The BIG E in West Springfield, MA. Jan. 26th & 27th.

And more photos.

More.

Additional photos

More

Thanks for the great photos!

And more.

Guess.

Last ones.

I missed a couple.

Don, thanks for shooting and posting the photos--too many for me to count--can't imagine you missed anything and, as a consequence, neither did we.

Darn Don, you were busy

Great pictures.

Thanks, Don.......I feel like I was there.......

Peter

Don,

No girls in skin tight jumpsuits this year? 

DMASSO posted:

I missed a couple.

I hate to see these fantastic engines. They make me want to start in another scale!

Just Beautiful!

beachhead2 posted:

Don,

No girls in skin tight jumpsuits this year? 

Actually she walked right by us but my camera was in my pocket before I could react. 

Engineer-Joe posted:

DMASSO posted:

I missed a couple.

I hate to see these fantastic engines. They make me want to start in another scale!

Just Beautiful!

This club is in my home town, come on over and I can get you a ride

DMASSO posted:

The Atlas rep on the right, with his hands in his pocket was rudely dismissive and belittling to my questions. I had asked one of his colleagues if they'd ever heard of or themselves run their O-Scale F3 on O-27 track. (I've recently switched to running almost entirely scale-sized—Williams GP9s, K-Line MP15s—and shorter, O-Scale rolling stock, such as 40' boxcars, two-bay hoppers, 52' gondolas, etc.) The rep I was speaking with asked the rep on the right in the photo, and the latter's response was "O-27 is for toys, these are scale engines." When I asked for a specific reason, is it because the cars are too close and pinch on the curves, or something else, his response was again, "It's because O-27 is for toys." I cannot emphasize enough how belittling, rude, and offensive his tone was. I don't remember a comparable experience with a vendor of any sort, not just model trains.

Thanks Gary!

I saw the engines close at this show up last year. They looked amazing to me. If I had more land I'd dive into that scale too.

We have Mud Creek RR club near to us and I have got a chance to ride on their trains. It's another great part of this hobby.

DaveJfr0 posted:

O-36 Minimum

 

Probably would have been a better response from the rep!

Matt_GNo27 posted:

DMASSO posted:

The Atlas rep on the right, with his hands in his pocket was rudely dismissive and belittling to my questions. I had asked one of his colleagues if they'd ever heard of or themselves run their O-Scale F3 on O-27 track. (I've recently switched to running almost entirely scale-sized—Williams GP9s, K-Line MP15s—and shorter, O-Scale rolling stock, such as 40' boxcars, two-bay hoppers, 52' gondolas, etc.) The rep I was speaking with asked the rep on the right in the photo, and the latter's response was "O-27 is for toys, these are scale engines." When I asked for a specific reason, is it because the cars are too close and pinch on the curves, or something else, his response was again, "It's because O-27 is for toys." I cannot emphasize enough how belittling, rude, and offensive his tone was. I don't remember a comparable experience with a vendor of any sort, not just model trains.

I am Sorry but I will have to disagree with your statement that Billy S.- Atlas O's Main Fix it man was rude to you. I was there in the background when you asked your question and in Billy's usual monotone voice he did say that O-27 is for toys, these are scale engines and cars but Billy also tried to explain to you that the 027 Curve [which is really Trolley track at best] is not really suited for O scale detailed equipment. Some of the cars can bind on the curve  and or snag each other's details- especially the longer cars.

Sorry if the Truth hurts but what else did you want to hear?

Don,

Thanks for all the photos. I was there all day - both days but still didn't see everything you photographed.

MELGAR

here are some of my photos... mainly shots of the various scale layouts that gave me some interesting ideas...

A G scale Container crane... origins a la Helgin HO perhapse?

Lionel's NEW to be released Defect Detector! IT maybe difficult to convert the "rails" over from Fastrak.

an HO scale Hell Gate Bridge being built!  Reminds me of that independent hi-railer in the DC area that built the O gauge Hell Gate module!

The Lionel Booth... I think that's forumite Skip Natoli in white talking to Mr. Ryan while "Mr. Norfolk Southern" another forumite  reflective NS jacket seems to light up in my photo.

MTh Booth on Sunday Afternoon

NOW this is a Military Tank train!... Abeit in G scale!

An O scale Switching Layout

The 1:1 2 foot Narrow Gauge Live Steamer.  This year was a restored 0-4-0T Saddle tank Steam engine as opposed to the Forney Steam Loco from the last two years.

My "Big E" Loot! Some Bargains [86' Boxcar and 30K tank car], A hard to find item [Cargill Foods 30K Tank car w/Freightsounds], and some good deals on details, electronics, and books! Free TTX and New England 2019 Calendars as well as catalogs!

DaveJfr0 posted:

https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-84-0154.aspx

O-36 Minimum according to website.

Right, O-36 I believe is what the first rep told me. I asked what the limiting factor(s) was (were). That's when the second rep started in with his belittling response and attitude. (IIRC, the first thing I said was how nice their models looked.) "I don't know the specific reason for that locomotive, but it is probably . . ." or "Many reasons, . . ." or what have you, are fine. Treating a customer like a four-year-old, and rudely at that, is not.

 OTH, the reps from Lionel, MTH, and Bachmann seemed genuinely interested in my questions and comments.

The Pioneer Valley Live Steamers is always one of my favorite displays. I never cease to be amazed by their crafstmanship.

The Dirty Thirty On30 was another of my favorites—cool scenes and exquisite detail.

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I am Sorry but I will have to disagree with your statement that Billy S.- Atlas O's Main Fix it man was rude to you. I was there in the background when you asked your question and in Billy's usual monotone voice he did say that O-27 is for toys, these are scale engines and cars but Billy also tried to explain to you that the 027 Curve [which is really Trolley track at best] is not really suited for O scale detailed equipment. Some of the cars can bind on the curve  and or snag each other's details- especially the longer cars.

Sorry if the Truth hurts but what else did you want to hear?

(A) I told him that I understood that it was not designed to run on O-27, (B) I told him that, despite that, I run smaller O-scale cars and scale-sized locomotives such as Geeps, (C) I said that I was curious about specific reasons for that particular locomotive. And for a specific reason, he said O-27 is for toys. I was the one who asked if it was due to binding, pinching (between the loco and following loco/car). (I am well aware of the history of O-27 track, and that it wasn't designed for scale equipment.) I have worked in customer-facing positions most of my working life, I know customers should be treated—not like Billy S.

DaveJfr0 posted:

I am working on some videos I took on an iPhone XR, but here are 488 photos I took and put in a shutterfly album.

https://qq0u.app.link/e/IdGaLuUSPT

Just went through them all.  I'd like to see pics of seller's tables too but I'll take what I can get.  I saved a lot of these for layout ideas.  Thank you very much!

DaveJfr0 posted:

beachhead2 posted:

DaveJfr0 posted:

I am working on some videos I took on an iPhone XR, but here are 488 photos I took and put in a shutterfly album.

https://qq0u.app.link/e/IdGaLuUSPT

Just went through them all.  I'd like to see pics of seller's tables too but I'll take what I can get.  I saved a lot of these for layout ideas.  Thank you very much!

The photos were originally for me, but I figured I'd share.

For me, there is a ton of idea/inspirational value from photographing the layouts. There is little to no value to me to take photos of seller's tables, especially at a mostly HO show.  I'm curious why that would be important to you.

I was nitpicking!  The focus should be on "Thank you very much!"

all in all the show is a winner---so many great ideas and products--I have gone the last 2 years and will make it an annual pilgrimage --

I read above that there was only one 3R layout. Were there any O scale 2R layouts other than the switching layout pictured?

Hudson J1e posted:

I read above that there was only one 3R layout. Were there any O scale 2R layouts other than the switching layout pictured?

Not true there were plenty of 0 3R O 2R andO narrow layouts most O 3r were aimed at kids in Mallory Hall.

Hudson J1e posted:

I read above that there was only one 3R layout. Were there any O scale 2R layouts other than the switching layout pictured?

If you go again next year, be sure to see the 2-rail O scale layout of the New Haven Society of Model Engineers in the Better Living Center. There is a riveted brass operating model of the Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge on the New Haven Railroad (now Metro-North and Amtrak) that crosses the Housatonic River between Stratford and Milford, Connecticut. The model was built around the time of WW2. These pictures were taken at the show on January 25, 2015. Same in 2019.

MELGAR

MELGAR and ARNOLD. CRIBARI visited the show on Sunday. MELGAR was also there on Saturday and purchased a Lionel Docksider (to appear in Switcher Saturday) and yet another (Weaver) New Haven caboose - spending a total of 15 hours at the show on the two days. MELGAR's daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons joined us at the show on Sunday afternoon. Arnold bought scenery products for a revamping of a part of his layout and - just as we were walking out the door - a beautiful model of a boat for the "water" on his layout. In my opinion, if you live in New England and like model railroading, this is the best show of the year. All gauges and model railroading activities represented to some degree.

MELGAR

Nice photo of you two. 

so Arnold, what was your first time attendance  impression? 

Leroof

when I found out the dates for this show, called my son(he lives 1 1/2hr south of springfield.)

drove down Friday night. Saturday morning my son and I and his girl friend and their 18month old drove

up to the show. forgot to tell them about the crowds and parking, although we only waited about 10 min to get parking,

once inside with our wrist bands, it was a wonderful time. we only made it through 3 builds but that was enough.

Goods times with family, got to see some familiar faces at show and there is something for everyone.