Did 2 days at the Fall York TCA meet this week.. It was abour 1/3 third empty. Lots of empty table, tables still covered up to a hr after opening at 9am. In the orange hall they finaly had the chance to make the aisles more normal (because there were BIG gaps in the rows) and line up proberly but organizers choked on that-Again. Some of the regulat big sellers like Miller Enginnering and Charley Ro were no shows. in all the other halls, some sellers were resonable but most were trying to get EBAY prices for their stuff including repaints and common items and even junk.!! Lionel was there but was in about 1/2 of the space they had before. It is a sad thing to see. and other then in and outside of the Orange Hall, food locations were a joke. the EASTERN TCA club needs to revise the whole meet if it is to continue. Came with 6 bennies to spend, went home with 5 and a Grant and a small bag of parts. The outdoor meet at the Hotel was a better deal.
Wow, that doesn't sound good.
I've got some friends from the club that go to York (for lack of a better term) religiously. I'll be interested in what they have to say about it when they get back.
Not good signs at all. I can say the first few shows post lockdown in Indiana were packed, both with dealers and people. The frist two had to be expanded to more buildings and even the parking lot(since the weather was nice) just to accomidate all the dealers that wanted tables. Lets hope its a glitch and the spring meet will be better. Hopefully that TCA division takes this to heart and does some revising to "refresh" the meet. They all need to come to the realization, its not the old days anymore. Its a long haul from where I live to York, was hoping to attend in the next year or two, but if high prices and empty tables await, its not worth my $$ in gas and drive time to attend.
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
I went to the small show in Massena NY where there was a decent toy train presence. Everyone was bemoaning the smaller crowds than usual. I was thrilled. Don't take it the wrong way though. I was sorry they weren't getting the numbers they hoped for... but also glad, because I learned after arriving that the COVID numbers there were pretty ugly compared to most of NY state. Low attendance isn't thrilling, but also... until being packed into a busy train show doesn't pose a high risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 it's probably for the best that the numbers are down.Now, the fact that dealers were charging ridiculous prices isn't something I'd feel forgiving of. Personally, I find half the fun of hunting for toy train goodies at a show is locating/negotiating the coveted "irresitable deal". If you can't get a decent deal at a show, then where can you get one?-Ellie
"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"
LeverettrailfanI went to the small show in Massena NY where there was a decent toy train presence. Everyone was bemoaning the smaller crowds than usual.
I guess a lot of this depends on where you are. We had our first show in months in the spring, and the attendence was beyond our expectations. Same with the show we had in August.
We've got one coming up in November, but of course only time will tell how that turns out. We're optimistic though considering the last two.
I believe that to be especially true for the older generation. The bulk of the crowd at the two shows we had this past spring, were younger modelers with their kids in tow. The older and more at risk are probably avoiding crowds in general. And most of the arm loads of trains going out the door at both shows were newer HO and N scale, along with G. The O gauge tables were not nearly as busy with shoppers vs the HO and smaller scale/estate tables with those trains. The couple guys with G scale were also doing a brisk business but then it was mid spring time, when garden railways start coming alive again.
V8Vega I go to a big church, it's attendance is only 2/3rds of what it was before the pandemic so some people are still afraid to get out and around.
I go to a big church, it's attendance is only 2/3rds of what it was before the pandemic so some people are still afraid to get out and around.
I pastor a small church - it's the same thing. Attendance across the board is lower and experts say 20-30% will not come back. Now take that to all aspects of life, we will see far fewer at train shows and other events. The world is changing.
emdmikeThe bulk of the crowd at the two shows we had this past spring, were younger modelers with their kids in tow.
I am so relieved when I see that! It speaks well for the future of the hobby.
It's depressing when I go to a show and I'm "The Kid" at 68!
My buddy, Tom, said he had his "best York ever", selling 12 of the 15 engines he had on his table. He liked the set-up of the rows, which allowed for standing behind the table, instead of having to be stationed within the aisle. 1/3 of attendees were donning masks (voluntarily).
His highlight was meeting JD Stucks and Chris from RBP Trains, who visited his table together. He had a great conversation with them.
There were no constant reminders to FOLLOW THE ARROWS. (I had to ask...).
I got a brief e-mail from our club president this morning who's got a train business on the side. He said he did pretty well at York, no complaints.
I did the pre shows at the firehalls and hotel. I noticed on Flyer item that some of the vendors had decent prices others however wanted too much for very common items. Had fun. Didn't do the York meet did a WW2 living history in Gettysburg instead. Why pay for York when the pre shows are free.
fifedogMy buddy, Tom, said he had his "best York ever", selling 12 of the 15 engines he had on his table. He liked the set-up of the rows, which allowed for standing behind the table, instead of having to be stationed within the aisle. 1/3 of attendees were donning masks (voluntarily). His highlight was meeting JD Stucks and Chris from RBP Trains, who visited his table together. He had a great conversation with them
It sounds like I am right near your buddy Tom in the Red Hall (same stories of meeting the folks with YouTube channels. ;)). A casual discussion near the end of the meet with a few others in our aisle thought perhaps the width of the space for the seating of sellers was a bit too narrow (since you need to walk by others to get out for any reason (food, bio-breaks, etc)). The sellers on the end aisles might have had it slightly better since they had a wall behind them and not another table.
In any event, much credit to the TCA ED for puling this together in the way they did. IMO, hopefully we can return to the old configuration in the not too distant future, though I would not be surprised if we stay in this aisle arrangement for April just in case (it would be a horrible exercise to try to go back and then have to modify again if things get worse to justify keeping the new aisle configuration, so I can certainly see procceding cautiously in April too)
As to the arrows, the Red Hall (at least) was missing arrows of any kind, other halls may have been similar. Not sure why they did not put them down this time. With the sellers not sitting in the aisles on each side, the traffic was probably light enough during most of the meet that there was only the occasional log jam with people going in opposite directions.
-Dave
Major ....... Why pay for York when the pre shows are free.
....... Why pay for York when the pre shows are free.
Maybe because if everyone doesn't pay for York, there eventually will be no York and then no "pre-shows" for a York meet that ceases to exist?
I somehow doubt the pre-shows would continue if the TCA meet itself were to cease. I hope to not ever experience the circumstances to prove it.
Quick update: Missing dealers at York included Trainworld, Kalmbach, Nicholas Smith, Scenic Express, CharlieRo, Atlas, Hennings trains" and The other forum and magazine". The attendance apparently hit 9K but the meet was smaller than it had been.
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dlagrua Hennings trains
Henning's has a YouTube channel, which is a lot of fun by the way, and in the last broadcast they brought up the York show. In a nutshell they didn't go this time because they "Just weren't sure." They ARE looking forward to the April show next year.
Here's the Henning's channel, if you haven't watched it do so, it's fun!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC08b5iTlDNRH4l5IcnzwM7A
Scenic express is now down in Colorado. Don't expect to see them there anymore. With how much it would cost them for the trip.
on another note, I didn't even know the show was on. I would have gone. I do know the Allentown show is on which is another big postwar dealer show.
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Drove past the UAW hall today and the banner that says "TRAIN SHOW SATURDAY" is up and I'm going!
Same me, different spelling!
pennytrains Drove past the UAW hall today and the banner that says "TRAIN SHOW SATURDAY" is up and I'm going!
YEAH! Go for it Becky!
fifedogHis highlight was meeting JD Stucks and Chris from RBP Trains
Here's JD...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPLljZomHbg
Here's Chris...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crwOMFxaXM4
Thanks, Flint.
This was my 1st York experience, so, this is my version/opinion. I attended on Friday, as I had to work Saturday. A 300 mile day trip.
The Silver and Blue halls were fraught with decent bargains and a variety of things that I could have parted with several hundred dollars and been quite satisfied. Yes, there were open spaces/tables, but it did not take from the availability of products to purchase. I made every hall, but the best bargains were the Blue/Silver and then the Purple Hall.
I met up with a group from another forum (NOT the overbearing magazine one) and met several that I had talked to on the forums but not in real life. Also met up with the Jersey guys. We're planning a get together in Edison on the 24th of November.
I was not surprised on the amount of sub 20 somethings roaming the halls, the doom and gloomers are all wrong, I think the hobby is alive, well and vibrant.
As far as booty, I returned with a Chrysler 300 coupe and Convertible, a Bass Pro Shops LionChief Engine/Tender (for $89?????!!!) and a Silver Bell Express Caboose ($15, unlighted). I would have spent more, but my mortgage is due and my daughter is getting married in a year....lol
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
fifedog Thanks, Flint.
You're welcome! Isn't their enthusiasm infectious?
When it comes to toy train videos, Chris from RBP simply gets "it".
DJSpankydefinition of booty
If I'm lucky my "booty" from Saturday with the TCA guys will consist of a 3462P and a standard gauge lockon!
pennytrainsIf I'm lucky my "booty" from Saturday with the TCA guys will consist of a 3462P and a standard gauge lockon!
fifedog When it comes to toy train videos, Chris from RBP simply gets "it".
And how! And let me tell you, those are some of the best YouTube videos out there! In my opinion broadcast quality!
LeverettrailfanCurrently the train collecting hobby has me needing both more $$ and space, so I've been entertaining downsizing on stuff I don't use as much.
That's what I've been doing for the past year, and pretty ruthlessly. Not so hard once you "break the ice" and get started.
The stuff I've unloaded ranges from things I haven't used in a while to "What the hell did I buy THIS for?"
Then of course I use the money to get the stuff I've really been looking for.
pennytrains DJSpanky definition of booty If I'm lucky my "booty" from Saturday with the TCA guys will consist of a 3462P and a standard gauge lockon!
DJSpanky definition of booty
You know, even if I go to a show and don't get anything (It's happened) I still enjoy the festival atmosphere.
Flintlock76 Wow, that doesn't sound good. I've got some friends from the club that go to York (for lack of a better term) religiously. I'll be interested in what they have to say about it when they get back.
Those friends of mine? They did superbly at York, the best they've done in a long time and beyond their expectations.
Maybe because a lot of the regular competition didn't show up, but they're sure not complaining.
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