This news if of intense interest to those of us in Milwaukee since Dave Swanson and his Great American Train Show company took over Trainfest in 2022. We had heard of some health issues and of course wished and wish him the best.
Dave Nelson
Cincinnati has been without a train show long before covid came along. Great American usd to be downtown annually. The local NMRA division has an annual show but it's 20+ miles away from the city and, for me, too far to drive.
Train shows have disapeared in the SF bay area, maybe that will change, am hopeful.
Went to a one day train show in Staunton (the 'u' is silent), VA yesterday. They had 4 or 5 layouts set up and it seemed reasonably crowded, and a fair number of couples in their 30's to 50's.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
dknelsonExpanding to the Southeastern Atlantic states like Georgia and Florida
Florida and Georgia are anemic with good train shows now. Florida has one OK show in Sarasota, but not very good. I think Atlanta still has an annual show, but I have not made it there in four years.
A winter show in Orlando is a must. I can hope.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190Florida and Georgia are anemic with good train shows now. ...
I guess all the retirees had to leave their train stuff up north before moving to Florida.
My mentor and great friend went to the large one in MD and said it wasn't great. He was looking out for pre-used Tortoise switch machines and the adapters, but had zero luck. Eh, it happens.
kasskaboose He was looking out for pre-used Tortoise switch machines and the adapters, but had zero luck.
Used tortoises are something I don't think I have ever seen at train shows.
SeeYou190 kasskaboose He was looking out for pre-used Tortoise switch machines and the adapters, but had zero luck. Used tortoises are something I don't think I have ever seen at train shows. -Kevin
I’ve seen them at train shows. I’ve also seen them for sale on the hoswap.io site.
I see them at train shows all the time. Just takes a keen eye, some time looking at all of the boxes sellers have. If you see used track on a table, just ask if they any tortoise machines! You never know...
Neal
MidlandMikeI guess all the retirees had to leave their train stuff up north before moving to Florida.
The problem with new construction in Florida, especially in retirement communities, is there's no basements!
Some guys in Florida build layouts in their garages but unless the garage is air-conditioned forget about running trains in the summer, it's an inferno down there at that time of year!
So, if you're retiring to Florida look at three bedroom homes, one for you and the missus, one for potential visitors, and one for the layout!
SeeYou190 dknelson Expanding to the Southeastern Atlantic states like Georgia and Florida Florida and Georgia are anemic with good train shows now. Florida has one OK show in Sarasota, but not very good. I think Atlanta still has an annual show, but I have not made it there in four years. A winter show in Orlando is a must. I can hope. -Kevin
dknelson Expanding to the Southeastern Atlantic states like Georgia and Florida
There may be more than you think. There are clubs in Florida that have local shows (Don't discount club shows! You never know what you'll find!) and you can find them on railserve.com under "Events" or check "Railfan & Railroad" magazine's website under "Timetable." Both list local shows and they're accurate.
Flintlock76The problem with new construction in Florida, especially in retirement communities, is there's no basements!
A lot of new construction in Florida now has what some builders are calling "reverse basements".
My friend Rob's new house in Spring Hill has this. A full 20 by 30 room above the house with one window at the end. My understanding is these are very popular, and they would make perfect train rooms.
The house below is four bedroom, three bath, and a 300 square foot home office. It is an upper-midscale cookie-cutter home.
SeeYou190A lot of new construction in Florida now has what some builders are calling "reverse basements". My friend Rob's new house in Spring Hill has this. A full 20 by 30 room above the house with one window at the end.
Interesting! A market reaction to all the model railroaders moving south?
I had to look up Spring Hill having never heard of it. North of Tampa, not a bad location at all. I was in the Fort Myers area last week and didn't see any "reverse basement" construction but then I wasn't looking for for it either!