I wish I was visiting family back home so I could attend. I will be attending a train show in Tulsa, OK, next weekend (6-7 Mar).
Joe
Will you have a table at Tulsa or just going? I've been to the last two shows but just starting my layout.
Steve,
I am fairly new to this as well and will be attending the show, not having a table. I am hoping to pick up some ideas and maybe some good deals on Lehigh Valley and Reading Railroad coal hoppers. Most of all, I hope to see some amazing trains while I'm there. It's about a two hour drive for me from Enid.
Many of us in SE Pennsylvania think the 2 Allentown train shows each year are "the next best show to York". However, 18" of snow is expected by Friday night, so I may miss this one since it's a 1 1/4 hr drive (in good weather) for me.
Seems like all the good shows are in southeastern Pennsylvania. Anything in central or western Pennsylvania?
With the amount of snow coming to the area, I dont think many people will be out for this one..They are expecting 12-18 inches of snow, heavy winds, and power failures...time will tell
Mark
Its raelly a shame there arent as many train shows as there used to be. About 16 years ago when my father was alive we'd go to a few small ones up here. Anyone remember the shows at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, there were a couple throughout the year in Hamburg or the summer show at Knoebel's? Now im looking at braving the weather & roads to make Allentown this weekend or The Reading Company Tech & Historical Society's show in Leesport next month. Otherwise I'll have to wait for the fall show in Allentown. I'v suggested a train meet to my local fire companies & all I get are dumb looks. GGRRR.
Guess I should have mentioned im in PA & the shows I mentioned are/were here too.
Laz,
How are you doing, I hope all is well.Have you received your Shay yet?
There, seem to be, not only many hobby fans and hobby shops, dedicated to trains, but also many train shows, in Pennsylvania.
The model train hobby is dwindling, here in Nassau Co., L.I., N.Y.S.It, seems now-a-days, some young people are not into model trains, especially here in Nassau Co.Back when, my Son was a Boy Scout, there was a Merit Badge for Model Railroading, in their handbook. No, he did not choose that badge, but if it were me, I'd ace the course!
I know, if I want more of model railroading I should move into Pa., at least that's what my Wife tells me.
Take Care,
Ralph
The Philadelphia area is within a 2 hour drive of many large shows: Allentown 2, York 2, Timonium Md "Scale" show 3, and Greenberg with approx. 10. Add to those 17 the many small TCA Division shows and "firehouse" shows. Also, 2 major dealers in the area...N.Smith Trains and JusTrains. The Strasburg RR (operating steam) and the PRR museum are 1 hour away.
RALPH,
If you get a chance to ever go to the ALLENTOWN show, go its a good one. Lots o stuff there. I'm going on Saturday, depending on the weather? Don't know jow much snow they got?
laz57
laz,
Believe, me I'd love to go with my neighbor, who's into H.O., even to put up with the distance, but every now and then my family pops in announced, or unannounced, so I stay home bound.
I, thank you and I know that show will be, as others are, fun to be at, especially running into people I know.
Enjoy the show,
laz 57RALPH, If you get a chance to ever go to the ALLENTOWN show, go its a good one. Lots o stuff there. I'm going on Saturday, depending on the weather? Don't know jow much snow they got? laz57
Hey Laz and anyone else,
I live about 15 minutes from Allentown, and so far we go about 5 or 6 inches. But most of it already melted. Absolutely none on the roads. PENDOT is doing a good job this time with the pre-treatment of the roads and the temperature not below or much below freezing is also helping keep the accumulation down, so far.... We are supposed to get the brunt of the storm tonight into tomorrow, so we will have to see.
I agree it is a great show, I actually have only been there once a few years back but was very impressed. I am going to go this year but not sure which day I will go.
Scott, LVR
HighOnDieselFumes Anyone remember the shows at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, there were a couple throughout the year in Hamburg or the summer show at Knoebel's?
I didn't know there were ever train shows at Bloomsburg or Knoebel's. Too bad they're gone, since both locations are within about two hours' driving distance for me.
The sad fact is that, as prototype railroads grow less and less visible, so does general interest in model/toy railroading.
Total Newbie to Joe Hohmann, or others who might know:
I also live in Delaware County, but near the Delaware state border (extreme southeast PA for those unfamiliar with Pennsylvania) and it would be about a 1 ½ trip to Allentown for me (assuming good weather).
I went to the Greenberg Train Show at the Valley Forge Convention Center last week-end and had a good and educational several hours looking around. Even bought a few small things just to motivate me. (As I told my wife.)
My question:
For those who have been to both, how would something like the Allentown Show compare to the recent Greenburg Show. (The Allentown Show web page is rather sparse on details along these lines.)
Thanks for your patience with this low level question.
Jeff
I couldnt tell you how many years ago its been since there was a show in Bloomsburg or at Knoebel's but my father is gone 15 years & we were in 027 & O guage for atleast 10 years b4 that. Guess its 16-20 years ago. The things you remember & the ones you dont. lol Iv been wanting to go to the show in York but a buddy told me you need a membership to a club or something to that affect. Any info?
Train-O The model train hobby is dwindling, here in Nassau Co., L.I., N.Y.S.It, seems now-a-days, some young people are not into model trains, especially here in Nassau Co.Back when, my Son was a Boy Scout, there was a Merit Badge for Model Railroading, in their handbook. No, he did not choose that badge, but if it were me, I'd ace the course! Take Care, Ralph
Ralph, the RR Merit Badge still exists in the Cub Scout program but not sure about the Boy Scouts.
The "Kid's Club" that we sponsor has been so popular that we had to break-up into two sessions, a morning group and an afternoon group. If everybody showed up for their respective group meeting the museum /library would be bursting at the seams.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
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Lehigh Valley Railroader laz 57 RALPH, If you get a chance to ever go to the ALLENTOWN show, go its a good one. Lots o stuff there. I'm going on Saturday, depending on the weather? Don't know jow much snow they got? laz57 Hey Laz and anyone else, I live about 15 minutes from Allentown, and so far we go about 5 or 6 inches. But most of it already melted. Absolutely none on the roads. PENDOT is doing a good job this time with the pre-treatment of the roads and the temperature not below or much below freezing is also helping keep the accumulation down, so far.... We are supposed to get the brunt of the storm tonight into tomorrow, so we will have to see. I agree it is a great show, I actually have only been there once a few years back but was very impressed. I am going to go this year but not sure which day I will go. Scott, LVR
laz 57 RALPH, If you get a chance to ever go to the ALLENTOWN show, go its a good one. Lots o stuff there. I'm going on Saturday, depending on the weather? Don't know jow much snow they got? laz57
SCOTT,
Thank you for the update on the weather there. I'll be taking it real slow tomorrow and get there between 10-11 Am. No big hurry they will be open till 4 and lots o guyz get done and out of there by 1. Thanks again.
Someone asked about Train Shows in western PA.
There is a small show this Sunday in Kittanning.I'll be there if the weather improves.
There is a Greenberg Show in Monroeville (East of Pittsburgh) 3 times a year.
Usually Feb, July and Nov.
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
PhillyTrainGuy Total Newbie to Joe Hohmann, or others who might know: Allentown is geared to the more "serious" "O" and "S" people. Many dealers are not the usual Greenberg dealers (who show up at every Greenberg show in the NorthEast US). Not as many "Mom, Dad, and the Kids out for the day" that you find at Greenberg. The number of dealers are a bit more than Greenberg, with less kids stuff and toys. I live in Media, and it usually takes me 1 hour 10 minutes. I have seen posted in the OGR forum that the parking lot and roads are clear of snow.
A great train show is in the Baltiomore area .... Timonium fairgrounds .... great prices = huge and no need to be in the TCA = Train collector's association as York is . Mostly regular train guys with alot of selection and LOWER prices . I quit going to York years ago along with my bro-in-law .... high priced to retail prices and extremely limited since all must be members and most sellers must be members which also limits the item selection considerably . Here's a great link to check out alot of shows ... but there are more even these folks don't list .... http://www.railserve.com/events/train_shows.html
And here ..... http://www.littletoytrains.com/
Here's the link to the timonium show if you don't mind driving a bit for a great train show and sale ........ http://www.gsmts.com/ .... as it says the BIGGEST in the mid atlantic area .
Doug,
Glad to know that model railroading is still a part of Scouting, two of life's great learning experiences.
You may be correct, it was a long time ago, it might have been a Cub Scout Merit Badge, task.As, popular as, Model railroading was back in the '80's, there just weren't many candidates for the 'Model Railroad' Merit Badge.
Now, the Eagle Scout Project, that was an experience and a half!
Take care,
My memory could be the culprit. I know we went to shows at Knoebel's in the summer, they were under the pavilions near the parking lot, same area they have the fall Covered Bridge Craft show I get drug to every year. Only good thing is I can hear the whistles of the 2 train rides they have but I wont tell the girlfriend that. lol The shows at Bloomsburg were held in 1 or 2 of the permanent brick buildings at the fairgrounds. Maybe its more like 20 years since these shows have been held. Im about 20 minutes south of Bloom & our roads are still white but im thinking of taking a ride sunday to Allentown. Iv been out of the train loop for a few years & want to see whats new.
One thing I do remember of the show at Knoebel's was it was small, usually 2 pavilions.
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