I started an earlier post on this, no matter.Myself and about 12 people southern Ontario will be at the show manning a NMRA booth. We work on models and people wander by to watch and chat.We do this at a number of train shows in southern Ontario each year. Some of the guys will be presenting clinics at various times during the show. stop by and talk or just watch.
We were there last year and it proved popular enough the organizers asked us back.
Dave
I'm also contemplating this event. Its only a 2 1/2 hour drive for me. Although we have a scheduled Great Train Expo Show here in Rock Island Illinois the 24th and 25th of this month. If I stock up on goodies there, I probably will not attend the Milwaukee Trainfest.
http://www.qccaexpocenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:great-train-expo&catid=25:great-train-expo&Itemid=43
Outdoor railfanning is still possible in November but it could be cold and uncomfortable.
Walthers is not a large hobby shop -- the room itself has some nice layouts and a small supply of cars and buildings for sale -- the real advantage is that the warehouse is right behind the desk so anything that they are prepared to ship to a dealer is in theory right there for you to buy (at full list or monthly catalog sale price that is). There are also two tables of damaged packaging/discontinued bargains.
Or course you'll be shopping at Trainfest but there is plenty of stuff at walthers you never see for sale at Trainfest.
Tourist wise, I would suggest the new Harley Davidson museum, the Mitchell Park Domes horticultural park, the public museum, a visit to Kalmbach publishing, the Hartford WI auto museum is well worth visiting and they have a steam locomotive in the back room, the trolleys to ride in Kenosha WI (local museums there too) and the Trolley Museum in East Troy WI. A somewhat longer day trip but worthwhile is the maritime museum in Mantitowoc WI a little over an hour north of Milwaukee. It has some rail related stuff on display and a submarine to tour. A more ambitious drive, about 2 hours, is the rail museum in Green Bay WI.
Layout tours. Traditionally the Saturday night of Trainfest there are some nice layouts open for tours with info being distributed at 'Fest itself. You'll see plenty of layouts at Trainfest! Most folks with layouts are a bit busy the days before Trainfest. There may be operating sessions on that Friday night that I am not familiar with.
I am sure there are architectural tours available. Do not miss the Milwaukee Art Museum particularly the additional designed by Santiago Calatrava where each day at noon huge wings the spread of a 747 open and close dramatically. The interior is spectacular as well. The current display is Andy Warhol. There are also old historic buildings that might be on tour. The Grain Exchange Room is jaw droppingly spectacular, as is the Basilica church on the south side. The old library is worth a visit.
Feel free to contact me off line and I'll try to think of more to do. I can be emailed or private messaged through this forum
Dave Nelson