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

@superwarp1 posted:

There was talk of another train show at the Big E at the end of April going around the show today.  It would be a large scale only show.  Talk was O gauge and up or O to G.  No HO, no N, no Z.  When I get further information I’ll post it here.

Yes, that sounds right. When I was at Charles Ro earlier this week, they said that the next show they were doing was a G gauge show in Springfield.

* * *

My almost-nine-year-old son and I went to the Amherst show and had a great time. He's been to the local Greenberg since he was much younger, but this was his first time to the Big E. As luck had it, he's the right age to start going, we both were ready to go home after about 3.5 hours. He's old enough to be patient while I look through certain vendors stock, but he also has his own developed interests that we check out.

He's at the fun age where he enjoys the playing with his Thomas and Percy sets—then again I do, too—and the postwar and postwar reissues that I've gotten him, but he's also getting really into the detail of my O-scale rolling stock. This is such a wonderful hobby to share with your kid(s).

Just for curiosity sake, did anyone see or get photos of Strasburg 90 while at the show?  Did Lionel even have one on display?

Thanks.

@Matt_GNo27 posted:

Yes, that sounds right. When I was at Charles Ro earlier this week, they said that the next show they were doing was a G gauge show in Springfield.

* * *

My almost-nine-year-old son and I went to the Amherst show and had a great time. He's been to the local Greenberg since he was much younger, but this was his first time to the Big E. As luck had it, he's the right age to start going, we both were ready to go home after about 3.5 hours. He's old enough to be patient while I look through certain vendors stock, but he also has his own developed interests that we check out.

He's at the fun age where he enjoys the playing with his Thomas and Percy sets—then again I do, too—and the postwar and postwar reissues that I've gotten him, but he's also getting really into the detail of my O-scale rolling stock. This is such a wonderful hobby to share with your kid(s).

Matt:

From everything I have heard from CharlesRo over the past few years, they are done doing train shows. That decision was made after Charlie passed away. CharlesRo was always at the York Meets and the Amherst Shows, but they have not attended either the past few years. Did whoever you spoke to indicate that their thinking has recently changed in this regard, or was it your sense that this would be a one-time exception? It would certainly be great if they have decided to return to attending train shows. Thanks.

Pat

@Carl Peduzzi posted:

Just for curiosity sake, did anyone see or get photos of Strasburg 90 while at the show?  Did Lionel even have one on display?

Thanks.

Yes, Lionel was running it this afternoon.

* * *

Re. the whistle on the Edaville Portor 0-4-0:

Positive: They let anyone—mostly kids—climb aboard and try ringing the bell and blowing the whistle, they open the door to the firebox so the person can see the fire, all for free. That's awesome. What a gift to give a child the opportunity to blow the whistle on a real steam engine.

Negative: It is extremely loud and right in the flow of traffic between buildings. You only get two sets of ears in this life, and the whistle is loud enough to do damage, possibly permanent. It is not just a matter of scaring kids or annoying adults, it is a health and safety matter.

Even setting it back a hundred feet from the primary walkway would help. We need to bring this to the attention of Edaville and the Amherst Railway Society.

@irish rifle posted:

Matt:

From everything I have heard from CharlesRo over the past few years, they are done doing train shows. That decision was made after Charlie passed away. CharlesRo was always at the York Meets and the Amherst Shows, but they have not attended either the past few years. Did whoever you spoke to indicate that their thinking has recently changed in this regard, or was it your sense that this would be a one-time exception? It would certainly be great if they have decided to return to attending train shows. Thanks.

Pat

I don't know the names of the employees, but I recognize them. One of the long-time fellows up front double-checked with another long-time employee that they were planning on going. Other than that, I did not ask about their overall policy regarding shows. I assumed that if it was a G-scale show, it must be worth it for the USA Trains business.

did anyone mention the lionchief dash 8?

couldn't make it to the show but i'm anxiously waiting on those dash 8s

CharlesRo was mentioned often about this large scale show, time will tell.  
 The new mogul was running around yesterday at the Lionel layout.  Improved gearbox and all.  Ran great.

It was great to see so many Forum members show up for the “OGR photo shoot” at 1 PM on Saturday.  I got to meet a few guys for the first time…and saw many familiar faces.  Thank you, Steve (Ross Custom Switches), for once again putting up with us tying up the area in front of your display for a few minutes.  Great job as always by @Railrunnin (Paul) for organizing the photo shoot.  Hopefully he will post some photos in this thread.

I took advantage of an email offer from Micro-Mark that I received prior to the show.  20% off your order and they brought the items to the show, so I saved the shipping cost, too.  I ordered one of their Micro-Make mini power drills and the high-power digital transformer to operate it.  Nice deal!

Joe, I received that e mail from Micromark. Didn’t need anything. But didn’t see any mention as far as price limit. If you were thinking of getting a high end item and they offer quite a few such as power tools and even 3D printers. This was a great deal with 20% off and no shipping. Glad someone took advantage of it.

You are all talking about the engine whistle.  Did anyone buy O Gauge post/prewar trains?

whistle

@eddie g posted:

You are all talking about the engine whistle.  Did anyone buy O Gauge post/prewar trains?

whistle

I bought a 736 Berkshire Eddie.

Ya ever see the movie "Danger Lights" when they have the two locomotives doing a tug 'o war with their bells ringing and whistles blowing the whole time for a huge crowd?

Yeah... good times...

Jon

One of the better videos of the show I've seen.

What a great weekend!

It was terrific to see how many people showed up for the annual photo at the Big E. I really pulled a bone-head move this time. I went to my car to get my DSLR camera around 12:15 and discovered I had left my SD card at home while I was editing some images. My back-up card was not in my camera bag and I was panicking. There is no time to leave the fairgrounds, buy a new SD card, and get back in time so...

I went with the CCP option (Crappy Cell Phone ) option.

The attached photo shows another great gathering of like-minded folks sharing our love of the hobby. My only regret (besides the missing SD card) was not finding an opportunity to talk wiht everyone who was there. I wanted to say hi to everyone and I missed that goal by a mile. Maybe next year we can figure out a way to visit as a group for awhile.

I did buy a terrific custom flat with load by Ralphs Trains. Mostly it was just fun wandering around the halls and seeing old friends. I also managed to get in some 1:1 railfanning later Sat afternoon and on Sunday.

Have a great week everyone.

Paul - next time I have an extra SD card - Licata

Totals are in for the show.  I can declare we are over the covid hangover.

GATE: 18,369...TOTAL POPULATION: 21,869

Thanks Paul, thanks Gary. Looked at Ralph’s amazing assortment of flatcar loads, but, while I had intent, I didn’t have the $$$ to back it up. 😕😕😕

@Railrunnin posted:

What a great weekend!

The attached photo shows another great gathering of like-minded folks sharing our love of the hobby. My only regret (besides the missing SD card) was not finding an opportunity to talk wiht everyone who was there. I wanted to say hi to everyone and I missed that goal by a mile. Maybe next year we can figure out a way to visit as a group for awhile.

Paul - next time I have an extra SD card - Licata

Thanks for posting the group photo, Paul.  I really like your idea of trying to figure out a way for us Forum members to visit as a group at a future show.  There’s just not enough time to make a lot of introductions when we gather for the photo.  Maybe we can wear name tags with our OGR Forum names so we can easily identify each other.

@Railrunnin posted:

What a great weekend!

It was terrific to see how many people showed up for the annual photo at the Big E. I really pulled a bone-head move this time. I went to my car to get my DSLR camera around 12:15 and discovered I had left my SD card at home while I was editing some images. My back-up card was not in my camera bag and I was panicking. There is no time to leave the fairgrounds, buy a new SD card, and get back in time so...

I went with the CCP option (Crappy Cell Phone ) option.

The attached photo shows another great gathering of like-minded folks sharing our love of the hobby. My only regret (besides the missing SD card) was not finding an opportunity to talk wiht everyone who was there. I wanted to say hi to everyone and I missed that goal by a mile. Maybe next year we can figure out a way to visit as a group for awhile.

I did buy a terrific custom flat with load by Ralphs Trains. Mostly it was just fun wandering around the halls and seeing old friends. I also managed to get in some 1:1 railfanning later Sat afternoon and on Sunday.

Have a great week everyone.

Paul - next time I have an extra SD card - Licata

Hey, I see a few faces I know. Nice plug in the back there too. Nice Ross switch.

Stayed at Candlewood Suites on Friday night and was there early Saturday morning and found a back entrance to the show which eliminated a lot of the traffic and parking lines. I was out by 1:00 PM, so never made it to the photo-shoot, although I did stop by at Steve's earlier in the day.  Also, stopped by to chat with Al at the Mianne booth, Ryan at Lionel and several others at the show. Missed seeing Miller Engineering and Z-Stuff.

It was definitely packed on Saturday. Couldn't believe the long line to get into the BLC later in the day or the ticket line. Glad I got my bracelet early. I had printed out the vendor list and maps, but then got a nice handout at the show that had both.

Count me in to eliminate the steam whistle; move it; lower the volume; give a warning; etc.

Picked up the WS Electric Substation, chain link fence and wired telephone poles at an excellent price. Also, found a Lionel Maine Central gondola with coal load and a Lionel B&M gondola with containers. Thanks to Gryboski's Trains for coming up with an oversize bag so I could consolidate everything. I'll post pics when I get the chance.

Saw a nice, black 246E pre-war celebration tinplate set in good condition and at a reasonable price, but didn't pull the trigger - still holding out for a command set.

Good thing the Big E isn't scheduled for this upcoming weekend...

https://www.accuweather.com/en...ther-forecast/329324

Standing in line for the doors to open would have been a bit chilly!

@superwarp1 posted:

One of the better videos of the show I've seen.

Thanks for posting. We had planned to go but got sick last week and had to cancel. Super bummed as to me this show is nothing but fun. The whole show is built on sharing an enthusiasm for model railroading. The video was a great substitute for this year!

Great show; I was there with my brother-in-law all day yesterday. Picked up some great scenery items from Scenic Express as well as some tools. I also had a pleasant conversation with Dave at the Lionel booth about the much-anticipated arrival of the Strasburg #90; he said it would be May/June; when I asked him why the delay, he said, "Because we want it to be perfect when it is delivered."

We were there all day, and I can honestly say we didn't notice the excessive noise of the train whistle. We saw the loco there and I guess we just assumed we would hear the whistle from time to time. It wasn't any surprise or negative experience at all. The event is about promoting our hobby, so having this type of exhibit there is great in my opinion, especially for the kids who are the future of our hobby.

What did surprise me was that 3 times I went to the Atlas booth to ask some questions about DCS, and all three times, Andy and his buddies were busy watching a football game with their backs turned toward the customers as they approached the booth and were so engrossed in the game that they didn't even notice anyone was there. That is something I'll never understand.

I was going to ask Andy something but he was engrossed with the other Atlas person so I walked away.

Great picture!

Peter

@DMASSO posted:

I was going to ask Andy something but he was engrossed with the other Atlas person so I walked away.

I had a pretty similar experience, Don.  I waited patiently for a little while, but still had a lot of the show to see so I walked away never getting a chance to ask my questions.

On the other hand...I had a great, lengthy conversation with Rich Foster at the MTH booth.  He was very engaging!

Yes. I talked with Mr. Foster and a gentleman from Lionel. Name completely left my brain.

Asked them both for a Mountain with a Vanderbilt tender.

I’m beginning to think you really, REALLY want a mountain with a vandy tender, Don If it’s a New Haven, I’m in!!!

Thanks for posting the photo Paul!  I'm the second one on the left.  Great show.  I picked up a couple Weaver Pickwick Ale reefers and put a bug in the ear of the crew from Atlas about bringing out the HH600 in O gauge.  The talk about the Edaville loco whistle brought back a memory of when I was a kid standing next to the engine at Steamtown in Bellows Falls when the whistle sounded.  Almost jumped out of my shoes!  Traumatized me so badly I collect trains now!

I did write to Edaville and the Amherst Railway Society. I heard a back and apparently the Porter has a new, louder whistle and they are planning on moving it a little next year so that it's not right next to the entrance of the BLC.

I looked for a dcs remote and tiu at every dealer’s display I saw. Didn’t see one, even a ridiculously priced set. If anyone saw this set, and remembers who was selling it, please lemme know. Email in profile. Thanks

@Matt_GNo27 posted:

I did write to Edaville and the Amherst Railway Society. I heard a back and apparently the Porter has a new, louder whistle and they are planning on moving it a little next year so that it's not right next to the entrance of the BLC.

They should move it a lot. Like, to New Hampshire.

Here's my video from the Big E. Enjoy!

Mark,

I think Trainz had a set burried under a bunch of boxes on the left as you entered their booth. It was about $750. I assumed it was used and didn't pull the box out to look at it.

Ed

Thanks Ed. A little more than I was planning to spend.

@TheRambles posted:

Here's my video from the Big E. Enjoy!

This is very well done and informative. The narration is concise, the video quality compliments the script, O gauge is featured, and a few tips are included for those who might want to attend in the future. Really captures the joy of the Amherst train show.

Fitting end, see everyone at the large scale show.

I know I am late to the game but here are some photos I took at the show.