Amherst Railway Society train show at the Big E January 28th and 29Th

I got my discount ticket. I will be at the show. Staying at the Residence inn. Hopefully it will not snow Friday!

If the weather is good,  I go.  The show is fun.  The food is very bad and the restrooms are nasty.  It is not York but a fun show.

The show has some excellent modular layouts.   i love watching some of the O scale layouts. Being a toy train guy,  I enjoy and appreciate the hard work these guys put in.

Got my tickets and taking the weekend off from work for both days of the show working on my wanted list right now.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

If the weather is good,  I go.  The show is fun.  The food is very bad and the restrooms are nasty.  It is not York but a fun show.

The show has some excellent modular layouts.   i love watching some of the O scale layouts. Being a toy train guy,  I enjoy and appreciate the hard work these guys put in.

Marty, bring your lovely wife to Red Rose and I'll buy you that beer i owe you.

I'm in!

Superwarp, Marty isn't married. Big E is a waste for me. too far & too cold & mostly N & HO.

The Big E is absolutely wonderful. I love the Big E. I AM the Big E. I'll be there with Ginny, EZMike and NYC Fan (Skip Natoli. It is a train fan's show. Amazing talent on display and layouts in ALL gauges. Great train people and all kinds of railroadiana. If you love trains, this is a no brainer. Tens of thousands attend !

I will be going Saturday see you at 2 PM at the OGR booth for the photo.  

I will be there Sat. as well. I look forward to this one. Lots to check out as far as detail items. It's usually the coldest weekend of the winter and each year it seems I can't cover as much ground as fast I used to. Still wouldn't miss it.

My plan is for both Saturday and Sunday.  I'll be staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Windsor CT.  It all depends on if there a snowstorm, which can change my plans to just Saturday, just Sunday or a whole trip cancel.   

This is a HUGE show. (350,000 square feet)  Yes, it's a lot of HO and N scale.   However, I would rather see modern HO, N and all the numerous great layouts at the Big E show vs. the York meet member halls table upon table of old pre and post war Trains.   York does has a great vibe and social aspect.  But the Amherst Railway Society show in Springfield, MA. is going to be the large show that I attend in the coming years.   I've attended two York meets.  I'm glad that I've got to experienced it.  

Big E show pluses for me vs. York meet:

3 hour drive vs. 9 hour drive to York

50+ Operating Model Railroads vs. 3 to 4 at York.

No time off from work needed vs. minimum two days PTO needed for a York trip. 

Weekend show vs. Thursday half day, Friday full and Sat. early pack up.

Cost is less. (Less gas and tolls) vs. More gas, tolls, lodging and TCA yearly dues.

Plus the Big E has a LEGO layout.

I have most of the things I need to build my layout, but I love going and looking for ideas and new products.  This may be the year I pull the trigger on a few rock walls from these guys: http://www.cripplebush.net .  I also like spending a few minutes at the Scenic Express booth watching some of the "how to" demos and getting touch it/feel it exposure to some of the newer products in the hobby.  Ogre LEDs (forum sponsor) is a fine example of this.

Big E is not York but, then again, nothing is.  Big E is still a train show, however, and a darned good one at that.  If the weather is nice on Saturday and you live within 3 hours, you should go.  

I mean, what else are you going to do the weekend between the NFL conference championships and the Super Bowl?

Steven J. Serenska

Gary, Dotty an I have been together for a long time.  Not married.

The best part of the big E is catching up with good friends.   Many of my good friends from NY, Jersey, and many local friends attend.  It has always been great to see everyone at the OGR photo shoot.

Marty nailed it - the best part of the Big E is catching up with train friends I have not seen for awhile. I enjoy this show and I always take a side detour to the Springfield Train Yard just three minutes from the fairgrounds. I've found some interesting stuff there in years past (both the Big E AND the Train Yard)

Steve, check out the curved walls from Scenic Express.

Thanks for starting the thread Gary, look forward to seeing everyone.

Paul

I've been reviewing the attendee list and while the show is full with lots of new vendors.  Some of the old attendees are not there or maybe I overlooked their names.  The guy who always has Weaver rolling stock, either he's in a new location or not their this year.  Also the group in charge of B&M 3713 doesn't pop up on the list.

I think the Amherst Railway Society show is a great one, the best public show I've ever attended. Unfortunately, the road from the Capital district to Springfield goes through the Berkshires. If the weather is good, and the roads are clear, I plan to be there.

I'll be there, it's a great show aimed at the hobbyist and the family,  with its layouts and dealer booths for all scales ,which in today's world is rare,it's normally one or the other. 

Absolutely fantastic train show !!!! I'll be there with some of the NJ Hi-Railers. Can't wait.  

Alex 

C W Burfle posted:

I think the Amherst Railway Society show is a great one, the best public show I've ever attended. Unfortunately, the road from the Capital district to Springfield goes through the Berkshires. If the weather is good, and the roads are clear, I plan to be there.

FYI,  The mass pike is now all electronic tolling, if you don't have a ezpass your license plate will be photographed and you'll get a bill in the mail. Cost a little more than those who have the transponder 

This is a Great Show, Lots of everything for the Train junkies.

I be there all weekend with the G club. Always tons of people and one of the best shows in the upper Northeast.......See ya there fella's

Gary, Eddiem and I and maybe one more will see you for dinner.

superwarp1 posted:

C W Burfle posted:

I think the Amherst Railway Society show is a great one, the best public show I've ever attended. Unfortunately, the road from the Capital district to Springfield goes through the Berkshires. If the weather is good, and the roads are clear, I plan to be there.

FYI,  The mass pike is now all electronic tolling, if you don't have a ezpass your license plate will be photographed and you'll get a bill in the mail. Cost a little more than those who have the transponder 

Hmmmmmm wonder what happens when your plates are covered with Snow ? 

superwarp1 posted:

Some of the old attendees are not there or maybe I overlooked their names.  The guy who always has Weaver rolling stock, either he's in a new location or not their this year. 

Maybe he sold all/ most of his weaver stock. I think the guy typically in the Mallory building sold train stuff as a side business.  I generally would purchase a weaver box or two from him.

Looking forward to the show this year. Snow or not!

~Bill

Does anyone know if Korber models has a booth at the Big E show?

Steven J. Serenska

Serenska posted:

Does anyone know if Korber models has a booth at the Big E show?

Steven J. Serenska

Since Korber models is owned by Mr Muffin's trains now, I would guess no, way to far for him to travel.  Check my link at the start of the thread for the list of exhibitors.

Hmmmmmm wonder what happens when your plates are covered with Snow ? 

The state police pull you over and give you a ticket for driving with obstructed license plates?

The first place I ran into electronic only toll collection was down in Florida. Being that it was my first encounter, I found it a bit confusing. And things were further complicated by being in a rental car. Eventually we got a bill for the tolls from the rental company, and it was reasonable.

My wife and I have had Ezpass since just about the beginning. It is a time saver on NYS roads, especially around Buffalo. It wasn't on the Mass Pike when they had booths because you had to use specific lanes which could back up more than the cash ones.
NYS is also moving in the direction of eliminating toll booths.

superwarp1 posted:

Serenska posted:

Does anyone know if Korber models has a booth at the Big E show?

Steven J. Serenska

Since Korber models is owned by Mr Muffin's trains now, I would guess no, way to far for him to travel.  Check my link at the start of the thread for the list of exhibitors.

Superwarp:

Thanks.  I did review the list before I asked.  Even though they weren't on the list, I was asking for two reasons:

1. It says on the merchant list "Additional exhibitors may be added to the list without notice, so please check back as often as you wish."
   
   
2. I was trying to start a discussion in which Korber Models would be encouraged to attend as a vendor.  I personally think they would do very well there as the attendees seem more like modelers than collectors.  Since Muffin/Korber travels 560 miles to show at York, what's another 300 miles to show at Springfield?  

Seriously, I would love to see them there; that's the only reason I asked vs. just reading the vendor list.

SJS

I personally think they would do very well there as the attendees seem more like modelers than collectors.  Since Muffin/Korber travels 560 miles to show at York, what's another 300 miles to show at Springfield?

Hmmm...... maybe this points out the fallacy of the idea that "more is better".

Can Rich or Ed confirm that OGR is attending the show this year?  Weather permitting of course.  If so is 2PM OGR Photo op good with everyone?

OGR is on the exhibitor list. Better Living Center building.

I look forward to the Amherst Show, my favorite model railroad event, all year. Have attended every show at the Big-E (except one) since 1997. Only 83 miles from home so will be there both days if weather permits. Will stop at OGR booth when I arrive and at 2 PM.

MELGAR

Serenska posted:

superwarp1 posted:

Serenska posted:

Does anyone know if Korber models has a booth at the Big E show?

Steven J. Serenska

Since Korber models is owned by Mr Muffin's trains now, I would guess no, way to far for him to travel.  Check my link at the start of the thread for the list of exhibitors.

Superwarp:

Thanks.  I did review the list before I asked.  Even though they weren't on the list, I was asking for two reasons:

1. It says on the merchant list "Additional exhibitors may be added to the list without notice, so please check back as often as you wish."
   
   
2. I was trying to start a discussion in which Korber Models would be encouraged to attend as a vendor.  I personally think they would do very well there as the attendees seem more like modelers than collectors.  Since Muffin/Korber travels 560 miles to show at York, what's another 300 miles to show at Springfield?  

Seriously, I would love to see them there; that's the only reason I asked vs. just reading the vendor list.

SJS

 

To pack up a load of merchandise and travel to York in the fair weather months of April & October is one thing, to travel to Massachusetts in the dead of winter is another.

2pm at the OGR booth sounds good!

Amherst is a great show. Ive been going for years even 2 years ago during a snow storm. Would not miss it.

Very, early, early weather forecast is for sunny and normal temps in the 30's

Assuming this is the same show, you guys attending should enjoy the live steam...

http://www.amherstrail.org/ARS/news-BoothbaySteam.php

superwarp1 posted:

Very, early, early weather forecast is for sunny and normal temps in the 30's

Don't worry, that will change!  

Last year was quite mild but there have been some long walks out to the car over the years ... the wind whipping through that parking lot goes right through anything you're wearing ...

SJS

The wife and I will be arriving Friday morning to help Tim and Lynn Foley set up the Mianne Custom Benchwork booth (as we do at York). The Big E has a much different flavor to it's show than York. More Family orientated and much more diverse exhibitors. A large number of  exceptional modular layouts to be seen and appreciated. Yes, there is allot of other than O gauge presented but the "idea's" can be gauge adapted.

Tempting, very tempting ... is this the only "Big E" train show this year or are there other events later on?

Thanks,

Tomlinson Run Railroad

TomlinsonRunRR posted:

Tempting, very tempting ... is this the only "Big E" train show this year or are there other events later on?

Thanks,

Tomlinson Run Railroad

Once a year only.  Biggest train show in New England, Evan without Eddie attending.  LOL. Lots of smaller shows but no where the size.