TCA Eastern Division bi-annual meet in York, PA

[Kelly Shaw]

Let us know if you've ever gone to the TCA York, PA meet.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I have never gone to York, in 22 years of being a member of TCA. Not only do I never plan to go, but I am giving serious thought to quitting TCA altogether. I have recently come to the realization that buying trains to place them on the shelf or leave them in boxes, is silly and pointless.

The trains we all love are made to be played with, not stashed away in the hopes that some day they will be worth a lot of money. The days of old trains commanding high prices are over. We are already seeing the market begin to soften. Without new people getting interested in buying old trains the entire concept of collecting is dead.

In 20 years, will anyone that is still around want to collect trains that were made in China? Will anyone ever want to collect K-line, MTH, Williams, or Atlas? What makes trains collectable anyway? I can't think of any other area in all of model railroading that places such high values on their models.

I don't see much point in schlepping half way across the country to spend money, when I can easily spend more money than I have sitting right here at my computer. Furthermore, TCA rules are a joke, as eBay has rendered them moot.

To those that like York, I say enjoy it while you can. The manufacturers and time are working against you. In the end you will find me in my basement, with a group of my friends, operating my layout and sharing that experience with others including children.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Yes, I would like to go, someday.

After saying that, TCA rules are a joke as Big Boy stated. I just laughed when I heard of the no photo rules and the reasons. Yes, and EBAY has given many of the high priced train shows competition. (Train Show organizers please note that you need the layouts to bring in the families with the kids.)

Run those trains! Love those trains! Have fun!

[railfan23]

Sorry you feel that way toward the TCA and York shows, however since joining in 1998 and attending all in that time period I would disagree with your comment concerning the rules and ebay. Having seem you in TMs video and until you removed your TCA number, and knowing what year you joined, I should point out that I am quite a bite younger than you and have no problem running all of my post war trains including my 2332 with its set of near mint in the box matching set of plain window Madison cars. I must say that the TCAs rules while you may feel are outdated are no different than in other hobbies such as no pictures (crafts people are the worst, but they are defending their work) . While I would love to take a few pics to show to those I know to see what an event that this is, I also understand why it is not allowed. On the issue of no cell phones, I view it as NO different than sniping on ebay and I am sure you, like myself have been knocked off with 1 or 2 seconds left and not been to happy about it. Maybe some rules may need to be updated. One thing that I would do is open Saturdays to the general public and members while keeping Friday members and their guest only. Whether you agree or disagree with these rules I am sure that with a bit of research we can find soon outdated and usless laws still in use by todays U.S. goverment.

I got into the hobby for its enjoyment, not about an investment. While I have a few collectible items, they, like my common post war or modern era items, all get track time. I am now constructing a post war style layout with post war style trains and accesories. If a piece is out of my budget I have no problem in getting a referbished or reissued item. Seeing that you are a member of the NMRA I am sure that you must know how fanatic some members are concerning collecting. In some NMRA circles I have seen members who have items that "still have factory air inside". How is that different than how you describe TCA members? Before you ask, yes, I run another scale and I am in another national organization and a club.

Ebay...hummmm, that is a whole different animal. While it has lowered prices(seeing this trend since I joined in 2001) it has also brought to light items including prototypes and varriations while showing that what my have been "rare" are now pretty common. If someone was in it for the money, well, sorry about their bad luck. I do not see though how you can say that ebay and the manufacturers are taking York over. The Orange Hall containing the manufacturers and most new items ( modern era vendors), I believe is 75,000 sq ft. The other 5 FULL halls are just about all pre war, post war and vintage related toys. I am sorry that you feel the way you do about the TCA and York. This is not a dig on you, just thoughts from someone on the other side of the tracks.

[railfan23]

Buckeye I agree that train shows need more club layouts. However one show that I would like to name, but won't, for fear they would retaliate, but was sold last year views clubs as a waste of space. To them all club layouts just take up space and make NO MONEY. They forget the fact that a layout generates interests in the hobby and that makes money for the vendors as well as them at their shows. What is more important, putting more vendors in a show or highlighting what the hobby is about? Oh yeah, the new management has no concern toward loyality toward clubs what so ever. I have seen clubs that did these shows since the begining not even get a call to tell them they will not be allowed to setup. Just my 2 cents on this issue.

[cnw1995]

Someday, it would be nice to visit this meet.

[jonadel]

I'd like to go for two reasons:

1. I've never been to that part of the country.
2. It would be awesome to see that much "train stuff" in one location.

What's holding me back? Cost. I would not want to attend without my wonderful wife who enjoy's the hobby as much as I do. Two plane tickets, at least 4 night's of motel, food (moot point, you need to eat wherever you are) and then purchases and of course the shipping costs. The common sense part of me says you can buy an awful lot of new stuff for the cost of those 4 days but the other side of the coin says you would meet a lot of great people and have fun. My biggest wish is that an event of this magnitude could be found within 12 hours of the great mid west.

I'm not a collector, everything we buy we use. Tough call for me. We had planned on going to York this year but then we spent a week in CO riding the rails in Sept. so there went our York money. Perhaps next Spring, but then there's our nephews wedding in Raleigh next May that we will go to.........aaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggggg!

Jon

[Back2Trains]

I would like to attend York. I would have to join the TCA to do it (which I just learned here), but I would join for the year. I've been to major shows in a couple of my other hobbies and it has always been a great experience. Many times just meeting other people involved in the particular hobby was the best part even though I always came away with some nice things. I don't understand people who buy trains and keep them in their boxes, but it's their money and their preference.
We do need more layouts at trainshows and as many kid friendly activities as we can get. When I received my first Lionel train for Christmas in 1950, it was the best thing you could possibly get. Now there is tremendous competition in the toy market plus kids aren't as aware of trains as we were. Also, how about putting some operating cars and accessories on the layouts to really grab the kids' attention. My grandsons love the milk car, cattle car, coal loader etc.

Jim

[garyseven]

I should go there someday. It's only 2,794.93 miles from here!

That's a hell of a walk-about!

[chemung]

From the way folks talk about the restrictions in effect,it mingt be easier to get into Area 51 and see and photograph all the US space and aircraft flight testing that is supposed to go on there.

[artyoung]

I've been a TCA member since '88, and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. As far as restrictions go, no cellphones or walkie-talkies makes a very pleasant change from the usual public conversations on the street. Photos? So what? Go for the opportunity of meeting new people, talk directly to manufacturers, see some rare toys, find a bargain or two,but above all: HAVE FUN! It's a HOBBY, not a competition! Lighten up! Take the family, or a friend. You don't have to go into bankruptcy or cardiac arrest. Have F U N !

[Anonymous]

Since joining the TCA in 1982 I have attended the York meets whenever my schedule allowed, which translated thus far to about 50% of the time. Even when due to financial situations or space limiations I am not in a 'buying' mode, I always find the meet enjoyable. Being a 'kid in a candy store' especially when it is the world's most magnificent candy store, is always fun even if you do not buy any candy.

[Anonymous]

york is a great time. The only thing that I will wish for is that they put more space between the tables in the new hall. I know all the dealers and mfgr's want that hall but one simply can't move around , stop and even look at items of interest. TCA,open up another building. I think you can afford it.
Romiller

[wrmcclellan]

I attended my first York meet this October and had a great time. I got griped at a couple of times for walking the wrong way, but no big deal - I just turned around. Many of the aisles in the Orange hall were only marked on one end. There were no markers in the middle or opposite side - so if you crossed over at middle or opposite end aisle - one would not know which direction to go. There were not so many people to be obvious which direction to go ( I avoided crowded aisles and just went back later).

I like the cell phone policy - if you see how most people drive when talking on one - when they are walking it is even worse.

I do not see anyone posting comments about the Silver, Blue, Red and White halls where thousands of trains are sold by individuals. I spent a lot of time there. There are lots of trains of all vintage at very reasonable prices. There are also lots of trains at unreasonable prices. It is easy to shop and compare. I witnessed some extremely good deals like a complete Lionel 5-car 1983-4 mint in the boxes NYC 20th Century Limited aluminum set for $399. This set is typically listed at $750-$900. It was gone within 15 minutes of opening.

What I liked about York was I was able to go there with a very specific list of items I wanted to obtain and I was able to find all of them at a price and condition I was willing to accept. No other regional show I have attended has offered so much variety.

I also liked the number of parts dealers where I was also able to obtain everything I needed. I was able to examine the items to ensure that I liked the condition (repro or NOS) of what I was purchasing. I needed a top cover for a ZW (I have been looking for years) to replace a cracked one on one a bought 8 years ago for $25 (because these covers are very hard to find). I found an excellent condition original Bakelite ZW cover for $50. With a repro ZW badge from George Tebolt, I now have an excellent ZW for an $80 investment (not including patience - particularly avoiding parting it out) to use on my layout.

I went to several parking lot shows. What surprised me was several of these same individuals (or dealers) had more stuff out when in the halls than when in the parking lot. I guess I needed to ask more - but it is easier to make a decision when you can see it. How would one know that some guy has a specific piece still in his truck or car? If you asked all of them - it would take days.

Were there some rude people there? Yes. Were there many, many more pleasant people there? Absolutely. It was fun to meet and talk with the staffs of CTT and OGR. It was nice to talk with many of the manufacturers. I forgot my MTH Club card and they were prepared with PCs to look up the number. It was fun to strike up a conversation with individuals that have a similar hobby. In all, the positives far outweighed the negatives.

Food was plentiful and very reasonably priced. Staying in Harrisburg produced a very low price hotel (York hotels were loaded up anyway). Restrooms were plentiful and clean.

Regards.

[Anonymous]

While it's very crowded, I still enjoy attending the York meet. As for the comment on tain collecting; it's waht you make it. It's your choice to leave the stuff in boxes, display them or build a layout. As for values it's the same for lot's of other collectibles like clocks, telephones, Hummels, cars, swords etc. The prices are derived from demand.

[Anonymous]

I have attended the York Meet (almost ) every October for the past ten years. The energy there is terrific and you can actually see (and handle) the trains that are for sale, and see that everything is as you want it before buying. Almost all sellers are more than willing to take a little time to tell you about their item, and sometimes give you the history of an old item. While some items are inevitably priced too high, my friends and I have always managed to come up with some great deals (we collect prewar O-gauge, mainly). Seeing the newly available trains is a real kick, as is talking to the manufacturer's reps about their products. I travel to York with five friends from the local (Northern California) TCA club- about 20 or so go from Nor Cal every October. Why travel so far? First we get to see, and buy, rare items that we would never see at home. Second, we get to visit the TCA National Museum, the Pennsylvania State RR Museum, and the Strasburg Rail Road, all in Strasburg, within 45 minutes of York. Third, we get to visit with TCA friends from the rest of the country, sample the local food, and just have a great vacation! Compare this with solitary scanning of EBay offerings on your computer! (Actually I do buy from EBay also). I have no complaints with the way the York Meet is run. It's great!

[Anonymous]

I'de love to go to the York meet, but realistically I'm not that rich, financially. By the time travel / lodging expenses are added up, I'de have no money left over to buy anything.

Granted, a site-seeing tour would still be nice, but I'de rather put my money to use locally, actually buying something I could take home.

Maybe those in charge of the York meet should consider a traveling show, so more folks could attend.

[Anonymous]

The York TCA show is still the best train show I've ever attended world wide. Having said that I hope that
by some miracle the motel shows (which now seem to run from Monday to Thursday) are cut back to say
Wednesday and Thursday, or even better to Thursday. I used to stay Tuesday through Friday nights, but found it to be exhausting and expensive (Wait till you see how the motels jack up the rates when TCA
shows up). This last time I cut it to 3 nights, and in the future, I'll pass up the motel shows and stay just
2 nights. If the motel shows were to be one day, I'd stay 3 nights.

Lew Schneider

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabanrail

The York TCA show is still the best train show I've ever attended world wide. Having said that I hope that
by some miracle the motel shows (which now seem to run from Monday to Thursday) are cut back to say
Wednesday and Thursday, or even better to Thursday. I used to stay Tuesday through Friday nights, but found it to be exhausting and expensive (Wait till you see how the motels jack up the rates when TCA
shows up). This last time I cut it to 3 nights, and in the future, I'll pass up the motel shows and stay just
2 nights. If the motel shows were to be one day, I'd stay 3 nights.

Lew Schneider

Lew, [#welcome] to the forum. It is interesting to hear that it's possible to have too much of a good thing. I'm sure that you aren't alone in those feelings. Personally I have been overwhelmed at TCA national conventions, and they aren't one fifth the size of York.

[railfanespee4449]

When I get my driver's licence- York!!!

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railfanespee4449

When I get my driver's licence- York!!!

Slow down there, you need your TCA membership first.[;)]

[jkerklo]

I haven't gone to York yet, but have been hearing rave comments from fellow TCA members since I got back into the hobby ten years ago. As I read this topic, I realize that I may not understand to full scope of the event.

Five halls? Vendors? Parking lot? Hotel shows? Nearest rooms in Harrisburg?

How big is it?

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[artyoung]

John: The York Meet is held at the Fairgrounds / Exposition center in York, PA. If you have ever attended a State Fair (or at least have seen one in film or TV) then you can guess how big it is. Attendance has been listed in the past at 15000-yes fifteen thousand-much more than the annual conventions. It's B I G ! C'mon out and see!