I got back into the hobby in the fall of 2019 and this will be the first year I've had a chance to go to TF. I'm excited! I'm curious who else might be going and also what advice (if any) some of you "regulars" might have for me.
I imagine this is a yearly event for some modelers and for others its one that they drop in on every few years or so.
Should I expect that many vendors will have discounts on their goods? Or at least match their on-line prices?
Andy
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Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/
If I could go... I would bring a couple of fully charged camera batteries and an empty film card.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I too am looking forward to going to Trainfest this November after 2 years of not. It is being run by different folks so it is a bit tricky to predict what it will be like. I guess I would say this.
First wear comfortable shoes. It pays to check out as many of the vendors as possible before starting to buy, and that means walking the aisles quite a bit. Second, bring a pen or pencil and some scratchpaper and NOTE THE NAME AND LOCATION of every vendor who seems to have what you want, and what it is they had. You swear you'll remember where you saw it, and trust me you're wrong! Now having said that often when I return to the vendor who had the best price -- poof the stuff is gone. Only you can judge how urgent it is to get the item versus shopping for the best price and not being able to get from anyone, anywhere.
Third try to bring two or three really sturdy cloth bags for your purchases so that the plastic from a plastic bag does not wear a groove in your hand, or worse yet break. Good sturdy cloth bags that you can wrap around your arm or place on the floor also make it easier to eat lunch, rest for a while in a chair, and visit the restrooms.
Speaking of lunch I have never been a big fan of the food service at Wisconsin State Fair Park. It is better to eat a big breakfast than to try to load up on a State Fair Park lunch, for your digestive system's sake. That is just my opinion but I know it is widely shared.
When manufacturers sell, and not all do, there might be a show special (Accurail usually has one) but often the show special is a paint scheme or number never otherwise offered, not a price break. Other than that, don't expect a discount from manufacturers. BUT do check out who is coming and think about what it is you want to see. let me give an example. I do not know if Tichy is going to be there or not, I hope they will be, but they bring nearly their entire line of parts, in HO, S and O. Think in advance and bring a shopping list including parts numbers if there is Tichy stuff you want. You may never see such a complete line in any hobby shop. Ditto for Kalmbach books and special issues. That is just an example.
Some of the larger hobby shops such as Hiawatha Hobbies/Jetco or Enginehouse Services might have a modest discount but often the advantage of Trainfest is not so much the "deals" but the opportunity to see a wider arrange of stock than many hobby shops feature these days.
I can remember back when one Milwaukee hobby shop, Jerry's (now gone) would bring nearly its entire inventory to Trainfest and they sold like hotcakes - why? Because all the local modelers had seen that stuff on the shelves for years and picked it over, now was the chance for out of towners to see what was available, often older kits and models and books not available for years. Fresh eyes made it all interesting again. Teskey Trains, if they are coming, are a bit like that -- a wide array including models no longer available. So think less in terms of deals than a wish list of models, or books, tools, etc that just are not commonly available. Think ahead and make lists.
Even though my NMRA Division is no longer running Trainfest we all want it to be a big success.
Dave Nelson
dknelsonI can remember back when one Milwaukee hobby shop, Jerry's (now gone) would bring nearly its entire inventory to Trainfest and they sold like hotcakes - why? Because all the local modelers had seen that stuff on the shelves for years and picked it over, now was the chance for out of towners to see what was available, often older kits and models and books not available for years. Fresh eyes made it all interesting again.
I really miss the old train shows in Florida where Orange Blossom Hobbies and Colonial Photo And Hobby would show up with a table or two of "old dead stock" and blow it out at low prices.
If I only had a time machine...
Hopefully you can get a floor layout ahead of time with each vendor's location so you can visit those you are most interested in.
I maintain a spreadsheet with the road numbers of my entire fleet of engines and rolling stock so I don't end up with duplicates.
I've bought engines at shows, but I usually spend a lot of time at small dealer tables looking at detail parts.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I appreciate the thoughts. Comfy shoes: check. Bag or backpack (if they allow people in with backpacks?): check. I forgot to ask about meals: does everyone get a wristband and then has to go out for lunch or is there food offered in the hall? (for a premium no doubt?)
Final question: my dad will be coming with me and he specifically asked about seating in case he needs to sit; he can't stay on his feet for long periods of time. I assume there will be seats either inside the hall or in the foyer. (Or I will tell him to sit on the little train and ride around with the kids for a while lol)
Hi Andy
Again because new folks are running this year's Trainfest I am reluctant to predict what they do or do not allow or what the situation will be for seating.
In year's past I saw folks with backpacks maybe because there were so many toddlers and they needed their toddler supplies. I intend to bring my own cloth bags and hope and assume I will not be challenged. You also see people with wagons for kids. I'd like to think a backpack would be allowed
In year's past you'd get your hand stamped if you wanted to go outside the building for meals (or drop off heavier purchases in your parked car). I have no idea if they will be moving to the wrist band model or not, or if you keep your ticket and that is your way of getting in and out. But they do typically allow exit and re-entry. Speaking of which a Scottish restaurant is located across the street to the south -- called McDonalds or some such -- and there is a Greek family restaurant and a Mexican restaurant not far away for more of a sit down lunch. There are food concession stands in the hall as well. They are near the toilets which tells you something right there. I will have had a colonoscopy the day before so I think I will stay away from the concession food, at least on Saturday. Maybe I will brave it on Sunday. The lines at McDonalds that weekend are hugely long by the way
Prices were not absurd but typically inflated. I do believe even beer is available. If they ran it as in years past, the same food concession stands have open windows both inside the hall and outside in the hallways, and to get to the hallways you need to go through the hand stamp routine. There is also an ATM machine outside the hall but inside the building
When the local NMRA division ran Trainfest there would be chairs scattered around, and genuine seating areas as well. I'd like to hope that will be the case this year but again new folks are in charge. Chairs at tables for eating were in those hallway areas outside the hall itself. During lunch hour those fill up but before and after that they'd be available for rest. If the need for sitting becomes urgent ask at a display layout if your father can rest a moment on one of their chairs.
Speaking of prices and speaking of getting in and out -- parking at State Fair Park IS expensive AND there is no exit/re-entry privilege. Some nearby streets feature free parking (but read the signs VERY carefully -- West Allis makes good money during Trainfest slapping parking tickets on cars) but that just increases the amount of walking you and your Dad would be doing before even getting inside the hall. Even some of the State Fair parking involves a long walk unless you get there really early -- and in that case there is yet more standing waiting for the doors to open at 9 am. In years past there was a shuttle bus but again new folks are running this show.
Good Info Dave,
I will enjoy this after the forced 2 year hiatus!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
There is on line ticket purchasing. I would recommend having a ticket purchased before getting to the event if you want to enter quickly.
Lee
dknelsonSpeaking of which a Scottish restaurant is located across the street to the south -- called McDonalds or some such -- and there is a Greek family restaurant and a Mexican restaurant not far away for more of a sit down lunch. There are food concession stands in the hall as well. They are near the toilets which tells you something right there.
Lol, thanks Dave for warning us and giving me the best laugh of the day. Perhaps I will see you there as the CNW is the secondary route I model and I plan to visit the CNWHS table.
I'll either be wearing my C&NW sweatshirt or my Milwaukee Road denim shirt. At 6'7" I should be fairly visible. Unless I'm sitting down with your Dad
By the way I have just learned that their WILL be clinics at Trainfest this year.
GO and enjoy. I'd also know the fair-market prices for things to avoid getting taken for a (train) ride. Also, feel free to negotiate prices since some are looking to sell quickly and devote a bit of time to walking around.
dknelson I'll either be wearing my C&NW sweatshirt or my Milwaukee Road denim shirt. At 6'7" I should be fairly visible. Unless I'm sitting down with your Dad By the way I have just learned that their WILL be clinics at Trainfest this year. Dave Nelson
I tried to PM you but the site wouldn't let me; glad to hear about the clinics. I'm sure there will be several of interest to me. I will look for you around the CNWHS.
I also appreciate the advice to know the market prices for items I'm looking for ...very good idea.
Fyi, this is a long shot but a neighbor of mine on the north side of Milwaukee decades ago is the one who got me into model railroading. He also modeled the CNW. He would be in his 80s now but is still in metro Milwaukee. His name is Richard "Dick" Blum. As far as I know he still has a bedroom with a CNW layout. Perhaps you would have crossed paths at some CNW meeting or club..