Late spring shows are probably ones least likely to draw a crowd, particularly with good weather. Many folks shift to outdoor activities with the change in seasons. And with spring coming earlier (doesn't matter what's causing it, that's a fact), this only aggravates the issue.
Which also means judging the most recent shows in the last few weeks isn't really representative of anything long term, particularly when it comes to the "health of the hobby" question that some seem to spend more time on than what's on their workbench. Maybe that's why they're not having as much fun as they used to?
That said, our local show is doing OK in its second year back after a several year hiatus. The mall owner wanted to go in a different direction (not sure what he was thinking...), but he kept getting inquiries about when the next train show was going to be. Imagine that (I know, hard to do for people who are wedded to the doom-and-gloom forecast for whatever reason)? So by public acclaim, the train show has been back.
I know some of the organizers and asked one who was operating here the other night. The vendors seem really positive about returns on their visit. The crowd seemed a bit smaller to me, but I could only attend briefly one day due to other commitments. Maybe the crowd is thinner elsewhere, too, but those who do attend are spending more indovidually? Perhaps mere headcounts are probably not indicative of the success of the vendors is one takeaway message that people should consider before again predicting the hobbypocalypse?
Yet, it's also the case, for those with only a casual interest in the hobby, having something in front of them and people around to interact with is probably more inspiring than hours spent hanging out online. This person-to-person aspect is a crucial feature of shows.
In any case, locally the main threat to the show continuing is the ageing of the promoters. They have to set up tables and chairs and do other prep work, then break it all down, in the course of a weekend. Figuring out a way to get them more help may be important to the future success of the show, but I think that's doable.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I know the one I went to Saturday, "Choo Choo Bob's" train show in Eagan Minnesota, had virtually no one there. Compared to last year, attendance was only 10-20% of what it was. Problem here In the Twin Cities is everything's all bunched together - this was the fourth of six straight weekends with flea markets / train shows within an hour drive time or less of each other.
(IIRC, the order is: Century College RR flea market, Randolph MN "Railroad Days", Woodbury high school RR flea market, Choo Choo Bob's show/sale, St.Paul Union Depot "Laker Rail", then finally May 7 the Twin City Model RR Museum's big flea market at the state fairgrounds.)
Sheldon, I attended the one held yesterday mid-island. Haven't been in maybe six years. It was busier than any of the others, and there were more vendors. Even a well-stocked Hornby table and one with Piko products. In fact, I got bumped and jostled, unlike other years. First time ever I purchased something, and scored a couple of NIB Spectrum heavyweights in Pennsy livery.
My buddy and I went to the Vancouver train show last November. It was quite busy as well. It was my first time in a large show, so I don't know how to compare it, but I would say it was probably average. Busy, lots of families streaming into the venue when we got there mid-day. Inside, it was dense and one couldn't move quickly.
I guess it depends on what else might be competing with the show any one year. Sometimes a major RV spring show, or a boat show, or something else can draw people away from the trains.
Train shows in the Indianapolis area are doing just fine. There are regular local shows that take place in the surrounding suburbs during the fall/winter season. They seem to have more activity than in the past, at least when I have gone.
The larger shows such as GATS and WGH aren't as attractive, IMO. Parking fees and no real price advantage over what can be found at a LHS or OnLine keep me away for the most part. Went to WGH this winter. High prices were abundant.
And the time of year has a lot to do with it. Train shows stop about mid march. This time of year they would struggle....as they do in September.
- Douglas
The hobby died years ago, this is all a dream.
The number of shows is growing here in the mid south, and I, like Larry, see the same old guys asking too much.
I don't use train shows to decide on the health of the hobby, but what do I know?
I'll just keep purchasing these new products that are being released, by manufactures that obviously aren't making it..........
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
richhotraindon't believe in climate change either
Russell
BRAKIEyellow box Atlas/Roco Alco S4 isn't worth $85.00 especially since you can buy the newest upgraded release for around $99.00 on li
ATLANTIC CENTRALbut human activity is not causing climate change
csxns BRAKIE yellow box Atlas/Roco Alco S4 isn't worth $85.00 especially since you can buy the newest upgraded release for around $99.00 on li Any yellow box Atlas Roco.
BRAKIE yellow box Atlas/Roco Alco S4 isn't worth $85.00 especially since you can buy the newest upgraded release for around $99.00 on li
Any yellow box Atlas Roco.
Well,I like my three Atlas/Roco S4s that I bought at two difference shows for $30.00,25.00 and 35.00. My three Atlas/Kato RS1s are nice too.
Hopefully this summer I will get 'em painted for my new all ALCO powered terminal road-Cincinnati Belt Line..Era 1966/67.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
mlehman Late spring shows are probably ones least likely to draw a crowd, particularly with good weather. Many folks shift to outdoor activities with the change in seasons. And with spring coming earlier (doesn't matter what's causing it, that's a fact), this only aggravates the issue. Which also means judging the most recent shows in the last few weeks isn't really representative of anything long term, particularly when it comes to the "health of the hobby" question that some seem to spend more time on than what's on their workbench.
Which also means judging the most recent shows in the last few weeks isn't really representative of anything long term, particularly when it comes to the "health of the hobby" question that some seem to spend more time on than what's on their workbench.
I'm gonna have to agree with Mike here. The weather had been really nice in the days leading up to the show and sure, it rained in the morning but otherwise it was a nice weekend. I think people were in a spring frame of mind and thats bad for the show.
I did go on Saturday with my wife and I did notice the Timonum show was lightly attended. My wife goes with me and knows the show well too, and noticed a number of vendors who used to come have been absent since HZ bowed out and new managers took over the show.
She reminded me that we spoke with a dealer who usually comes from Ohio a to some of the Timonium shows; we saw him at the Greenberg show last August and he mentioned that a number of vendors werent happy with the new management and walked away. Kims trains, which used to be just inside the big layout room has been gone, I haven't seen Tom's trains in a couple years nor a few others. It's a shame because I think the show has gone down as a result of some of the old regular vendors leaving.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
First off, thanks for all the thoughtful replies.
To be clear, I did say that my question is in no way a comment on the "hobby dieing". Personally, I think the hobby is very healthy. It is changing, but it is plenty healthy.
In my opinion the success or failure of train shows has little or nothing to do with the health/success of the hobby in general. The question was are trains shows healthy?
It appears from the responses the the results are mixed, and may be very regionally varied and driven by regional factors.
I don't know how big the four buildings are at Amherst, but the Maryland State Fair Cow Palace is 3-1/2 acres under roof. The GSMTS once filled it with no room to spare, now days it is about 70%.
It could be that the train show thing is just a little played out in this region. At this location alone there are at least 6 every year. The GSMTS puts on 5, and Greenburg comes at least once a year. That is one every 60 days, more or less.......
I will say that for me personally, I have never used train shows as a primary means to purchase my modeling needs. I see the train shows mainly as a source for bargin NOS, and if something else I want is the right price, I will pick it up.
I am primarily a local shop buyer, and an internet buyer.
I don't buy much on Ebay either, again except to search for specific NOS items.
I buy virtually nothing that has "already been played with" - that's just how I am.
So, for those of you who enjoy the train shows, I'm glad they are alive and well in other areas.
Sheldon
riogrande5761 mlehman Late spring shows are probably ones least likely to draw a crowd, particularly with good weather. Many folks shift to outdoor activities with the change in seasons. And with spring coming earlier (doesn't matter what's causing it, that's a fact), this only aggravates the issue. Which also means judging the most recent shows in the last few weeks isn't really representative of anything long term, particularly when it comes to the "health of the hobby" question that some seem to spend more time on than what's on their workbench. I'm gonna have to agree with Mike here. The weather had been really nice in the days leading up to the show and sure, it rained in the morning but otherwise it was a nice weekend. I think people were in a spring frame of mind and thats bad for the show. I did go on Saturday with my wife and I did notice the Timonum show was lightly attended. My wife goes with me and knows the show well too, and noticed a number of vendors who used to come have been absent since HZ bowed out and new managers took over the show. She reminded me that we spoke with a dealer who usually comes from Ohio a to some of the Timonium shows; we saw him at the Greenberg show last August and he mentioned that a number of vendors werent happy with the new management and walked away. Kims trains, which used to be just inside the big layout room has been gone, I haven't seen Tom's trains in a couple years nor a few others. It's a shame because I think the show has gone down as a result of some of the old regular vendors leaving.
Maybe the weather is a factor?
I can't say because for me, model railroading is a year round activity not driven or controlled by the season or the weather. And to be honest, I'm not someone with a lot of other outdoor hobbies that would compete with trains for my time.
Outdoors is mostly just work for me - work I now do most of with a checkbook.
I enjoyed the light crowd, makes it easier to manage the 4 year old.....
Truth is I hate crowds, a fact that has kept me away from the shows unless I really thought I could find a few things on my want list.
Since I have some knowledge of train shows and in particular, the Timonium, MD show....I'd like to correct a few facts and offer some opinion.
First, the show is held 4 times per year, not 5. Declining vendors have nothing to do with new management as they are tops and are going way overboard to accomodate vendors. It has everything to do with attrition and new marketing trends. Dealers and attendees are aging and newer dealers are not coming on the scene as in days of yore. On-line buying, and auction activities are increasing every year....and that coupled with changing tastes such as RTR everythings, what is now found at most shows is not as appealing as the once abundance of used and new brass, built-ups, craftsman kits, and the really wonderful things that model railroading was once about. Still enough can be found to make most shows worthy of a day's outing.
Things changes, and most times improvements are questionable. I will again take out and wear my favorite T shirt. Across the front.....just one word with a powerful exclaimation mark.....ENOUGH!
HZ
Paul3 Sheldon,Here in Massachusetts, we're sort of spoiled by the Amherst Railway Society's Big Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield at the end of January. It's arguably the largest model train show in the USA, and sees 20,000+ visitors every year. In the past 10 years, the show has only gotten bigger and bigger by going into a fourth building to the show (first just the front part, then the back). We also have the NMRA Hub Division's show in December. It's held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough every year. They fill the display area up every year. It's probably the 2nd largest train show in Mass. The other might be the Greenberg Show in Wilmington, but I've never been to that one. As for the small local shows, there's the Taunton Show in September, the Brockton/Randolph Show in November, and the Hingham Show in both October and March (we had 1500 people in two days back last month). All are small shows with 50 to 100 dealer tables. In the past 10 years, we've lost Train Shows in Fall River, Foxboro, and West Barnstable. Fall River lost their school space due to local politics, Foxboro's hosting group all retired, and West Barnstable was too far from anything else. I've been a show dealer with my local railroad historical group for the past 25 years. I've seen plenty of shows come and go. The major change is that in the olden days, you'd have the "basement bombers"...guys that would make a hobby shop out of their house and only do train shows. The distributers of the era were pretty loose with their rules about who they sold to, so as long as you had a tax ID, a business card, and an address, you could get a wholesale discount. These guys would travel from show to show, selling new stock. Naturally, brick & mortar retailers screamed bloody murder, and the distributers clamped down. Now, there are few basement-type retailers any more. And you know the hobby shops won't support a local show unless it's a huge show like Springfield or they're members of the organization hosting the show. So what you have a left are a lot of "junk dealers"...retailers selling used stuff, mostly in the larger scales. They certainly outnumber the new dealers at every small show I go to. And I haven't even touched on how the internet is bleeding the local train shows dry... Still, train shows make money for me as a dealer, and for me as a member of a hosting group. I don't make a living at it. Heck, I don't even get paid. But it helps out the non-profits, and for them/us, that's still a good deal. Paul A. Cutler III
Sheldon,Here in Massachusetts, we're sort of spoiled by the Amherst Railway Society's Big Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield at the end of January. It's arguably the largest model train show in the USA, and sees 20,000+ visitors every year. In the past 10 years, the show has only gotten bigger and bigger by going into a fourth building to the show (first just the front part, then the back).
We also have the NMRA Hub Division's show in December. It's held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough every year. They fill the display area up every year. It's probably the 2nd largest train show in Mass. The other might be the Greenberg Show in Wilmington, but I've never been to that one.
As for the small local shows, there's the Taunton Show in September, the Brockton/Randolph Show in November, and the Hingham Show in both October and March (we had 1500 people in two days back last month). All are small shows with 50 to 100 dealer tables.
In the past 10 years, we've lost Train Shows in Fall River, Foxboro, and West Barnstable. Fall River lost their school space due to local politics, Foxboro's hosting group all retired, and West Barnstable was too far from anything else.
I've been a show dealer with my local railroad historical group for the past 25 years. I've seen plenty of shows come and go. The major change is that in the olden days, you'd have the "basement bombers"...guys that would make a hobby shop out of their house and only do train shows. The distributers of the era were pretty loose with their rules about who they sold to, so as long as you had a tax ID, a business card, and an address, you could get a wholesale discount. These guys would travel from show to show, selling new stock.
Naturally, brick & mortar retailers screamed bloody murder, and the distributers clamped down. Now, there are few basement-type retailers any more. And you know the hobby shops won't support a local show unless it's a huge show like Springfield or they're members of the organization hosting the show.
So what you have a left are a lot of "junk dealers"...retailers selling used stuff, mostly in the larger scales. They certainly outnumber the new dealers at every small show I go to.
And I haven't even touched on how the internet is bleeding the local train shows dry...
Still, train shows make money for me as a dealer, and for me as a member of a hosting group. I don't make a living at it. Heck, I don't even get paid. But it helps out the non-profits, and for them/us, that's still a good deal.
Paul A. Cutler III
Paul, a few specific comments.
How big is the Amherst show? 3 of the four GSMTS events each year are in the main building at the Maryland state fair grounds - 3-1/2 acres under roof.
The GSMTS has only a small area of S, O gauge and large scale, it is almost exclusively HO and N.
As I said in my general reply, trains shows have never been a major source for me.
I know quite well about a the basement dealers of the past - I managed a train department in a brick and mortar store - but that is largely gone.
I do think the internet has changed the way people shop, and in the case of the GSMTS, the retail store of www.modeltrainstuff.com is literally 10 minutes from this show - they have not been a vendor there for a long time.......
Howard Zane Since I have some knowledge of train shows and in particular, the Timonium, MD show....I'd like to correct a few facts and offer some opinion. First, the show is held 4 times per year, not 5. Declining vendors have nothing to do with new management as they are tops and are going way overboard to accomodate vendors. It has everything to do with attrition and new marketing trends. Dealers and attendees are aging and newer dealers are not coming on the scene as in days of yore. On-line buying, and auction activities are increasing every year....and that coupled with changing tastes such as RTR everythings, what is now found at most shows is not as appealing as the once abundance of used and new brass, built-ups, craftsman kits, and the really wonderful things that model railroading was once about. Still enough can be found to make most shows worthy of a day's outing. Things changes, and most times improvements are questionable. I will again take out and wear my favorite T shirt. Across the front.....just one word with a powerful exclaimation mark.....ENOUGH! HZ
Howard, thanks for your comments. Yes four times a year , sorry about that.
I know several of the dealers personally and I had not heard of any issues with the new management.
Having worked in this business years ago, I can say it has never been an "easy" business - not one I would get into now for sure.
Howard,I can remember when train shows didn't have vendors except modelers displaying models and selling excess models and parts. They even held auctions for large collections or estates.
The cost to get in? Free or donation.
Hence the name "Model Train Show and Swap meet".
I'm not sure when business(vendors) got invited to the dance but,there hasn't been a real model train show and swap meet for decades since today's shows is more like a flea market...
'
ATLANTIC CENTRALMaybe the weather is a factor? I can't say because for me, model railroading is a year round activity not driven or controlled by the season or the weather. And to be honest, I'm not someone with a lot of other outdoor hobbies that would compete with trains for my time. Outdoors is mostly just work for me - work I now do most of with a checkbook.
Sheldon,
On my part, and I suspect Jim's, too, I was simply making an observation.
People have different interests and so do their families, so the demands on their time can vary, as well as their interests during the year. I get less done RR-wise in the summer, because there are only so many days when some things can be done (coming up, painting a rental house) and sunlight and warmth make some jobs easier now than in December. Much as I might like to spend more time in cool, clear Colorado, oftentimes I simply must spend it in muggy, ol' Illinois. And I get slow when it gets hot as my survival reflex kicks in.
ATLANTIC CENTRALHow big is the Amherst show?
According to their website, the Amherst show occupies four buildings over 8 acres or 360,000 square feet in floor space.
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/exhibiting.php
mlehman ATLANTIC CENTRAL Maybe the weather is a factor? I can't say because for me, model railroading is a year round activity not driven or controlled by the season or the weather. And to be honest, I'm not someone with a lot of other outdoor hobbies that would compete with trains for my time. Outdoors is mostly just work for me - work I now do most of with a checkbook. Sheldon, On my part, and I suspect Jim's, too, I was simply making an observation. People have different interests and so do their families, so the demands on their time can vary, as well as their interests during the year. I get less done RR-wise in the summer, because there are only so many days when some things can be done (coming up, painting a rental house) and sunlight and warmth make some jobs easier now than in December. Much as I might like to spend more time in cool, clear Colorado, oftentimes I simply must spend it in muggy, ol' Illinois. And I get slow when it gets hot as my survival reflex kicks in.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Maybe the weather is a factor? I can't say because for me, model railroading is a year round activity not driven or controlled by the season or the weather. And to be honest, I'm not someone with a lot of other outdoor hobbies that would compete with trains for my time. Outdoors is mostly just work for me - work I now do most of with a checkbook.
I understand, I'm not questioning that as a possiblity, I'm just saying I did not really think about that, because it has little effect on me.
My wife has been to a couple train shows, not likely to ever go to another one. She is supportive of my hobby, just not very interested in it. It's only a family event to the extent described in my original post - me and the youngest grandson.
And, as I said, I'm not really a regular attendee myself.
I always have lots of work I can do, but it's hard to do most of it watching a four year old.....
The Amherst Railway Society's Big Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield total this year was 23,687 according to one society member who post at the MRH forums. Down a little from last year and still good weather. I went Saturday.
We also have a nice LHS, Pioneer Valley Hobbies in West Springfield.
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.
Howard--
Thanks for your insights here.
I do think it has more to do with people shopping online more than in the past.
It cannot be emphasized enough that for those who actually do go out to the shows, besides the camaradarie with friends, there are deals to be had at the shows that the remaining brick and mortar shops cannot always beat. Some of us can't buy everything when it comes out and have to spread purchases out over time. The shows make it possible to find some items released a little while ago that may be gone from the easily searchable online inventories of others.
John
Actually the meeting and sharing with old friends is most likely the main reason I attend these shows. At my age and I need more choo choos like I need a 25 pound carbunckle on my butt. I'm sure other old dinosaurs like me feel the same.
I do like seeing what is new and many dealers do present new products along with several manufacturers/importers who attend these shows. Then there are the guys thinning out or dumping items they no longer use or need. That is the best part of the buying scene and is a thow-back to the wondeful old "swap meets".
Many years back there were the so many die-hards who would line up an hour before the show to be the first in to snag the bargains. We had at Timonium several folks who would rent a table, just to get in early (We stopped this practice as soon as it began). Folks once offered us additional money for early admittance, which again we refused. and then there were always friends of vendor who would come in during set-up hours...then disappear into the bowels of the show only surfacing later with a mess of trains they just purchased. Oh well!! the shows are all about having fun with model trains.....and they still are just this....great fun!
I once owned a model train store here in Maryland before the mass influx of train shows. There was one swap meet, but it was 90% tin plate as was the TCA, already in existance. The following year after I sold the store Bruce Greenberg began his show here in Ellicott city, and it was great. I would have as a store owner paid a healthy sum to get in, make Grenberg dinner, and tuck him in bed for a month just to get into the show. My god, man my store was lucky to have 1500 visitors a year, whereas a good show will have 1500 folks pass by your tables in the first hour...many buying, and most remembering who you are. This is still almost the same today....1500 visitors a year in most shops, and the same during the first hour of a good show. What amazes me is why the many shops within traveling distance of the shows don't take advantage of this. What a great opportunity to advertise the store. Some shop owners of course do attend, but mainly to dump old trains and such.
Good topic....there is so much more to discuss here.
mlehman and sunlight and warmth make some jobs easier now than in December. Much as I might like to spend more time in cool, clear Colorado, oftentimes I simply must spend it in muggy, ol' Illinois. And I get slow when it gets hot as my survival reflex kicks in.
Yes,I go from railfaning back to modeling under the old A/C. I never could understand how a person could persue his/her outside hobby interests when its in the high 90s with a heat index of over a hundred.
Last year we had a cool summer (so the weather man said) with mid 80 degree days and I spent more time railfaning then modeling..
I have a little bit different take on train shows. I model 1900-1905. The vast majority of the models for my era are out of production and haven't been made for years. So the "flea market" vendors are my prime source for modeling materials.
From that standpoint, the stuff I buy is getting pretty thin.
On the other hand I visit the brick and mortar hobby shops for kitbashing, scratchbuilding and scenery supplies.
E-Bay is pretty much the really unique stuff and engines (although K-10 hobbies in Illinois had some Roundhouse 2-8-0's and over a year long period i think I bought a half dozen of them).
Direct from the manufacturer or vendor on line is pretty much tools and limited edition resin kits.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Maybe the weather is a factor? I can't say because for me, model railroading is a year round activity not driven or controlled by the season or the weather. And to be honest, I'm not someone with a lot of other outdoor hobbies that would compete with trains for my time. Outdoors is mostly just work for me - work I now do most of with a checkbook. I enjoyed the light crowd, makes it easier to manage the 4 year old..... Truth is I hate crowds, a fact that has kept me away from the shows unless I really thought I could find a few things on my want list. Sheldon
I agree - I prefer to model year round myself and I usually go to 3 fall/winter/spring Timonium shows regardless of how good they may or may not be since I can usually find items I can use and I enjoy watching the layouts run too. But, you and I may not be like many of the attendee's who weather can easily distract them from going. There are train nuts and then there are "fair weather" people. If enough of the fair weather people bail during good weather, it could mean the difference between a good show and a lousy show in terms of attendance; it seems plausible but maybe it's an urban myth which is all to easy to believe. Me, I hate crowds too and it was not very often I wanted to see items at a table and had to wait for a cluster of old men to clear-off so I could get a better look!
As for the dealers perspective, I'm passing on what my wife and I heard. Next time I run into one who subscribes to the Timonium has changed and aren't happy types, I'll try to question them to find out "what it's all about". Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. I'll ask my wife when I get home; she has a better memory than me and she's rarely wrong. Just saying... when it comes to arguing with her, more often than not, later she proves herself to be correct! But I might be wrong!
dehusman I have a little bit different take on train shows. I model 1900-1905. The vast majority of the models for my era are out of production and haven't been made for years. So the "flea market" vendors are my prime source for modeling materials. From that standpoint, the stuff I buy is getting pretty thin.
Shows in the same general geographic area tend to attract many of the same dealers/sellers, catering to the same buyers, and after a few seasons, if you have specialized interests you start to feel like you are picking away at the same leavings you saw at the last show. That is why I like to expand my range now and then -- even if it means a long drive -- because you are seeing inventory for the first time.
For example, the train shows in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay all attract the guys who seek out Milwaukee Road, Chicago & North Western, and other local roads, and stuff is either in short supply or the prices seem jacked up. A buddy who models the BN does well at those shows because he has so little competition. Conversely, down at Galesburg IL the BN, CB&Q, and Santa Fe stuff all gets gobbled up early, leaving the C&NW stuff alone for me to acquire. When I go to the Davenport IA show, it seems Rock Island and Iowa Interstate stuff gets gobbled up and again, the C&NW stuff is left alone for me to swoop in on.
The swap meets held on the last day of the Chicago & North Western Historical Society conventions are great because again you are in a fresh geographic market and area and you are seeing stuff you have not seen before at the last show.
One other thing I like about train shows is ... lunch! While the food is sometimes awful or at best unmemorable, I enjoy talking trains and model trains with people I have never met before.
Dave Nelson
Where I live, I'm lucky to attend a train show about once every year to year-and-a-half, if that often. There's a big one that comes up every year in a neighboring state, but I'd have to drive about 6 hours to get to that one; its really about an overnight excursion if you want to spend any time at it (meaning hotel room expense, meals, etc.). I've never been able to justify the expense or the time to go to it. There used to be a show fairly local to me (about a 45 min. ride) but it has long gone by the wayside. When I lived in Denver, to my surprise, there were hardly any train shows there as well. In Ohio, on the other hand (where I lived for 22 years), it seemed back then (back in the 80's and 90's) that on any given weekend there was a train show somewhere in the state, many of them local or not too far of a drive to get to; I attended plenty of them. So, I would be happy these days to even attend a train show, no matter how "crappy", or how great it may be.
Kassakaboose
Just saw your PM. I responded.
YGW
Sheldon,From their website: http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/abouttheshow.php
The Springfield Show is currently over 350,000 sq. ft., or just over 8 acres.
Here are a few interesting facts and observations I have made over the 30+ years I co-ran the Timonium show.....
I have found that there are basically three types of attendees, Type A,B & C. The C's are the fair weather folks who are looking for something to do with the kids for a weekend day. One of the kids may have a small train set and the dad once had a train under the tree growing up. Many of these C's do aquire a renewed interest and many do enter the hobby. This is why display layouts and helpful staff are important. The B's are already into the hobby, but will opt for another activity on train show day, knowing they can come to the next show. Then the A's....These are the die-hards. They will never miss a show, arrive and hour early ready for bear. We always enjoyed moving the C's to B category and B's to A's.
Weather....a major factor. Any show from late March until late October must have lousy weather as the above B's and C's will many times choose other family actities if weather is nice. A winter show just does not want snow. Again A's will always be there.
Now a gripe about most shows. I will begin with that The Timonium show always took great pride in telling exact attendance figures.Other shows..............well here is a basic formula to tell attendance. it is quite easy.....count number of ticket sellers, multiply times 150, then multiply hours of show which is usually 6. This comes out quite close The 150 is the average number each ticket seller will sell during the show. 350 is the maximum any experienced seller can handle.
Other wise a good show with two sellers during a 6 hour run will most likely have an atendance of 2100 using this formula. It has worked with quite good accuarcy for Timonium. Prior to 9-11, the 150 figure was 200, and that worked to perfection. Try it at the next show that claims to have huge attendance figures. You'll have a ball.