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Attended my first train show in over 20 years

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 12:40 PM

sschnabl
If you're going to the U.P. in June, you might want to bring a coat.  It can get a bit chilly at night, even in June.  

I used to have a pet parrot named Schnable.  (German for beak)

Yeah, no thanks.  Do you get Lake Effect up there in the UP?

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by sschnabl on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 12:12 PM

SeeYou190

 Kevin,

If you're going to the U.P. in June, you might want to bring a coat.  It can get a bit chilly at night, even in June.  Big Smile

 
riogrande5761
The only down side is it was bloody cold - it's like going on an arctic expedition to go to those shows.

 

I will probably never go to a Springfield show. I just don't do cold, and I will never own a coat.

-Kevin

 

SeeYou190
I just don't do cold, and I will never own a coat. -Kevin
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 4:58 PM

Given the choice, I'd prefer northern CA over FL any day, having been in both places.  But where I am ain't bad; winters aren't severe like the midwest or northeast and bonus, we have basements!   

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 4:06 PM

chutton01
West Virginia did, as did Mississippi and Illinois.

OK,I found it. It looks like Puerto Rico also had a population decrease.

California and Florida are in the same growth range, but they lost a seat and we gained one.

Interesting.

-Kevin

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Posted by TheFlyingScotsman on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 2:21 PM

rrebell
 
TheFlyingScotsman

 

 
riogrande5761

 

 
SeeYou190
 
riogrande5761
The only down side is it was bloody cold - it's like going on an arctic expedition to go to those shows.

I will probably never go to a Springfield show. I just don't do cold, and I will never own a coat.

-Kevin 

 

 

 

I grew up in hot & dry northern California, I never did cold very well.  Nor high humidity for that matter, ahem.  The cold was part of the reason my first marriage didn't last.  You see she was born and raised there and will probably live there all her life.  I couldn't tolerate it. 

But, the Springfield show is probably the best show I've ever attended, so if you can brave it, I don't think you'll regret it.  

 

 

 

I can say that having attended these events for the last 50 years with each decade they have become more and more commercialised - that's here in the UK I mean, but regarding the cold - which I loathe - my girlfriend who I'd met in summer time in Santa Barbara CA went to college in Worcester MA and I visited her in February and I can tell you after a lifetime of moving around the planet for work and play that is the coldest I have ever been. It was brutal, so I can see why a guy brought up in CA just couldn't get to grips with it. I couldn't.

 

 

 

Was born on the west coast in SF bay area, went to school in Baltimore and started buisness there. Did not like the cold or really hot summers with high humitity. Got married and we were visiting Calif. for x-mas and were having a picnik in a park in Jan. and it was 75 degrees, back home it was -5 degrees, went back and put home on the market and moved.

 

 

I think you made the right move there. I lived in Berkeley CA for a while in the 80's and loved the weather there and everything else about it too. Prior to that I was in Oakland on San Pablo near Sycamore - bullets flying most nights there. Not so good.

When I worked in Riyadh Saudi Arabia one of the guys there had a similar tale to yours - he lived in Boston. He came back from Florida in the mid 1970's and on his first day going back to work slipped on ice and hurt his leg. The house was sold and Frank and family swanned off to FL. Never regretted it. 

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Posted by chutton01 on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:06 PM

SeeYou190
The country gained 23 million persons from 2010 to 2020. From what I have read, no states have declining population.


West Virginia did, as did Mississippi and Illinois.
Second lowest national population growth percentage since the 1930s Great Depression. Wonder how much of that can be attributed to the pandemic and somewhat lackdasical (compared to previous periods) census follow-up.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 12:39 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
California is about to loose a seating the House of Representatives because of declining population.

California population is not declining, just not rising as fast as Florida and Texas. They only lost one seat, and Florida gained one.

The country gained 23 million persons from 2010 to 2020. From what I have read, no states have declining population.

-Kevin

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 12:16 PM

riogrande5761

 

 
rrebell
as born on the west coast in SF bay area, went to school in Baltimore and started buisness there. Did not like the cold or really hot summers with high humitity. Got married and we were visiting Calif. for x-mas and were having a picnik in a park in Jan. and it was 75 degrees, back home it was -5 degrees, went back and put home on the market and moved.

 

When was that?  Probably beforee the prices of homes shot thu the roof.  From all I am reading, there is no way I could afford to move there now.  In fact many so called middle class families who moved there in recent years are having to move due to the unaffordable high cost of living.  Most I've talked to who are happy in CA now have been there a long time and were established before the COL went up to present rates.

 

California is about to loose a seating the House of Representatives because of declining population. Somebody must be running from the high cost of living and high level of regulation.

I've lived in Maryland my whole life (except a one year stay on Long Island at age 12), I like the change of seasons.

The weather here is only a problem if you insist on spending lots of time outdoors...... the model trains in the climate controlled indoors.......

I like spending a nice day outdoors, and when the weather is too hot or too cold, I'm happy to be inside.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:44 AM

rrebell
as born on the west coast in SF bay area, went to school in Baltimore and started buisness there. Did not like the cold or really hot summers with high humitity. Got married and we were visiting Calif. for x-mas and were having a picnik in a park in Jan. and it was 75 degrees, back home it was -5 degrees, went back and put home on the market and moved.

When was that?  Probably beforee the prices of homes shot thu the roof.  From all I am reading, there is no way I could afford to move there now.  In fact many so called middle class families who moved there in recent years are having to move due to the unaffordable high cost of living.  Most I've talked to who are happy in CA now have been there a long time and were established before the COL went up to present rates.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:07 AM

TheFlyingScotsman

 

 
riogrande5761

 

 
SeeYou190
 
riogrande5761
The only down side is it was bloody cold - it's like going on an arctic expedition to go to those shows.

I will probably never go to a Springfield show. I just don't do cold, and I will never own a coat.

-Kevin 

 

 

 

I grew up in hot & dry northern California, I never did cold very well.  Nor high humidity for that matter, ahem.  The cold was part of the reason my first marriage didn't last.  You see she was born and raised there and will probably live there all her life.  I couldn't tolerate it. 

But, the Springfield show is probably the best show I've ever attended, so if you can brave it, I don't think you'll regret it.  

 

 

 

I can say that having attended these events for the last 50 years with each decade they have become more and more commercialised - that's here in the UK I mean, but regarding the cold - which I loathe - my girlfriend who I'd met in summer time in Santa Barbara CA went to college in Worcester MA and I visited her in February and I can tell you after a lifetime of moving around the planet for work and play that is the coldest I have ever been. It was brutal, so I can see why a guy brought up in CA just couldn't get to grips with it. I couldn't.

 

Was born on the west coast in SF bay area, went to school in Baltimore and started buisness there. Did not like the cold or really hot summers with high humitity. Got married and we were visiting Calif. for x-mas and were having a picnik in a park in Jan. and it was 75 degrees, back home it was -5 degrees, went back and put home on the market and moved.

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Posted by emdmike on Monday, April 26, 2021 8:50 PM

TCA shows are Train Collectors Association shows and geared to that side of the hobby with tinplate, Lionel, LGB in mostly O and G scales with the other scales sprinkled in.   You need to go to the nearest NMRA show, those are more of a Scale model train show where you will find N scale, HO scale ect.  We have several NMRA shows locally here in Indiana, the large CinTrak N scale modular layout is usually there. Many shows, pre covid, were starting to fall apart.  Even some of the well established one up in Chicago that is held monthly. Its a shell of what it once was just a few years ago.  Good luck in your train show travels as things start to return somewhat to normal again.      Mike the Aspie

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Posted by joe323 on Monday, April 26, 2021 4:33 PM

There are 2 types of train shows the giant swap meet shows like Greenberg and smaller ones like the semi-annual NY society of model engineers show.  Now that I have a mobility scooter I should be able to due laps at the Edison, NJ shows once they resume.

The second type is the more educational like the WGH or National Train Show where the manufacturer's have booths to show off their latest greatest wares.

Both types are fun and sometimes you can get bargains.

 

Joe Staten Island West 

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Posted by TheFlyingScotsman on Monday, April 26, 2021 4:25 PM

riogrande5761

 

 
SeeYou190
 
riogrande5761
The only down side is it was bloody cold - it's like going on an arctic expedition to go to those shows.

I will probably never go to a Springfield show. I just don't do cold, and I will never own a coat.

-Kevin 

 

 

 

I grew up in hot & dry northern California, I never did cold very well.  Nor high humidity for that matter, ahem.  The cold was part of the reason my first marriage didn't last.  You see she was born and raised there and will probably live there all her life.  I couldn't tolerate it. 

But, the Springfield show is probably the best show I've ever attended, so if you can brave it, I don't think you'll regret it.  

 

I can say that having attended these events for the last 50 years with each decade they have become more and more commercialised - that's here in the UK I mean, but regarding the cold - which I loathe - my girlfriend who I'd met in summer time in Santa Barbara CA went to college in Worcester MA and I visited her in February and I can tell you after a lifetime of moving around the planet for work and play that is the coldest I have ever been. It was brutal, so I can see why a guy brought up in CA just couldn't get to grips with it. I couldn't.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Monday, April 26, 2021 12:56 PM

SeeYou190
 
riogrande5761
The only down side is it was bloody cold - it's like going on an arctic expedition to go to those shows.

I will probably never go to a Springfield show. I just don't do cold, and I will never own a coat.

-Kevin 

 

I grew up in hot & dry northern California, I never did cold very well.  Nor high humidity for that matter, ahem.  The cold was part of the reason my first marriage didn't last.  You see she was born and raised there and will probably live there all her life.  I couldn't tolerate it. 

But, the Springfield show is probably the best show I've ever attended, so if you can brave it, I don't think you'll regret it.  

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by maxman on Monday, April 26, 2021 12:56 PM

SeeYou190
I will probably never go to a Springfield show. I just don't do cold, and I will never own a coat.

Generally there is enough body heat from the other 20,000 people that a coat is not required.Chef

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, April 26, 2021 12:05 PM

riogrande5761
The only down side is it was bloody cold - it's like going on an arctic expedition to go to those shows.

I will probably never go to a Springfield show. I just don't do cold, and I will never own a coat.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Monday, April 26, 2021 8:02 AM

Global warming; maybe Greta is onto something with her frowny face.  Other than the windshield freezing up that one time, I haven't had any problems either.  I just hate bitter cold weather.  But I still enjoyed the show.

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Posted by chutton01 on Monday, April 26, 2021 7:59 AM

riogrande5761

Yeah, so brace yourself for the arctic blast to go unless by some fluke, it's not bloody cold!  

Eh, I have attended the show from 2015 till 2020 (obviously not this year), and IMO the weather really hasn't been bad those times -2015 was snowy driving up, but no problem at the exposition grounds, and 2019 on Saturday morning it was pretty cold (and I forgot my wool hat at home of course), but other than that, weather's been OK, from a bit chilly to not that bad (never warm, but usually above freezing).  Hopefully a gigantic bizzard does not foil the 2022 plans...

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Monday, April 26, 2021 6:31 AM

chutton01
This thread reminded me to take a look at the Amherst Railway Society for info about a 2022 Model Railroad show (I have purchased many an item at  previous Amherst W. Springfield shows, at prices better than Walthers or (shudder)MircoMark - or even eBay (not that hard to beat nowadays).   Nothing about a 2022 show was referenced on the website's home page (just a recap ofthe 2021 virtual show), or even on the 'Attending The Show' page, but under Hours there was this: Saturday January 29, 2022 - 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday January 30, 2022 - 10:00am - 5:00pm Those are valid dates, so hopefully they are indeed gearing up for 2022 (I'll remember  to bring my proof of Vacination...)

I've been to that show 3 times and it was always good.  The only down side is it was bloody cold - it's like going on an arctic expedition to go to those shows.  One year my brand new car couldn't keep the windshield from icing over and obscuring forward few so I had to stop a number of times ot clear it.

Yeah, so brace yourself for the arctic blast to go unless by some fluke, it's not bloody cold!  

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by chutton01 on Sunday, April 25, 2021 8:57 PM

This thread reminded me to take a look at the Amherst Railway Society for info about a 2022 Model Railroad show (I have purchased many an item at  previous Amherst W. Springfield shows, at prices better than Walthers or (shudder)MircoMark - or even eBay (not that hard to beat nowadays).  
Nothing about a 2022 show was referenced on the website's home page (just a recap ofthe 2021 virtual show), or even on the 'Attending The Show' page, but under Hours there was this:
Saturday January 29, 2022 - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday January 30, 2022 - 10:00am - 5:00pm
Those are valid dates, so hopefully they are indeed gearing up for 2022 (I'll remember  to bring my proof of Vacination...)

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Posted by rrebell on Sunday, April 25, 2021 8:51 PM

Train shows can be great but don't go ecpecting to find x. go for the social and look around, you may find what you are looking for or maybe something you never knew existed. 

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Posted by Doughless on Sunday, April 25, 2021 2:37 PM

SeeYou190

Is there a place that shows what train shows are still happening... accurately.

I am planning a ling trip in June, and if I can hit a good train show ANYWHERE! I would love to.

I am not going to the Northeast or Califiornia and the Desert Southwest, but I am going everywhere else.

-Kevin

 

The Atlanta shows are scheduled for late August and late October.  The Duluth show early then the Cobb Galleria show.  Google search shows the dates.

- Douglas

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Posted by dknelson on Sunday, April 25, 2021 10:47 AM

NittanyLion

If one is to go to a show by the Train Collectors Association, then, yes, you will come away with the impression that things are slanted to collectors. 

 
Quite true.  And outdoors shows are their own breed of train show, almost invariably sales only, not layouts, not clinics, not displays, not railroad artists, and rarely if ever manufacturers or historical societies.  And even the outdoors shows have very different vibes depending not just on what special interest is putting them on, but also on the weather forecast.  I have seen grim faced guys selling their Lionel or American Flyer in a light drizzle or searingly hot sun, but the better stuff is not risked in those extremes.  Particularly stuff in the original boxes - not going to be put outside in the wet.  Some vendors just take a look and drive back home, or don't pack up to begin with.
 
A really varied train show that is more than a swap meet really needs an indoor venue, and benefits from a sponsoring organization that is interested in the bigger picture than just its own narrow focus.  I have no beef with TCA shows, or shows for a particular scale, or prototype modeler meet shows which attract a particular type of "basement" manufacturer.  They know their audience and more power to them.  But those shows are what they are and a person going shouldn't give up on all train shows just because  (just by way of example) the TCA exists for a narrow reason. 
 
Some very interesting train shows take place during the annual meets of various railroad historical societies - you see a neat mix of models, prototype railroadiana such as timetables, books and videos, photographs and slides.  And as a rule sellers are "motivated sellers" if they have come from a long distance.  Often the public is invited after the "members" have been given an hour to shop themselves.  But again, you have to know the territory.  You don't go to the traditional train show during a Chicago & North Western Historical Society annual meet and expect to find Milwaukee Road or Rock Island stuff.
 
Dave Nelson
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, April 25, 2021 10:23 AM

richhotrain
Kevin, don't do what you did last time. If you get to Maryland, eat crab. If you go to East Boston's Little Italy, eat Italian food. Don't you dare order Cajun!

I will not be going to Boston or Maryland this trip. Those will wait for a Timonium Show to be tacked on.

This trip will be Illinois and Washington to see my babies. Michigan Upper Peninsula, North Dakota, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, and places in between.

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
When I go, I prefer to go alone or sometimes with one friend.

It is hard to find a good train show friend. Randy and I always had a good time together, but others I did not pair with as well.

Now I only go with my wife, but she makes me spend too much money.

-Kevin

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, April 25, 2021 10:09 AM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
 
richhotrain

Never been to a train show, and from what I hear and read, never one to attend one.

Rich 

Rich,

You should go once, just to see some of thew old out of production stuff for sale if nothing else. It can be like a museum of the hobby.

Sheldon 

Nah

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Sunday, April 25, 2021 10:04 AM

richhotrain

Never been to a train show, and from what I hear and read, never one to attend one.

Rich

 

Rich,

Train shows are a double edged sword, and some are better than others. The Timonium show here has always been very good. The Greenberg shows are OK, but not great.

Personally, I have to be in the right mood, and be looking for a list of specific out of production stuff to be really modivated.

Of course when I go to Timonium I see lots of people I know, that is sometimes nice.

I don't like the crowds, the strollers, the bad food, or the rude people........

Sometimes you find great deals on great stuff, sometimes not so much.

It is largely a big model train flea market, but with many of the vendors being extensions of regular brick and mortar shops selling current stuff. Places I would not normally travel to becuase they are far away and they do the whole train show circuit.

And then you have the display layouts, modular groups who come and setup, some are pretty big and rather impressive, some not so much.

While somewhat interested in trains, my 9 year old grandson does not have the patience for it, even when he knows he can get stuff........

When I go, I prefer to go alone or sometimes with one friend........

You should go once, just to see some of thew old out of production stuff for sale if nothing else. It can be like a museum of the hobby.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, April 25, 2021 10:00 AM

SeeYou190

I am not going to the Northeast or Califiornia and the Desert Southwest, but I am going everywhere else.

-Kevin 

Kevin, don't do what you did last time. If you get to Maryland, eat crab. If you go to East Boston's Little Italy, eat Italian food. Don't you dare order Cajun! Laugh

Rich

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, April 25, 2021 9:47 AM

Is there a place that shows what train shows are still happening... accurately.

I am planning a ling trip in June, and if I can hit a good train show ANYWHERE! I would love to.

I am not going to the Northeast or Califiornia and the Desert Southwest, but I am going everywhere else.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by NittanyLion on Sunday, April 25, 2021 9:34 AM

If one is to go to a show by the Train Collectors Association, then, yes, you will come away with the impression that things are slanted to collectors. 

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