Train Shows in the South East.....

[Meyblc]

I'm sorry if I sound like I'm venting, but what is the story with Train Shows (Hobby Shows) here in the South East? This past weekend I went to the "great Western Railroad" show in Charolette, NC. Words can't begin to express how disappointed I was in the show. They must have had 50 tables for vendors. Of these 50 tables, 48 of them were vendors who were selling stuff that looked as though they just pulled the stuff out of an attic or basement. I could only find 2 vendors who had fairly new product from Atlas, Proto2000, Kato ect.

It just drives me nuts to drive 100 miles to get to "the Largest Show in N.C.", pay $2.00 to park, $8.00 to get in the front door only to realize that it really isn't a show but rather a swap meet.

What gives???

[willy6]

Being i live here in the southeast, about 45 miles west of Charleston, train shows are not high on the food chain. Hunting and Fishing expo's are.They have one in Columbia, SC every year which is not too bad, one in savannah, Ga, which is better and one in Charleston the 2nd week in Nov, which is thin in the skin. Model Railroading in this part of country is way down the list of hobbies, it's below "earthworm collecting". The only people i know involved in MR in these parts are all yankee transplants.So i'm sure the MR train show people know this and thus the poor turnout of vendors. Florida has a good bit of shows and hobby stores only because most of the residents are from the north. I'm a firm believer, MR is a northern,cold weather hobby. Look in the back of MRR magazine, most of the hobby store listings are north.

[ChessieFan13]

Meyblc.....................there is a decent show comming up in march at Greenbo St Park in Ky. Its a bit of a haul for you but to my knolage its a decent show. spelling is not a strong point. --------------------------------------^ Its billed as the best small show in the country. Free parking, Free admission, Free rides on a 7 1/2" Guage live steam train. 75 dealer tables etc...........if ya want more info just say so

J.W...................................................pirate for hire

[Anonymous]

Meybic,

What you experienced, unfortunately, appears to be the decline of the company formerly known as GATS - the Great American Train Show. I'm a vendor, and I'm not sure what has happened at the top, but every GWATS (formerly GATS) show this year has been a shell of its former self. I wasn't at Charlotte due to another commitment.

There are some good shows in the southeast.

Next month (March 11) there's a great club show in Atlanta - the Piedmont Division show at the Cobb County Civic Center.

Golden Spike and Greenberg hold shows in Norcross (Atlanta) that are worth the trip. Check their web sites for dates.

The Savannah show previously mentioned is nice club show, also.

Mike Tennent

[trainnoobn]

I will be attending my first train show this coming weekend in Jacksonville, I hope it's a good one.......

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: I will be attending my first train show this coming weekend in Jacksonville, I hope it's a good one.......

It's a Golden Spike show and it's generally pretty good.

Stop by and say "hi." (Look for IronPenguin Electronics.)

Mike Tennent

[Meyblc]

Thanks Ironpenguin,

I think I will make the drive out there to Atlanta and check it out