Back from the show. Good bus ride and a fun time.
A lot of folks there, will be interested to see when someone posts on here just how many were there.
Yes, there was the same stuff at the same booths, same layouts, but since I can't see all the stuff because there's so much to see, saw a lot I didn't see last year. I found some used offerings that I bought along with a few new detail type things. Didn't find some things that I might have been willing to part with some of my cash for.
Lunch lines were long, I too forgot, went to the wrong place at the wrong time, but got to talk with a nice family also waiting to be served. I do think they take advantage of the situation, $3 for a bottle of water is a bit much, but....
Jim was busy trying to get his credit card reader to work, so didn't get a chance to more than say Hi! One layouts radio controlls were messing up, causing major panic among the operators, but that goes along with the old theory, as soon as some one comes to see your layout, something goes wrong.
Did have some nice chats with some of the dealers, some I have talked to before, there or elsewhere, also with some new folks. Would have liked to have rewarded them for their time by buying things, but $$$ and layout space are limited.
Found something I had bought a one booth for $10 less at another, a hazard of such a large show and not being able to look at all offerings before purchasing.
Enjoy the layouts, as even though they are the same or similar to last year, who can remember all the detail from previous viewings?
At this time I plan to hop on the bus again next if someone can take over the job. Thanks Tom, have enjoyed the annual rides you have orchestrated.
Have fun,
Richard
After all the buildup in this thread, you'd figure somebody would have updated day of. Well, until someone trustworthy does, I will report my experience today - it was much the same of a sameness.Yep, the Boothbay Railway locomotive was steaming outside on a short section of (narrow gauge) between BLC and Young Building, although I didn't get to see it move, and yep the Mt Washington Cog Railway engine 'Peppersass' was in the south end of the Mallary Complex (on the yellow trailer which hauled it to the venue I suppose) and yep the 1/87 Vehicle Club was there in force (it looked like they had more tables than before, but that may be just faulty memory) and yep I brought a few items that I could use (mostly tools, but also yet another roco DB open wagon - not sure why except I like 'em) and yep I messed up, forgot the time, and got to the retro-diner food concession in the Young Building - boy that line was long (as usual) but luckily people were eating fast and there was room upstairs - this time I took some images of the crowd.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 (the HO Free-Mo layout seemed longer than last year - maybe one day it will eventuall line the Mallary building - use duckunders to let people in and out). Didn't seem to be much new to me at least*. Also, for some reason it seemed less crowded than last year, again probably my confirmation bias. I think I'll give the show a pass next year, lest it really get stale to me. At least this year I got to scenic and keep that darn Woodland Scenics "corner hillside" diorama, although the glue they gave me was wonky.OK, I also thought the G-scale operating container unloader was pretty cool, but around then there was an announcement that somebody who was the "Grandfather of Model Railroading" would be available for photos by some booth at 11:00. The Grandfather? o_O Wha...? Godfather maybe, but...this guy 120 years old or something? I didn't go.*Cavet - I think it's on the Amherst Belt layout in the BLC, but when you see the HO module with the ruined buildings and missle silo that's based on the Fallout 4 game, set in post-apocalyptic Massachusetts in about 2287, 210 years or so after the final nuclear phase of the resource war between the US and China in 2077. OK, that module was a nice touch.
Here is the Boothbay Railway Village press release about the Porter locomotive at Springfield and the restoration work that has been done in our shop
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Boothbay-Railway-Village-is-Making-History-in-Springfield--MA-this-week--.html?soid=1116012907483&aid=ltgLRMEBWv4
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Weather looking good. Partly cloudy Thirty eight to forty F and ten to fifteen mph winds. If you drive and get there early enough, Memo's right across the street from the former entrance. It will be crowded.
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.
Wish I could go.I have a friend in Windsor Locks, just 40 miles away but I live in the UK and can't find the fare. Pity. It would probably save me the fair in postage that wouldn't need paying. My friend isn't a model railroader but is a railroad nut but I can't get him to go:-(
David
Long Haired DavidA.K.A. David Penningtonmain man on the Sunset and North Eastern R.R.http://www.gmrblog.co.ukfrom the UK
G PaineI remember setting up our booth and the BLC was frigid because the freight doors were open to let vehicles inside to unload. One time there had been snow earlier in the day, and a lot of vehicles had snow and ice on .
riogrande5761I wish it was a bit warmer when I visited - it was BITTER when I went on a few occasions.
I remember setting up our booth and the BLC was frigid because the freight doors were open to let vehicles inside to unload. One time there had been snow earlier in the day, and a lot of vehicles had snow and ice on them, particularly in the wheel wells, which fell off on the floor. Made a mess.
Same when packing up; we knew it was time to hurry up and get out then the red Operation Lifesaver tractor came in the building to remove their 20' container display.
One week to go and counting. Check your shopping lists and check out the vendor locations. Remember comfortable shoes.
Got ticket today.
Typical N.E. W.C. forecast. Sat 60% chance snow and 32 F. Sunday, snow showers and 31 F. Ten to twenty mph winds. Dress for it.
Bundy74 Don't forget to swing through Palmer and check out The Steaming Tender and Palmer Hobbies.
Don't forget to swing through Palmer and check out The Steaming Tender and Palmer Hobbies.
Palmer Hobbies will be open special hours during the show. Friday-10:00 to 6:30, Saturday-10:00 to 6:00 and Sunday-1:00 to 7:00. They are at 1428 Main St. in Palmer. 413-284-0070
From now to at least the 29th, WC predicts forty to fifty with maybe rain the second day of the show. Sat 40 degrees and partly sunny. Sunday 40% chance of rain and 39 F.
BUT, this is New England.
Global warming for the Amhearst show! Dang, I wish it was a bit warmer when I visited - it was BITTER when I went on a few occasions.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I think we know enough not to trust long range weather forecasts, but for now they're calling for moderate temperatures and no snow. Let's hope they're at least close!
Jim
Another addition to the show even if it's not a model.
For 2017, the Boothbay Railway Village will be bringing a live steam engine to the Railroad Hobby Show. The locomotive was built by the H K Porter Company in Pittsburgh in 1925 for the Raritan Copper Company in New Jersey. H K Porter specialized in industrial locomotives, and the Boothbay locomotive was one of eleven owned by Raritan Copper. The 2-foot gauge engine will be set up outdoors at the Railroad Hobby Show, operating on approximately 100 feet of track under its own steam power. Boothbay Railway Village operates a fully certified boiler shop and completed restoration of the H K Porter locomotive in 2014.
I'm planning on going and really looking forward to it. Due to other commitments, I have not been able to attend for about a dozen years. I should be working at the B&MRRHS table.
Modeling the B&M Railroad during the transition era in Lowell, MA
That is quite something to be touring the country. Last saw Peppersass, summer 2010 when the mountain had three clear days.
There will be an extra special visitor to this year's show.
The Peppersass Cog Railway engine - the locomotive that built the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway, the Mount Washington Cog Railway (The Cog) in New Hampshire - is celebrating its 150th birthday this year.
Peppersass has left its home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire to tour the US and generate awareness of The Cog and its 150th anniversary in 2019. Visitors will have an opportunity to get up close to see and learn about this wondrous and historic engineering marvel.
I will be there. I used to go when I was single, but now my wife goes with me. Good times all around. I always go Saturday, and it is my favorite day of the year!
Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/
I just did a GPS test and directed onto 291 from 90. Connect at 91 an quickly directed to Rt 20 West across the river into West Springfieled.
GPS was very clear.
Keep an eye on the weather forcast too. The 3 or 4 times I went, it was wicked cold and snow. One of the trips, my relatively new Toyota RAV4 could not keep up with the ice forming on the windshield as I drove east on the NYS thruway (90). Still, it was worth the torture of the cold, snow and ice to attend.
And those rotaries have been modified some. The one of concern is Memorial Drive to the Big E.
One lane you circle, one lane you turn off. Watch the arrows. Can be tough with lots of traffic when you come into it from Rt 5 South.
richg1998Rt 5 is just fine. I use it a lot.
You need to give everybody a "rotary" warning. If they get on one of those they might spend the day going around in circles deciding where to get off
Rt 5 is just fine. I use it a lot. Might be a liitle slow around the Riverdale Shops becasue of shoppers if coming South on Rt 91 but not bad. Couple traffic lights.
Coming in from Ct on 91, North, clear sailing on Rt 5.
To new people, look for Big E signs.
I'm assuming that once you're in town and off the interstate there isn't a problem? Like if you're staying up on Route 5.
richg1998 Good suggestion. Never thought of that as I travel the area and see this on the local news. From the South on Rt91 is ok. From the North on Rt91, I take Exit 4 in West Springfield and then Rt5 South. A couple exits on 91 in Springfield have been closed for some time. If some how you get channeled off of Rt291 to 91 South from Rt 90, look for Rt 57 exit cominng up fast. Both use to be two lanes but now one lane with Jersey barriers on each side. 91 changes to three lanes shortly before. I will drive the 90, 91, 291 route with GPS and look at the results about a week before. Maybe the below might help some not familiar with the area. You can alwys delete the App. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/09/sign_up_for_masslives_traffic_alerts.html Rich
Good suggestion. Never thought of that as I travel the area and see this on the local news.
From the South on Rt91 is ok.
From the North on Rt91, I take Exit 4 in West Springfield and then Rt5 South.
A couple exits on 91 in Springfield have been closed for some time.
If some how you get channeled off of Rt291 to 91 South from Rt 90, look for Rt 57 exit cominng up fast. Both use to be two lanes but now one lane with Jersey barriers on each side. 91 changes to three lanes shortly before.
I will drive the 90, 91, 291 route with GPS and look at the results about a week before.
Maybe the below might help some not familiar with the area. You can alwys delete the App.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/09/sign_up_for_masslives_traffic_alerts.html
If you do take 291, you can also take the Dwight St. exit, take a left, then turn right on Harrison St. (by the parking garage). This will take you over the Memorial Bridge and into W. Springfield.
Alternatively, you can take the exit for 91N off 291, then get off immediately onto US20 West. This will also take you to W. Springfield where you can take Rt. 5.
Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.
I'll be there all weekend. Will be my 20th show in a row !!! When not wandering around the buildings I'l be helping Maxman at the Loadman table. This show and the Timonium show the next weekend are a bright spot in an otherwise drab time of year. --- Ken
richg1998 . DAVID FORTNEY Is Amhearst the same as the Springfield Show? I am sure you know it is West Springfield now. Big E fairgrounds. Different city. Some years ago I use to hear some saying it took them over an hour to find the show because they heard Springfield show. Some do say Amherst show. Does not happen much now with so many using the Internet. Google, big e fairgrounds west springfield ma It will show up in Google Maps. Rich
.
DAVID FORTNEY Is Amhearst the same as the Springfield Show?
Is Amhearst the same as the Springfield Show?
I am sure you know it is West Springfield now. Big E fairgrounds. Different city.
Some years ago I use to hear some saying it took them over an hour to find the show because they heard Springfield show.
Some do say Amherst show.
Does not happen much now with so many using the Internet.
Google, big e fairgrounds west springfield ma
It will show up in Google Maps.
The show website actually gives you the GPS coordinates to get you to Gate 9 at the Big E. A special traffic note - I-91 in Springfield is undergoing major reconstruction. If you are coming from the east on the Mass Pike go to Exit 4 in West Springfield and then US-5 south to MA 147 west. Coming from the south on I-91, you should exit to US-5 north and then MA 147 west. The lady in your GPS may speak harshly to you, but you'll avoid a mess in downtown Springfield.
chutton01And I plan to attend on Saturday, Jan 28 - and finally get one of those - detail your own Woodland Scenics mountains - from their scenicing workshops...(watch, they won't hold one this year).
This is a link to the show clinics page
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/clinics.php