Hi, because I got sick, I couldnt make it to the Model Train show at Collinville, IL today(Sat) Can anyone who made it, fill me in. Anything different or interesting.
wall to wall stuff, most of the regular local, regional, and national vendors you would expect to see are here, pubic attendance seemed down from previous years, but today's 70 degree temps and 100% sunshine I think had a great effect on that.
I got there about 10:45am and the line to get in was 20 min long. With it being 70 plus degrees and sunny, it was not unpleasant waiting in line outside. The boys and I were there for 2 hours and the place seemed packed to me. My impression was that it was much busier than last year, in fact the main reason we left when we did was that it was uncomfortably crowded. Seemed to me that there were more vendors as well, making some of the aisles very narrow, especially in the area with the modular layouts.
I can't say that I noticed anything "new". There was a small home based vendor selling some nice coal, wood chip, ore. scrap loads. The K-10 store had a booth selling Atlas classic locos for $50 and other brands like Kato and P2K for $60 (all HO) a heck of a deal I thought.
I am planning to go back mid afternoon today and see it it is less crowded to do a bit more browsing around.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Thanks for the info guys, I didnt make Sun(today) either I still wasnt 100% and I bought a pricey item on Ebay and thought I shouldnt spend anymore money this weekend.
I didn't make it to the show this year, either. Our Lions Club sells Christmas trees as a fund raiser and this weekend was our opening weekend. I put in a lot of hours and was too tired to go anywhere else! LOL
Since there's a few of us from this area (St. Louis) on the forums, I was wondering if anyone wanted to get together informally for some face-to-face model railroading discussions? I'm usually a lone wolf operator/layout builder but I wouldn't mind spending time with like-minded folks!
How 'bout it guys? You up for any discussions?
Darrell, quiet...for now
Stupid me, I did not know there was a show! Live with in 3 miles yet and called off today to boot! (worked 114 hours in 12 days and I was done!)
I hate Rust
Darell, I think that is a good idea, but where and when to meet? The Train Haus in Warrenton, Mo is a good place with a club layout to look at next door. The when part may be the hardest to work out.
I can make that happen and open the layout anytime you like.
one thing to consider though, I know for ken and simon, it 's a bit over an hour drive out to warrenton from the eastside, maybe too far for city folk, or those in southern jefferson county.
living rural, it's a 30 minute drive to the movie theater, walmart, or even the nearest mcdonalds is 20 minutes away, so for me, an hour (or more) drive to get somewhere is normal,
I forgot all about that show. I live in O'Fallon, MO and would be interested in meeting with others in this area. Warrenton is less than 30 minutes from me.
Keith Baker
Thanks for the replies about meeting somewhere.
Ken, Simon and I are on the East side in Illinois. I stop by the Train Haus when I'm on my way to or from Columbia, but I don't get there very often. Warrenton's a long drive for me.
I'm thinking that somewhere on the West side of St Louis would be a central meeting point, perhaps Mark Twain Hobbies in St. Charles? Don't know if they'd want a bunch of guys meeting at their place just to talk. LOL
Could be possible to have alternating meeting places, one time in Warrenton, next time in Illinois. That would split up the long drives somewhat equally. There's usually a Denny's restaurant or something similar close by. Wouldn't mind sharing a cup of coffee with fellow modelers. Timing could be problematic. I'm semi-retired with a very flexible schedule but others are probably still pulling that old 9 to 5 albatross! (LOL Sorry, couldn't resist!)
I'm open to suggestions.