This is my first time going to TrainFest as I heard that in 2022 it was a huge success. I see Kalmbach/Firecrown has a large presence, and I will stop by to see what they show and have to say.
I'll be hanging out at booth 207F both days if anyone is going and wants to stop by and say hello. I did meet many of you last year at the Springfield, MA show.
So, who's going?
Neal
They and the Amherst folks are boh claiming to be America's largest
You'll have to let us know.
I looked at the vendor/dealer layout and I counter 48 vendors selling - not how many tables each one has. Definitely not as large as Amherst
Guess we need to know the definition of "largest". Maybe they have bigger aisles.
Maybe mostly LGB Scale.
Regards, Chris
nealknowsThis is my first time going to TrainFest
So, how was the show?
Inquiring minds would like to know.
Hi maxman,
As you know, I'm a vendor and to me, this show on Saturday was well attended. The first 3 hours at the show we were very busy. Sellers around me were busy as well and people were walking around with bags of goodies. Sunday was okay, and it died down around 1PM as the Packers were playing at 3:30 that afternoon. Speaking with other dealers at the show, some gave mixed reviews. I happened to speak to one of my dealers today, and he said it was okay, but looking forward to it going back to the fairgrounds in 2025.
Some of the complaints were the cost of admission and the cost to park your vehicle; very expensive.
I did speak to some of the manufacturers and they said it was good for them.
What I don't like is the separation of the manufacturers only in one area and sellers in another area. I think it would be better for everyone if it was mixed like they do it at the Amherst show.
They didn't announce attendance either, something many people would have liked to know...
Still debating about going next year as I heard the NMRA is taking over Trainfest and the guy who does the show setups will not be doing it. Bill Grove does a good job and I think that counts for something. The NMRA isn't in the show business, and should leave it to the professionals. I heard that the NTS this past year had issues as well with the way it was set up. Glad we didn't go..
See you at Springfield!
Thanks for the feed back. Guess what I was really wondering was which show gets the "America's biggest" award.
Amherst hands down, or hands up!!
All righty then. Case closed.
I'll look for you at Amherst. Same location for you? I'm BLE section 40 EFG
I just looked now. Yes, BLE 2A, G and H. I'll have to look and see who is at I.
See you there.
Edit: I is going to be Dwarvin Lighting System. Are they a competitor of yours?
maxman Edit: I is going to be Dwarvin Lighting System. Are they a competitor of yours?
Not at all. We do different things. Even it was similar, we do what we do and they do what they do. Worst thing to do in business is to keep worrying about others and looking over your shoulder. Keep looking and they run right by you.
See you soon...
Gents, whereas we seem to be a dying breed here, I'll be sure to track you down to say Howdy. I actually did a couple of years ago, but maybe now we're such a smaller group it will be more meaningful to do so.