What is this big deal about York?

[Anonymous]

I've been reading alot of posts here and there about York. I am assuming that its a big train show of some sort, and obviously of one I never heard of or been to before. If someone could enlighten me on what it is would be great.

Chris

[Anonymous]

No big deal. It's just the largest toy train meet in the U.S., and probably in the world. It is a "meet" and not really a "show"--the essential difference being that the emphasis is more on the buy/sell aspect of the hobby than on the display of layouts in various scales and that sort of thing (which one customarily associates with a "show").

But more than that, York is the place where many thousands of toy train enthusiasts gather for a few days to socialize, share experiences and knowledge, and make new friends in the hobby (as well as meet-up with old friends who they may only see once or twice a year). There's also the opportunity to meet and talk with all the major "movers and shakers" in the hobby--manufacturers, after-market suppliers, major dealers, and the like.

A big deal? Certainly not for someone with only a casual interest in the hobby, or with no interest at all. But it most certainly is an important event for many who are deeply immersed in the hobby and who want to experience more toy trains than they will ever see anywhere else while simultaneously enjoying the real fellowship--as opposed to the "virtual fellowship" that the Internet provides--of their fellow enthusiasts.

[laz 57]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller

No big deal. It's just the largest toy train meet in the U.S., and probably in the world. It is a "meet" and not really a "show"--the essential difference being that the emphasis is more on the buy/sell aspect of the hobby than on the display of layouts in various scales and that sort of thing (which one customarily associates with a "show").

But more than that, York is the place where many thousands of toy train enthusiasts gather for a few days to socialize, share experiences and knowledge, and make new friends in the hobby (as well as meet-up with old friends who they may only see once or twice a year). There's also the opportunity to meet and talk with all the major "movers and shakers" in the hobby--manufacturers, after-market suppliers, major dealers, and the like.

A big deal? Certainly not for someone with only a casual interest in the hobby, or with no interest at all. But it most certainly is an important event for many who are deeply immersed in the hobby and who want to experience more toy trains than they will ever see anywhere else while simultaneously enjoying the real fellowship--as opposed to the "virtual fellowship" that the Internet provides--of their fellow enthusiasts.

[#ditto]

Where else can you see over 7 buildings of engines,rolling stock, and toy train related stuff with people that have the same interests as you?
laz57

[Bob Keller]

The rare becomes common, and if you can't find it there - you don't need it.

And of course, the freebie CTT buttons ...

[Anonymous]

Perhaps I missed it in the posts above, but shouldn't one advise "newbies" that attendance at "York" is restricted to TCA members and their guests? It's a long drive from Holland just to get turned away at the door!

http://www.traincollectors.org/

[darianj]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wolverine49

Perhaps I missed it in the posts above, but shouldn't one advise "newbies" that attendance at "York" is restricted to TCA members and their guests? It's a long drive from Holland just to get turned away at the door!

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10122137.html

Good point![:0]

[cnw1995]

I hope someday to make the trek from the wilds of the Midwest. It would be neat to be part of something that big with all sorts of fellow enthusiasts. I'd have to bring a lot of money [:)]

[wrmcclellan]

As the guys said above, it is a huge buy/sell trading show. Imagine over 4 football fields of wall-to-wall tables of toy trains of every make and vintage. All the manufacturers and dealers (3 buildings now - orange, purple, and brown) are there with their products. You can see all the products of those (esp the smaller venders) who advertise in CTT. The rest of the halls (silver, blue, white, and red) are full of individuals selling and trading trains.

If one is interested in attending, a non-TCA member can attend one time as a guest of a TCA member. Just arrange with a TCA member friend in advance.

Oh, and of course those CTT buttons! Where else but York!

Regards,
Roy

[DCmontana]

Its a happening man, remember the sixties??? If you don't, you didn't miss as much as some people think. I would like to go to York at least once and yes, I agree with Doug, I would want to bring a lot of money!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wolverine49

It's a long drive from Holland just to get turned away at the door!

You can join TCA "at the door". Joe

[Roger Bielen]

For many its the Mecca of the hobby. The unsanctioned out door meets prior to the TCA meet, open to all, are worth the trip even if you don't go to the fair grounds.

[poppyl]

Semi-annual gathering of the faithful and a chance to renew old friendships and create new ones. Good way to put faces with the names you see on the various fora.

Poppyl

[jonadel]

We would love to go but the distance just prohibits that possibility and now that the gas Lords have raised the prices again it just makes it improbable.

Jon

[Anonymous]

I didn't see anyone else mention it but, it is also mostly O and S guage trains. Unlike some other shows or meets where our interest is about 10 to 20% of the show. This one is just all for us!

[palallin]

It is of course possible to have a deep and abiding interest in toy and model trains and yet little interest in fighting the crowds and making the substantial financial sacrifice necessary to go to York. If it were next door, I could see myself going. But to spend well over a thousand $$ just to get there and get accomodations would cnsume my hobby budget for a couple of years, leaving me no way to buy anything once there. Still, with all sue respect to Allan, I have much more than a casual interest in the hobby. But York isn't even on my radar screen.

[Anonymous]

No question about it, a York Meet trip can be a costly adventure (but well worth it, in my opinion). When I lived in the D.C./Baltimore area, it was just a short drive up the road. When I moved to the Milwaukee area, it became quite a drive (but I still did it.) And when I subsequently moved to Dubuque, it was longer still (but, again, I made the trek). When I later relocated to the Norfolk area, I still made the (closer) journey to York on a regular basis.

I haven't been able to attend for the past few years, though, and not because of the distance involved (I now live in Southwestern Virginia). Rather, it's a matter of work requirements that, unfortunately, keep me pretty well occupied at those two times of the year when the York Meet is held. Still, I'm planning on October this time around, if all works out as currently planned.

I never felt the need to spend a whole lot at York buying train stuff because I've always had more than I deserve to have. I always saw it more as a social event, and a time to meet-up with old friends.

I generally stay in Hunt Valley, MD, which is about a 40 minute drive to the fairgrounds, but a very pleasant drive up I-83. Hotel rates there are quite reasonable. I do put enough money aside to splurge on my dining (and a bit of drinking), since I consider York a vacation.

Overall, I've never found that it was overly costly for me to make the trip to York even back when I had to drive for many hours--frequently by myself. I just get my hands on some decent audio books and enjoy listening to a good story while I'm driving.

On some occasions, I've actually spent nearly a whole week at York without spending more than a few dollars on train items. At other times, I've spent a whole lot of money on things I've found there. In recent years, however, I really do find the "buying" part of the trip the least significant to me. There is just so much more that York offers to the toy train enthusiast.

Footnote: To satisfy my "serious" scale interests, I generally try to attend the NMRA National Conventions, which are held in a different part of the country each year. They are absolutely great conventions, and wonderful learning experiences. Ditto for the National Garden Railway Convention.

[laz 57]

If anybody is interested Harrisburg Pa. is only about 30 minutes from YORK and there are lots of hotels there to stay at.
laz57

[Anonymous]

I'm sure I will get to visit there someday. I have been to PA many times during my trucking days, and its my least favorite state because of all the hills and grades. And yep it would be quite a drive from here in MI.

Im not familiar with TCA (obviously a club) but it would be interesting to check out sometime. Of course since my funds are quite limited right now there's no way I would be able to make such a trip to PA anyway right now.

Chris

[mitchelr]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller


I never felt the need to spend a whole lot at York buying train stuff .....

[#ditto][#ditto]

I am quite fortunate that I live very close by so I can just hop in the car and be there in 20-30 minutes depending on the traffic. [:D] Every time I attend I am overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items available. As Ogaugeoverlord put it so well, "The rare becomes common, and if you can't find it there - you don't need it."

I rarely spend more than $40 - $50 at the TCA show in York, most days my only expenses are for food. Of course I don't have a very big train budget. Just walking through the halls and talking to people is such an education. I can't wait 'til April.

Well that's my [2c].

Mitch

[cheech]

Hi.

I'd love to go, but i am not now a tca member. Can i sign up at the front door?

ralph

[cheech]

I'd love to go but i am not currently a tca member. can i sign up at the front door?

[Anonymous]

The TrainMaster,

Obviously, I posted the incorrect link to TCA. It should work now.

http://www.traincollectors.org/

[Anonymous]

Hotel room rates in and very near York are, of course, a gigantic rip-off, assuming you want someplace reasonably decent and clean. It will never happen because so many are drawn to the "convenience factor," but wouldn't it be great if thousands of York attendees finally got fed up and began staying in hotels outside the immediate area--most of which offer much nicer accommodations at significantly lower rates? I did stay in York a couple of times, but as I noted earlier, I found much nicer rooms and far better rates in the outlying areas--all of which are a very pleasant drive to the fairgrounds.

I realize that when one goes to York, one doesn't spend a whole lot of time in his hotel room, and only uses it as a place to crash, shower, and perhaps rest tired feet, but I'm one who still likes a nice room with a bit of peace and quiet.

[GregM]

Yes, it is possible to join TCA at the door. I did exactly that a couple of years ago.

You will need to obtain a TCA membership application. Membership applications can be downloaded from the TCA website. Fill out the new member portion of the application and take it with you. You will also need to obtain two signatures from current TCA members. When you join, you will need to pay the initiation fee and the first years dues. Dues are now $32.00 per year, the initiation fee is $25.00 for a total of $57.00 to join TCA.

According to the meet notice, the registration desk located in the Silver hall will be staffed Wednesday evening 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; and Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The notice does not specifically state anything about joining TCA but as I said, I was able to join TCA at the fairgrounds in 2004.

Registering for the meet is an additional cost of $15.00 at the door.

[GregM]

Edited my post above to reflect the fact that the initiation fee is still $25.00. There is a current application form in my just received TCA National Headquarters News.

[mitchelr]

FYI - Gettysburg is only about 30 minutes away with tons of hotel rooms and restaurants along with one of the most famous battlefields in the world.

Mitch[:D]

[wrmcclellan]

I stay in Harrisburg where the hotels are also cheaper (and include breakfast) and it is only a 20-25 min drive down the interstate.

Greg - I had heard that people could get signed up at York, but since I had not personally seen it I did not say anything for fear that it was just a rumor.

I have heard that the TCA folks are happy to set up a new member and it sounds like that was your experience.

Be aware that in addition to TCA, you can also join your local division (or any division you wish - like the Eastern Division that runs the York meet). I am in the Lone Star Division which is an extra $6 per year.

[cheech]

i don't mean to be a nag.... but.....what is the likelihood of trolling the parking lot and finding 2 souls to sign the application? good.....unlikely?

[Roger Bielen]

When I went I had it made, my daughter lives just outside of Baltimore. I won't be going this year since my old classmates from grammer school tracked me down. Seem they've been having annual gettogethers and I'm one of a few that hadn't found. Well they found me and we're meeting in NJ in May and that'll be my trip to yankee land this year.

My next time to York will probably be in 2008 when I decide to totally retire and the mortgage is done and over with. More money for trains.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cheech

i don't mean to be a nag.... but.....what is the likelihood of trolling the parking lot and finding 2 souls to sign the application? good.....unlikely?

You don't need to look...the folks running the show will sign for you when you join. But to answer your question...it would take less than a minute to find your 2 souls. Joe