Besides being a real pain getting to York county with the bridge out, it has added 2 days to get packages from MBKiein.
South Penn
Provided the weather cooperates, I plan on going in Feb. Anyone else wanna go? If so, perhaps I hope to see you there! Pls msg me here or via email at leor.kass@yahoo.com and we can arrange transportation, etc. Arriving early makes sense since you get a wider selection of options than waiting.
As others noted, you need to know the fair market prices for things. Also, having an idea of 'must-haves' avoids impulse buying. Guilty here or purchasing duplicate freight cars. My mentor gave me extra number decals, so I just changed the marking but a number. Next time I go, I plan on taking an Excel sheet of my car inventory.
~Lee
Here's a pic of my $5 locomotive. The motor runs but seems to be intermitent, think it's the wire on bottom of motor or the plug. Put jumpers on it and moving plug it stops running, so I will install the new wiring harness that came with wow decoder.
Would like to thank Doctorwayne for his posting of this locomotive on past forum. Will be of great help in reassembling this. The wheel unit turns nice and freely sono bent rods anywhere. Will clean and relube so it stays free wheeling. Here's pic of decoder.
Shanny10
B&O, C&O, PRR
Just lovin trains
I went saturday and as an HOn3 guy, Timonium has two or three good dealers with decent prices on HOn3 stuff. Bought 3 Blackstone cars, two flats and 1 high side gondola for about $100. Picked up some code 70 narrow gauge flex track and got a great deal on 4 HOn3 older Lambert #6 switches, NOS for $7.00 each. Lots of hard to find HOn3 arch bar trucks needed for kits at decent prices.
Very competetive prices on DCC stuff which if anything was being cut-throated there, it was DCC materials.
As always, a great show for me. I go to all 4 shows at timonium each year. Its a 3 hour drive, but I stay overnight with a friend in Laurel MD. on Friday, so I arrive at the show rather fresh. Paying cash will always get a discount with most dealers if you press them on big ticket items.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
maxman SouthPenn Norman Wood bridge closed ( Norman Wood bridge is closed? What's going on there???
SouthPenn Norman Wood bridge closed (
Norman Wood bridge is closed? What's going on there???
They found an 8' crack in one of the steel beams. Now, I'll never be comfortable driving across that bridge.
maxman caldreamer He is getting up there and I guess he decided it was time to pull the plug and retire. All I can say is good luck to him. I think you are talking about Northern Central Supply. I had heard that he might be ill, but that might have been someone else. The stock he has been bringing to the Timonium show seems to be getting smaller each time. At the past couple shows he has been selling at 50% off, but that was off the list price. This time it was 50% off the lowest price marked on the item.
caldreamer He is getting up there and I guess he decided it was time to pull the plug and retire. All I can say is good luck to him.
I think you are talking about Northern Central Supply. I had heard that he might be ill, but that might have been someone else. The stock he has been bringing to the Timonium show seems to be getting smaller each time. At the past couple shows he has been selling at 50% off, but that was off the list price. This time it was 50% off the lowest price marked on the item.
It was maybe two shows ago last winter when Northern Centrail Supply in the back corner started advertising the going out of business sale. I heard the same thing at that time - that the owner was ill. You can see why it has taken so long to sell off - 50% off retail isn't going to move stuff very fast, although 50% off the marked price is going to move things faster yes. The Walthers Proto C-30-1 SP caboose they had MRSP $39.98, stickered at $31.95 - 50% off $16 - great deal.
https://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-103104
I found a Atlas Western Pacific that was $12 after 50% off - good price but retail was $35.95 - recent Atlas covered hoppers are quite expensive! Also picked up an older 40' Intermountain Pepper Packing of Denver for $12 - always wanted one if them.
I was at the show Saturday, and the crowd seemed to be smaller than previous. I have been there when the aisles were so crowded you could hardly move around. It was a lot easier to get around this time.
It started out light early but later on it got busier, but not so busy it was a pain like some shows I've been to. Sometimes later on there were bodies in the way of tables I wanted to look at but not too bad.
I don't like the current layout where they have the modular layouts in what they call the small room (to the left of the main entrance room). They used to have all those layouts in the large hall to the right, and the space they now occupy was filled with additional vendors.
They have re-arranged things a bit yes. Someone commented there were more vendors since the show went under new management, but IMO, there are not more - if anything same or fewer and the layouts in the smaller room fill out space where there used to be more vendors - ;-) That said, its still the best thing in the DC/Baltimore metro area and for sure worth going to.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I attended on Saturday - I try to make the trip to Baltimore an annual event, and I save my pennies to allow for the needed motel and the almost-always needed crabcake sandwich that has to go along with such a trip.
I thought that attendance was down from last year. By noon, it was easy to pass up & down the aisles. I had some stripwood on my shopping list and Hunterline was not there this time with their wide variety of wood. Also noticably missing were the usual tool dealers - I usually add a couple tools each trip that will hopefully assist my modeling for years to come.
I did okay with my shopping list, I guess, but not spectacular. My "finds" were and out-of-print copy of the old hardbound Rip Van Winkle Railroads for $20 and then one of the old Model Die Casting undecorated HO "old timer" box car kits for $8. I don't think I've seen one of those on the shelf for about 15 years, and it can easily be painted and lettered for my railroad.
Bill
maxman ... I don't like the current layout where they have the modular layouts in what they call the small room (to the left of the main entrance room). They used to have all those layouts in the large hall to the right, and the space they now occupy was filled with additional vendors.
...
Yes, the recession apparently caused a number of vendors to quit or cut down the number of shows. Gas prices probably didn't help either.
While still a good show, it's not what it was 10 years ago.
Paul
caldreamerHe is getting up there and I guess he decided it was time to pull the plug and retire. All I can say is good luck to him.
There were many good prices if there happened to be something one needed.
You guys are right, the same engine that I purchased for $55 I saw on another table. He wanted for $95. Way out of line. The prices vary greatly depending on the vendor. You have to watch what you buy.
As far as the guy going out of business, he told me that if I had $30,000 I could sit where he was. He is getting up there and I guess he decided it was time to pull the plug and retire. All I can say is good luck to him.
Lee, you are closer than I am and it takes me 90 minutes so you should be able to make it in less time, maybe an hour or a bit more. Just hop on the beltway and up 95 to Baltimore 695 round to 83 and its the first exit off of 83. Up to York Ave, left and a half miles down is the turn into the fair grounds.
While there isn't always large estate tables, there is frequently some tables where people are selling off estates or private collections due to changing scales or era's etc. Occasionally there is a dud show but even then I usually find a few good items I need for decent prices, even if not always deep discount. And it never hurts to make offers. I've had vendors accept reasonable offers too.
I find it useful to go to Greenberg shows too, but due to much fewer HO vendors, I try to avoid driving longer distances and keep it under an hour. Even the summer Timonium show is kind of iffy to drive 90 miles too as it is the size of a Greenberg show although better in terms of HO items.
I must get to Timonium, and do that w/ visiting my older brother who lives nearby w/ family. We went to the B&O train museum before my boys were born and loved going. Such a shame that I missed out on the estate sale. Finding a deep discount vendor is crucial to saving money at the train shows.
Greenburg is hit n' miss with the vendors. You need to know market price for items and have a knack for negotiating. The other thing is looking around for stuff and talking to vendors b/c they often sell to 'known customers.' While the show happens once /year, you can often get good items at fairly good prices.
Rio: PM sent about Timonium in Feb!
I was planning on going, but with the Norman Wood bridge closed ( it crosses the Susquehanna river between York and Lancaster county Pa ) it would be a 2.5 hour trip instead of 70 minutes. Bummer.
ACY, I felt the same way, if I had the spare cash, holy smokes there were lots of great bargains on nice items. Mostly out of necessity, I tend to treat Timonium like a few rare instances that I went a gambling casino - I bring a fixed amount of money, and when its' spent, thats it!
I tend to plan for and save up for higher ticket items like engines and buy them online of some other way, but at Timonium, I bring a small amount of cash and look for items items I have on a list and usually come away with some good finds. As it is, Timonium rarely has engines I need anyway, like D&RGW or SP etc. so it's fine - and not very much western rolling stock either. But its the best thing going around the DC/Baltimore area.
It had a little bit of everything. I found a few really surprising things. As always, some things were overpriced. Nevertheless, there were a lot of bargains, including some very old high-quality items that were available at very attractive prices. I did find one extremely great bargain on a very high quality brass item, but unfortunately wasn't in a position to take advantage of it. In the end, I only bought one item, a caboose. The price was OK, but not great. It was an item I'd been looking for, so I was glad to get it.
Even though I skimmed over several tables that didn't seem to have the kinds of things that interested me, it took a couple hours to cover the two main buildings. There were a lot of people there, so I'd call it a successful show. I only wish I'd had the spare cash to take advantage of some of the real bargains I saw.
I was able to meet someone with whom I had developed an online friendship, and he found several items that he wanted. I also saw several old friends, and that's always a plus. Overall, it was well worth the 90 minute drive.
Tom
When I was 3 1/2 hours away from the Springfield/Amherst MA show, I found it to be the best show I've probably attented ever in terms of content - not as much old train junk and mostly good venders and nice layouts etc. Since I moved to northern Virginia, Springfield is just too far away now. Plus, it was frequently extremely cold and often snow etc. which made it that much more of a chore to go. Timonium vary's but can be very good depending on the show and whats for sale.
I drove up on Saturday (almost 3 hrs from Culpeper with stops). I found a few goodies. Even though it's a long drive, it's the best show I can reach in day trip.
Enjoy
stokesda When I lived in the area, I used to hit the Timonium and Dulles shows once or twice a year. I found the GSMTS shows at Timonium were much better than the Greenberg shows at either venue, for whatever reason.
When I lived in the area, I used to hit the Timonium and Dulles shows once or twice a year. I found the GSMTS shows at Timonium were much better than the Greenberg shows at either venue, for whatever reason.
I go to the Greenberg show if it is close - like Dulles Expo center - but otherwise it's mostly large scale trains, toys and only a small amount of HO vendors, but it's worth going to if the drive isn't far. Last time I picked up 3 autobox cars (2 Walthers and 1 Athearn) all three for $20 - the Walthers appeared never used although the boxes were very worn. Great deal. There is definitly stuff to be found for HO people there, but just not worth driving long distances. If that was the only show within an hours drive, I'd go, but Timonium is far superior and comes 4 times a year.
Totally agree with riogrande's comment above about over-priced merchandise obviously recycled from years of prior shows. I know these guys have to make their money back, but it always surprised me to see how many vendors (including the ones with brick and mortar shops) were selling NOS for full MSRP and then some. This seemed to be more common at the Greenberg shows than the others. .... and of course, you've gotta go for the obligatory visit to MBK
.... and of course, you've gotta go for the obligatory visit to MBK
This one vendor I've seen at all the GSMTS and Greenberg shows - he has a lot of stuff, but even 4 years ago I noticed the very worn boxes and prices which seemed non-competitive. I think some of the stuff is marked down, but it's hard to tell so people assume it's not and don't buy. I've encountered people like this vendor before, who think their stuff is special because it is discontinued, so he generally prices it at or near MSRP and won't budge. I see his merchandise doesn't budge much either, hense the very worn boxes from so many trips back and forth. I didn't bother to tell him IMR reruns new numbers regularly and even the newest run will sell at discount prices lower than his 10 year old reefer. I've been in the hobby for a long time and know I can usually find what I want for better prices with a little patience and let these guys keep their collection until they eventaully go out of business or ... Some never learn *shrug*
GSMTS is usually a good show and my wife and I enjoy the trip out, get a Taco Salad at Taco Bell a few blocks away, visit MBK down the road etc. Now and then the T show can be a dud, but usually good worth my 90 minute drive.
First visit. purchased two WM GP9's plus two other cars and a Spring Mills Caboose. I have already marked the April show on my calendar. Feb is out due to other comittments. I do need to find MBK in the future. I also want to visit the B&O museum. It was a 5 hour journey for me from the WV Mountains.
riogrande5761 ... I noticed many of the boxes were excessively worn from going to too many shows without being sold - he'll probably still have most of that merchandise years from now still priced high until he passes away or closes up and it goes to another dealer....
... I noticed many of the boxes were excessively worn from going to too many shows without being sold - he'll probably still have most of that merchandise years from now still priced high until he passes away or closes up and it goes to another dealer....
Totally agree with riogrande's comment above about over-priced merchandise obviously recycled from years of prior shows. I know these guys have to make their money back, but it always surprised me to see how many vendors (including the ones with brick and mortar shops) were selling NOS for full MSRP and then some. This seemed to be more common at the Greenberg shows than the others. The GSMTS shows seemed to have more individuals selling off their gently used stuff at reasonable prices. Plus they have the white elephant table so you can sell some of your old stuff, too.
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
Good show. Went down on Saturday. A lot more vendors than when Howard had the show. A lot of people there as well. I picked up 2 Kato ES44ACe Gevos for $55 each. Very large white elephant table. Nothing for me this time, but that is OK. Will go down again in April for sure. Due to weather the February show if a question mark.
I went on Saturday - it's a 90 minute drive for me from the west suburbs of Washington DC. It was a bit light in the morning but got busier as the day went along.
Of note: there were several tables selling models from an estate. One large table was near the entrance - one vender at the table told me his brother had passed away. There must have been 5 or 6 long tables piled with mostly new-in-the-box trains by Intermountain, Atlas, Athearn, Proto 2000 and many others - mostly C&O and B&O and all at deep discount prices - selling well naturally. I'm a western guy and am mostly filling in holes in my roster so didn't buy anything there but tons of bargains - more stuff than most shops would have too.
Another smaller table on the other side doing the same thing but more mixed stuff, all at deep discount prices. There were a few other smaller tables also selling for very low prices so I imagine together they all really cut into the business of the standard priced tables selling at modest or small discount prices.
There a vendor who is always at the shows in this area to a long row of tall shelves with IMR, Red Caboose, Walthers rolling stock and lots of Walthers building kits. I was looking for SP/UP ice reefers and I saw an Intermountain reefer I wanted to buy - it was from a ~9 or 10 year old run, old style IMR box - he wanted $29.95 for it and justified the high price saying it was a sold out. I happen to know IMR re-runs these regularly in new numbers (up to 48 so far) and MRSP is $32.95 for the 2016 run - street price around $26.xx.
Knowing this dealer prices were "taking the Mickey" as the British would say, I walked away - no sale, I'll wait for IMR's next run. I noticed many of the boxes were excessively worn from going to too many shows without being sold - he'll probably still have most of that merchandise years from now still priced high until he passes away or closes up and it goes to another dealer.
There was another dealer at Timonium which has a going out of business sale for the last 3 shows, everything at half price, but only one small sign so many didn't know the stuff was half price - probably why he still has so much stuff for sale after a 3 shows. I found a Walthers Silver Series SP wood caboose for my Cab Forward at $16, and an Atlas WP 3-bay covered hopper for $12 there. I also picked up a nice Intermountain 40' ATSF box car weathered for $15. Lots of great bargains at Timonium - a better than average show despite there seem to be fewer vendors than in the past, or at least some of the better vendors were absent that I've seen in past shows when HZ used to manage it.
I also visited MBK which is about a mile away and picked up a box car and some Plastistruct I-beams to make steel beam loads out of.
All in all, a much better than average Timonium show - mainly due to the great Estate sales with deep discount items, many new in the box.
Cheers
Yes thats the show my daughter was referring to. Have to take and upload some pics but we did right well. My best catch of day was a Athearn 2-8-2 for $5 in a box as the owner took it all apart and couldnt figure how to put back. Looks complete and wheel assembly rotates freely and motor runs so we're putting a wow sound decoder I have in it. Pictures to follow of the deals we got.
Shanny10,
A little bit too far for Me....plus I'm a home body.
I believe You are speaking of the one in Timonium, Maryland and today was the last day. From what I gather, it is always good.
Here's a link to it, that has a few Model layout video's from it that are really good....if anyone is interested:
http://www.gsmts.com/newlayoutvideos.htm
Hope You had a Good Time!!!
Take Care!
Frank
Anyone else going. Good weather this year so should be nice. Well dad said to give him his phone back so we can leave so see ya. Hope everyone is well and healing thoughts to those in need.