This weekend is the big Amherst (MA) train show and there is a thread on these Forums about going. It got me to wondering how far guys (and ladies of course) are willing to drive (or travel) to get to a train show?
I do know that people come from all over the USA (and even foreign countries) to come to Milwaukee's Trainfest in November.
I myself drive 217 miles from Milwaukee to go to a very nice train show in Davenport Iowa each spring. That is an out and back and includes railfanning at Nahant Yard. I also go 240 miles to the Galesburg IL show in June, but I am also going to Galesburg RR Days and stay 2 or 3 nights in hotels anyway. It could be done in a day but 8 total hours of driving in a day just to go to a train show is about (or beyond) my limit at my age.
Closer to home the Madison "Mad City" train show is 80 miles but our local NMRA division hires a comfortable bus that most of us prefer to take. The Green Bay WI show in April is 121 miles and I usually do that as an out and back with buddies, including Green Bay area railfanning, eating at Titletown Brewery (the old C&NW depot) and visiting Enginehouse Services, a first rate hobby shop up there. But I also have a vacation home north of Green Bay so sometimes I combine the show with a weekend away from home.
Some comments on the Amherst thread got me to wondering -- how far is "too far" in your opinion to go to a good model train show?
Dave Nelson
I go from the western suburbs of Philadelphia to the Amherst show which is in West Springfield, Mass. It's about 300+/- miles and maybe 5 hours depending on the traffic and the number of times us old people have to stop. I have a table there, so that's my incentive. I do get to stay at my sister's place close by to the show, so I don't have the motel cost.
Although I don't know how far it is for them, I have had people make purchases from me who were from Canada, and some others who make the trip up from Florida.
I went to Portland, OR this year for the NMRA convention and NTS...it depends on how much you are willing to spend to get there. My club is considering a posible overseas train show.
Two hour drive. If I'm somewhere, like, say, back in Pittsburgh with family and there's one, I'll go to that because my two hour drive radius shifted.
If its a once a year type thing...I went to NTS in Cleveland as a mini-vacation. I'd like to go to Indianapolis this year, but I blew my money on stupid medical expenses already. For that level, though, it would pretty much have to fall in a rough area spanning Chicago to Boston to Charlotte.
Farthest I have gone has been about 140 miles - mostly interstate - a little less than 3 hours. I can make that in a day and back.
I do that 3 or 4 times a year to the Great Scale Train Show in Timonium MD.
While I love going, it's hard to justify since I can get everything current via the Internet. I go mostly because I like looking for out of production stuff. Farther really makes no $ense since it would be overnight.
Enjoy
Paul
I'd probably drive up to 4 hours to go to a show like Springfield. I may go further if I had other people to travel with.
Modeling the B&M Railroad during the transition era in Lowell, MA
I drove 2-1/2 hours to a GATS show near Pittsburgh a few years back. I enjoyed it and got to meet up with Chip (Spacemouse) and his son for lunch.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Personally, I refuse to go farther than 3 hrs by car. (One way).
This can put me into Cleveland Ohio, (so Kirkland Railfest, Great Berea Railshow) Pittsburgh Pa, or Buffalo, even Rochester NY. (I used the two examples in Cleveland area, as I frequently attend these two shows. Missed the last one in Berea due to family obligations, but planning on the next one in Berea. Missing Kirkland due to a schedule conflict. Most of the shows in the other areas mentioned have always been a scheduling conflict for me, so I haven't gone to these areas much for model train shows.)
But, when I have these metro areas, all within a 3 hour drive, why would I go further? Lots of really good shows in these areas. So I won't go further. No need too, and, I factor into the cost of what I acquire at these shows the admission costs, food, and fuel costs. Going further means more cost. Makes it cheaper for me to go online if I can't find anything I needed at the shows I attend. So, I stick closer to home.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Springfield is 105 miles one way and a two hour drive. But I do make an 11 mile detour to pick up another club member and have a small breakfast at a Mcdonalds. That is about as far as I want to go. Not going this year, I can get better deals online.
Dave, I'm just a few miles SW of you, and the wife and I would like to go to more shows. Thanks for the "list" of what's with in a reasonable drive, and overnite stay.
So, to answer your post, I would be up to traveling the same distance. Trainfest is the top of our yearly list, but others would be very tempting.
Mike.
My You Tube
I am 90 miles or so from Springfield. It's easy interstate driving all the way. Last year I wimped out because of the weather, but I'm going this year.
I just enjoy the show. Between the cost of gas and the cost of the show itself, plus an overpriced hot dog or two, I won't find any deals that make it worth the cost financially, but I consider the whole thing entertainment. I'll buy a detail part or two, but even if I come home empty-handed it will be a successful trip.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The 80 or so miles from my home to the NYS Fairgrounds in Solvay/Syracuse for a show. Even then, I don't go every year.
I make it to the Shakopee MN show when it's on (about every other year), .5 miles by crow, 2 miles to drive to. Ticket is in hand for WGH in St. Paul for next weekend, about 28 miles. Plan to go to St. Cloud in March, near 100 miles. Possibly to Stevens Point, WI next time there is a show there, about 200 miles. Green Bay is a stretch now, at 300 miles, but maybe sometime with a driving companion (Nobody ever mentioned rust or corrosion to me when they talked about the "golden years")
Gary
A normal train show? I only go about 50 miles max for those. Now I'm a dealer at these shows with the NHRHTA. I go to make money for someone else, not spend my own, but if I see something I like I'll grab it. I routinely go to 5 to 8 normal train shows a year, and the furthest is about 40 miles.
Springfield, OTOH, is not a "normal" show. Neither is the NMRA National Train Show, and I went to Philly and Hartford. Springfield and the NMRA NTS are events, and I have no problem in going 100+ miles to go see them.
At Springfield, I see people I meet only once a year. From the big guys to the little guys; there's always something new (and I can't wait to see what Brian and Jill from BEST are bringing to the show this year; last year it was a living room set).
Sure, the prices aren't always great on everything. You can probably get things cheaper online, especially if you add in the parking, the ticket, the gas, and the hotel (if any). But that's not the point. The point is to have fun! I go for three days; Fri. to Sun. I hang out with my fellow club members all weekend. We try to find things for other people to buy. Part of the fun is the search for that new thing you don't have...that you didn't even know you were looking for.
Paul A. Cutler III
If I am lucky I get to go to the AMRA show on the June long weekend
which is in Perth WA thats a 1224 Km round trip and its the closest and only show in my state that I know of.
One year I am thinking of going to the Adelaide show thats in the next state a lot further away and believe it or not a lot cheaper to get to.
regards John
dknelsonSome comments on the Amherst thread got me to wondering -- how far is "too far" in your opinion to go to a good model train show? Dave Nelson
Simple three word answer for Me....''Leaving the house''. After being an over the road truckdriver/owner 45yrs. and going on 74 this year, it's takes just about an act of Congress, to get Me to go places, My Daughter and three Son's will attest to that. I have plenty projects at home to do and am enjoying every minute of it. LOL.
I dislike crowds anyway, If any of You have been in the Military....You'll understand....Purple Heart Vietnam vet 67'.
Take Care, All!
Frank
Depends on the show. If it's a big one, like Trainfest in Milwaukee or the Amherst show in Springfield, I'll get some friends together and make a multi-day road trip/mini-vacation out of it, if I can reasonably take the time off. This weekend, I'm planning on 750 miles each way to the Amherst show from SE Michigan. One of the guys coming along is starting from another 90 miles farther west.
For something like the National Train Show, if it's close enough to consider attending, I'll usually already be at the National Convention. There was a last-minute road trip to the National Train Show in Phildelphia, though...
Last year's trip to Springfield resulted in our thinking up a number of ideas for new projects; we've completed several already. I'm looking forward to seeing what we come up with this year.
For smaller shows, I like to keep to about a two-hour radius of home base. A lot will depend on whether there's anything else I can do en route.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
dknelson This weekend is the big Amherst (MA) train show and there is a thread on these Forums about going. It got me to wondering how far guys (and ladies of course) are willing to drive (or travel) to get to a train show? Some comments on the Amherst thread got me to wondering -- how far is "too far" in your opinion to go to a good model train show?
Rich
Alton Junction
Depends upon whom you ask. As me, and I would say about 600 to 1000 miles, ask the Abbot, and he says you are not going anywhere.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
For me it would be around 100 miles to the Berea and the Dalton train shows other then that 20-30 miles tops.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
If I'm driving 35 miles tops.If I'm kicking back relaxing and enjoying the scenery up to three times that distance.I display my small 2' x 4' Z layout at 5 local shows so that is really about it.
dknelson This weekend is the big Amherst (MA) train show and there is a thread on these Forums about going. It got me to wondering how far guys (and ladies of course) are willing to drive (or travel) to get to a train show?
A major factor regarding distance to train shows is definitely economics and ability to take time off. It's also a cost/benefit thing IMO. I go to the Timonium show which takes just shy of 90 minutes to drive to, and is in different state. It's a big enough show that it's worth the drive and the cost is modest enough.
When I lived in central New York state, it was a 3 1/2 hour drive each way to the Amhearst/Springfield show, which for me allowed me to attend the show without cost of a hotel. I could get up and leave early in the am, attend the show and drive home - and collapse and it was just time, gas, food and entry fee. Because it was pretty major, I only went 3 times during my tenure in central New York. I live in northern Virginia now and Springfield is 7 hours drive, which in practical terms means 3 days and two nights, cost of hotel, cost of food etc. Cost/benefit isn't there right now with budget demands, and while my wife is supportive of the hobby and goes to shows with me, that would be over the line right now. Maybe after my daughter is out of college and we are up more for longer forays.
Basically my cost/benefit is shows I can attend without a hotel.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I'd probably walk across the street for one, but wouldn't travel too much farther.
OTOH, I have no problem with a 6 hour drive and hotel stay to visit the area of the N&W I'm modeling - or the NWHS convention.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
I do Trainfest which is 80 miles from the Madison area and 1.5 hours. I used to do St Point but that was only 18 miles at the time. We used to go to 2 others from Northern Wi, they were Chicago area shows which was 280 miles and almost 5 hours. Those were weekend trips staying with my sister.
Trainfest is yearly as is Mad City and now thats like 10 minutes but a crazy fee for parking. Plan to hit the Brass Expo in Wheeling, Il in Sept. Based on my experience I guess anything under 5 hours is fair game.
I use to go to Timonium every October. That was over 270 miles for us, but we made it a little mini vacation. We would drive to Harrisburg, stay over night, then drive to Timonium the next day. After the show, we would return to Harrisburg, stay the night, & then return to Pittsburgh the next day. I only went to 1 show after Howard Zane sold it, & decided it was no longer worth the time & expense. We did enjoy it for many years though & sort of miss it.
Pittsburgh, PA
BRAKIE For me it would be around 100 miles to the Berea and the Dalton train shows other then that 20-30 miles tops.
Brakie, I know what you mean about Ohio shows. When I was living in Dayton, it seemed that on any given weekend there was a train show somewhere in the state. The Dayton-Cincinnati area still has many great shows, including the one at Dayton's Hara Arena in November that is put on by the Crossroads Model RR Club. There are also shows in Springfield and Greenville, at their respective fairgrounds pavillions that are great too.
Now, after moving west in 1998, train shows are few and far between, especially here in Idaho. A group of fellow model railroaders make the trip to Ogden, UT, of which that show is this weekend. That trip is about 6 hours from here; I've never been to it, seems I've always had something going. This time, I've not been feeling well all week. I don't know if they stay over night. There are some other RR points of interest there too. Big UP territory.
If within a 50 mile radius, I'll most likely go and even though I live outside of Philly I don't go to Springfield, would like to but just too far for me. Thought of taking the train but it costs too much money and too long of a ride.
Of course with Internet it is just a click away. If I order from Modeltrainstuff, it's one day away to my door. Why travel?
tcwright973 I use to go to Timonium every October. That was over 270 miles for us, but we made it a little mini vacation. ... I only went to 1 show after Howard Zane sold it, & decided it was no longer worth the time & expense. We did enjoy it for many years though & sort of miss it.
I use to go to Timonium every October. That was over 270 miles for us, but we made it a little mini vacation. ... I only went to 1 show after Howard Zane sold it, & decided it was no longer worth the time & expense. We did enjoy it for many years though & sort of miss it.
Thats roughly 4 1/2 hours each way - would make for a very long day if you didn't stay in a hotel.
IMO, the show is pretty similar to how it was when HZ ran it; I think there were a few vendors who either quit or stopped coming but it's pretty close to what it was and definitely worth it for me. There are often some great bargains from people selling collections and treasures to find. Enjoy watching the layouts run too. I get my fix.
For the shows here in north Texas, I would say 4 miles max would be all that I would drive. And I live about 35 miles from the nearest one.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge