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Is it worthwhile going to the train show for a second time?

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  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Saturday, January 11, 2020 8:25 PM

When I go to train shows a second day I am often shocked at what I see on Day 2 that was clearly right there Day 1 and I utterly missed it.  Plus I just like being at train shows.

 

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Saturday, January 11, 2020 5:59 PM

I think it depends on what you are looking for.  If you are looking for new, higher quality things, you want to get there at the start, if you are mostly looking for bargins, the second day sounds like the time to go.  Use the first day for scouting, then the second day hope some of what interested you is still there.  As Kevin youe mileage makes a difference also. 

Most of our shows are one day, but the same concept stands, except it is whether to get there early or wait until after lunch and when the dealers start thinking of packing up.

The only two day show I  have attended is a bus ride away for me, so I take the "leave the driving to us", enjoy the trip, look over all that I can and relax on the way home.  I do take a list of interesting dealers and locations so that I can hit the highlights I am interested in and get to look over the booths I pass on the way from one spot to another.  If I lived where I used to, less than  half an hour away, I'd probably do things differently.

Have fun,

Richard

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 165 posts
Posted by tomytuna on Saturday, January 11, 2020 5:52 PM

Usually one day visit will do except if you stumble on something Great. Now I don't know where you live, but if you can get to the amherst show at eastern states expo center in w Springfield Mass,,,now that is a train show!  5 buildings and every possible mfgr you can think of,

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, January 11, 2020 5:51 PM

Timonium has a White Elephant table of consignment sales from show attendees.  Maybe it changes from Saturday morning to Sunday as new things arrive.

I only went Sunday to buy a Bachmann 4-4-0 Ma & Pa with DCC that I should have bought on Saturday.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 1,162 posts
Posted by PC101 on Saturday, January 11, 2020 5:47 PM

Yes, because on the second day many venders that negotiate would like to carry cash back then repack products.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, January 11, 2020 5:38 PM

I can only speak about train shows in Florida.

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90% of the shows in Florida are 1 day now. Only Fort Myers, Tampa, and Deland still do two day shows as far as I know.

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At all of these shows, there are fewer dealers on Sunday. Then the remaining dealers spread out onto the empty tables vacated by the one-day guys.

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In my experience, better deals are to be found on Sunday on the bargains. The remaining dealers put out stuff that is not worth the effort to put on a full price table, but on a "free" table, why not?

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I prefer to go tot these shows on the second day. As always, your mileage might vary.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • From: Pennsylvania
  • 1,154 posts
Is it worthwhile going to the train show for a second time?
Posted by Trainman440 on Saturday, January 11, 2020 5:31 PM

I've always wondered this. When I go to train shows I usually only go to buy rare/cheap stuff. Since Greenburg Train Shows usually are 2 days(Saturday and Sunday), I usually only go on Saturday, as I figured all the good stuff will be gone by Sunday. However, this year, I got some extra time, and wondered if its worthwhile going a second time. I got a pretty thorough look at everything, so going a second time looking at the same items wouldnt be worth the drive. So my question is:

From part experience, do vendors save items to sell on the second day of train shows? Is it worth going?

Thanks!

Charles

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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

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