Sounds like you had a great time.  It was chilly this morning in Virginia, about 22F.  Had a tough time starting the old tractor.  

And the slab of Scrapple was hard as a cinder block.  Had to make do with bacon & eggs.  

Great seeing all the guys. Well, at least most of them.  I score three out-of-box MTH buildings at very deep discount as well as "Christmas Vacation" and "Elf" boxcars for my daughters. Looking forward to Spring Thaw....in more ways than one!

TOBY!!!!

Scrambler81 posted:

Got started a little later than I like, but it worked out well. Had a nice breakfast, then got a great parking spot and threw in a DVD. My episode of Wild, Wild West ended around 8:15, and by then the line was completely gone, so I walked right in. I was mostly buying odds and ends, like some die cast, but on the way out I offered a real low bid for a Thomas starter set, and it was accepted. Don’t know why, but I still get a kick out of Thomas, so why not?

I bought 4 items and all 4 vendors accepted my "low-ball" offer.

1. I asked two vendors "How much do you need for xyz?" He replied with the same number I had in my head.
2. I had one vendor drop the price 3 times while I was standing there claiming he didn't want to take it home.  He was really close to what my wife said she wanted to spend on it (which I thought was a REAL low-ball offer!) but I took the shot and said "You don't know what my wife said." "How much?" he replied.  "$xx" I said sheepishly.  "Tell your wife she just got the deal of the century."  Boy did she!  About 35% off his sticker.
3. Vendor only had one left, the display.  He knocked a few bucks off the sticker but was still a little higher than what I had in my wallet.  I took a shot "I literally only have $xx left in my wallet."  "I can live with that, let me find a box."

I came home with 4 purchases that brought me joy and $0 left in my wallet.

Oh, and a full belly and some new friends.

Thanks Chuck & ATMA!

John, I didn't realize that your wife let you buy any trains stuff while she was watching!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

John, I didn't realize that your wife let you buy any trains stuff while she was watching!

She wasn't there, but approved all purchases via audio and video. She is a VERY supportive wife and even picks out trains sometimes, too! 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

John, I didn't realize that your wife let you buy any trains stuff while she was watching!

He had to give her $40. to spend at the farmer's market. That's why he ran out of money.

Saw allot of people, got into the ogr picture and got two more of the lighted Christmas houses from MTH. Also I talked so much I almost lost my voice. 

Dave

Pulled out of NJ around 8:30 and 22*.  Arrived at Allentown 1:10 later.  The meet was pretty busy and there were fantastic buys galore.  Met lots of old train friends and had good chats with all.  This train show has always been one of the best and this year the show lived up to its name.  The usual large dealers were there Nicolas Smith, Gyzboskis, Town and Country, OGR, along with many of the smaller ones.  Didn't find much on my want list but still had a great time and left with $50 in food purchases from the humongous Farmers Market on the fairgrounds across the way.   This meet has always been a must attend event and I hope to be going there for years to come.

david1 posted:

... and got two more of the lighted Christmas houses from MTH.  ....

MTH has really hit a grand slam with the LED products.  Dealers can't even hang on to the flat cars with trees and crates.  They're gone as soon as they receive them.  Just Trains only brought ONE white flat car with the white crate, and I grabbed it around 8:15am when I saw it.   Then later snagged the Polar Express colored ones from Nicholas Smith!

I also grabbed an MTH Polar Express style aquarium car that had skaters moving about in the animated windows.  The LED lighting in the MTH aquarium cars is much more superior to the older-style incandescent bulbs.  Very evenly illuminated.  Heard lots of passers-by commenting positively on the display model too.  I wish Lionel would adopt similar technologies for their aquarium cars, as they've taken a disappointing turn in recent years.

Heading out the door shortly, sounds like deals are to be had. See you soon Chris and all of the  Lehigh Valley Hirailers.

Did not see any Canadian Pacific E-8s.

Chris

LVHR

A fun meet - completely different feel from York. So many interesting items to be had, and yes, deals.  Been going on and off for many years. Went Sunday this year - quieter than Saturday, but enjoyable.

I didn't see or get any good deals. Was there from 1 to close, most packed it up rather than lose $10. But I did get a TCS speaker for my Bachmann NS GP38-2, picked up the L&NE DVD Volumes 1,2,3 and a Reading DVD for my oldest son for his birthday. Steam to Diesel transition 1940's to mid 1960's. Grabbed a brand new lifelike HO power pack from Hennings for $1.50, every one else was selling used packs for $8-10. I had a $20 bill out, a table had 2 HO atlas L&NE coal cars for $15 each. Said this is all I have left, would you take 20 for both. He packed them in the box to take home.

DL&W Pete posted:

"I didn't see or get any good deals..."

I guess the $1.50 power pack from Hennings wasn't a good deal if you consider it a gift... 

I'm glad we are getting Sunday reports because I've only been on Saturday so it's good to hear how things went.

Tuscan Jim posted:

DL&W Pete posted:

"I didn't see or get any good deals..."

I guess the $1.50 power pack from Hennings wasn't a good deal if you consider it a gift... 

I'm glad we are getting Sunday reports because I've only been on Saturday so it's good to hear how things went.

That was the price on the power pack already, I wanted the two L&NE coal cars. That would of been my good deal, we had plenty of room to walk through the isle's today.

I made my Frost err First trip to Allentown on Saturday. Great crowd as the halls were really packed. I got a Great deal on an MTH Genset Diesel  in BNSF colors I also picked up some rolling stock.

I met Chris from the NJ independent Hi-Railers modular club. Chris bought a few cars that I posted here on the forum and I was happy to deliver. As soon as I handed the cars to Chris he had them placed into a long freight consist. (thanks Chris). 

DL&W Pete posted:

Tuscan Jim posted:

DL&W Pete posted:

"I didn't see or get any good deals..."

I guess the $1.50 power pack from Hennings wasn't a good deal if you consider it a gift... 

I'm glad we are getting Sunday reports because I've only been on Saturday so it's good to hear how things went.

That was the price on the power pack already, I wanted the two L&NE coal cars. That would of been my good deal, we had plenty of room to walk through the isle's today.

I guess I would have been a bit surprised as well when he took the cars back home rather than accept your offer on the last day of the show.

Went with my Dad and son. Great day. Met Ed Boyle. Nice guy and stopped to chat. Also got a KW, more plasticville, and a made in the US GP38 from the 90s, NOS, for my son. 

Went Sunday, didn't expect to come home with anything major, but went prepared.

Came home with a Premier Allegheny

(pictured on page 106 of the "buy anything cool?" thread)

---PCJ

lehighline posted:

On of the dealers brought this little critter over. Very cool! It's On30, and battery powered with remote control.

Chris

LVHR

Oh boy, do I wish I owned that! Does anyone know who makes it or did the owner make it? If one of a kind, I wonder if the owner would consider making others to sell?

Sure looks like a home brew job to me.

Had a good show, was COLD Saturday morning when we made it to Macungie to railfan.

MAJOR DCS problems we had.