I went to the train show in Albany and it was ok. Looking for others with about an hour radius from Albany. Thanks
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
There is something coming up in Glens Falls. I do not know the particulars.
That would be the closest show.
Next is Springfield, MA, which I think is the last weekend in January. Its about 90 minutes to two hours.
The trip from Albany goes through the Berkshires, so I don't go if the weather is bad.
a little more than an hour, maybe 2 to 2 1/2 to Utica coming up on the 18th of January. Show exhibits at Union Station. Great show for dealers and lots to look at.
http://www.ttcsltd.org/calendar.html
January 2015 show.
Is the one in Utica the same size as Albany? Also do they normally have a a lot of o gauge for sale?
I forgot about Utica.
Its a long established show that I attended many years ago.
Started going again last year.
I hope to go this year too. It was well worth the trip.
The Utica show is mostly O gauge. Its put on by the TTCS(Toy Train Collectors Society),
they have one maybe 2 layouts and the rest are dealers. You can usually find good deals and there is lots to see and do. You can even step outside and watch the real trains go by as the mainline in right outside the back door. Freight and passenger trains go by all day.
Nice I'll have to try to make it there
Originally Posted by C W Burfle:
There is something coming up in Glens Falls. I do not know the particulars.
That would be the closest show.
Next is Springfield, MA, which I think is the last weekend in January. Its about 90 minutes to two hours.
The trip from Albany goes through the Berkshires, so I don't go if the weather is bad.
The Springfield show is pretty good well worth it
yes i concur, the Springfield show which is sponsored by the Amherst Railway Society is really good. I can't make it York anymore, but the Springfield show is very well planned, multiple buildings, 2 days. I have attended several of their clinics on airbrushing and painting backdrops. I'll be going again for my 3rd year in row.
There's a link to their web page below:
What defines "a OK", "a good", or a whatever train show? How much of what i'm looking for is there?, How cheap can i buy it?, Are there funnel cakes?, Is there scrapple? Can i get there without inclement weather? Did i run into road construction? Was the PA system too noisy or was it inaudible? And dozens of other parameters that i've heard over the years on this forum. Perhaps the original poster should be a little more specific in his use of the words "OK" and a "lot".
FYI i was at the Albany show yesterday, passed on two items that were gone when i went back later (if you snooze, you lose), chatted with some old friends and acquaintances, and bought a replacement jaw for my Lionel ST361 wheel puller. I enjoyed myself. To me it was a good show.
jackson
Good show? - I guess one could say its all a matter of opinion. Here is mine:
Funnel cakes, scrapple, and road construction have nothing to do with whether a train show is good.
Inclement weather? - no train or train show is worth serious injury or worse. If the roads are bad, stay home.
Some of the things that make a show good are a large number of vendors and a clean facility. Resonably priced refreshments are a plus. I don't need or want beer. If there was an issue with getting there or parking, I think I would write something like: "it's a good show, but parking is difficult."
The show that was just held this past weekend is conducted at the Empire State Plaza. The plaza has quite a bit of parking. I paid five dollars to park in the underground, attached garage. Some folks park on the street. They had a coffee stand at the show. It was a short walk down the underground concourse to visit the McDonalds. Along the way, you can look at the state's Modern Art collection, which is considered to be a good one by people who know about such things. I have my favorite pieces. The NYS Museum is at one end of the concourse, another short walk beyond the McDonalds.
My wife and I went to the Springfield show a few years back. She cant walk a long way so I rented a wheel chair, got my driving gloves on and off we went. The crowds were overwhelming, but we were patient. Its not like we had to go anywhere in a hurry. Thank God Im 6'7", I could see over the crowd, so if a table looked interesting, we would wait in line until the line cleared, so we could look at a particular table. Having 4 buildings was a challenge. we got through about 2 and 1/2 of the buildings and I said to my wife, "had enough"? she said yes, so we made our way back to the truck, drove out and found someplace to eat. I cant tell you how long we were there, because I don't watch the clock when we are at shows, but it was fun.
If you are going to Springfield, there is a nice restaurant about 1/2 hour or so away. It is called "The Steaming Tender", and is a coverted historic train station. The food is good, prices are reasonable, and trains still run right by the station. Check out their site. I sometimes stop there on my way home from the Brimfield antique shows.
I think I learned about the restaurant here on this board. I have eaten there a number of times.
As far as Springfield goes: I try to get there for the opening bell on Saturday. By noon it is too crowded for me.
Last year I could only go on Sunday. MY favorite tableholders were well picked over, but I still managed to buy a few items.
One item was a 2460 crane that was dirty and in pieces.
I though I was buying it for parts, but much to my surprise, it cleaned up and is now on my layout. All it was missing were the screws to mount the cab, and the threaded round piece that goes on the boom to accept the height adjusting screw. I had one in my junk drawer, along with the screws.
By the way, all the Utica shows I've attended have been in the Utica train station, so I assume it will be there this year too.
The station is still actively used, but they make room for the show, right in the waiting room.
