dmoore74 If you can live without having to be the first to see everything at the show , come on Sunday morning. The show opens at 10:00 and the first couple of hours are normally relatively calm. Less parking hassle too.
If you can live without having to be the first to see everything at the show , come on Sunday morning. The show opens at 10:00 and the first couple of hours are normally relatively calm. Less parking hassle too.
Always found that to be a good day and time. Suppose to be a high of 50 F and partly sunny.
Going to be nice.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Saturday seems to be a better day for the vendors, or at least for this vendor. Sunday brings out the "been to church and we need something to do" crowd.
At Boothbay, we have seen Saturdays have more modelers, and Sundays more famlies. The high end items sell Saturday and low end ones on Sunday. Also a few sales Friday afternoon when we are almost finished setting up from other vendors and exhibitors (the display layout crowd).
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Tables and layouts are being set up. Dealers start setting up on Friday. Weather looks ideal for both days.
richg1998Be 75 soon but been going to the Big E since 1953 and the train shows since they started. Girlfriend wants to come this year.
Girlfriend wants to come this year.
75? Girlfriend? Man, I just can't say how much I admire guys like you.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
dmoore74Tables and layouts are being set up. Dealers start setting up on Friday. Weather looks ideal for both days.
Packed the vehicles at Boothbay Railway Village this afternoon, and will be on the road by 9AM Friday. See you mid-afternoon!!
Just had an email from one of our Boothbay crew. They arrived OK at the Big E and are set up and ready for all of you tomorrow morning.
Saturday's ticketed attendance was 11,887. Not an all time attendance record but a very busy day. More good weather for Sunday so people should come out.
Let's hear about the show from those that attended.
Modeling the B&M Railroad during the transition era in Lowell, MA
WilmJunc Let's hear about the show from those that attended.
I went Saturday and had a great time. I arrived just before 10. I'm glad I had a map, because traffic was backed up a quarter mile on to Route 5. I drove around, took the next exit and circled back. The weather was fine for driving - no precipitation. One vendor gave me a nice cloth carrying bag for my purchases. I stuffed my coat into it and walked between buildings in my t-shirt. Yeah, it was a bit chilly, but refreshing at the same time.
I didn't go looking for anything in particular, and I was NOT going to buy another locomotive or piece of rolling stock. Mostly I just wandered around, picking up information, hints and a few detail parts. There was an HO scale Free-Mo layout that had almost 100 modules, and one guy claimed that it may have set the record. There was an Sn3 Free-Mo, too, which was significantly larger than it was two years ago, and a couple of other Free-Mos as well. This was a much larger participation for Free-Mo, and I think it was really good to see them all there.
I wish they had water fountains. I did find one, but could not relocate it later.
As always, the show was very well organized. Everyone gets a book which has floor plans of all the buildings (the show uses 4) and a list of vendors with their locations, so it's easy to find what you're looking for. There were long lines for food from lunchtime on, but they moved fast.
I bought an interlocking tower I was looking for and some detail parts. My prize purchase was a spray can of Scalecoat II (plastics) paint in Milwaukee Orange. Scalecoat is back, now being produced and distrubted by Minuteman Models.
So my trip to the 2016 Amherst Model Show is history; some observations:
To begin with, initially it didn't seem all that more crowded than last year's snowy-day show. However, it did get somewhat more crowded, and that really showed when I went to get lunch (stupidly, at noon, in the celebrity-themed concession in the Young building). Long line, but the staff was efficent, and amazingly there were a few open tables upstairs. No real crush loads on the exhibition floors, and I was able to take numerous images of various interesting scenes on the display layouts.
I could have sworn there were more independant retailers last year. Maybe they moved them all into the Stroh building? One big retailer, that I got a number of building kits from last year, was in the south end of the Mallary Complex last year, near the kid's train ride. This year, nothing was really in that space, just the New England Free-Mo layout was extended down a bit. I stopped by the European Modelers booth in that area, and purchased an inexpensive Roco HO open wagon for a diorama I have in mind.BTW, check you floor plan if you still have it - in the same area, to the left of the Clinic Area block, the plan designer wrote "Yet Another Food Concession Area". Wisenheimer.
In that vein, let's say that a big retailer in the Stroh building was selling Exact-Rail HO Trenton-Works 68ft full-height bullkhead flats for 39 bucks. And then lets just say Exact-Rail themsleves were selling the same models (new numbers I guess) for 35 bucks, and threw in a reusable bag. For the record, the "big retailer" did NOT have the "Lotsa HO models" sign. Also for the record, I chose...wisely.
Judging from their 2016 Product release schedule they gave out at the show, Atlas is NOT planning to re-release the TTX short bulkhead flats, in contrast to what their rep said at last year's show.I guess they hate selling lots of in-demand models,
At first, I thought the 1/87 Vehicle group display was wimpy...then I realized they had two more sections (1 partly shared with a retailer), and in fact they had a real hefty display. Some familiar models, but still plenty of new ones. Didn't remember The port/coast guard diorama from last year, it was pretty good.
You know, the Legoland layout...was pretty darn cool.
The folks at Evans Designs had some suggestions, but couldn't really resolve my issue of smaller Hobbycal decals just falling off. They said maybe the model surface is too smooth and glossy (a possibility), and also suggested the previously-debated-on-this-forum of thinned white glue. I did warn them that with some canon printers their suggested setting of matte photo DOES NOT WORK - you need to use plain paper setting. For the record, Solvaset does NOT mess up the hobbycal decals, they feel it just doesn't do anything (which is why they recommend Naptha)
Model Railroader (well, Kalmbach) had somewhat of a quiet showing this year, IMO. White River, I couldn't find where they were selling their magazines at their section. MRH - what was that video with the two guys about anyway, "Go Away, stand back" - I didn't stick around for all of it.
And finally, after 6 years, I finally got the HO pigeons from BEST. This vendor had...well, to be blunt, the prettiest lady vendors around, so of course I get the male sales rep...Speaking of which, the attendee gender ratio, which probably started at 15:1 male to female moved a little more into balance as the day wore on, as more families showed up, but still there were plenty of lines at the men's room.Finally, by the BEST booth was some sort of women's modeling clinic with a banner depicting Rosie the Riveter holding a model, stating women can model too or something like that. The odd thing is, only men seemed to be participlating in whatever it was. Personally I'd love to have a girlfriend into modeling (heck, even if model cars or planes or spacecraft - we could at least teach each other painting and detailing techniques).Of course we know women can build models - the question is why don't they.
why aren't there many women modelers. I expect from observation it just isn't in the genes of the gender. Or its extremely recessive.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Went to the show yesterday and a lot of great stuff from Z all the way up. After MR did that T-Trak modules there was a nice T-Trak layout running. I'm waiting on Walthers to get the Atlas GE Dash 8-40BW in as I saw them at the show yesterday on display and they had one in the P&W roadname.
With all the kids that are there hopefully some of them get the model railroad bug and become the next generation of modelers.
I drove down to Springfield yesterday. Huge show, big crowd, I'd call it 10,000 people. Every vendor in the land. I picked up some oil burner fuel tanks from BEST. I looked all over for some HO scale cats, all they had was dogs. I got there at 9:30 and my feet held out until 2:30. Lots of fun. Everyone should go.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
dstarrI looked all over for some HO scale cats, all they had was dogs.
BEST had both dogs and cats. I picked up a package of each. I think they had 3 different breeds of dogs.
Who is this BEST, as I'm in the market for some cats too.
Damn. I searched the display carefully, and sat down and read the catalog over. I never did see any cats. I saw the three or four different dogs and the skunks. Oh well, that's what mail order is for.
NittanyLionWho is this BEST, as I'm in the market for some cats too.
Bollinger Edgerly Scale Trains; cat detail casting are #4-0034, and yep they were listed on that little catalog sheet they had at the show.They also gave out free refrigerator magnets for some reason, so I took one.
Went Saturday without my usual traveling sidekick. Good bus trip down, though we arrived later than usual due to the detour signs. Glad someone else was driving, I more used to narrow dirt roads with more wild critters to look out for than vehicles, there were plenty of vehicles on the road there.
Just as we got there I realized that my marked map was still sitting on the breakfast table. Good thing I remembered most of the places I wanted to go and what I wanted It definitely was packed and I delayed lunch to avoid the lines until about 2:00. There were still lines, but tolerable ones. Water was overpriced and never did see the fountain that Mr B found and lost.
Had two items I was looking for. Headed right the City Classics booth and found Jim and the Storefront Signs I wanted. Busy, so a quick HI and off again. With no one to keep in contact with I found both planned travel and aimless wondering had me passing by booth after booth of interesting stuff. Found the booth for the hay bales I wanted to check out, "sold out" before they even got to the show. Did find some at another booth later but decided against, as the package contained both round and somewhat too large square bales. Nice looking product but didn't fit my era, oh well.
Our camera got out of my sight some time ago and no one else seems interested in finding it. There are both modeling photos and others (some irreplaceable) that I'd like to have but .... I searched the area that MOH said she thought she put it in, nope. Will I have to buy another one so that I can find this one? Works in modeling, but a little expensive for this one.
Would be nice if MOH, children or grandchildren were interested in joining in my hobby but she doesn't place limits, at least not yet, so I won't complain. Did meet one lady following her husband around with a camera. She said he was just getting into the hobby, he'd point and she'd shoot. Good supporting spouse, didn't find out how interested in participating she was.
Met several folks from areas I have lived before, either at a booth or due to a hat or jacket they (or I) were wearing, giving a hint of where they were from. When I had my "snack" before leaving I happened to sit with ones from the SE Mass area where I spent my HS and college years. If I get back there for any length of time I'd like to look up one of the groups in that area.
Good trip home, so I must say it was a very pleasant, though long day. At this point I plan to hop on the bus again next year.
Hope you all had fun,
Richard
chutton01 NittanyLion Who is this BEST, as I'm in the market for some cats too. Bollinger Edgerly Scale Trains; cat detail casting are #4-0034, and yep they were listed on that little catalog sheet they had at the show.They also gave out free refrigerator magnets for some reason, so I took one.
NittanyLion Who is this BEST, as I'm in the market for some cats too.
Never heard of them before. Lots of interesting little bits, they make.
Great train show today. Got up to about 56 Fand partly sunny the end of January in Western Mass. Most bizarre weather ever for this train show that I can remember.
dmoore74Saturday's ticketed attendance was 11,887
What was the attendance on Sunday??
NittanyLionNever heard of them before. Lots of interesting little bits, they make
They have the old Colonial Castings line of cast metal details
http://www.besttrains.com/products_4-0000.html
richg1998 CSX rail yard right nearby. Rich
CSX rail yard right nearby.
There was a MAJOR derailment in that yard with some spills from tank cars Friday night/Saturday AM. They were still cleaning it up at 530PM last night.
Neal
G Paine dmoore74 Saturday's ticketed attendance was 11,887 What was the attendance on Sunday??
dmoore74 Saturday's ticketed attendance was 11,887
I don't remember the final numbers, which they announce at the end of the show. Roughly, however, the total attendence was around 23,000 people over the two days. This includes about 4,000 vendors and their "helpers".
There is a lot of money spent at this show. I heard that they stocked the ATMs with about 1 million dollars, and at least 6 of the 8 (or 9) ATMs were out of money.
Met maxman. Good conversation.
Found many vendors, not all, can do credit cards. Girlfriend was happy with that.
Took her grandson who is 13. Was he happy. He went the day before with his father and four sister and so happy to lead us all around the show. I have been many times but let him lead.
Our best find was a possibility to ride a rail bike on railroad tracks. Six or eighteen mile trip.
Rail Explorers USA | Saranac Lake, NY
Two reps there with a two seater rail bike.
I see the forum messed with me again. Sorry.
Macular degeneration in one eye does not allow modeling HO anymore. Running trains gets boring so I have adapted. Had many good years modeling HO scale. Rich
Macular degeneration in one eye does not allow modeling HO anymore. Running trains gets boring so I have adapted. Had many good years modeling HO scale.
Show total. Total population = 23,687 from the MRH forum. Little below average according to a member of the society who posted in that forum. Sunday was actually down. They also had a shuttle service to the Amtrak station with a couple of stops along the way.
An awesome show. This was my tenth year in a row and I drove down from Maine. Attended both days. A big crowd on Saturday, less on Sunday. Great to see my favorite vendors again, and also disappointed that some were not there as well.
I use a preplanned shopping list to minimize the "ooooh, shiny!" spontaneous purchases. I use this show to do the bulk of my annual purchases and load up until next year.
I don't know how many vendors didn't return this year, but i know one had a vehicle break down on the way to the show. Another large vendor had a serious injury a few weeks ago. So at least a few ran into unexpected problems.
Jim
I know one vendor (a friend of mine) who wasn't at Springfield this year because his wife had a stroke. He's staying home to help her recover, but he does expect to return next year.
And I heard a rumor that one vendor wasn't at the show this year because he was recently shot. Killed? Wounded? On purpose or by accident? That I don't know. But supposedly shot, in any case.
Paul A. Cutler III