I'll hopefully be attending a train show in Knoxville in a couple of weeks, what's a man like me to expect?
Well, besides a hole burnt in my pocket. ;)
Best advice for going to a show or convention is to not expect anything. Just go, take it all in, and enjoy. If you expect something, you can be dissapointed. If you just go, you will will have fun no matter what happens.
Expect a decent crowd and maybe having to hunt a bit for parking. Once inside expect to spend some time looking around to sort the wheat from the chaff (in other words finding vendors selling what you want and not junk). Enjoy the layouts and have fun.
Joe Staten Island West
My general rules of thumb for train shows:
Dress for it. You'll do a surprising amount of walking, almost always on hard concrete floors. Soft socks and good walking shoes help. If you have dressed for the weather outdoors try to find a place to store your coat or jacket, or you'll start to feel too warm.
Bring money. Sounds obvious but I get lots of $1, $5 and $10 bills and keep them in my pockets in marked paper envelopes, the ones the bank provides. The vendors appreciate not being paid in $20s and $50s. It is very common at train shows to hear over the sound system "would the person who left their Visa card at [name of vendor] please return to pick it up." I try never to use plastic at train shows.
Bring bags. I have large capacity canvas and cloth bags that I picked up at various trade and industry conventions. They are much easier to carry than the usual plastic grocery bags that most vendors provide - which if they get heavy enough can feel like they are digging into your flesh. Books and some scenery items in particular can get very heavy before the day is done.
Have a list. You think you know what you are looking for but too many times I would return from a train show and think "darn I forgot to look for ___________." I know some guys who have every car they own in spiral notebook so they don't buy duplicate numbers.
Bring a pen and some scratchpad paper. You might meet folks and want their emails, or may want to make note of something you have seen.
Be patient. Folks can seem slow as molasses especially if they have kids. Just go with the flow.
Try to make note of who you bought something from if there is any chance you'd need to return it -- eg a locomotive or electronics items. If they have a business card stick it in the box.
Dave Nelson.
The cloth grocery bag is a good idea, if you're planning on buying a lot. If you're on the hunt for something small and specific, it might not be worth it (for instance, I took a reusable bag to the National Train Show, but often know ahead of time that the simple plastic bag will get the job done).
Don't be afraid to come away empty handed. Don't feel like you need to buy something to justify the admission and time. If you didn't see anything you want/need, then no big deal.
Compare prices. This can be risky, though, because you might pass on something hoping to find a better price at someone else's table, not find a better price, and then be out of luck. But if you buy at Table A and later see the same thing at Table B...don't look at B's price because it is invariably less and then you're all "c'mon."
Here in the Mid-Atlantic, there's a Tool Guy that's at all the shows. Be afraid of Tool Guy if Knoxville has one. His booth is a siren and his register is a black hole drawing in all money. You'll discover you had no idea how many different kinds of tweezers there are and that your life was incomplete without all of them.
If the venue allows re-entry (hand stamp or whatever), I prefer to enjoy this tactic: do my shopping, take my stuff out to the car, then enjoy the display layouts without the encumberance of bags.
And, lastly, my duplicate car list lives on my phone. I'm going to be carrying the thing around in my pocket anyhow.
DavidH66 I'll hopefully be attending this show in a couple of weeks, what's a man like me to expect? http://greattrainexpo.com/shows/2015Knoxville.html
I'll hopefully be attending this show in a couple of weeks, what's a man like me to expect?
http://greattrainexpo.com/shows/2015Knoxville.html
Disappointment
Jim
I am planning to attend this show as well. There hasn't been one in Knoxville for a couple/few years and the last one wasn't very good; very few layouts and not many vendors. They used to have great shows but it has gone down hill for me. I hope this one is better, I miss the good ones of years ago, they even had a regional NMRA show here back in the late 1980's.
All the suggestions for preparing for the show are good ones and I may try a few of them this time. I only live about 7 miles from the exhibit so I plan to attend both days (assuming it is worth a second trip).
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
I keep my car list on an Excel spreadsheet, and I print a copy before a show. This goes on my clipboard, along with a couple of blank sheets of paper. I prefer a real camera to my cell phone camera, so if I remember I'll bring one. And, I bring cash. Some vendors won't even accept plastic, and some do with a surcharge to cover their own costs when you use it.
Sometime I'll start a list a couple of weeks beforehand. This is a "look at" list, not a shopping list. I sometimes look up the Walthers price to know the ballpark number for larger items.
One of our shows around here has decent food inside, but for most shows I'll stop before I go in for fast food.
I don't really need much stuff anymore, so I go looking for surprises and ideas. I will spend a lot of time looking at detail parts, because I can always use an interesting detail to enhance a scene. But, even if I come away with nothing but memories, that's usually enough for me.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
One aspect often overlooked at train shows is the opportunity to swap items. I've carried in freight cars that didn't fit my modeling theme and traded them for items that did. I was fine with giving the vendor the better of the deal (afterall, he's paying for the booth) for the chance to refine my roster.
I do the same thing, take stuff that I dont need and horse trade with dealers for stuff I would like to have. I also look for estate sale tables as I enjoy finding older models and brass from years ago, along with craftsman kits. Above all, have a good time even if you find nothing. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Compared to today, temps should be in the 60's so there should be good attendance. Bring walking shoes & a camera.
Soo Line fan DavidH66 I'll hopefully be attending this show in a couple of weeks, what's a man like me to expect? http://greattrainexpo.com/shows/2015Knoxville.html Disappointment
Jim,I have attended several dozen train shows over the years and was never disappointed and seldom have I left a show with a empty bag.
The key is to take your sweet time and look over the table goods as well as under the front of the table.I spend at least 3 hours at a train show-of course coffee and apple pie is on the top of my shopping list.
If one rushes through a show then one could walk away highly disappointed.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
There are 2 types of train shows. Type 1 is the flea market type (i.e. Greenberg). Expect a lot of useless vendors along with the good ones. No I don't want anymore Hot Wheels cars Lionel or Hess trucks. But in between I have found useful vendors with Scenery products HO locos track etc. Some have good prices some don't. If you have a list you can look at eBay or online retailers like Train world or MB Klein beforehand to get an idea of what's a good deal or not.
The second type of show is a manufacturers showcase These shows have manufacturer booths where you can talk to reps try out new products. Examples are the WGH shows The National Train Show Train fest etc. While there are still some of the flea market vendors there it probably will be less. Unlike the type 1 shows these shows focus pretty much exclusively on the hobby so you won't be wading past the toys as much.
I prefer this type of show when I go alone because I like trading stories with the reps trying out products etc. They also tend to be less crowded in my view.
Type 1 shows are good for visits with family. My wife likes looking at the toys and knick knacks and I can do my shopping . When you go agree on a spot to meet and a time limit. You can keep in touch by cell phone if need be.
If the shows are anything like the ones in Edison NJ have breakfast before you go and pass on the overpriced food vendors at the expo center.As suggested before bring cash in small bills and you can try negotiations. You may not succeed but it can't hurt to try. I also like to bring a bottle of water in case I get thirsty. Generally I am in and out in about 2 hours.
Even if you leave empty handed enjoy the layout and have fun.
I've been going to shows since the late 80's and DK's list is spot on:
-Dress for it - alway good to be comfortable - it's often cold but can tie a fleece around your waste if needed.-Bring Cash - I view trains shows a bit like gambling - I set a limit bring a certain amount of cash and when it spent, I just site see the modular layouts - this helps me stay within my family budget and not over spend. I rarely if ever write a check or us a credit card, although it's good to have them "just in case", cash is still king.
-Don't be afraid to make offers: Often I find with many vendors, if you give them a reasonable offer, they will accept it. For example, I found a much wanted book lightly used, the vendor was asking $60, I offered $55, it was a deal. If you low ball a dealer, don't be surprised if he looks like you insulted him.-Bring bags. Timonium actually handed out free cloth bags! woo!-Have a list. I always try to bring a list of things I am hunting for or need - parts, certain train cars, avoid duplicate numbers.-Bring a pen and some scratchpad paper.
As for what to expect, expect to enjoy yourself. Some shows I've had nice surprises, and occasionally I have left empty handed. Almost always I enjoy looking at layouts, chatting, and hunting around.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
joe323There are 2 types of train shows. Type 1 is the flea market type (i.e. Greenberg). Expect a lot of useless vendors along with the good ones.
Our Greenberg shows are like that. This is a large venue, and it seems that half the floor space is O and S guage and tinplate. Lots of Power Rangers, Barbie and Thomas, too, but I still have fun seeking out the HO stuff.
A few years ago, I saw the happiest kid I've ever seen at one of these shows. It was a little girl with a beat-up original box containing a Barbie Princess set. I remember nothing else about that show, but the look of sheer delight on her face was worth the price of admission.
Oh and bring a big sack Like a Time Warner or Ikea bag useful for carrying multiple purchases
I went to the train show today in Knoxville, TN. Not very impressed at all. One HO layout and one N scale module. Most of the 'dealers' were selling old used train set rolling stock for $4-$15? I found about 3-4 real model railroad dealers there and got a good buy on a 4-pack of BLI NYC Box cars ($60) and a couple of other small items. Very crowded, lots of strollers. I stayed about 2 hours and had made the rounds at least twice. I hope they can bring it back next year with more participants (dealers and club layouts). However, it was a train show and I got to talk to a few knowledgable model railroaders, so that made it OK. Sure wish I could have made it back up to the Amherst show.
riogrande5761If you low ball a dealer, don't be surprised if he looks like you insulted him.
That is part of the bargaining process. I worked for an estate jeweler and no matter what the offer was they would always ask the buyer to come up $20 or whatever just to get a little more money. If the buyer said no but his offer was above reserve price they would take the deal. Any sale that makes money is a good sale to them. Of course they are experts, train show vendors not so much. If you make an offer and they say it is too low, ask them how much you need to come up. They will tell you what they will accept.
Anyway at the show expect to see tons of kids wanting to touch the trains as the go by on modular club layouts. These clubs are local so it is always the same ones each year. Some of the vendors are local and some are traveling with the show from town to town. There are also clinics to teach how to make scenery etc. These can be interesting.
Bring your camera to take pictures. That is usually a good way to take your time and enjoy the layouts. I like to compare models I have built to similar ones built by others. Talk to everyone you run into. Shows are a great way to meet people with similar interests. You can tell the model railroaders from the parents with hyper kids.
I always buy stuff just to buy something. I over heard a man tell his son something about it being a train show and he was expected to spend all of his money.
When I sell at train shows I continually lower my prices until I have sold out of everything so I don't have to take anything home. Most vendors are not like that and many want top dollar which is why I think there are less and less of them all the time. I sell a lot of used toys. Parents buy them to appease their brats. Most vendors sell stuff for modelers not kids so I have a popular table.
Well, local and club shows can be a bit underwhelming. I'm spoiled by the Amherst show every year (a two day event for me). As long as you manage your expectations, it's usually fine. Just don't eat the food.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
went well, although there wasn't much of a club prescence there (I'd attribute that to a real lack of clubs in the area (There's two but they are either really far north of town, or really far south). But I had a good time there and got a decent amount of stuff for 20 bucks.
David,Looks like you made a very nice haul for the money..Glad you enjoyed the day.
Train shows can certainly vary greatly in quality, and in basic emphasis. But they always remind me of the bumper sticker: "The worst day fishing is still better than the best day working."
Dave Nelson
When I lived in K-Town, Knox Vegas, Knoxville...or whatever you want to call it, I was surprised by the lack of model railroading in the city. I mean come on...the CSX and Norfolk Southern are in town as well as the Three Rivers Rambler as well as being the headquarters for the Gulf & Ohio Railway Corp. It was funny because the only place to buy supplies seemed to be HobbyTown, but there were 2 other LHS still listed in the phone book. I lived near where the one used to be and it was in fact GONE. The other is in a store front on the hill above the I-75 and Powell Rd. interchange. I never saw anyone there, but the storefront seemed packed with train stuff.
I was shocked when I read that there was even going to be a show in Knoxville. I lived there 3 years and never heard of one. Nice to see the entrance price so affordable. We went to a gun show at the Expo Center (read....old mega box store) and they wanted $30 for the two of us to get in. We walked away!
The KMRR club is out in Oak Ridge and they have a really decent N scale model railroad as well as a nice HO layout.
There is also a club and a big event in some little town up between Johnson City and Ashville, but I can't recall the name of the town. Erwin, maybe?
I will say this, I do miss living in Knoxville. I too lived about 5-7 miles from the Expo Center.
Robert H. Shilling II
P&Slocal When I lived in K-Town, Knox Vegas, Knoxville...or whatever you want to call it, I was surprised by the lack of model railroading in the city. I mean come on...the CSX and Norfolk Southern are in town as well as the Three Rivers Rambler as well as being the headquarters for the Gulf & Ohio Railway Corp. It was funny because the only place to buy supplies seemed to be HobbyTown, but there were 2 other LHS still listed in the phone book. I lived near where the one used to be and it was in fact GONE. The other is in a store front on the hill above the I-75 and Powell Rd. interchange. I never saw anyone there, but the storefront seemed packed with train stuff. I was shocked when I read that there was even going to be a show in Knoxville. I lived there 3 years and never heard of one. Nice to see the entrance price so affordable. We went to a gun show at the Expo Center (read....old mega box store) and they wanted $30 for the two of us to get in. We walked away! The KMRR club is out in Oak Ridge and they have a really decent N scale model railroad as well as a nice HO layout. There is also a club and a big event in some little town up between Johnson City and Ashville, but I can't recall the name of the town. Erwin, maybe? I will say this, I do miss living in Knoxville. I too lived about 5-7 miles from the Expo Center.
I know the LHS in Powell is Dan's Trains and it has such a small 'customer area' that two people will be crowded in there. I only went there twice and that was a few years ago, very un-inviting store, you can't look at anything as it is packed to the ceiling (behind the counter) with train stuff and I couldn't find prices on most items. He is still in business and actually had a booth at the Train Show.
Tennessee Model Hobbies was in Solway, between Oak Ridge and Knoxville and I drove past it every day to and from work. This was a hobby shop that carried everything and had knowledgable employees; one of the owners was an Mechanical Engineer that I worked with occasionaly. He told me they closed the store because of too much theft in the store. What a shame!
The only other LHS is Hobby Town, where I shop at now, but they cater to other hobby products more than trains and I have to order most of what I need. They are very helpful but don't have any real experienced mrr personel.
The Knoxville Area Model Railroad Club had a small N gage layout at the show and said they stopped bringing the HO layout because it too so much work to set up and dismantle for the show. Their HO layout is now a permenant layout at the Oak Ridge Children's Museum and is quite nice.
So, there really isn't a strong model railroad presence in the Knoxville area and that is a shame as well, since as you mentioned there is a lot of real railroad presence here.