Allentown Train Show

Looks like you did well.

 

I saw a ton of things I wanted to bring home with me, but settled on a Lionel Pennsylvania "Coal Goes To War" hopper, 2014 price guide (time to retire the 07' edition), and a few local railroad photos.

Hi Art,

 

Good for you, it was great seeing you today

 

Thanks,

Alex

A good time was had by all. (I read that somewhere! )

Had a great time today and it was jammed, the crowd was very heavy. 

 

I ran my greyhound challenger that was upgraded by Alex Mallie, with the 3rd speaker in the boiler really improves the sound. Thanks again Alex.

Same here Alex.

 

Art

Chuck

 

     It was good to see you today, glad we had some time to talk.

 

Art

It seemed like there were more "8 o'clock" folks than ever before. Even 8 minutes after the opening, the line was still around the corner. By 9:30 the asiles were getting tough to navigate.

Chuck, I think the tearing-off of the ticket tab is enough to slow down the entry process (we were wondering why the line did not move faster, since everyone already had a ticket).

Was there yesterday also---had a great time

Lots of people---we left around noontime and they were still coming in

The parking lot was packed

Looked like the old days

 

Two meets in a row (York and Allentown) I've actually came home with some trains

Joe S

Where is the 11AM pic?

Any HamFam pics?

 

Wish I could have been there!

I went to the show yesterday, and it was an enjoyable way to spend the day. Unfortunately, I did not find anything I had to have except for an MTH catalog I bought at the OGR booth. I also found prices at the Allentown show to be higher than what I am accustomed to seeing at shows on Long Island, even by some Long Island sellers!

 

This was my first time at Allentown show and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Although we arrived at diner too late for breakfast I was able to pick up early admission tickets from Chuck and arrived at fairgrounds at 7:45 to an already long line and by lunchtime venue was indeed crowded.

Although my search for MTH Premier Strasburg #89 3-Rail 4-4-0 Steam Engine, item 20-3172-1 (2005, volume 1 catalog was unsuccessful (if anyone can help me locate one I'd be very grateful indeed), I did however score a couple of other very gratifying gems including a new Lionel factory sealed in plastic with outer shipping box LionChief Polar Express set for $195.00 courtesy of my dear wife who accompanied me to the show and spotted the set at Pete Costa's tables while I was doing a second walk around search for the Strasburg loco. (She surprise gifted me with the LionChief PE as she remembered me saying a week or so earlier I was interested in it. Thanks, honey.) Also picked up a Lionel Strasburg 1252 shifter shell from Ed Boyle at OGR and two Miller Engineering OGR Railroading Magazine lighted signs Ed was kind enough to bring to the show for me. (thanks, Ed.)

Wish I had known before reading in another post today that OGR was selling forum member pins at York, (which I unfortunately missed due to a pinched nerve injury my wife incurred two days before York), as I would have asked Ed to also bring one of those to. (If you read this, Ed, please email me how I can get a pin if any are still available).

Anyway, left about 2 pm with isles crowded and some people still coming into parking lot looking for spaces.

I wish we'd been able to make it for breakfast with the OGR group so I could have met more of you nice people I've dealt from this forum.

 

Great show as always. Attendance seemed vey strong. I arrived at 9:00 and left about 1:00. Good crowd the whole time. One thing I did notice was there seemed to be more people than usual carrying packages to their cars. I was glad to see it...seemed like a good day for the vendors.

 

I bought more than I expected to. Couldn't help myself, there were some great deals.

 

I picked up 8 K-line PRR stream lighted passenger and post office cars.  I love these cars, detailed interior and just the right size for my 031 turns.  At $30.00 a car they are a great deal. I paint the interiors, add LED lighting and figures and they come out really great.  

 

I picked up some needed parts and supplies as usual and a MTH Imperial M1 Mountain at Gryzboski Trains.

 

Allentown is my favorite show. Great displays also.  It's the only chance I get to see HO items so I always browse those tables also.

 

It is open today so if you can, hop in the car and get yourself there.  It's not to be missed!

 

 

I had a great time yesterday.  I met Alex M. and exchanged some engines with him (picked up my PRR Y3 and J1a that now have 4-chuffs/rev, and dropped off two engines for sound and command upgrades).  I always enjoy talking with Alex; he is energetic, knowledgeable, and a great ambassador for the hobby.  I also had nice talks with several other folks there about trains and things.

 

This was my first time to this show and it will probably be my last.  While it was great to talk to everyone, there were few booths there that had items that interested me (newer scale-dimensioned stuff). As mentioned in earlier posts, this all scales show’s O gauge items were mostly post war and MPC era and train sets.  Public Delivery Track was there, but they had the same items they had at York.  The show did have some great operating layouts (N, HO, S, and O).  Overall, not quite worth the 8 hour round trip for me.

My Girlfriend and I went yesterday.  This was my first every train show/meet.  Had a blast!  I'm still new in the game and have a tiny layout comparatively.  That didn't stop me from spending.  Got my first diesel

 

I know my future holds some Bethlehem Steel cars and I just couldn't walk by this beauty.

 

We only stayed a few hours.  I don't have the money and Girlfriend didn't have the patience.  So I came home and finished the cork roadbed and ran my new toy around to test.  

Oddly enough, the last few times at Allentown I only bought some Woodland Scenics ready-made "HO" buildings that were large enough to look OK on my "S" layout. The prices on the "O" versions of these buildings were also very good.

Allentown is a great show.  Enjoyed talking with everybody at the breakfast  Never seem to make the pic at the OGR booth.  For those that go to the show I can honestly say there are two things that make it better than any but they are both in the Farmers market. 1- Marianne's peanut butter and jelly donuts 2- Philly Cheesesteak housed in a Pretzel coating at the Amish food stand.

Ben,

 

  It was good seeing you guys.

 

Art 

Breakfast at the Hamfam, receiving a gift from Ben, Alex bringing the hat I left at his house this past summer, conversation with Chuck, and some friendly teasing by Vinnie, these alone made the trip worth while.  Having my wife join me for the first time ever at a train show was special.  She actually enjoyed looking at the trains on the tables and asking whether I had this one or that one.

 

 

The highlight for me was when my girlfriend saw the HO stuff and went "Lame!"...not just the first time, but EVERY time we passed a table of smaller gauge!  She may be a keeper.

Here are some layout photos:

 

 

 

Forum member Leighline's "Timesaver" -3 modules!

 

That's Water vapor and NOT smoke comming out of the cooling tower!

 

On the way back from York, I stopped in and had a late lunch at the Amish food stand.  I can tell you the buffalo chicken and bleu cheese pretzel wrap is a winner as well! 

 

- Mike

Sorry I'm late with these. I packed up the modules, went home, had my son help me unload and haul everything to the train room, then sat down to a nice hot, stick to your ribs meal prepared by my loving wife. So, for all you guys and gals chomping at the bit to see the 11 o'clock photo, here it is. I have included some shots for the Ham Fam Breakfast. I did not take as many as usual, as my battery decided to die early. Sam, please post the shots you took. I'm sure everyone will like to see them.

 

 

 

The 11 o'clock shot 

 

Mike and Joe contemplate their menus. Neither ordered foo-foo pancakes or waffles.

 

Chuck (Alentown) takes his cut of the proceeds (Just kidding!)Meanwhile Banker Bill casts a skeptical eye over the transactions.

 

Some of our mottley crew. And a fine crew as ever there was!

 

Devlin smiles for the camera.

Chris

LVHR

Breakfast as usual was wonderful, seeing everyone again and listening to the stories and adventures. I don't think Chuck ate anything this time around so the whipped cream can stayed on the shelf. The show was packed, even with an early admit ticket we waited on line to get in for a good fifteen minutes with the line slowly moving. Good thing it was not raining or snowing. John Devlin joined us on line so the time waiting was spent in good conversation. Great to see Ed and Don again at the OGR booth. They seemed to get busy very quickly. Once 9AM hit the show got packed and isles filled up. Bought a real nice set of 2600 series passenger cars from 1940 from a very pleasant gentleman named Herb. And got a super great deal on a pair of remote 027 switches from Ted ( TedsGG1 here on the forum ) and had a wonderful time at the OGR booth chatting with friends waiting for the photo shoot.

Thanks as always to Chuck for making the arrangements at the restaurant, and for having the early tickets available for sale. Looking forward to February.

 

Enjoy

 

Frank                    

Not lost on us was the absence of the late Bill Parisi. Bill really loved First Frost and Spring Thaw in Allentown. Heck, Bill loved everything about the hobby and the people in it.

Very Good Thread. Great folks enjoying other great folks. Great bunch of people.

 

Thanks for your posts everyone.

AMEN!  He is much missed around here.

I saw the OGR picture being taken.  When I heard "take another" I headed there but alas, it was not meant to be.  Maybe in the Spring.

 

I enjoyed walking the aisles early on but later it got very congested (a good thing).

 

I picked up all the parts I needed and some seperate sale Lionel electronic tenders for my friend who sets up several booths at the Kutztown Renniger's Flea Market/Antique Mall.

 

Also scored two restorable/rebuildable transformers:  a 275 W ZW for $70 and a 1033 for $8.  They are already done and ready to go.  Either of the two shops I repair for will make quick work of them this train season.

 

Looking forward to Gilbertsville on 1 Dec.

Great Show and had a good time. Sales were good and I got to see some customers I only see at the show plus all the store regulars came by.. Always a fun event.

 

 

Arrived about 11 am Sat. and rushed in to get in the last OGR shot [not  the one above though]. I had made a misstart when I found out I had left the directions at home about six miles from home and went back for them. Found several items I was looking for and made a purchase of two OGR videos at the booth. Talked to David1 while standing next to KING CHEF Vinny and chatted with TrainDesil while walking through the hall. I had hoped to maybe meet Alex M and other forum members but I guess my eyes were too much on the tables. As others have said it was very crowded when I arrived but thinned out by the time left around 3 pm. Went to the Farmers  Market to get a Sho-fly-pie requested by my Grandauther, stopped for shopping several places on the way home. All and all a good day. Past the Ham Fam on the way in and out; now have to convince myself to get up early to go for breakfast at future shows. Shure is nice to sleep in on Sat.  

Arrived at 1030, managed to get into the forum picture, picked up a building front and an entertaining story from Ed Boyle, a DZ-1008, a gas station kit, and some odds and ends.  Still wish Ross Custom Switches would make the trip but I guess the return on investment for the travel time just isn't there.  Between the new OGR hotel and the other buildings being produced by some manufacturers, there will probably be some urban renewal taking place rather soon.

       
       

I do recall seeing RCS at the Allentown show several years ago (in the corner area adjacent to Grzyboski Trains.  Perhaps they tried it once or twice, but found the numbers didn't work for them.  They have such a big booth at York, and both shows are close to each other on the calendar -- especially Fall.

I attended the show on Sunday, 'cause I had prior committmitments to be in NJ on Saturday.  Grzyboski Trains was nice enough to bring two #305 Hellgate Bridges for the Standard Gauge layout I'm building, so I wouldn't need to have them ship the bridges.  Also picked up a couple pieces of standard gauge rolling stock from JusTrains.

Always a great show... Something about the Allentown show always seems to "feel good" even though there have been changes over the years.  Miss seeing Charles Ro at the show, but it's been a few years since they've been there.

David

David,

 

Since you are now the proud owner of two Lionel #305 Hellgate Bridges, I think you will be interested in the the article we did about the #305 in the the current issue OGR as part of Collector's Gallery.

 

Ed Boyle

Folks,

 

Don and I just got back from Allentown a couple of hours ago.  We had a great time meeting everyone on Saturday and Sunday.  I want you to know that we did go by the Ham/Fam Saturday morning, but we were not finished setting up yet so we had to do a "fly by" instead of a visit.

 

We were so busy at the booth that I almost missed the 11 AM photo!  My thanks to Ted Schwartz of ATMA and a couple of other good  folks for reminding me to get in the shot.

 

It was so nice to hear from those you who asked about Bill Parisi. You all are right, he will be missed and Allentown brings home that fact.

 

Checked after I got back for those who asked,  we are making up more six story hotel kits so urban renewal on your layouts can continue with Ameri-Towne.

 

Great show and great memories, now we are going to have to take a work break here at International World Headquarters.

 

Ed Boyle

 

 

1. Note how those two guys have a certain glow about them.  

2. Train races for the kids!  The kids love them. First prize is a Lionel Docksider!

3. Dear Barbara, note how chummy Ed is getting with that nice lady.  Dear Ed, I have the negatives!

4. A moment of levity at the OGR booth.  Forget anything nice I said about you, Don!

 

 

 

Who makes that nuklear power plant, and that tower that the smoke is coming out in the picture above?

 

Ed,  yes... That was an excellent article, and I used it to help decide which version of the Hellgate Bridges to get.  The two models Lionel produced in 1999 (#6-32904 and #6-32999) are a bit wider and longer than the earlier #300 bridges produced by Lionel decades ago -- and still being produced (from what I understand) by MTH for their 10-series and 11-series tinplate accessory products.

 

Many thanks!!!

 

David

My two favorite pictures.

Ann and I watched the children's train races from the benches along the wall, while sitting there I met, totally by accident, a former member of my train club who I had not seen in 10 years.  He moved to NJ and now has an 1100 sq ft layout that he's working on. Small world.

 

The nuclear plant is my favorite accessory!

 

I picked up a Gazebo.  My girlfriend wanted one when we saw them at the 2012 Fall York show.  The dealer didn’t bring any with her at the 2013 spring and wasn’t there at the Fall York show.  I guess the signs are right.  The best time to buy a train or accessory is when you see it, because you may not see them again.