I was wondering how to find local shows within the Phila. PA area? Something like 100 miles? Is ther a place to find them on the web? I don't mean the local town ones with 6 tables.... I went to a "train show" last weekend only to find out it was a HO layout, and NO stuff for sale.... BIG shows. I am looking to add some stuff (nothing in particular...cheap used cars, and such) to my O scale and possibly some American Flyer stuff...
I did find this show... has anyone been to it? any good for what I am looking for? It is next weekend. I also need to look at a map to see how far it is... I hate to travel too far for, nothing.
http://www.allentowntrainmeet.com/
Jim
Jim,
I know how you feel...I've never been to the Allentown show but I believe it would be worth your travel. You may also might be interested in the Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, MD. I believe the next one is in April, just a short hop down 95.
Thanks for the headsup on Timonium. Years ago... (20+ yrs.) I went to a Street Rod show there in Timonium MD, it was a National meet. Great cars!! I have been to the HOBBYSHOW in Ft. Washington just off the TPK, and I probably will go again this year. It is in March. However, it isn't only trains, but RC, Rocketry, ROBOTWARS... neat, but not really the "bargains" that I am looking for. (cheapskate ) A few years ago, it was much larger, but last year it was reduced to half the size it used to be... HOPEFULLY it will be back to the large size again.
http://www.hobbyshow.com/
I just wanted sort of a heads up fot the Allentown meet. But, I see they have 600 tables? that is alot! Isn't there a major train show in York PA too? Supposed to be a BIG one? I have never been to that one, but I heard about it. Spring is just around the corner, and we have plenty of yard/garage sales around here... ya never know what you can find at them.
Hi Jim,
Although I live in Pittsburgh, I have been going to the shows in Timonium for a couple of years now. All the shows are good, but my own personal opinion is the one in October is the best. It seems larger than the other ones with more dealers and layouts. Don't get me wrong, I go to some of the others there, but that's the one I make a point of not missing.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
If you can't find out on line, call up to Nicholas Smith trains in Broomall... the owner at Nicholas Smith (and colleagues) are very helpful, especially if you get on their good side. The link for their phone is www.nstrains.com . I miss that store... one of the best I have ever seen, especially for O gauge. (Ask to go in the back room....WONDERFUL stuff back their if you can dig through it all...). Anyways, I digress... they should have the info you need...
Brian
I've been to the train show at the Allentown Fair Grounds about 6 times. I think it's a good one. I don't know how many tables are there, but if I had to guess I would say its around 400-500. I'm going this Saturday. There's more HO stuff than anything else, but there is a good selection of other scales there too. There's a fair share of new, used, and vintage stuff there. I go there mostly to get tools and supplies. There's always been a lot of people there. I would advise getting there early so you can find a place to park. In the past there has always been "Train Show" signs all over the place.
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I am in Binghamton NY, you are about 3-4 hrs south of us. The show in Allentown looks rather big and now I wish I could go. But I went to Springfield Ma show end of Jan and will be tapped out until the next one I'm going to in Scranton. Scranton is 1 1/2 hrs south of me. Its Sunday, Mar. 4,07 9am-2pm.
There is no website I can point you to. It will be at the (old) Lackawanna Station Hotel. THey say its the 49thshow. Admission is $4.00 (under 12 free) Take Rt 81 to exit 185(central city Scranton) Its a highway in-road to Scranton, so a few miles, not really just an exit.You will see the (big, tall, gray, like grand central) station (on left)as you approach Scranton. If You see (they are little,small, brown) signs for Steamtown National park, and go in that direction you cant help but see the station to the left.
Now I have just gotten back into the hobby, so I don't know what will be there. But I figure if I dont like it, I go 1/2 mile down the road to Steamtown .Behind the steamtown mall-just another mall.Last I knew they were running the CN Mikado. She's a beautiful machine.They wont be runnign the trains again until April.
Steamtown National Historic Site
I have learned to expect higher (full retail-type) prices on things unless it is old and well used (except "collectors" items). So going to look for a bargain may not happen.(Like I thought) Some dealers do offer a straight discount off their market or MSRP price, taht makes it reasonable.
The first show I went to was in Reading. Nice showin AUG I think. Don't know if they'll have it again.
Good luck
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
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Thanks for all the great replies! I probably will go next weekend to the Allentown show. Not sure if I will make it Sat. or Sun... Great... more decisions... HAHA
Thanks for the headsup about Steamtown too! That can make a nice camping/weekend trip for us. We also go out to Strasburg RR too. That is only just a little over an hour from me.
I usually Google for "train show Massachusetts" and get hits for all of them around me. The MR web site lists most of them, too. In fact, one of the best hits from Google is MR. The bigger ones make sure they've got some Web presence.
One thing to watch out for is old listings. Somehow, many old web pages never die. I was confused about some conflicting listings, until I noticed that one of them was from 2001.
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