Amherst Railroad Hobby Show

As far as O gauge goes, it's no York... it's a mixture of all gauges!

We always go for one day and cover the 4 buildings. Plenty of O gauge, but I'd guess mostly HO.

Ed

One day should be enough. The show has everything for everybody and there is a lot of O gauge. Try to get there early for a good parking spot. If you get there too late, you park in the mud.

It seems like there is more O gauge every year, but there are tons of operating layouts. You can get a lot of good ideas for your layout.

I attended for the first time last year. There were many O scale vendors there and many layouts to see. Ed Boyle and myself will be manning the OGR booth.

I plan to be there, weather cooperating.

How about the Forum members at the OGR booth, say 1400? Saturday and/or Sunday


cc

Here is the link to the lshow. On the web site there are PDF files of vendors and locations. The OGR booth will be located in the Better Living Center, Section 60, Tables G, H, & I, which is near the Southern New England O Scale layout.

IMHO, the show is well worth attending. Weather permitting, I attend every year. There are plenty of "O" gauge trains there. Traditionally some big dealers are there, such as Charlie Ro, and Grzyboski. There is also at least one Lionel parts dealer there.
Some manufacturers send representatives and displays.
Many operating layouts in multiple scales.

I think most folks would be able to do the entire show in one day.
It does get very crowded.

I just looked at the site map, they moved a bunch of stuff around and made it bigger. Last year I was at the end of the vendors then there was open space now that space is filled with a clinic area. should be a good show I'm already looking forword to it.

I'm new to MMR and O gauge. I'm looking forward to learning more about here and maybe making some friends whom can be helpful mentors. Also, my 4yo son is train crazy. We went to LegoFest in Hartford earlier this month and we spent alomost two of the four hours there watching the large scale Lego trains. I think his head will explode here.

AND... not to start a fire storm, but you can take photos, use cell phones, etc. etc. AND.... don't forget, we all get together at the OGR table for a group photo. (time to be determined)

Don,

Don't forget the after the show dinner at Red Rose Saturday evening.

quote:

AND... not to start a fire storm, but you can take photos, use cell phones, etc. etc. AND.... don't forget, we all get together at the OGR table for a group photo. (time to be determined)

... and no one reminding you to follow the arrows on the floor!

It's a great show and we look forward to it each year!

iv only missed 3 shows since i was 4 ,and cant wait for this years. hoping to see some of you guys there seeing how this is my first year on the fourm.

quote:

Originally posted by superwarp1:
Don,

Don't forget the after the show dinner at Red Ross Saturday evening.

I'm good.

quote:

Originally posted by DMASSO:

quote:

Originally posted by superwarp1:
Don,

Don't forget the after the show dinner at Red Ross Saturday evening.

I'm good.

I should mention if anyone wants to join us you are welcome to do so

Sounds like a nice show. But 2hr.50min from Northern NJ,I don't know.Maybe if someone wanted to carpool together up I might be up for that. Anyone want to ride from NNJ on the 28th?
BLT

quote:

AND... not to start a fire storm, but you can take photos, use cell phones, etc. etc.

Different kind of show. Both are good shows, catering to different audiences.
And you know very well that your post is likely to start a fire storm.
Sort of like: "you didn't hear this from me but......"

Gary:

It will be nice to meet some of the Forum guys from this area and you can count me in for dinner. Our new club, O-Gauge Model Railroad Association, is planning on going to the show on Saturday as well. Thanks for the invite.

It is a good show to go to if you are not a York guy. You get to see all the players and some very nice layouts.

Always a good time....We have to get Gary to drop one of the "S" and change it to "E" as in {Red Rose}, I'm sure he will edit his post, unless Steve Ross bought the place

If you like model trains of all scales it is a great show!

now when you guys say fourm members is there some group that you need to join or just the fourm as a hole?

Forum means OGR forum and add a W to hole.

quote:

Originally posted by Stickpilott:
Always a good time....We have to get Gary to drop one of the "S" and change it to "E" as in {Red Rose}, I'm sure he will edit his post, unless Steve Ross bought the place

Ok ok I had a ross switches on the brain

Thanks for all of the info. I purchased my tickets and can't wait for the show.

Just to clarify, I consider my self a York attendee (about 5 times), AND I look forward to this show too! I just get a little miffed when I spot something at a booth that looks interesting, only to discover it's HO

quote:

And you know very well that your post is likely to start a fire storm.

C.W. ---I'm sure he was just kidding, as was I.... no firestorm spotted.

Ed

Their website mentioned that parking is $5 per day. Can this be purchased in advance?
Thanks.

Went to last year's show, parking isn't an issue - they have plenty. Planning to go this year on Saturday the 28th. Hope to see everyone there

-bruce

I checked with Amherst and parking has to be paid at the lot, but they might have parking tickets available on-line next year.

This show is an annual event on my calendar.

Parking is no problem. Costs $5 and you pay at the botth to enter the parking lot.

Seems to get bigger every year--its's all good!

quote:

Originally posted by nate the tank:
now when you guys say fourm members is there some group that you need to join or just the fourm as a hole?

Hi Nate

This is the O Gauge Forum. We welcome you to join any of our get togethers. You will find a wealth of information on these boards so please ask any questions you might have. And don't worry about spelling, that should be our biggest problem

Paul

If you are into O Gauge and you have more than a 3 hour drive each way it's not worth it. Weather is also a big factor in going or not going.

quote:

Originally posted by eddie g:
If you are into O Gauge and you have more than a 3 hour drive it's not worth it. Weather is also a big factor in going or not going.

I go to York twice a year but I figured I would try the show at least one time even though driving both ways gets close to 8 hours.

What time are we meeting, on Saturday, for the group photo, at the OGR table??? 1PM????

Don,

It's always at 2pm if that's fine with everyone?

Can someone tell me why Lionel will not be there again? 50,000 attend this show and no Lionel, sorry but a stupid move. Atlas, MTH, Weaver, Ross and others attend why can't Lionel???

http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/

OK, 2PM for the group photo at the OGR table.

Gary, 50,000 attend this show? Maybe 18,000 would be a lot closer figure.

The sponsors put their attendance numbers at 25,000 per year. From their web site:

quote:

Every year late in January or early in February, the Amherst Railway Society holds its Railroad Hobby Show at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds (The home of The Big E) in West Springfield Massachusetts. More than 25,000 railfans and public attended the Show each of the past three years.

http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/abouttheshow.php

"The sponsors put their attendance numbers at 25,000 per year. From their web site"

add the "portly" size of many of us plus heavy winter coats it just looks and feels like 50,000