With the coronovirus impact, several train shows have been cancelled....Does any one know the status of any upcoming train shows here in MIDWEST U.S.?? I'm getting restless but the future is hard to define...Thanks in advance,
The Midwest is rather a ... large area you know -- here is what little I know from my small corner of the midwest.
Titletown Train show 2020 in Green Bay WI next weekend - canceled
Davenport Iowa train show next weekend - word from an exhibitor is it is "delayed" until June 6, but based on other (non train show) cancelations stretching well into late summer, I'd be surprised if that date holds. But as of this instant I guess it is penciled in for June 6. Gatherings of 10 or more are banned in Iowa but it is not a "stay at home" state so it might be that their peak will come later than neighboring states.
Obviously the big train show at the NMRA National in St Louis is canceled.
The toy train (but there are plenty of scale exhibitors) show that Menards sponsors in Eau Claire WI in summer is already canceled.
To my knowledge Galesburg RR days in late June is still on, but what I hear is that no money is being spent promoting Railroad Days and it is likely the show won't take place. This is unconfirmed by the way. They were moving the train show to Knox College.
One thing I have noticed is that websites for various Trainshows seem rather unattended but perhaps their Facebook pages are being used for important updates. So assume nothing if a train show website seems cheerful anad business as usual.
Dave Nelson
I think shows all over the country are on a wait and see. Our "stay at home" order has been extended from Apr 7 to May 15. At that time they'll reassess things and see if they will allow things start to open up or if there is still too much virus around.
Stay safe,
Richard
jjo I'm getting restless but the future is hard to define
No... it's impossible to define.
There is no shortage of people on TV saying we can't go back to work unless we have a vaccine or we can test everyone.
How do you test everyone? There are 329 million of us. We can't test a million people a day, but if we could, it would still take the better part of a year. Many people would need to be tested twice. That was the aircraft carrier captain's issue. A negative test didn't predict a sailor wouldn't get sick.
As for the vaccine, how's that AIDS's vaccine coming along?
Somebody is going to have to make the decision that we go back to school, go back to work. They will be severely criticized. Maybe it will be the people that make the decision. Stay tuned.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Not the American Midwest, but our club in Oshawa, Ontario has closed our clubhouse. Also our openhouse on April 16. Provinical stay-at-home order forbids six or more people gathering any place, including a private home. Unles of course they all live there.
I'm going into withdraw syndrome.....SIGH...
Having just cancelled a show the last weekend of March, I can tell you that until things get more settled you';re just going to have to be patient. We're looking at next year for the show to happen, as there won't be a reschedule for later this year. You need 4 to 6 months lead time to get ads in the press, notify vendors and take reservatiuons to do it right. That's when there are no virus uncertainties.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I had a slightly less pessimistic thought. Probably the soonest to come back on-line once the virus lets up will be one of the shows that has a regular, repeating venue they likely already are scheduled to appear. I've never been up to it, but the monthly show held at the DuPage County Fairgrounds by Trainshow.com would be the place to check. They have shows on May 3 and June 14 listed in their May MR ad. May won't happen, per notes on their website, but maybe a small possibility for June. They say to check back after June 1, when they should either have a show scheduled or a further update on cancellations.
I wouldn't expect any shows in the mid-west until probably fall at this rate.
While not mid-west, I'm hoping things will be settled down in time for the fall Timonium show.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I'm here on the east coast and at the rate it going there will be be no train shows till at least next year, if at all. Train show producer's and vendor's are not optimistic.
Dave
DAVID FORTNEY I'm here on the east coast and at the rate it going there will be be no train shows till at least next year, if at all. Train show producer's and vendor's are not optimistic. Dave
If at all... kind of sounds like the end of the world is near. We should see the hippies with the sandwich signs pretty soon.
Seems like a time for a Monty Python meme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBxMPqxJGqI
If ever was meant as a comment on this year alone. But I do think it there are any meets in my area I most likely will not attend. I don't think it would be safe to do so. When ever there is a vaccine than it maybe safe to attend.
Trains shows next year, I hope so.
DAVID FORTNEYWhen ever there is a vaccine than it maybe safe to attend.
There is no vaccine for AIDS, but that hobby is alive and well.
BigDaddy DAVID FORTNEY When ever there is a vaccine than it maybe safe to attend. There is no vaccine for AIDS, but that hobby is alive and well.
DAVID FORTNEY When ever there is a vaccine than it maybe safe to attend.
I have absolutely no insider information, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a GMTS by the end of the summer if Illinois and all surrounding states have lifted their at-home guidelines/orders/etc. It's a monthly show with enough regular attenders and vendors so that additional promotion isn't necessary. I'd be surprised if it isn't one of the first midwest shows to open.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
In spite of some recent optimism, I think it will be a while before we see another big MR show...Unfortunately...
https://designbuildop.hansmanns.org/rpm-event-calendar/
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
Two weeks later....
The CDC guidelines, and general restrictions on gathering sizes, are going to be with us long after States reopen. None of that is particularly compatible with a model train show. At all of the ones I've been to in the St Louis area, maintaining six inches of separation was difficult at times, never mind six feet.
And do you require masks and gloves to enter? What about looking at the items for sale? Touching allowed? Only with gloves? Only with a fresh pair of gloves?
Lastly, let's face it, there's a lot of mature people in the hobby who fall into the higher risk catagories. Are they going to want to attend?
I've written off 2020 as being too risky for my health and that of my elderly parents with whom I share the hobby. As the railroads say, Safety First!
I also do not expect to see any train shows till this fall or next year at the soonest at this point. Of coarse, this could change anytime if there is a break thru to deal with this virus. Till then we have ebay, fb marketplace and other online sources to keep our hobby needs filled. My whole OO layout is on hold right now as Gargraves is not shipping any product at all right now and I cannot find any vintage 2 rail track on ebay right now. So I keep busy with what I have on hand project wise. Lets pray for those working to find a vaccine or method to keep this virus at bay so we can return to some type of normal life again..whatever that might be. Mikie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
I wouldn't count a show out for later this year, assuming they get infection rates under control. They plan to open our farmer's market, which is what our train show replaces for one weekend inside the mall over the winter and into the early spring when our show is.
That said, here's some of the conditions that will apply to make this happen at the farmer's market, so could make a train show work. Each vendor has to have a handwash/sanitizing station. The vendors must be masked and gloved. The vendor is the only one allowed to touch the merchandise and will bag it for you. If you use a recyclable bag, you can pick up your stuff and place it in your bag once placed in front of the consumer by the vendor. There is only one entrance and everyone going through has to sanitize their hands. The typical social distancing rules apply. Etc, etc. Starts in May here.
If it works for vegetables, it can work for trains, too, although many vendors may not want the hassle. However, the age demographic will remain a hurdle for both vendors and attendees.
Encouraging, Mike...Thanks