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Good list of train shows

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PED
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Good list of train shows
Posted by PED on Saturday, May 26, 2018 8:54 AM

I live in an area that is devoid of any big time train shows within a days drive. We have a very small local show at a musuem once a year but that is all. I have found numerous lists on line but they don't typically list everything nor do they provide much info about the show. I really like attending the shows and brousing the layouts and vendors to discover new stuff even if I am not in a buying mood. Even the small show layouts can have gems of discovery that I can apply to my own layout.

I know about the big name shows and the ones that are well publicized but I have not seen a list that covers all the smaller local shows. Is there a really good listing somewhere I have not found?

It would be nice if MR could set up a calandar that lists all the well known shows as well as allows someone to post info about the small local shows. 

Paul D

N scale Washita and Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Oklahoma circa late 70's

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, May 26, 2018 9:04 AM

In the upper right corner of this page in very small print it says "Resources."  Click on that and you will find a line that says "Coming Events."  There is a good index there that lets you enter your zip code and desired search radius and it will give you a list of shows that have been submitted.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Saturday, May 26, 2018 10:05 AM

PED
I have not seen a list that covers all the smaller local shows. Is there a really good listing somewhere I have not found?

Short answer is no.

Check Kalmbach's list as described above, but it is dependent on submissions from the shows.  So it's a good start but not all inclusive.

I have found that venues like expo centers, fairgrounds, etc usually have a calendar of what's coming.

Usually the only information is a contact number/web site for who is doing the show.

If you care to share where your are (city/state), I'm sure folks on this forum will chime in with shows they know about in your area and what they are like.

Paul

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Posted by G Paine on Saturday, May 26, 2018 10:34 AM

PED
I really like attending the shows and brousing the layouts and vendors to discover new stuff even if I am not in a buying mood. Even the small show layouts can have gems of discovery that I can apply to my own layout.

If you could share your approximate location and how far you want to travel, someone may have some suggestions

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by BNSF UP and others modeler on Saturday, May 26, 2018 11:16 AM

There is nothing listed for BC/ Bellingham, although I know there is a show at the Lynden fairgrounds every year. Decent show, too. You might have to hunt and peck for local events that may not have much publicity.

I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.

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Posted by josephbw on Saturday, May 26, 2018 11:34 AM

See if this link will help you out. I always link our March show with Ken.

 

http://www.modeltrainshows.com/

 

Joe

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Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, May 26, 2018 11:47 AM

BNSF UP and others modeler

There is nothing listed for BC/ Bellingham, although I know there is a show at the Lynden fairgrounds every year. Decent show, too. You might have to hunt and peck for local events that may not have much publicity.

 

The Lynden Washington show is a really good one. There is another really good one just across the border in Chilliwack B.C. and another great one in Vancouver as well. A couple of smaller ones in the greater Vancouver area are good on a rainy day. 

Putting the State where you live in with your avatar will help people help you. It is a big world.

Brent

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, May 26, 2018 12:19 PM

This is what has worked best for me.

.

I found three or four professional dealers that I see at train shows, and signed up for their email newsletters. This is where they list the shows they will be at, and sometimes the contents of new collections they have purchased.

.

I have found out there are train shows almost every week in South Florida. 

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

PED
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Posted by PED on Saturday, May 26, 2018 8:15 PM

I live in rural Arkansas. I have checked with my LHS (1 hour away) and he told me about 2 shows per year that he knows about in Arkansas. Pretty sparce pickings. Arkansas is not a hotbed of model RR. I know of several shows in surrounding states that I go to from time to time. Biggest show I am aware of anywhere near to me (5 hour drive one way) is the OKC show in early Dec. Another show in Tulsa. 

Paul D

N scale Washita and Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Oklahoma circa late 70's

PED
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Posted by PED on Saturday, May 26, 2018 8:21 PM

MisterBeasley

In the upper right corner of this page in very small print it says "Resources."  Click on that and you will find a line that says "Coming Events."  There is a good index there that lets you enter your zip code and desired search radius and it will give you a list of shows that have been submitted.

 

Thanks for the directions to the listing on this site. I had not discovered it previously. That looks like the type of listing I was hoping that MR might set up. Looks like it is already done.

Paul D

N scale Washita and Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Oklahoma circa late 70's

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Sunday, May 27, 2018 10:56 AM

MisterBeasley

In the upper right corner of this page in very small print it says "Resources."  Click on that and you will find a line that says "Coming Events."  There is a good index there that lets you enter your zip code and desired search radius and it will give you a list of shows that have been submitted.

 

 

Interesting, but... the event advertized by Menards in Eau Clair is not listed anywhere. It is advertized both in MR and at Menards.

Anyway LION plans to be there.

 

ROAR

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Posted by garya on Sunday, May 27, 2018 11:54 AM

BroadwayLion

 

 
MisterBeasley

In the upper right corner of this page in very small print it says "Resources."  Click on that and you will find a line that says "Coming Events."  There is a good index there that lets you enter your zip code and desired search radius and it will give you a list of shows that have been submitted.

 

 

 

 

Interesting, but... the event advertized by Menards in Eau Clair is not listed anywhere. It is advertized both in MR and at Menards.

Anyway LION plans to be there.

 

ROAR

 

This show?

Come join us at the "Family Magic of Trains" International Toy Train Expo! This event will be held Saturday July 7th and Sunday July 8th, 2018 from 10am to 5pm at the Expo Center located at 5150 Old Mill Plaza, Eau Claire, WI. Sponsored by Kalmbach Media, Model Train Classics LLC, Riverfest Group, and Operation Life Saver.

 

  • This exhibit will include Vintage Toy Trains, Collector Trains, Operating Layouts Vendors, Exhibitors, Train Dealers, Railroad Clubs, and Organizations
  • Door price is $5 - children 17 and under get in for free
  • Tickets also available at participating Menards® stores

I hadn't heard about it.  Kind of a haul for you, isn't it?

Gary

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 8:16 AM

PED
I have checked with my LHS (1 hour away) and he told me about 2 shows per year that he knows about in Arkansas. Pretty sparce pickings. Arkansas is not a hotbed of model RR. I know of several shows in surrounding states that I go to from time to time.

.

PED: Why are you interested in train shows? Are you looking for inexpensive items, hard to find items, socializing, or seeing operating layouts?

.

I am just curious. I go to train shows for hard to find items and to see the layouts. I make very few purchases at these train shows because my want list is very short. However, I go to as many train shows as I can looking for a gem.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

PED
  • Member since
    April 2016
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Posted by PED on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 8:30 AM

SeeYou190

 

 
PED
I have checked with my LHS (1 hour away) and he told me about 2 shows per year that he knows about in Arkansas. Pretty sparce pickings. Arkansas is not a hotbed of model RR. I know of several shows in surrounding states that I go to from time to time.

 

.

PED: Why are you interested in train shows? Are you looking for inexpensive items, hard to find items, socializing, or seeing operating layouts?

.

I am just curious. I go to train shows for hard to find items and to see the layouts. I make very few purchases at these train shows because my want list is very short. However, I go to as many train shows as I can looking for a gem.

.

-Kevin

.

 

All the reasons you cited. I like to check out the operating layouts because I often see stuff that is new to me and I may want to try myself. Seldom shop much but if I see a bargan, I may go for it. Plus....I like trains. The annual show (small) in my local area is at a train musuem that is in a building that used to build and maintain trains for the Cotton Belt. Lots of cars on display as well as original CTC panels and other neat stuff.

Paul D

N scale Washita and Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Oklahoma circa late 70's

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Posted by tin can on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 12:31 PM

Paul:

Longview used to have a decent train show, but I found little current evidence online that they are still doing a show.  i did find this link, which may be of use to you.

http://www.easttexas-modeltrains.org/trainshows/

Hope this helps.

 

 

Remember the tin can; the MKT's central Texas branch...
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Posted by NNJRailfan on Friday, June 1, 2018 11:16 AM

Railserve has a good list that includes local shows (at least in my area)

https://www.railserve.com/events/train_shows.html

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, June 1, 2018 11:40 AM

NNJRailfan
Railserve has a good list that includes local shows (at least in my area)

.

Make sure you remember to scroll down on the RailServe page. When it is first viewed it looks like it only lists 6 train shows.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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