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Amherst Show

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Posted by dmoore74 on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 5:23 PM

For those who didn't make the show the BIG attraction was outdoors.

https://www.facebook.com/AmherstRail.org/videos/10155015467474443/

 

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Posted by ctyclsscs on Saturday, February 11, 2017 6:04 PM

Did the fire marshal come around measuring? I didn't see him this year.

We kinda push the boundary limits a bit too since we're backed up against a cold wall and the chalk measurements don't leave much room to move behind the tables. So far it hasn't been an issue. Of course, now that I said it...

Jim

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 11, 2017 12:33 PM

G Paine
 
BMMECNYC
The firemarshal requires either 10ft or 12ft aisles for safety reasons

 

The Amhurst folks are very strict about keeping aisle widths. They mark the floors with tape, and your booth or display had better inside those lines, or big trouble

 

They use sidewalk chalk in the Young building, and its not always exact (this year the marks were off by 6-8 in one corner).  We have double marks on ours (barrier and layout marks).  We typically violate the layout marks, but the barrier marks are the ones you have to fit within for the fire marshal.  The barriers get pushed into the layout anyway. 

I suspect its because 1 guy does it without a helper (I came up early 1 year to assist in making the chalk marks, setting out tables etc).  When measuring long distances, it helps to have someone holding the dumb end of the tape.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 4:55 PM

Some of the Tangent X58 box cars not available until Feb 20, but at Amherst, made their way to Timonium via a vendor so I was able to take home an X58 in 1978 Conrail.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by dmoore74 on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 4:42 PM

As a follow up, the ticketed attendance was 19,541.  That doesn't count vendors, volunteers or other exhibitors.  Estimated count for all of these is 3,750.  BTW if you check the Amherst Railway Society Facebook page you can view a video of #11 in operarion.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, February 2, 2017 10:57 AM

I hear you about photobucket - it's getting to be more of a pain, and also it's blocked at work so even if I wanted to upload a few on my break, all I see are red X's.  When I get home after a 11 hour day, it's all action and then bed time so I don't usually have much time to that kind of stuff until the weekend.  Long story short, it doesn't get done much of the time.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by chutton01 on Thursday, February 2, 2017 8:46 AM

riogrande5761
Considering the vast majority of cell phones and smart phones have camera's, I imagine just about everyone had a camera who went to Amherst.  Question is, did any of them use their camera's and if so, can the upload any.  *shrugs*


From my post Saturday Night (when I got home from the show)...
"Actually, I took a lot of images of the event (like I have done in previous years) but realized that I had already taken images of lots of the interesting stuff on the layouts and modules exhibited in years past"

I think the number was 100+ images this go around (I have a nice older Canon digital camera with optical viewfinder so I don't waste energy using the view screen. Good autofocus, so you can crank out 10 reasonably clear shots quickly), along with a number of image taken using my Smartphone.

Problem is, I don't feel that enthusiastic in uploading them to my account on the increasingly crudy Photobucket ("how many pop-ups can we serve you today?"), and I haven't bothered to create a new account on a different free image hosting site. I suppose I should..

I did post the images of the Peppersass & the Boothbay NG steamer in this thread already, what else do people want to see?

I didn't bother much with the 1/87 vehicle offerings, as I know from past experience images of most of those display will be posted in the 1/87 Vehicle website's Photogallery in coming weeks.

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Posted by maxman on Thursday, February 2, 2017 8:09 AM

DAVID FORTNEY
I'm amazed, no pictures of the show. Nobody took a camera?

Who had time to take pictures?

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, February 2, 2017 7:51 AM

DAVID FORTNEY

I'm amazed, no pictures of the show. Nobody took a camera? 

Considering the vast majority of cell phones and smart phones have camera's, I imagine just about everyone had a camera who went to Amherst.  Question is, did any of them use their camera's and if so, can the upload any.  *shrugs*

Unfortunately for me, I moved about 9 years ago and Amherst is not economical to travel to so I'll have to settle for Timonium this coming weekend.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by G Paine on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 10:51 PM

BMMECNYC
The firemarshal requires either 10ft or 12ft aisles for safety reasons

The Amhurst folks are very strict about keeping aisle widths. They mark the floors with tape, and your booth or display had better inside those lines, or big trouble

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by DAVID FORTNEY on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 10:38 PM

I'm amazed, no pictures of the show. Nobody took a camera? 

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 2:36 PM

KemacPrr

One great thing about the scooters and this show is that the aisles are wide so a scooter does not become a rolling road block like at some other shows. Had a great weekend up there. After 20 straight years attending still a great show that I look forward to every year. ------ Ken 

 

The firemarshal requires either 10ft or 12ft aisles for safety reasons.  Some dead end aisles may not have to be that wide (I thing my clubs U is at least 10ft). 

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 8:38 AM

I am not sure I saw any feedback on show news.  I did not attend due to distance and cost, but others reported Tangent announced a new run of X58 PRR 50' box cars and derivatives such as LV, PC rebadge, CR etc.  Also Moloco had some show only PC box cars.  Not sure if anything else of note was announced.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by joe323 on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 8:30 AM

I appreciate all the feedback to my question regarding access at the Amherst show. 

Not sure if I will be going next year or 2019 depends on my work/vacation schedule.  It soiunds doable though,

Joe Staten Island West 

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Posted by KemacPrr on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 12:03 AM

maxman

 

 
BMMECNYC

11,000+ on Saturday, 7000+ on Sunday.   Dont remember exact number but it was more than 19000. 

 

 

I was told that there were 19,541 through the gates, plus about 3750 show crew and vendors, for a total of 23,291 +/-.

I had a table there and sold out all the items I intended to sell the first day, and disappointed those who stopped by the second day.

 He who hesitates is lost !!! Great loads there Loadman !! ----   Ken 

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Posted by KemacPrr on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 12:01 AM

One great thing about the scooters and this show is that the aisles are wide so a scooter does not become a rolling road block like at some other shows. Had a great weekend up there. After 20 straight years attending still a great show that I look forward to every year. ------ Ken 

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Posted by cowman on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 7:16 PM

I saw a number of folks using scooters at the show, as well as some wheel chairs, plenty of walkers too.  In the "special needs" section of their site they do mention renting wheel chairs and scooters, but contact them first.

Good luck,

Richard

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 6:32 PM

BMMECNYC

11,000+ on Saturday, 7000+ on Sunday.   Dont remember exact number but it was more than 19000. 

I was told that there were 19,541 through the gates, plus about 3750 show crew and vendors, for a total of 23,291 +/-.

I had a table there and sold out all the items I intended to sell the first day, and disappointed those who stopped by the second day.

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Posted by richg1998 on Monday, January 30, 2017 3:18 PM

joe323

I have s question i want to go to this show next year but it seems as though it is spread all over.  How accessible is it do I need to rent a scooter to get around?  I can only walk short distances)

 

Every September there is huge New England show and a company rents scooters at the main entrance

Don't think this would be economically possible for a small show.

I did email the Amherst Railway Society to think about this possibility with maybe an online rental to have one available by email. Similar to reserving a car online

Maybe the society can work something out with the Big E. Technology is evolving.

The walkways are covered but enough snow between walkways could be an issue for the Big E to keep clear.

I have been going to the show for many years and know what the weather is like.

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.

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 30, 2017 2:32 PM

chutton01
There were certainly a number of men (I only saw males using them) using walkers of various types at the expo (I always gave them right of way, no reason not to), but I don't seem to recall anyone on a mobility scooter.

There were several, from children through senior citizens. 

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 30, 2017 2:22 PM

11,000+ on Saturday, 7000+ on Sunday.   Dont remember exact number but it was more than 19000. 

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Posted by chutton01 on Monday, January 30, 2017 2:05 PM

On another forum the rumor was 19,000 over 2 days, not sure how accurate that is or how it stacks up in previous years.  To me the crowd seemed a bit less packed than last year, but that may just be confirmation bias on my part.

There were certainly a number of men (I only saw males using them) using walkers of various types at the expo (I always gave them right of way, no reason not to), but I don't seem to recall anyone on a mobility scooter. If you have a bit of mobility problem, note that there really aren't all that many seats (benches really) in the halls, usually there are one or two benches by the entrances and the restrooms, and ISTR some picnic benches by the concessions in Mallary, but don't count on finding a seat in the middle of a building.

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Posted by yougottawanta on Monday, January 30, 2017 1:00 PM

Not me but from the stuff I have seen on you tube I would LOVE to go

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Posted by cowman on Monday, January 30, 2017 11:53 AM

Joe,

As mentioned above, the buildings are quite close to each other and covered (tent type) walkways go between them in case of bad weather.  There is a lot of walking just to walk the aisles in the buildings.  My friend had a rolling walker with a seat, gave him a place to sit down when he felt the need.

They do list a special needs section on their web site, you could check and see what they have available.

Another thing to check is the list of charter busses coming to the show.  I take one from Vermont and we park within 200' of the main door.  There are busses from several places, Cape Cod, Boston, Long Island and NYC as well as ours.  I presume each has their own adjenda as to sign up etc.  Our bus arrives at 10:15 and leaves at 4:30, you can walk through all the buildings, but can't stop to  see everything in that amount of time.  This year I made a list of the booths I wanted to check out, then sorted it in booth number order.  Saved a lot of wondering and I had time to look at booths I was passing along the way between planned stops.  The walk from the parking lot can be very long if you get there late.  If you have a handicapped pass, I thing there is a lot much closer than the regular one.

Hope you can make it next year, it's quite an experience.  I've been the last several years and plan to go again.  Even though there may be the same things as last year, you can't look at it all in one year, so I have always found new things to look at.

Good luck,

Richard

 

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Posted by G Paine on Monday, January 30, 2017 11:37 AM

Has anyone heard what the paid attendance was this year? Our guys at the show thought it might be a record.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by Bundy74 on Monday, January 30, 2017 8:03 AM

All 4 buildings are next to each other, but there is a lot of ground to cover.  My dad and I took 3 1/2 hours for the whole show, and we have no issues walking.

Also, most of it is concrete floors, the crowds (on Saturday anyway) are very full, and the aisles can get packed.  I would recommend renting a scooter if you usually need it.  (And get one with a good horn on it)

Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.

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Posted by joe323 on Monday, January 30, 2017 6:16 AM

I have s question i want to go to this show next year but it seems as though it is spread all over.  How accessible is it do I need to rent a scooter to get around?  I can only walk short distances)

Joe Staten Island West 

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Posted by chutton01 on Sunday, January 29, 2017 10:00 AM

Since Mr. Paine has included images of the Boothbay Loco, I guess I should include my images of the other star of the expo, the Peppersass.
From the front, perched on it's trailer:
Amherst Railway Hobby Expo 2017

And from the back:
Amherst Railway Hobby Expo - 2017

And for the completeness of it, the Boothbay Railway loco from the Front (no impressive steaming in this shot I'm afraid):
Amherst Railway Hobby Expo - 2017

And from the back:
Amherst Model Railway Expo - 2017

And now I must make a major correction to my original summary of the expo: Upon reviewing the images, I realize the Amherst Beltlines layout's "Fallout 4" module mentioned the oceans had dried up (and represented this by a Texaco tanker model beached on a dried up sea bed). Since the oceans still exist in Fallout (indeed several missions in Fallout 4 involve Boston Harbor among other water ways), clearly the builders added elements of the recent Mad Max films.
Typical model railroaders, selectively compressing and free-lancing the post-apocalyptic world...

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Posted by G Paine on Saturday, January 28, 2017 10:36 PM

chutton01
Yep, the Boothbay Railway locomotive was steaming outside on a short section of (narrow gauge) between BLC and Young Building

I had posted this earlier on WPF, along with a couple of links to Facebook. One of our volunteers sent it to me. Boothbay Railway Village had a lot of interest in the old Porter; we had about 100 feet of 2 foot gauge panel track to run it on.

 

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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