actually, it's pretty subjective when you come down to it. If you go to a show and you find what you're looking for, it's a good show. If you don't, it's not.
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