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Southeast Large Scale Train Show

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  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Waverly, Al
  • 85 posts
Southeast Large Scale Train Show
Posted by dhilyer on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 11:21 AM

Hello all,

Anyone planning on attending the Southeast Large Scale Train Show in Perry, Ga on Feb. 16 & 17?  I am planning on attending with my 6 year old son.  This will be my first large scale show and I was wondering what shoul I expect.  I don't have a Garden RR yet, but I have a 150 ft by 80 ft island in our driveway that the Secretary of Land Management (wife) has leased to me for the sole purpose of constructing the DE&G Railroad.  I will post some pictures of the area when I have a chance.

Anyway, I hope to see some of you at the train show.

War Eagle, Dan It's not that I don't have any patience, I have all that I was born with 'cause I have never used any. -My Dad
  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 1,839 posts
Posted by Rene Schweitzer on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 11:32 AM
Welcome! I wish I could say that I'll be at this show, but there's another (all scales) train show that I will be working at instead. I haven't been to this show specifically, but to garden railway conventions, which have similar vendors.

You will find a variety of vendors and manufacturers there. Don't be afraid to stop and chat with these folks. They have loads of experience and advice, and most everyone I've run into at these shows is willing to share information.

And oh, make sure you set a budget. There's way too much temptation. . . :)

Rene Schweitzer

Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Waverly, Al
  • 85 posts
Posted by dhilyer on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 10:22 AM

Rene,

Thanks for the advice on the budget.  I have found that this hobby can get out of hand financially very quickly.  I have purchased a locomotive and a few peices of rolling stock.  I hope to build the RR in several phases to help keep the costs down.

War Eagle, Dan It's not that I don't have any patience, I have all that I was born with 'cause I have never used any. -My Dad
  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 4 posts
Posted by Raffle Queen on Friday, February 9, 2007 9:03 AM

Hi Dan,

This will be my second year to go to the SELSTS and I can't tell you enough how nice it is... First, you and your son will be exposed to a "Steam train" operation up close and personal, then there are at least two operating garden train set-ups, put on by 2 different state garden societies (one from GA and the other from FL).  Also, a large modular train set-up, put on by a spin-off group of the FGRS (FL Garden Railway Soc), called "Sundance".  The first show had a lot of comflicting things going on, so not as many of the big name distributors, except for St. Aubins and Aristocraft, but this one is supposed to have Many more...  There are no parking fees, a one-day or a two-day admission, which includes free workshops on both days.   A model contest and much much more.    As a train enthusiast, it is so important to attend these conventions, as that is what makes them return to our neck of the country and this is one of the Few in only Large Scale.  ....  ENJOY yourselves. I'll be there...          Elaine   

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Waverly, Al
  • 85 posts
Posted by dhilyer on Friday, February 9, 2007 2:53 PM

Elaine,

Thanks for the info.  It sounds like a lot of fun.  I have been holding off purchasing any more equipment until this show.  Hope to see ya there.

War Eagle, Dan It's not that I don't have any patience, I have all that I was born with 'cause I have never used any. -My Dad
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: The Beautiful North Georgia Mountians
  • 2,362 posts
Posted by Railfan1 on Friday, February 9, 2007 3:21 PM
I am going to try to go.
"It's a great day to be alive" "Of all the words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, It might have been......"
  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 4 posts
Posted by Raffle Queen on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 2:26 PM
Just curious if you Dan or anyone else DID make it to the show and were pleased?  My husband and I had a wonderful time.  The banquet was GREAT, truly Georgian style, excellent food and Lots of Sweet Tea.  Door prizes were plentiful.    A goodly number of dealers who took a bunch of my money. Some ribbons for my contest entrants. Had some people come to my "seminar" on "Building Vignettes and Painting By Hand, My Way"  And I came home with more ideas than I have been able to keep up with.  (Tend to be a building person rather than a train collector now.)   All in all, another great show and I am definitely looking forward to NEXT year.    Elaine   
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Winter Springs, FL
  • 123 posts
Posted by dukebasketballer` on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:06 PM

I too was in attendance at the SELSTS. I must say, for all the hype, I was expecting a lot more. The only great manufacturer display was that of Aristo's, and even so, they did not bring nearly the amount of new/intro products that I have seen them bring in the past. There were some nice dealers, however none of them had any unbelievable deals and unfortunately many missed the show due to weather related travel issues. I was especially disapaointed that Phoenix and G Scale Juction were scheduled, however not able to come. I enjoyed the steam track and the FGRS/ Emerald Coast display, however was somewhat disapointed to see the modest display from Georgia. The GGRS display was nicely done, but I expected more being that it is the only big g scale hobby show within over 800 miles of any others of the kind. I was truly impressed with the Sundance Central RR and really enjoyed every aspect of the display. I was not able to attend the seminars, but heard they were pretty good as well as the banquet. I thought it was a rather poorly attended show by the public as well. With a few exceptions, I was rather disappointed that I drove 6 hours to get to the show. I would rather drive a half hour to one of the local all scale train shows that visits once or twice a year.

David Wenrich
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Bucks County, PA
  • 428 posts
Posted by Bucksco on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 10:46 PM
Get your new trains Johnny?
Jack
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Winter Springs, FL
  • 123 posts
Posted by dukebasketballer` on Friday, March 30, 2007 1:20 PM

Got em yesterday. The freakin' things dont even fit on the shelves in my train storage room!

Did you get the email I sent you about the H&R issue?

David Wenrich

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