Train shows

[Anonymous]

Hello, I am totally new to trains, some might have seen my other posts here :http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45184 & here: http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45247

Well, another general question. I went to a small train show this weekend in my area that I saw in the Oct iss of MR. It was advertised as all scales. But I would say 90% was "O" scale and mostly LIONEL. Is this how must train shows that are all scales usually are?

I ask because I am mostly intrested in HO and wonder if I should just attend HO only shows?

And another ques, are the prices at shows usually good, are they better than Hobby shop prices?

Thanks
BSD

[Anonymous]

No, most shows carry all scales, as for prices, you'll have to do your homework, there are bargains out there, I usually try to get there early to compare prices between vendors. a lot depends on what you're looking for. Try to keep prices in mind when you go, then work from there.

[Adelie]

It depends on the show. Near me, Greenberg's makes their yearly appearance around Thanksgiving. It isn't all "toy train" O (as opposed to real O-scale models), but between the toy train stuff, dolls and junk, you've got to wade through a lot of garbage to find anything. I do find some things that bring back memories ("gee, my dad bought me one of those when I was a kid"). It is held not far from me, so I make the yearly pilgrimage but if I had to drive any real distance, I'd pass.

The Great Scale Model Train Show is coming up near Baltimore, which is probably a good 85 mile drive for me. But it is supposed to be among the best, so I will head up there with high expectations.

I'm not sure about HO (since it is so prevalent) but for those of us in other scales, scale specific shows are probably the best. I went to a small N-scale show a week ago that was pretty good with only about 10 vendors. I have not been to a GATS in years, so I don't know what they are up to. There are a few others in places I have not lived in the last 15 years that I really know nothing about.

Prices sort of depend on the show. What made the N-scale show good was that 3 of the 10 vendors (MB Klein and Mail Bag Hobbies being two of them) there had prices roughly as good as I can get online elsewhere. One guy was selling rolling stock that had survived a flash flood in Pittsburgh. Most of it looked untouched. He was saying it was half off, but 2/3rds seemed more like it.

However, I have walked out of several shows empty-handed or nearly so. In those cases, even factoring in shipping from my online hangouts and the benefit of having it in hand that day, they were still out of the ballpark. Funny thing is, it seems like the worse the show in terms of percentage of junk, the worse the prices.

It is really a mixed bag. Where are you located?

[ereimer]

small shows are usually put on by local clubs so you'll get whatever they're interested in , plus there are a few people who go from town to town , making a living doing small shows . the LHS's may do a booth , and local historical societies may show up.

hard to say about prices , most of the items will be used , or from collections and won't be available at the LHS . if the LHS has a booth they may bring stuff that hasn't sold in the last year and they'll reduce the price to get rid of it. if you're lucky they'll bring some new stock at a discount.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

One guy was selling rolling stock that had survived a flash flood in Pittsburgh. Most of it looked untouched. He was saying it was half off, but 2/3rds seemed more like it.

I think I bought a bunch of stuff from that guy at Greendberg, Pittsburgh. Got some nice stuff.

[Anonymous]

Most small shows are Lionel and stuff like that. Alot of it old and dusty with dealers hoping for top dollar. For scale stuff you need to go to shows with Scale in their adverstising.

[Anonymous]

As has been said, you have to do your homework. You have to have at least an idea of the retail prices of stuff you might be interested in. Example, there is a large train show in Galesburg, IL in June every year. My son and I have been going there. Even if you don't buy anything, it was interesting to see all that is available. It probably took us a couple of hours to see everything there. I know that this might not be the case at smaller shows. Anyway, one of the first vendors we looked at had a Kato CNW bi-level coach for $44. I almost bought it then being a couple of bucks less than what I saw at a hobby store, but I decided to look at other vendors first. I could always come back to this guy. Good thing I waited; someone else had it for 37.50 which was the one I did buy. Other vendors ranged up to $49 for the same thing.

This Galesburg show was mostly HO but there was a good representation of N, O, scale and toy, and G.

[Piedsou]

It depends on the show. I have been to some where there were only 3 HO vendors.

But, luckily I live in southern Maryland only about 60-70 miles from Timonium where the Great Scale Model Train Show is held 4 times a year.
As of Sept. 15, there are 710 tables leased for the upcoming Oct. 8th and 9th show, with more tables available by then. Vendors come from as far away as 1000 miles or more and customers drive 100's of miles to attend. The show used to be limited to scale models only, but tinplate (Lionel and MTH, etc) was added a couple of years ago. The space for the show however, is large enough to accomodate the added vendors. They also do not allow toys or dollhouses; trains or railroadiana ONLY.
Check out their website at www.gsmts.com and you can click on Our Vendors to show you the type of vendors that you can find at a show like this and what they offer.

I have been making most of my major purchases (locomotives, rolling stock, structures, etc.) there over the years as I can usually get the best deals anywhere.
I leave my purchases for paints, glues, details to the local hobby shop.
It's too bad most modellers don't have a Timonium show in their backyard like I do.

[MisterBeasley]

All shows by a particular promoter aren't necessarily the same. I went to the Greenberg show in Wilmington, Mass, last month, and all guages were well-represented. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, and I came away with very little, although I was tempted to buy things I wasn't sure I needed. (I'm still patting myself on the back for my self-restraint.) That show had a lot of operating layouts, and it was worh the price of admission just to see them.

There are also things you might not even knew about, like the guy with the animated neon signs. Some items are available cheaper on the Web, but when you add in the shipping charges, you can get a bargain at the shows. And, of course, there are some vendors who are charging MSRP (or above, even,) but it may be worth it for a small item you haven't seen locally.

The way I look at it, I'd gladly spend a few bucks for admission to a train show, even if I don't buy anything. It's more entertaining than most movies (Emporer of the North excepted, of course) and more fun than mowing the lawn. Our Greenberg show helps support the Shriners, who do good things for kids and the community, and other shows might support local clubs.

[trainboyH16-44]

My local show, in Calgary, is mostly HO, with a few N, and a few really neat LEGO trains, and also some O, and one or two live steam diplays. Yeah, it does rock.
Trainboy

[waltersrails]

I love train shows because i usely find what i want or need for
the layout. http://ztrainman.tripod.com/

[icmr]

I've been to a couple GATS train shows and I liked them very much. Price didn't matter to me.



ICMR

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[rrinker]

We have shows here (eastern PA) at about 4 different venues. The largest is at the Allentown Fairgrounds every falla nd spring - but the promotoers there are SO set int heir ways they refuse to change, even though with increased space they now coudl do as Timonium does and seperate the scale and tinplate. Those guys have a monoply on shows in the area and make every effort possible to dissuade any potential competitors. Foolish if you ask me because it isn;t that difficult for me to drive to Timonium for that show - but there are plenty of NJ and NY peopel who come to this show that wouldn;t drive all the wa to Timonium.
There are a couple of smaller ones around here as well. The NRHS pus on a show at Dieruff HS which is mostly railroadania with some models. Good palce to get paper on your favorite area road (in this area, most of what shows up is PRR, Reading, LV, LNE, CNJ, etc.). Several times a year there is a show at the Hamburg Field House, which seems to more and more be turnign into a tinplate and high rail show, the amount of Lionel and MTH, old and new, is overwhelming. Just not my bag. ANd then twice a year they have a show at the Leesport Farmers Market, which is mostly scale. A smaller show but at least as good as the others in terms of quality of what you see.
And then there's Timonium. Takes me about 3 hours to drive there, but it's COMPLETELY worth it. Two things I've considered is staying overnight to see the second day, and going to more than just the October show. None of the other shows around here has such wide aisles, as big a selection, and is as completely organized as Timonium. Howard Zane and his crew do a GREAT job of putting on a train show. And the display layouts are some of the best modular layouts I've ever seen.
Those of you that plan on going to Timonium in October - would love to meet up with you and meet some of the people I've been 'talking' to here.

--Randy

[Adelie]

As it stands right now, I'll be in Timonium for one of the two days. My guess would be Saturday, but that is subject to change.

[cnw4001]

Shows vary in quality and content as has been noted.

I can add one personal observation, over the years I've found there tends to be a relationship between the price and quality of the show. I realize this is a generalization but the more I've paid at the door the better variety and quantiy I found inside the door.

People often complain about the door price but from my persepctive, it is a lot less than I'd pay driving all over the country looking for stuff which I find collected in one spot at a show.

Dale

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Just for everyones information, I live in northern NJ, and attended the Montvale multiple gauge show at st.josephs on sat. It was my first show and went because it was only 15-20 mins away. The ad for the show was on pg 27 of the Oct MR.

Thnks
BSD

[trainfreek92]

The train show i go to in Springfield apears around late febuary, It is very large it is held at the big e , the prices are fair and at train shows dealers are willing to negciate on the price

[PASMITH]

Is it the intention of MR to contiue to publish a shedule of local train shows?

Peter Smith, Memphis

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MisterBeasley


The way I look at it, I'd gladly spend a few bucks for admission to a train show, even if I don't buy anything. It's more entertaining than most movies (Emporer of the North excepted, of course) and more fun than mowing the lawn. Our Greenberg show helps support the Shriners, who do good things for kids and the community, and other shows might support local clubs.

Mister Beasley,

Once again you hit the nail squarely on the head!! There are often times I have had the most fun at shows where I didn't buy a thing. Of course I left the show pumped up to get to work on the backlog of projects I have going on!

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462

The MORON'S at MR thought that they didn't need to include this free and very useful service anymore. They stopped 3 or 4 months ago. I was looking at all the blank space between adds that could be used but they don't care to listen to the little people. I stopped buying MR for this reason, I can look at it for free at the grocery store anyways. MR's website lists all the shows, as if thats suppose to make it OK. MRC lists shows and its a better magazine.

You mean the moron's that let us, the little people, use this forum for free - even those that don't buy the mag?

[davekelly]

I understand where you're coming from Dave, but to call them Morons in all caps and saying they don't listen to the "little guy" is somewhat harsh - especially as it seems that this forum is for the "little guy." I can't comment on the decrease in attendance at shows is directly caused by the dropping of the listing but I assume that it is documented somewhere. While I disagree with MR's dropping of the listing and putting it here on their website, I don't know if it is a "bad decision" that they have to admit without knowing more. In reading years of MR there are those that have said that the "Electronic Symposium" was bad, articles on DCC was catering to the rich guy etc, plastic isn't real modeling etc. There will always be those that are upset or hurt by change. Yes, MR could easily but the listing back in the mag, but they can just as easily charge for admittance to this forum and they haven't. Balancing the two - I'll go through a little inconvenience of looking here for the listings in exchange for this fantastic forum. Of course, I'd love it if they'd put the listings back in the mag.

Just my opinion - and I'm standing by to duck the flaming arrows heading my way concerning the show listing.

[grayfox1119]

Dave, no flaming arrows from me, I agree with your well worded statements, you are right-on. If people do not not when/where the shows are, they are not reading their local newspapers. Also, every LHS that I have visited, and I have been to many all over New England, all have a rack with flyers for every show around the area and beyond the area. This forum is far more important, and to have it free for use is just terrific. Given the choice between the two..it is a no contest, MR made the right choice. Go to your LHS, pick up the news...support your LHS while your at it, BUY something.

[Darth Santa Fe]

The show you went to must have been in a Lionel neighborhood, which is the only thing I can come up with for what happened. I bet another show somewhere will have plenty of HO. I've been to 4 train shows and they were mostly HO.(good thing I'm into HO [:)]) I'm going to a Great American Train Show in the Illinois State Fairgrounds in early October, and they had a lot of HO last year. That's one you could consider going to if you live in IL.[:)]

[railroadyoshi]

Mister Beasly, thanks!
I have been debating whether to visit the Greenburg show, as ive heard mixed reviews, but maybe I will check it out

[palallin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

It depends on the show. Near me, Greenberg's makes their yearly appearance around Thanksgiving. It isn't all "toy train" O (as opposed to real O-scale models), but between the toy train stuff, dolls and junk, you've got to wade through a lot of garbage to find anything.

Funny you put it that way. I've been to GATS shows that aren't all HO (as opposed to real, hefty train miniatures) but between the HO stuff, dolls and junk, you've got to wade through a lot of garbage to find anything.

Get it? While you may not use 3-rail O to express your model railroading desires, 3-rail O is not automatically junk (or even junque). "If it ain't 1:1 scale AND generating revenue, it's a TOY." The phrase "real . . . models" is especially humorous.

There's no need to insult other model railroaders in order to make yourself and your preferences seem more prestigeous.

[Adelie]

Sensitive, aren't we.