2022 TrainFest- Milwaukee

I made the trip with my boys for Saturday. We were very excited that the show was back on after the three year hiatus. From my perspective, I’d say the show has shifted more heavily towards an operating layout format with an estimated 2/3 of floor space dedicated to various clubs. Some of the better vendors that have been regular attendees were absent. I particularly missed Scenery Express, Stoddart (I realize they are in transition) and other mid-tier high quality vendors. It was great to see Ross Custom Switches, Mr. Muffins Trains and Sommerfeld’s there! Overall, the show only provided us with about an hour of entertainment which makes it way too expensive of an event. Next year I will be sure to check the exhibitor and vendor list before buying tickets and making the 3 hour round trip drive.

Attendance appeared to be extremely robust which is very positive for the future of the show.

https://ogrforum.com/...2#167825581139688512

see the link for pics and videos of the show!!!

The show was very busy all day long on Saturday. The addition of dealers selling used items helped broaden the offerings.

I was there for two hours as my wife worked at the show and didn’t really get to see everything. I could have kept myself engaged all day and spent plenty of money if I was so inclined.

Definitely glad Trainfest is back, and I’m hoping people see the value in a show that was reportedly a money loser for years because of the rate structure and the costly venue it’s in.

A highlight for my wife was meeting Michael Gross at the show.

best  show in WI but I miss the days when the aisle's were packed

Thanks for everyone’s feedback and pictures!!
I am glad to hear it was so well attended!

Carl J

@Jim R. posted:

The show was very busy all day long on Saturday. The addition of dealers selling used items helped broaden the offerings.

I was there for two hours as my wife worked at the show and didn’t really get to see everything. I could have kept myself engaged all day and spent plenty of money if I was so inclined.

Definitely glad Trainfest is back, and I’m hoping people see the value in a show that was reportedly a money loser for years because of the rate structure and the costly venue it’s in.

Sadly with the vastly reduced amount of vendors, one of the main reasons many attend, we didn't find anything to purchase.

If the show was a money loser for years why would they keep it going to lose even more$$? Many we talked with said they had seen it all it 2 hours and probably wouldn't return next year. Hopefully they'll review this years show and fix problem issues.

@BobbyD posted:

Sadly with the vastly reduced amount of vendors, one of the main reasons many attend, we didn't find anything to purchase.

If the show was a money loser for years why would they keep it going to lose even more$$? Many we talked with said they had seen it all it 2 hours and probably wouldn't return next year. Hopefully they'll review this years show and fix problem issues.

The show is under different management and ownership. That’s why it’s back.

I’m not sure who you talked to, but dealers I talked to were happy with sales, and I was squeezing past people in the aisles for two hours. I’m sure a few people expecting the same number of vendors as in 2019 were disappointed, but there was plenty of stuff in HO and N scale to satisfy the bulk of the crowd. O gauge was definitely light.

And most of the crowd attending with families were there for the layouts, not the deep-interest hobby sales. That’s something some hobbyists never seem to understand.

It will be back next year. That will determine if folks overall felt it was worth the ticket price this year.

Remember many of those  venders , hobby shops, manufacturers ,clubs no longer exist. Much of it because of the attitude " I didn't find what I want , so I'm not going  back"  This  me, me , me attitude that may be one reason  why so many  shows  , and the hobby in general are in decline. 

Lionel had the Base 3 there controlling multiple trains with app.  Talked to Ryan and he stated they hope to have them in June. Not the best picture, he did state it will be a darker grey color.

@BobbyD posted:

Sadly with the vastly reduced amount of vendors, one of the main reasons many attend, we didn't find anything to purchase.

If the show was a money loser for years why would they keep it going to lose even more$$? Many we talked with said they had seen it all it 2 hours and probably wouldn't return next year. Hopefully they'll review this years show and fix problem issues.

What show were you at?  I thought we were talking about Trainfest.  I was there on Saturday - HUGE line to get in at the opening.  The vendor area was packed until early afternoon.  Lots of cottage industries that I had never seen before - there seems to be a lot of new blood in the hobby, which is a great sign.  I didn't notice that the number of vendors was significantly less than last time.

I spent 2-3 hours just looking at all of the layouts, and that is what Trainfest was about.

The only notable thing missing from previous shows was the dedicated kids' activity area and ride-on train.  Considering the square footage those things used to occupy, I think that there was actually more area devoted to vendors and club layouts.

@Jim R. posted:

The show is under different management and ownership. That’s why it’s back.

I’m not sure who you talked to, but dealers I talked to were happy with sales, and I was squeezing past people in the aisles for two hours. I’m sure a few people expecting the same number of vendors as in 2019 were disappointed, but there was plenty of stuff in HO and N scale to satisfy the bulk of the crowd. O gauge was definitely light.

And most of the crowd attending with families were there for the layouts, not the deep-interest hobby sales. That’s something some hobbyists never seem to understand.

It will be back next year. That will determine if folks overall felt it was worth the ticket price this year.

This is the show I attended!  The focus has always been on the layouts - if Trainfest was just about selling trains it wouldn't draw nearly the crowd that it does, especially the families.  I know that I wouldn't drive for several hours and pay $20 just for a train sale.

Considering the size of the crowd, the hefty admission charge, and the fact that they don't pay the clubs to display their layouts, it would be a feat of mismanagement to lose money hosting the show.

My only complaint was with the fairgrounds - whoever decided that the parking charge was card-only should be fired.  Took 20 minutes to go the 100 feet from the gate to the parking booth because they couldn't figure out how to get some folks' credit card to work - no problem-solving skills.  Just take cash, people!

@Mallard4468 posted:

The only notable thing missing from previous shows was the dedicated kids' activity area and ride-on train.  Considering the square footage those things used to occupy, I think that there was actually more area devoted to vendors and club layouts.

As a dad with boys that were all excited about riding that train I can assure you that was a huge foul. Granted the club was there and showed off their trains, but that was just insult to injury as far as my guys were concerned. Now granted that wasn’t one of my top reasons for attending, but if the show is truly interested in grabbing the next generation they need to rethink this one.

I would really like to see more o gauge and scenery vendors which I will be sharing with the show organizers. I believe offering suggestions can help this show return to glory. The venue is very nice and the crowds were huge on Saturday when we were there so let’s keep pushing to improve it!!

I attended Trainfest this year with a bit of trepidation........I was not sure of how this show was going to pan out, like many of you did.    I am not a fan of either Kalmbach, or Train Shows Inc.  However,  I was honestly surprised by the crowds.  Yes, there were many smaller cottage industry companies missing, partly due to the cost of vendor space, but uncertainty of the shows attendance as well, I'm sure .  Now regarding the parking fiasco with credit cards over cash, I agree fully...However in past years, the firm who handled the parking had high theft issues with cash missing, considering who they had working for them, and that is all I will say!   That was the reason for the credit card only policy this year.    But I agree with the c.c. issues that they were having, very poor planning.   

Overall, I had a great time, having attended both days.   I did find some great buys, including finding at one both that kind of looked like a bunch of flea market stuff, a brass O scale deck plate girder bridge span, for the hefty sum of $25.......Yes, $25!       I will attend next year.   As others had stated, hopefully the vendor attendance will continue to grow.     I always like to see the smaller mom and pop firms that sometimes make neat stuff that the big boys dismiss producing!   The layouts were a plus, as well.

My only real gripe with the show, was only one entrance was open to get in, get out!   They should have had two entrances open, as in years past, for better access.   Just my opinion.