York show

[traindaddy1]

Got an email notice that says the York show will be open to the public this year on April 28th and 29th.

Is it true?

[Nationwidelines]

My understanding is that only the Orange Hall and Purple? Hall are going to be open to the public.  These are the halls with the manufacturers and more commercial type train dealers. 

It is my understanding that the above halls will be open to the public only on Friday and Saturday.  They will not be open to the public on Thursday.

The bulk of the halls (Red, White, Blue, & Silver) are mom and pop type sellers and will not be open to the public to my understanding.

NWL

[cwburfle]

traindaddy1

Got an email notice that says the York show will be open to the public this year on April 28th and 29th. Is it true?

I am curious, who sent the email notice?

 

[sir james I]

I got that letter from the TCA. They might have bought a name list then sent to non members as well.

 Edit: ok I had trouble signing in today but this is crazy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[arkady]

sir james I

I got that letter from the TCA. They might have bought a name list then sent to non members as well.

 Edit: ok I had trouble signing in today but this is crazy.

You're not the only one, Sir James.  I kept getting "an unexpected error occurred" when I tried to sign in.  Seems to be working now, though.

 

[Bob Keller]

This is posted on the TCA's Eastern Division website:

 

“NEW for 2017: The officers of the Train Collectors Association have decided to open to the public the "Greatest Train Show on Earth". 

“The public will be permitted to attend Friday April 28 and Saturday April 29. Open admission for those two days will be limited to the Orange & Purple dealer halls, and the Black exhibit hall where modular displays can be enjoyed. 

“The Orange Hall is the largest and probably the most spectacular; it includes approximately 150 tables and more than 50 separate booths. In addition, the editors of Classic Toy Trains will be there answering questions and listening to your concerns. 

“Tickets for the public are $14 per family for a single-day ticket (either Friday or Saturday.) $20 per family to attend both days. 

Show Hours:
Friday, April 28, 2017, 9:00am - 6:30pm
Saturday, April 29, 2017, 9:00am - 4:00pm

“This is a great opportunity for train enthusiasts to experience the “The Mother of All Train Shows.” Guests will have the opportunity to join The Train Collectors Association and gain access to the halls reserved for members only.”

[traindaddy1]

Thanks for all the information. Am wondering, though, how much would be missed by not being able to experience the entire show ie. the closed halls.

[sir james I]

If your into postwar trains you will miss a lot. However you could consider joining the TCA ($50.00) plus York fee or go as a guest. You are allowed to go 1 time as a guest.

 

[Bob Keller]

It has been years since I got away from the Orange hall any further than Purple, but the member halls are a combination museum (stuff you thought was rare) and flea market all for sale! But many non train folks might find it overwhelming.

[fifedog]

traindaddy - The dealer halls are chocked full of venders, mainly with new products.  There are some dealers with classic merchandise (postwar, flyer, etc.), mixed in amongst the aisles.  You will be perfectly capable of spending the gdp of most Gulf states in those 2 buildings alone.  There will be at least 3 fully operational layouts, and Lionel, MTH, Atlas, and others have great new product displays. 

The member halls are filled with rows and rows of used trains and collections for sale.  Some merchandise is priced to move, and some merchandise is priced to be there for the Fall show...and beyond. 

It's been said that if you walk through each hall once, including hiking between each building, you will have trecked 7 miles.

Is going just for the dealer halls worth it?  I'd say yes.  Often I've had to race through the Orange hall at the end of the day, wishing I had more time to take in everything.

I hope everyone here attending on Friday stops by the CTT booth at 1PM, and meet the members of the forums, as well as the staff, and get your mugs photographed with the gang.

[cwburfle]

Is going just for the dealer halls worth it?  I'd say yes.  Often I've had to race through the Orange hall at the end of the day, wishing I had more time to take in everything.

I agree with what Fifedog wrote. The Eastern Division's web site makes the Orange hall sound smaller than it really is.

[traindaddy1]

First of all, thanks for your posts. Got to say, it all sounds like a worthwhile event.

Lets see.....Round trip, 1900 miles...2 nights in Motel....Gas...Fees....Food etc. and, of course, purchases. 

But, it is my hobby!

We'll see!!

[scrambler81]

Just joined TCA recently, and hoping to make my first trip to York this Friday. I don't expect it to be a big shopping day - just got a new transmission! - but I hope to get a feel for it and have some fun. If it is everything I hear it is, I'll go back in the fall ready to spend.

[Major]

I went to the York pre shows today, there are 4 locations in hotels and fire stations. Found some nice items and had a lot of fun. For me it's just 23 miles away. Looking forward to Thursday and Friday at the fairgrounds.

 

[Banks]

Heard there's a show near the fairgrounds wit lots of Gilbert HO. Anybody know where it is?

[Nationwidelines]

The Reliant Fire House, which is approximately 1 to 2 blocks west of the Fairgrounds on Market Street, typically is filled with postwar Flyer.  I can only guess that is the place you are looking for.  I have not been there this week to check out the items for sale, as I am stuck at the Wyndham Gardens manning a table.

 

NWL

[Major]

Flyer HO is in the Reliant fire hall just west of the fair grounds. There is a ton of it there most in original boxes!

 

[Major]

Had a great time at the show today, Picked up a few common flyer cars in excellent condition at extreamly resonable prices. Also got some scenicing material for my small layout. Picked up a Flyer/Lionel Mikaido for $250 and it works great! Also got a original sawmill for $40 and the second style log loader for $70. All work great. I'll be back again tomorrow!

  

[Firelock76]

I've got to get out there one of these days, I'm overdue for some overwhelming.

Last time I was overwhelmed was at the Brimfield Antiques Show in Brimfield MA in 2006.  Imagine two miles of antiques for sale (all kinds) along two miles of road and at least 200 yards deep on either side! 

The best booth of all?  A woman with a business of selling vintage "kitchenalia" and the business was named "My Mother Had That!"  Lady Firestorm got plenty of baking equipment from that exhibitor she didn't know she needed! 

When Lady F is in a good mood she bakes.  When she's in a bad mood she bakes.  Maybe "Nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven" but when I walk in the door and smell baking I don't know whether to stay or run!

[wrmcclellan]

For those wondering, the "open to the public Friday and Saturday" was at best, a "non-event". Numbers varied, but the ad hoc reported count from those that spoke to the TCA folks manning the ticket table was around 300. I only saw 2 public wrist bands on Friday, but I hit all the halls on Friday and finished the last 3 hours in the Orange Hall. Others saw more but in the "tens". Saturday there were more folks from the general public, but I saw only about 20. I spent all my time on Saturday in the Orange Hall, walking around and working the booth (which is just across from the Lionel booth). I did make an extra effort - and I noticed other TCA folks doing the same - to go out of the way to welcome and speak to the public attendees. I also ran into two former TCA members that came since they could get in for $14.