I've only been going after COVID stopped, since about 30 years ago when I first started going to train shows.
The fishing analogy is a great one. Unless the stuff is really old and out-dated (at least in HO), the pricing and selection is not that good at a train show, IMHO. It's no way comparable to Ebay, for instance. If you're there for odd stuff - used structures, books, photographs, t-shirts, caps, and maybe the odd electronics stuff here and there, a train show is good.
I'm usually looking for the 5 to 10 year old stuff that is DCC and DCC-ready and was produced in road names I want, but that I missed back then before I returned to the hobby. (Intermountain Illinois Central GP10s come to mind.) Train shows are not that good for recent, more advanced stuff. Then again, maybe I've just been going to the wrong ones ... I've found more on Ebay by checking often and reacting very quickly to sellers when they first list something.
MJ4562 Are model train shows worth attending if your only purpose is to shop for good deals on quality items? Or is it more hit and miss and more about joy of the treasure hunt? Is it more older stuff that is bargain priced and not so much new top tier stuff? I ask because around my area train shows within driving distance are maybe once a year so I haven't attended one since I was a kid. I'm now in acquisition mode so thinking it might be time to try one out, then again maybe not. I hesitate though as time is limited and my experience with trade shows in other hobbies is that while there is the occaisional bargain to be found, they take a lot of time to track down. When you add of the cost of travel, entry and time spent, those bargains are a bit of a wash.
Are model train shows worth attending if your only purpose is to shop for good deals on quality items? Or is it more hit and miss and more about joy of the treasure hunt? Is it more older stuff that is bargain priced and not so much new top tier stuff?
I ask because around my area train shows within driving distance are maybe once a year so I haven't attended one since I was a kid. I'm now in acquisition mode so thinking it might be time to try one out, then again maybe not. I hesitate though as time is limited and my experience with trade shows in other hobbies is that while there is the occaisional bargain to be found, they take a lot of time to track down. When you add of the cost of travel, entry and time spent, those bargains are a bit of a wash.
If you are going to train shows purely to buy and not see the show then why not buy direct from a company or store?
Seeing layouts. Picking up tips and ideas. Talking to like-minded people. Having a day out. Then train shows are a joy.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
wjstix It's kinda like fishing, you might go a couple of times and not find anything too interesting, then the next one you find three things you really wanted.
It's kinda like fishing, you might go a couple of times and not find anything too interesting, then the next one you find three things you really wanted.
And the thing about fishing is, you rarely hear people complain about what a waste of time a fishing trip was, even if they didn't catch many fish, because it was still fun to hang out and enjoy the experience with other fisher-folks. To me, that's what a train show is: it's an opportunity to enjoy the experience of hunting for cool deals and meeting other model railroaders, learning new things, discovery, and fellowship. Plus you might find some cool stuff that's worth buying, or you might not. While I make a checklist of things I'm looking for at a train show, I'm not disappointed if I don't find many items on the list, or end up buying very different things--it's a tool to provide general guidance.
I also take this attitude with me when I go to things like antique fairs or estate sales--I like to think of them like I'm visiting a museum, and I'm principally there to appreciate the objects and the experience, but unlike most museums, if I really like an exhibit, I can spend some money and take it home!
I go for the fun of it. If nothing else, there are always layouts to look at and photograph. I seldom come away empty handed. If I go to a show with a specific goal, I am often disappointed, but if I just keep my eyes open I almost always come home with happy surprises.
I always bring an up-to-date spreadsheet of locomotives and rolling stock with road numbers to avoid duplicates. I've got lots of Accurail boxcars in my home road, the Milwaukee, with all unique road numbers.
I find scenery stuff at shows all the time. Nothing planned, but if somebody is selling cheap hydrocal, I'll buy some. I will always look at nice die-cast autos from my era, and maybe packages of people. Dealers have selections of detail parts that invite browsing.
I did learn to think carefully about buying structures on a whim without a place to put them. I've still got unopened kits I bought at train shows 20 years ago. That taught me not to be impulsive.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
You probably will have to go to the shows in your area and see what they're like. In my area, some retailers are there selling a mix of old and new stuff, and some book dealers are there. Many are selling older stuff bought from estates or from now-closed hobby shops.
I generally am looking for older stuff rather than brand-new; I'd more likely buy something new online or at a hobby shope. For example I recently bought a Walthers Proto engine for a good price at a show; it hasn't been made for a decade or so but mine was in the original packing with the warranty card etc. and runs great.