I used to like to go to at least 3 of their shows each year, perhaps skipping the summer show. I liked getting a half table and selling some items, and of course buying more than I was selling.
They also had a great 'white elephant table'. Something I don't see the Florida shows do. Often found some good deals there.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
I was at the show on Sunday, better/more vendors than recent shows, but not much of a crowd, which suits me fine.
I think internet sales have hurt the shows as much as they have hurt the small shops.
I found very little I actually felt like I had to buy that day, only bought a 40 year old NOS structure kit and some Cal Scale detail parts.
And gave a friend who is new to the hobby a few pointers about stuff.
If I was already started on the new layout, I might have had a bigger list, maybe next time.
I often went to the June show, but is was getting pretty slim the last few times.
Disclaimer - years back I went to this show nearly every time, every year. But in the last few years my interest in the whole "show" process as dwindled, I would much rather just place an order and wait for the UPS truck.......
And it seems when I do go, I'm finding less and less of the kind of NOS stuff I once shopped there for.
Sheldon
I missed the Feb.2-3 show. Had a list of stuff to look for. The last couple of shows it was easy to walk though the big isleways. I have been there both days on some past dates. The first day is to buy what's needed/wanted, the second day is something to do hobby wise and look for what might have been missed or passed up the day before. I hope the show grows with venders out numbering manufactures, I do not like to look at things ''not for sale''. I do know it's not cool for manufactutres to sell goods at the same shows as the people/venders that sell their products. Looking forward to the next show at Timonium. I love to watch the layouts running.
riogrande5761but since MBK shrunk to 1/3rd it's size, it's a miserable experience to go there. Crowded. Takes forever.
My experience was that it wasn't much better then either - small aisles, crowds.
Once they changed out the shipping/sales tax glitch, I found no incentive to actually go there - easier to order on line.
Paul
rrinker ANd, better stop at Kleins in the middle of the day,
That is something I usually do on T show Saturdays but since MBK shrunk to 1/3rd it's size, it's a miserable experience to go there. Crowded. Takes forever. My wife won't even go inside anymore. Waits in the car.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
PRR8259 They are getting rid of the June show? Is this because they were stupidly "bumped" off Father's Day weekend and now can't get that date back again? John
They are getting rid of the June show? Is this because they were stupidly "bumped" off Father's Day weekend and now can't get that date back again?
John
According to the notification I received it was an economic issue.
NittanyLionWhere was Athearn?
Bowser was in the middle building, far right in the back. Athearn was 1 or 2 rows over I think, more torward the middle of the building, behind and right from where Zane used to be. It was only a tiny table.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Where was Athearn? I missed them somehow.
ShoelessAthearn was showing some really nice cars that are out or coming out soon - I would say somewhat on the order of Tangent or ExactRail quality. Expect to pay $50-$60 retail, so...ouch.
What cars specifically did Athearn show? Were they the CF4600 hoppers? Anything newly tooled tends to be a little higher these days.
I had not heard of Spring Mills Depot, but they also have some really nice freight cars at the higher end.
Spring Mill is usually at the front of all the Timonium shows and traditionally has some very nicely detailed freight cars if you haven't noticed them before, such as the Canstock box car, beautiful eastern bay window cabooses (sold out I think), nice PD3000 covered hoppers and others. And train boxes.
I went this past weekend. My focus is in HO.
I also noticed that both Athern and Bowser attended. Athern was showing some really nice cars that are out or coming out soon - I would say somewhat on the order of Tangent or ExactRail quality. Expect to pay $50-$60 retail, so...ouch. Browser indicated that they are going into production on a number of products this spring/summer after being affected by that factory shutdown. It includes a newer version of the Alco C-628 later this summer, which I'm in the market for. I had not heard of Spring Mills Depot, but they also have some really nice freight cars at the higher end.
I was pretty blown away by the quality of some of the structure kits. The two that come to mind are Medford Trains and Foggy Mountain Models. There were others and it's nice to see the variety of small manufacturers there.
There's a company that specializes in structure lighting named Microlumina. If you haven't seen their products, go take a good look. There's a quality in their products that to me really bring the structures to life. They even have a kit that is a welder using his blow torch that is a realistic as it gets - really cool stuff.
Scalecoat had a nice display. I found it interesting that just about every color of their paint can be purchased as a spray can. Not sure I would go that route, but interesting and must be due to market preference. I thought their selection of laser cut sheet products (I think wood) were excellent.
All in all there was a lot of variety at the show.
I don't think I've ever been out of there before show closing. Of course the last few times I was with the club layout so we kind of had to stay til closing, but even when I went with no other commitments I'm generally in the line that is filing out at closing time.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinkerANd, better stop at Kleins in the middle of the day, if you stay til the end of the show, by then Klein's is closed.
They are closed on Sunday, but are open until 5 p. on Saturday. We're generally out of the show by 2:30/3:00, so plenty of time to get there. Just need to have your list ready ahead of time.
ANd, better stop at Kleins in the middle of the day, if you stay til the end of the show, by then Klein's is closed. Or at least they always were the last few times I was at Timonium, since they moved out near the Fairgrounds. WHen they were still in downtown Baltimore, they used to have a table at the Timonium show, now that they are just up the road, they don;t bother.
maxman riogrande5761 It looks like the summer show is discontinued - no loss. Maybe, maybe not. I looked at it as a day out of the house and away from the lawn. And it was air conditioned, and easy to move around. And I could stop at Klein's on the way back. ROAD TRIP!
riogrande5761 It looks like the summer show is discontinued - no loss.
Maybe, maybe not. I looked at it as a day out of the house and away from the lawn. And it was air conditioned, and easy to move around.
And I could stop at Klein's on the way back.
ROAD TRIP!
YMMV but for me it's too far for a small show. I get my trip out with my wife 3 or 4 other times a year for the bigger show fall/winter/spring most years at T plus maybe a Greenberg closer in.
riogrande5761It looks like the summer show is discontinued - no loss.
Sounds like this show actually got some manufacturersthis time. About 6 or 7 years ago Athearn showed up at, of all places, the Chantilly VA Greenberg Show and had test samples of their F89F flat cars and PC&F box cars with John Engstrom there to present.
Timonium OTOH rarely seems to get manufacturers - of course one of the few times they do, I missed it but just couldn't swing it this time. Next show is April 6 and 7 looking at the show calendar. It looks like the summer show is discontinued - no loss. After going once, I decided it isn't worth it to drive all that way for a small show. We have a Greenberg show in Chantilly which is much closer and while not as good because it is 2/3rds toys and non HO stuff, I can find a few treasures.
I've never been to the show. Perhaps I might trek up there with my family and link it with seeing my older brother and his crew. Call me spoiled, but I know that I can do quite well on the HO train swap group. My fear is being bitten by the "gotta-have" but at the show.
NittanyLionBowser was there too. I don't recall ever seeing a non local company having a table. Add Quote to your Post
I went today and Athearn was there too. CarolinaCraftsman and CMR Products, which is different than Custom Model Railroad (who is usually there) and a new to me, rail car manufacturer, whose name I don't remember, but I touched one of his do not touch cars and got chastised, quite appropriately.
Decided I needed a couple coal cars and got some power pole connectors.
Timonium has never been a big manufacturers display show. I was there selling off some of my 56 era equipment. Sold off a good bit so a good show for me.Some friends were there also selling off excess stuff and they were happy with the show. Seems to be more estate selling and people downsizing with age !! The weather while not bad the day of show was bad the day and night before. Very few empty tables . To me it was a good show. I was at the Springfield Mass. show the week before and that has turned into a big manufacturers show. It gets good attendance as it's only a once a year show. --- Ken
NittanyLion Bowser was there too. I don't recall ever seeing a non local company having a table.
Bowser was there too. I don't recall ever seeing a non local company having a table.
There used to be some several years ago. A couple that come to mind were Train and Trooper from Maine (now out of business) and S Helper from New Jersey (sold to MTH).
The show never fully recovered from the Great Recession of 2007-2009.
I was there as well. It seemed to me there were more dealers than this past fall. And more layouts on display.
Didn't find any deals for me, but did find some track I needed. And I enjoyed the show as I usually do when I go with my son. He did find some stuff.
BigDaddyDid anyone go today
Yes, I went. Got some deals.
June show has been discontinued.
It snuck up on me as well. I don't remember seeing the advanced email notice although I probably did get it.
I usually go to all three fall/winter/spring shows but I've been working on my basement every weekend and working all week, and past week getting over a persistant headcold, so decided not to go. Add to that I'm expecting a big hit to my budget when an order comes due late Feb or early Mar.
I'll probably go the spring show however since I'm missing this one. Both wife and I have been go go go so just need to take it a bit slower.
Did anyone go today? I thought it was going to be a couple weeks from now and did not go today, so it snuck up on me. I did not go today because there is a lot of road salt near me, and I didn't want it all over my car.