Dave,
I'm impressed that you will come all the way to Davenport or Galesburg from Milwaukee. I live in Davenport and about the only thing that would attract me to Milwaukee is if S-Fest were held there some year. That having been said, a 4 to 5 hour journey is about my limit for an overnight, and a 2 to 3 hour driving limit for a one-day event.
I'm curious if you are familiar with the annual show in Lena, IL? Lena is about an hour west of Rockford, IL on US Highway 20 and I consider it to be one of the best shows in our area outside of Chicago.
February 27-28, 2016 - 28TH ANNUAL DEPOT STOVE GANG MODEL RAILROAD SHOW. Le-Win Elementary School Gym, Junior High School Gym, and Senior High School Gym, 401 Fremont Street, Lena. 10 am to 4 pm.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
IRONROOSTER riogrande5761 IMO, the show is pretty similar to how it was when HZ ran it; I think there were a few vendors who either quit or stopped coming but it's pretty close to what it was and definitely worth it for me. There are often some great bargains from people selling collections and treasures to find. Enjoy watching the layouts run too. I get my fix. It's definitely not the show it was before the Great Recession of 2007- . Many vendors (for many reasons) are no longer there. And the void has not been filled. The center and left hall in the Cow Palace used to be all vendors - layouts were all in the right hall. I still go and it's still the best show I can get get to and back in one day, just not what it used to be. Enjoy Paul
IMO, the show is pretty similar to how it was when HZ ran it; I think there were a few vendors who either quit or stopped coming but it's pretty close to what it was and definitely worth it for me. There are often some great bargains from people selling collections and treasures to find. Enjoy watching the layouts run too. I get my fix.
It's definitely not the show it was before the Great Recession of 2007- . Many vendors (for many reasons) are no longer there. And the void has not been filled. The center and left hall in the Cow Palace used to be all vendors - layouts were all in the right hall.
I still go and it's still the best show I can get get to and back in one day, just not what it used to be.
Enjoy
Paul
Yes, true. I agree. As noted earlier, I never saw the Timonium show back in it's "glory days". I moved to the DC metro area 2009 because of the recession, and I had family here to help me make the transition. Timonium must have been "something" before the recession because it's still the best thing around this area. It's all relative and you work with what you got - there aren't any good hobby shops in northern Virginia so it's Timonium and a visit to MBK nearby, and the odd Greenberg show, and the internet.
The only other "big" show's I've been to is the yearly NY State fairgrounds show and Springfield. NY State show occupies two large buildings at the fairgrounds (Center of Progress and Horticulture) but it was mostly a huge junk train show with not all that much good product, and not that many good deals - by the time I moved, I was tired of the same ol same ol giant junk train show which really was the same every year. My goodness you could fill a small landfill with all the old toy train junk that lind many isle at every show. At least at Timonium there are often some good bargains, and good finds be between some of the junk train vendors and they are there too for sure.
Of course the other big show which was probably one of the best is the big Amearst/Springfield MA show which I attended 3 different times. Before Springfield and NY State fairgrounds I visited mostly the GATS (Great American Train Show) in various cities where I lived which was pretty big in some places - Houston TX, Louiville KY, Indianapolis IN, Buffalo, Rochester or Syracuse NY.
I live in Indiana and have heard very good things about the annual train show in Dayton, OH. I've never been there, but the 150 mile one way trip from my house would probably be the limit....and if it was a good show.
Don't know what it's like there now but when I was a graduate student at IU in Bloomington, the two shows within striking distance were the GATS show in Louisville KY and Indianapolis. Those were pretty decent back in the day but don't know what they now a days. Indy was about an hour away, and Louisville a bit father IIRC, more like 90 minutes or so.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
i don't have a distance limit as there is absolutely nothing within 100 miles from where I live. If I can drive there in a day and find a reasonable motel rate. then I might go. I am planning on attending the NMRA convention in Indianapolis as I can drive from SE Ohio to there in about six hours. May try to bum off my cousin for a room as he lives in the area and has a two bedroom condo and no wife or kids left at home. I try to make it to local NMRA meetings three to four times a year which are normally 110 miles away.
Jim
I think that if you start looking at the trip logically, like adding up the costs of transportation, parking, etc, to the cost of any items you might buy......then compare that cost to other outlets, you'll discover that there is usually never a very good economic reason to go to a train show.
I go because I like to make a day of it, look at items that I don't normally see, and maybe find that one off item that doesn't appear on the secondary market very often. If I strike out with buying anything, oh well, I had a good time anyway.
If I were going to a show looking to get a great deal on items that are commonly found in LHS's or online outlets, I would be greatly dissappointed.
The NMRA convnetion is in Indy this summer. I will probably get over there for at least part of a day.
- Douglas
The farthest is usually drive is about an hour and a half up to Charlotte. This may change when SCDOT gets cracking on widening I-85 between Spartanburg and Gaffney and its miles of concrete walls, narrow lanes and Lane shifts. That said, when its three lanes, it will be easier.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
riogrande5761 IMO, the show is pretty similar to how it was when HZ ran it; I think there were a few vendors who either quit or stopped coming but it's pretty close to what it was and definitely worth it for me. There are often some great bargains from people selling collections and treasures to find. Enjoy watching the layouts run too. I get my fix.
Have fun with your trains
Every year I tell myself I'm going to Supertrain in Calgary and was seriously thinking about it again this year. The 1000 KM. drive to Calgary is one I enjoy as it is through the Rockies and the railfanin and CPR ghost hunting is great start to finish. Nothin like a hike in the Rockies when the Grizzlies are just waking up.
However I just got an E-Mail saying the kid has been accepted for a three day Hockey tournament in Calgary just two weeks prior to Supertrain. The tourney will cost close to two grand by the time we pay airfare, truck rentals, hotels, meals and tourney cost.
Coming home only to drive back to Calgary less than two weeks later just won't happen at my age. Oh well there is always next year........... Again.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
While I've personally never had the desire to attend the West Springfield show, many of my club members have been going for several years. We're in Maritime Canada, so the trip is a 7 or 8 hour drive. They usually go on Friday and stay in motels Friday and Saturday nights, sharing rooms and car pooling. Don't think anyone made it this year due to the decline in the Canadian dollar; hard to find bargains when you're paying a 60% premium!
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
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I live near Sacramento, CA so I usually go to two shows every year that are within 25 miles from home. One is the Train show at the Cal Expo fairgrounds (usually in February), and the other is a train show at the fairgrounds at Roseville (usually in November). I've considered going to a train show at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds in late November (about 2 hours away), but after spending a couple hundred bucks at the last Roseville show, decided it best to pass. I've also got a couple good hobby shops within an hour or so drive from home, so I've got alternatives in case I can't make one of these shows.
Jeff B
For the shows here in north Texas, I would say 4 miles max would be all that I would drive. And I live about 35 miles from the nearest one.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
tcwright973 I use to go to Timonium every October. That was over 270 miles for us, but we made it a little mini vacation. ... I only went to 1 show after Howard Zane sold it, & decided it was no longer worth the time & expense. We did enjoy it for many years though & sort of miss it.
I use to go to Timonium every October. That was over 270 miles for us, but we made it a little mini vacation. ... I only went to 1 show after Howard Zane sold it, & decided it was no longer worth the time & expense. We did enjoy it for many years though & sort of miss it.
Thats roughly 4 1/2 hours each way - would make for a very long day if you didn't stay in a hotel.
If within a 50 mile radius, I'll most likely go and even though I live outside of Philly I don't go to Springfield, would like to but just too far for me. Thought of taking the train but it costs too much money and too long of a ride.
Of course with Internet it is just a click away. If I order from Modeltrainstuff, it's one day away to my door. Why travel?
BRAKIE For me it would be around 100 miles to the Berea and the Dalton train shows other then that 20-30 miles tops.
For me it would be around 100 miles to the Berea and the Dalton train shows other then that 20-30 miles tops.
Brakie, I know what you mean about Ohio shows. When I was living in Dayton, it seemed that on any given weekend there was a train show somewhere in the state. The Dayton-Cincinnati area still has many great shows, including the one at Dayton's Hara Arena in November that is put on by the Crossroads Model RR Club. There are also shows in Springfield and Greenville, at their respective fairgrounds pavillions that are great too.
Now, after moving west in 1998, train shows are few and far between, especially here in Idaho. A group of fellow model railroaders make the trip to Ogden, UT, of which that show is this weekend. That trip is about 6 hours from here; I've never been to it, seems I've always had something going. This time, I've not been feeling well all week. I don't know if they stay over night. There are some other RR points of interest there too. Big UP territory.
I use to go to Timonium every October. That was over 270 miles for us, but we made it a little mini vacation. We would drive to Harrisburg, stay over night, then drive to Timonium the next day. After the show, we would return to Harrisburg, stay the night, & then return to Pittsburgh the next day. I only went to 1 show after Howard Zane sold it, & decided it was no longer worth the time & expense. We did enjoy it for many years though & sort of miss it.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
I do Trainfest which is 80 miles from the Madison area and 1.5 hours. I used to do St Point but that was only 18 miles at the time. We used to go to 2 others from Northern Wi, they were Chicago area shows which was 280 miles and almost 5 hours. Those were weekend trips staying with my sister.
Trainfest is yearly as is Mad City and now thats like 10 minutes but a crazy fee for parking. Plan to hit the Brass Expo in Wheeling, Il in Sept. Based on my experience I guess anything under 5 hours is fair game.
I'd probably walk across the street for one, but wouldn't travel too much farther.
OTOH, I have no problem with a 6 hour drive and hotel stay to visit the area of the N&W I'm modeling - or the NWHS convention.
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dknelson This weekend is the big Amherst (MA) train show and there is a thread on these Forums about going. It got me to wondering how far guys (and ladies of course) are willing to drive (or travel) to get to a train show?
This weekend is the big Amherst (MA) train show and there is a thread on these Forums about going. It got me to wondering how far guys (and ladies of course) are willing to drive (or travel) to get to a train show?
A major factor regarding distance to train shows is definitely economics and ability to take time off. It's also a cost/benefit thing IMO. I go to the Timonium show which takes just shy of 90 minutes to drive to, and is in different state. It's a big enough show that it's worth the drive and the cost is modest enough.
When I lived in central New York state, it was a 3 1/2 hour drive each way to the Amhearst/Springfield show, which for me allowed me to attend the show without cost of a hotel. I could get up and leave early in the am, attend the show and drive home - and collapse and it was just time, gas, food and entry fee. Because it was pretty major, I only went 3 times during my tenure in central New York. I live in northern Virginia now and Springfield is 7 hours drive, which in practical terms means 3 days and two nights, cost of hotel, cost of food etc. Cost/benefit isn't there right now with budget demands, and while my wife is supportive of the hobby and goes to shows with me, that would be over the line right now. Maybe after my daughter is out of college and we are up more for longer forays.
Basically my cost/benefit is shows I can attend without a hotel.
If I'm driving 35 miles tops.If I'm kicking back relaxing and enjoying the scenery up to three times that distance.I display my small 2' x 4' Z layout at 5 local shows so that is really about it.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Depends upon whom you ask. As me, and I would say about 600 to 1000 miles, ask the Abbot, and he says you are not going anywhere.
ROAR
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Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
dknelson This weekend is the big Amherst (MA) train show and there is a thread on these Forums about going. It got me to wondering how far guys (and ladies of course) are willing to drive (or travel) to get to a train show? Some comments on the Amherst thread got me to wondering -- how far is "too far" in your opinion to go to a good model train show?
Some comments on the Amherst thread got me to wondering -- how far is "too far" in your opinion to go to a good model train show?
Rich
Alton Junction
Depends on the show. If it's a big one, like Trainfest in Milwaukee or the Amherst show in Springfield, I'll get some friends together and make a multi-day road trip/mini-vacation out of it, if I can reasonably take the time off. This weekend, I'm planning on 750 miles each way to the Amherst show from SE Michigan. One of the guys coming along is starting from another 90 miles farther west.
For something like the National Train Show, if it's close enough to consider attending, I'll usually already be at the National Convention. There was a last-minute road trip to the National Train Show in Phildelphia, though...
Last year's trip to Springfield resulted in our thinking up a number of ideas for new projects; we've completed several already. I'm looking forward to seeing what we come up with this year.
For smaller shows, I like to keep to about a two-hour radius of home base. A lot will depend on whether there's anything else I can do en route.
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dknelsonSome comments on the Amherst thread got me to wondering -- how far is "too far" in your opinion to go to a good model train show? Dave Nelson
Simple three word answer for Me....''Leaving the house''. After being an over the road truckdriver/owner 45yrs. and going on 74 this year, it's takes just about an act of Congress, to get Me to go places, My Daughter and three Son's will attest to that. I have plenty projects at home to do and am enjoying every minute of it. LOL.
I dislike crowds anyway, If any of You have been in the Military....You'll understand....Purple Heart Vietnam vet 67'.
Take Care, All!
Frank
If I am lucky I get to go to the AMRA show on the June long weekend
which is in Perth WA thats a 1224 Km round trip and its the closest and only show in my state that I know of.
One year I am thinking of going to the Adelaide show thats in the next state a lot further away and believe it or not a lot cheaper to get to.
regards John
A normal train show? I only go about 50 miles max for those. Now I'm a dealer at these shows with the NHRHTA. I go to make money for someone else, not spend my own, but if I see something I like I'll grab it. I routinely go to 5 to 8 normal train shows a year, and the furthest is about 40 miles.
Springfield, OTOH, is not a "normal" show. Neither is the NMRA National Train Show, and I went to Philly and Hartford. Springfield and the NMRA NTS are events, and I have no problem in going 100+ miles to go see them.
At Springfield, I see people I meet only once a year. From the big guys to the little guys; there's always something new (and I can't wait to see what Brian and Jill from BEST are bringing to the show this year; last year it was a living room set).
Sure, the prices aren't always great on everything. You can probably get things cheaper online, especially if you add in the parking, the ticket, the gas, and the hotel (if any). But that's not the point. The point is to have fun! I go for three days; Fri. to Sun. I hang out with my fellow club members all weekend. We try to find things for other people to buy. Part of the fun is the search for that new thing you don't have...that you didn't even know you were looking for.
Paul A. Cutler III
I make it to the Shakopee MN show when it's on (about every other year), .5 miles by crow, 2 miles to drive to. Ticket is in hand for WGH in St. Paul for next weekend, about 28 miles. Plan to go to St. Cloud in March, near 100 miles. Possibly to Stevens Point, WI next time there is a show there, about 200 miles. Green Bay is a stretch now, at 300 miles, but maybe sometime with a driving companion (Nobody ever mentioned rust or corrosion to me when they talked about the "golden years")
Gary