Amherst Train show Big E fair grounds Jan 29th and 30th West Springfield, Ma

To date, things have not changed.  Masks not required but recommended. 

Which if the four buildings is not being used this year?

All four buildings are still being used. As of a week or so ago there were about 339 exhibitors with 21 new ones. The number is down about 15%, although from the maps of the 4 buildings, it appears that most of the floor space is taken up, thus I do not think anyone will notice much of a difference unless your favorite exhibitor is not there,

@superwarp1 posted:

If you look at the list of vendors, you'll see many old faces, and some new.  The place will be full of vendors (three buildings).

The original post indicated that three buildings are being used (unless all of the exhibitors are different from "vendors" and going in the fourth building.

With covid running rabid here in Maine I am staying home! The hospitals here are down to 55 beds state wide.

SAFETY FIRST

Gunny

@BenLMaggi posted:

The original post indicated that three buildings are being used (unless all of the exhibitors are different from "vendors" and going in the fourth building.

I counted wrong, I stand corrected.  It’s four buildings, been that way for a decade.

I agree with Gunny. This is one of my favorite little side trips every year. But, not many things scare the begeesus out of me. This virus does. Please consider missing just one more get-together so we can all stay alive and meet on the other side of this disaster.

If it wasn't so far away, I'm in Indiana I'd love to go.  That and I'm not feeling well, not covid.

Im finally booked my bracelets for both days!

Having just bought a new loco and a 16" MacBook Pro in the same week, I'll probably forego the show this time.  My wife and I however continue to lead a perfectly normal and happy life... so it's not that other thing...

Jon

I will be there with a contingent of NJ HiRailers   I love this show

@bluelinec4 posted:

I will be there with a contingent of NJ HiRailers   I love this show

Look forward to running into you.  As of now, no changes.  Masks not required but encouraged

I wish it were several hours closer, 5+ hours one way is too much for one day.

I keep saying the same about the Allentown meets. - Maybe some year!

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

I agree with Gunny. This is one of my favorite little side trips every year. But, not many things scare the begeesus out of me. This virus does. Please consider missing just one more get-together so we can all stay alive and meet on the other side of this disaster.

I totally agree with you, I live nearby, things are extremely NOT good around here Now, by end of month, who knows??????? I'm in the ambulance route, constant traffic from all the surrounding towns.  IF you do decide to come to W. MASS , PLEASE GET ALL YOUR SHOTS AND BOOSTER ( S), AND N95 MASKS to protect yourself and others . I Love trains for 62 years since I was 7 but I want to be around to run them and enjoy them, I'll wait thanks.

@Richard Pardo posted:

I totally agree with you, I live nearby, things are extremely NOT good around here Now, by end of month, who knows??????? I'm in the ambulance route, constant traffic from all the surrounding towns.  IF you do decide to come to W. MASS , PLEASE GET ALL YOUR SHOTS AND BOOSTER ( S), AND N95 MASKS to protect yourself and others . I Love trains for 62 years since I was 7 but I want to be around to run them and enjoy them, I'll wait thanks.

And for Gods sakes take your vitamins before you go that day! Boost your immune system! I don't wanna be a part of a superspreader event!

A week and a day to go.  As of writing no restrictions.  See you all there.

Been going every year for as long as i remember.  Not worth the risk this year...

Can't wait see you there!!!

I’ll be there on Saturday.  Looking forward to it!

I will be attending the show for the first time next week. I hope to say hello to many of you!

@superwarp1 Thank you for posting the links to the show. As a first time attendee, I will them very useful. Would anyone be interested in an informal OGR "Meet and Greet" at the show? Perhaps at lunch time at the food vendors? Or at a favorite train vendor's display?

For the second time since 1984, I will not be there. - Too much risk in the Pioneer Valley.

Going Saturday! Double vaxxed and had CV19 a month and a half ago. Wear a high filtration mask and be safe guys, your health is #1.

As of now no restrictions, masks are optional but highly recommended.  Long range weather is looking good, mid 20’s  

@Madockawando posted:

@superwarp1 Thank you for posting the links to the show. As a first time attendee, I will them very useful. Would anyone be interested in an informal OGR "Meet and Greet" at the show? Perhaps at lunch time at the food vendors? Or at a favorite train vendor's display?

In years past we took a group photo at the OGR booth.  Since OGR no longer attends, the last couple meet ups have been at the Ross Custom Switches booth.  Usually around 1pm or 2pm on Saturday.    I'll be at the show both days.  Hope the meet a bunch of my forum friend.

@Mike McCutcheon posted:

In years past we took a group photo at the OGR booth.  Since OGR no longer attends, the last couple meet ups have been at the Ross Custom Switches booth.  Usually around 1pm or 2pm on Saturday.    I'll be at the show both days.  Hope the meet a bunch of my forum friend.

I would be happy to meet up at the Ross Custom Switches booth at either time on Saturday. This sounds like a great show! Any advice for a first timer?  The best part its only about an hour an  a half drive for me to attend.

I'm thinking Lionel (Mallory building) at 1pm on Saturday for the meet up.  The reason being that Ross is in the Young building right near a entrance.   It is very crowded with traffic.   Hard to talk and during the picture, traffic has to stop.   The Mallory building is larger and we will be able to find a open space for the group photo without causing a traffic jam.   

For show tips, definitely arrive early (before 9am).  To get a close parking spot and purchase tickets or swap prepaid tickets for wrist bands.   The ticket line can get very long.   We usually to start in the BLC, however last show we started in Stroh, Young, Mallory and finally BLC.    Thinking that when we got to the BLC, the crowds would be moved onto the other buildings.    Then on Sunday hit stuff we missed or need to see again.   

I should be around at 1 pm if you want to do it in front of Lionel.  But I’ll leave that up to you guys.  

@Mike McCutcheon posted:

For show tips, definitely arrive early (before 9am).  To get a close parking spot and purchase tickets or swap prepaid tickets for wrist bands.   The ticket line can get very long.   We usually to start in the BLC, however last show we started in Stroh, Young, Mallory and finally BLC.    Thinking that when we got to the BLC, the crowds would be moved onto the other buildings.    Then on Sunday hit stuff we missed or need to see again.   

good idea, if you are coming from I91 and heading to the fair grounds from the east.  I would go past the first entrance and go in Gate 1. Follow the other cars/attendants.  This will get you close to the BLC which is the main building.

@superwarp1 posted:

I should be around at 1 pm if you want to do it in front of Lionel.  But I’ll leave that up to you guys. 

Earlier may be better?   11am or noon at Lionel.   If 11am,  l'll probably be in Mallory  doing my normal rounds before heading to the car for a snack.   1pm I'll be in BLC and would have leave to head to Mallory.

@superwarp1 posted:

I should be around at 1 pm if you want to do it in front of Lionel.  But I’ll leave that up to you guys.  

I would be fine to meet at 1:00 at the Lionel exhibit.

I saw this quote from the Amherst Railway Society on the Big E show:

"More than 22,500 railfans and public attended the Show each of the past five years."

I did not realize that the show was that big. From what I can read, it looks like it is smaller than York as far as the floor space goes but it looks like it has more attendees.  Must be packed.

I was there once about ten years ago.  There are a lot of vendors selling other scales and I was not overly impressed.  I did manage to buy some modeling supplies.  It's about a 3 hour drive for me.  Considering how much I miss going to shows I'll have to consider it.

@Frank Mulligan How much of the show is O Gauge?

@Madockawando posted:

@Frank Mulligan How much of the show is O Gauge?

I’m a normal year, 30% is a guess buts it’s more than just model trains.  Look at the exhibitors list.  For a who’s who

I’ll also be looking for updates from  a lot of historical societies,   Preservation groups,  

no it’s not York but what is.  It’s trains of all sizes. From 1:1 scale down to Z

I’m looking forward to visiting Lionel, Gryzboski Trains, Trainworld, Nassau Hobbies, Trainz and the TCA.

I’ll be there. Will be nice to see lots of things in person instead of through a computer monitor.