Amherst train show, West Springfield, Ma Jan 28, 29

I'm planning on going......weather-permitting. Hoping to meet many of my fellow forum members and pick up some items from Scenic Express.

I plan on heading there. Going to aim for Saturday.

Were going to have 4 feet of snow in New England that weekend.

@eddie g posted:

Were going to have 4 feet of snow in New England that weekend.

That wouldn't surprise me at all...........but it would keep me at home.

@eddie g posted:

Were going to have 4 feet of snow in New England that weekend.

Bite you’re tongue

I'll be there. It is my favorite day of the year (Saturday).

As for last year, I really enjoyed it. I got to park really close because the lots were nearly empty when it opened in the morning. The drive over from Albany was very slow (and careful) but the roads were nearly deserted so it wasn't bad at all. And being parked close was good because I just got into O scale last year and I didn't realize that carrying around lots of O scale trains was a lot of work! (Most of my previous HO purchases fit in a shopping bag... not so with O!)

Great show for layout builders, scenery, structures, tools, etc. Not so great for O scale trains. Absence of Charles Ro is a big loss.

Pete

I think the only time I ever purchased rolling stock was the one year Kirk was there with Just Trains. I generally shop for detail items or layout supplies.

For those into O scale details.  Check out Crow River Products and back after many years with new owners. Berkshire Valley.

I’m hoping to attend this year since I’ve been getting more into railroads up that way. Hope the weather cooperates.

I'll once again tip my cap to the meet's organizers: This show is held on the weekend after the last NFL playoff game and the weekend before the Super Bowl.  There's nothing else going on and it's a great show.  It's not York but rather serves all scales.  While I do make some purchases, I mostly go for scenery ideas.  If you live within 3-4 hours (and this includes much of metro NYC), you should go.  25,000 attendees can't be wrong...

I will be there on Saturday.

Steven J. Serenska

I talked to the guys at Charles Ro a few weeks ago in person and they said they were going.

@Norton posted:

Great show for layout builders, scenery, structures, tools, etc. Not so great for O scale trains. Absence of Charles Ro is a big loss.

Pete

Mr. Muffins showed up one year but CharlesRO was beating his prices by about 10% and Muffins hasn't been back since.  Every year I send Steve a email, stating we would love him back.  B&F hobbies hopefully will show up and Grzyboski's is always there but agreed Charles Ro is a big loss.

@87smokemetalic posted:

I talked to the guys at Charles Ro a few weeks ago in person and they said they were going.

Great if they are but they are not on the list last I looked and there old spot is taken by another vendor.

All of the seats in my car are reserved and we have a reserve list.  Hoping for good weather!!

This is the Big E show, right?

Yes - held on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.

I'll be pre-ordering a ticket for Saturday - I think they now mail you a bracelet so you can go right in and don't have to wait in line. If so, that's a good idea.

This nice article in yesterday's Boston Globe:

"America’s largest railroad hobby show returns to West Springfield

Nearly 350 exhibitors will be convening for the fair, which will run from Jan. 28-29

ByMaya Homan Globe Correspondent,Updated December 22, 2022, 1:05 p.m.

@superwarp1 posted:

Mr. Muffins showed up one year but CharlesRO was beating his prices by about 10% and Muffins hasn't been back since.  Every year I send Steve a email, stating we would love him back.  B&F hobbies hopefully will show up and Grzyboski's is always there but agreed Charles Ro is a big loss.

I have purchased from B&F but don’t think they were there last time I was there a couple of years ago (2020??).

Pete

@Richie C. you are correct. They mail you your bracelet in advanced if you pre-order, which is great instead of standing in line!

@Norton posted:

I have purchased from B&F but don’t think they were there last time I was there a couple of years ago (2020??).

Pete

They haven't been there in like four years or more.  They keep paying for a booth but never show.  I think Frank has had health issues in the past but I'm hoping they show.

Frank is still kicking and well I visit him frequently he’s also planning to go. He was going to go to York but his knee was bothering him.

Size of show?

I went to York for the first time this fall.  I use to live in Wisconsin so went to Trainfest many times.  Realize this show is more like Trainfest, covering Model Railroading in general.  Surprised they say it is the largest, thought Trainfest was.

Can anyone let me know how this does compare in size.  If weather is OK will probably go, it is half the distance York was for me.  Thanks.

@MainLine Steam posted:

Size of show?

I went to York for the first time this fall.  I use to live in Wisconsin so went to Trainfest many times.  Realize this show is more like Trainfest, covering Model Railroading in general.  Surprised they say it is the largest, thought Trainfest was.

Can anyone let me know how this does compare in size.  If weather is OK will probably go, it is half the distance York was for me.  Thanks.

I posted everything up above that should answer your questions.  Link to the show website, layout of the four buildings, and a list of everyone attending.  Can't comment of Trainfest, but if the weather is good and it's well attended, it takes me a good 6 hours to go through it all.

Thanks Gary!

Gary:

Will be going Saturday with my East Coast Enterprises buddies - Rich, Stan and Geoff. Have our arm bands already. Here's hoping for no snowstorm this year!

Pat

@87smokemetalic posted:

I talked to the guys at Charles Ro a few weeks ago in person and they said they were going.

That would be great, but currently, they are not on the list.

Pat

Just over a half hour from home, so I always go on Saturday and sometimes go back on Sunday. For me it's the many layouts and the broad appeal of model trains in general with every scale represented. If you like model railroading, you'll like the show. It's a fun day and while I don't go with the intention of buying as I do at York (different kind of show), I have never come home empty handed.

Cant wait  Love this show  The food at Memo's for breakfast and Cal's for dinner always looking forward to it

I'll be there a great show!! Surprised Scenic Express is coming east.

@dk122trains posted:

I'll be there a great show!! Surprised Scenic Express is coming east.

Don:

Agree that was great news. Jim and his team have been sorely missed at York. I'm planning to buy a bunch of stuff from them at the Show.

Pat

I plan to be there on Saturday.  I didn’t make it last year due to the weather, so really looking forward to getting back to this great show!

@bluelinec4 posted:

Cant wait  Love this show  The food at Memo's for breakfast and Cal's for dinner always looking forward to it

I've always wanted to try Cal's, will have to take the wife but post show it's always Red Rose for me.

I will be there. Cant Wait!

@superwarp1 posted:

I've always wanted to try Cal's, will have to take the wife but post show it's always Red Rose for me.

Red Rose is good but its always too crowded  You have to try Cal's  its awesome   I heard that place Bernies with the Brontasaurus burgers closed

You know I’ll be there. This will be my 30th show, will probably be going both days like always.

My son and I will be there both days.   If the weather behaves.   No snow, no snow, please no snow...

What are the best places to eat for this show? We usually go to The Steaming Tender in Plamer.

@MIKATT1 posted:

What are the best places to eat for this show? We usually go to The Steaming Tender in Plamer.

That's a great place but a 40 min drive from the show.  I eat at Red Rose in Springfield,  Bluelinec4 likes Cal's down the road, I have yet to eat there.   For Breakfast I go to Partners which is 5 mins up the road, other like Memo's which is very near the show grounds.

I will be taking the weekend off from work for the show.

Should we have a meet and greet, OGR photo op?