April 2020 York Friday and Saturday only per EDTCA Facebook feed.

Jason gartner posted:

irish rifle posted:

I hate to say it, but this may sound the death knell for the April York Meet. Since Saturday is typically a very slow day, I have to wonder how many dealers are going to travel to York for essentially a one-day meet.  I also wonder how many members will be rethinking their plans. Very sad.

Pat

Well York had no problem attracting people back when it was a Friday-Saturday show before!! More people then than now big time! As far as big dealers missing? Lionel was missing as far as manufacturers. Whoopi.

Although the April meet's trend and the vibe isn't great, I hope we are not seeing the eventual end of the April meet.  IMHO the prior 2 day (FRI/SAT) was a different era.   I think it will be difficult if not impossible to accurately compare the last 2 day (FRI/SAT) meet to the 2020 current day:  the changes within the TCA membership and the O gauge hobby of participants, dealers and manufacturers is SO MUCH different (i.e. smaller) today than it was during those heady days 15+ years ago.  We must also consider both the financial and volunteer demands that it takes each time to plan, organize and run this meet.  As hard as it is to say or maybe accept, in the long run and for the long-term betterment of "the event" possibly a pullback or contraction may be better for the group.

Keystone posted:

Jason gartner posted:

possibly a pullback or contraction may be better for the group.

I tend to agree. Not only are "old folk" like myself at 77, passing on (PC for "croaking"), but also no longer searching for "stuff". My layout was "finished" around 10 years ago, and my York buying mainly consisted of a 1:43 vehicle here and there. Although my $ won't be missed, I may stop going if the one and a half day schedule goes back into effect. Back in earlier days, I was more willing to put up with the gridlock in some of the halls on Friday, but no longer. And in my case, no York will result in no TCA membership. I still have the Allentown, PA show and forum breakfast to go to twice a year. 

I want to hit April mainly for two reasons, I haven't been there in April, and for the good friends I have met there during the last three October York's. I enjoy talking to everyone I meet, even if it is a scarce few minutes. Last year someone was asking me about the coat I was wearing. I couldn't remember what the company name was I bought it from(US Wings out in Ohio), but told him that the company was run by a Vietnam Vet. I wished I could have told him the company name, but I was scatterbrained.

Possibly dumb question from someone who has never been to York. What's a "bandit meet"?

Just joined the TCA, and see all the exhortations to get people to join. IMHO, model railroading is not gaining new fans, with the older generation literally dying off. (I had an "N" table-top layout in the early 70s, was a member of NMRA, etc., but did nothing with "O" trains until 2-3 years ago. Now making up for lost time; bought 18 locos in the last 2 years.)

I've been going to the Westchester show, have gone to two local Greenberg shows. Do I *need* to go to York?

All the discussion of going to 2 days from 3 days is familiar from other fields I'm involved in. 

Lastly, I don't drive. How would I get to York?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Andrew I do not if this helps but the Railroad Museum of Long Island runs a bus trip to york with pick up points across Long Island and N J . 

"Bandit" meets are meets that happen in York, mostly on earlier days of the week before the TCA meet at the fairgrounds.  It's essentially people setting up at hotels and a few fire houses.

The TCA meet, even in decline, is still much larger than any Greenberg show I've ever been to. 

Do you "need" to go?  Of course not.  But it is something to do at least once, if you can figure out a good way to get there and get around once there.

As to the not driving, depending on where you live, that is a challenge.  If you have friends from your area going, maybe you can hitch a ride with them (and split hotels if they are going multiple days, etc).  There is at least one bus that is organized regularly (for one day of the TCA meet), but it is Long Island based.  If you want to do bandit meets and the TCA meet, you want to be there for at least 3-4 days, most likely.  (but getting around to the bandit meets requires driving between them, they are not at the Fairgrounds where the TCA meet is held, nor are they central to one another that you could readily walk between them - not that you would want to if you make purchases, obviously)

-Dave

FJI posted:

Andrew I do not if this helps but the Railroad Museum of Long Island runs a bus trip to york with pick up points across Long Island and N J . 

Thanks, found it!

https://rmli.org/event/bus-tri...tca-york-train-show/

Andrew, if you don't come on a bus tour, and took a Greyhound yourself, I believe Uber and Lyft are available to get to the fairgrounds where the meet is, as well as around the area.

Mike

UPS also sets up a booth at York to ship items.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

I want to hit April mainly for two reasons, I haven't been there in April, and for the good friends I have met there during the last three October York's. I enjoy talking to everyone I meet, even if it is a scarce few minutes. Last year someone was asking me about the coat I was wearing. I couldn't remember what the company name was I bought it from(US Wings out in Ohio), but told him that the company was run by a Vietnam Vet. I wished I could have told him the company name, but I was scatterbrained.

I was certainly glad to see you Dave when you walked up to me in front of the Orange Hall I believe!!  I was there that October and went the following April.  Those are the only two I attended, and was blown away by both October and April.  The largest meet I had ever been to before that were the Greenberg shows in Monroeville (near Pittsburgh) and I get the idea those are some of the smaller Greenberg shows.  

Having only attended twice, those in recent years, and only staying for two days each, I have no opinion on what the two day event will be like.  We will have to wait and see.

gftiv posted:

UPS also sets up a booth at York to ship items.

I don't think they have boxes large enough for Andrew to fit into.

(sorry, I couldn't resist)

I would bet the Thursday addition had little to do with the shrinking of the Bandit Meets. Think "eBay". Think "far fewer people collect now". Flea Markets in general are 1/3 to 1/2 the size they were 15 years ago. I don't expect the size of the Bandit Meets will now go back to "the old days". 

Joe Hohmann posted:

gftiv posted:

UPS also sets up a booth at York to ship items.

I don't think they have boxes large enough for Andrew to fit into.

(sorry, I couldn't resist)

They also only set up at the Fairgrounds, to the best of my knowledge, so that's not helpful for someone without a car shopping the bandit meets earlier in the week.

(though I imagine there has to be some sort of UPS/Fed Ex drop off location within a quick Uber ride.  I know there is a post office right near the intersection of Carlisle and Rte 30)

-Dave

Mark Boyce posted:

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

I want to hit April mainly for two reasons, I haven't been there in April, and for the good friends I have met there during the last three October York's. I enjoy talking to everyone I meet, even if it is a scarce few minutes. Last year someone was asking me about the coat I was wearing. I couldn't remember what the company name was I bought it from(US Wings out in Ohio), but told him that the company was run by a Vietnam Vet. I wished I could have told him the company name, but I was scatterbrained.

I was certainly glad to see you Dave when you walked up to me in front of the Orange Hall I believe!!  I was there that October and went the following April.  Those are the only two I attended, and was blown away by both October and April.  The largest meet I had ever been to before that were the Greenberg shows in Monroeville (near Pittsburgh) and I get the idea those are some of the smaller Greenberg shows.  

Having only attended twice, those in recent years, and only staying for two days each, I have no opinion on what the two day event will be like.  We will have to wait and see.

Heck I can't rightly remember, I just know we all had a blast that October getting out to Peter's breakfast and chatting up a storm about everything we heard was coming. I remember being overwhelmed just seeing everything. I can't even remember how many pictures I took that first time, but I do know I've taken less the more I've come back. Hopefully everything works out and we all get out there.

I do know this past October there was a bunch of discussions on what all the nightlife would be with the shorter days. That is going to be the hardest thing to get ironed out. I think Don had said that two groups would meet a day after each other, now they'd be meeting on the same day and same time. I guess we'll all see what comes.

I use the riverhead train club bus to York, its great, the operators take great care of you, I can drive but rather have somother person to drive the bus. read the information, I think its cheaper than driving your self.. been going several years now, did the fall show.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

I want to hit April mainly for two reasons, I haven't been there in April, and for the good friends I have met there during the last three October York's. I enjoy talking to everyone I meet, even if it is a scarce few minutes. Last year someone was asking me about the coat I was wearing. I couldn't remember what the company name was I bought it from(US Wings out in Ohio), but told him that the company was run by a Vietnam Vet. I wished I could have told him the company name, but I was scatterbrained.

I was certainly glad to see you Dave when you walked up to me in front of the Orange Hall I believe!!  I was there that October and went the following April.  Those are the only two I attended, and was blown away by both October and April.  The largest meet I had ever been to before that were the Greenberg shows in Monroeville (near Pittsburgh) and I get the idea those are some of the smaller Greenberg shows.  

Having only attended twice, those in recent years, and only staying for two days each, I have no opinion on what the two day event will be like.  We will have to wait and see.

Heck I can't rightly remember, I just know we all had a blast that October getting out to Peter's breakfast and chatting up a storm about everything we heard was coming. I remember being overwhelmed just seeing everything. I can't even remember how many pictures I took that first time, but I do know I've taken less the more I've come back. Hopefully everything works out and we all get out there.

I do know this past October there was a bunch of discussions on what all the nightlife would be with the shorter days. That is going to be the hardest thing to get ironed out. I think Don had said that two groups would meet a day after each other, now they'd be meeting on the same day and same time. I guess we'll all see what comes.

I've mentioned elsewhere that Marty Fitzhenry invited me to sit in the empty seat beside him at Peter's breakfast and gave me some tips for my first time at York.  I was overwhelmed too.  I took some photographs of the old buildings and grandstands, but didn't take any indoors.  The city of York has a lot of buildings older than here in Western Pennsylvania.

I enjoyed the OGR supper at Quaker Steak and Lube each time I went, once in October, then the following April.  I sat with some of the guys I know from the Pittsburgh Independent HiRailers each time, in fact shared a room with Andy Hummel.  To me, both meets seemed about the same.  Great!!!  

One thing I have to do yet is register for this. I really have to out in my vacation before I do that to make sure I have off.

Has anyone heard anything about the public still getting into the orange and purple halls. I heard that it was being dropped.

The eastern division meet notice came today. It is good that the legacy users will be there or is  this another oops.      Sorry Marty

I got my meet notice in the mail yesterday.     The map on page 8 still shows "Open to the public" in the Orange, Purple and black halls.     Not sure about the Legacy meeting?    I see that the DCS meeting is listed for Thursday night in the Fairgrounds.    Wasn't it offsite last Oct.?

According to the York April folder I got in the mail today, "Mark Your Calendar Future York Meet Dates October 23-24, 2020...April 23-24, 2021". 

If we do a Legacy meeting it will be in the fall only. 

So its only two days. Its the greatest show on earth for me. Ill be there spending more money than I need to but who really cares. Its fun and so many friends to see .I love the show and so does my wife. 

John, I wish I could get my wife to go.

Believe it or not my wife helps me carry purchases out and tells me some things to buy I'm blessed in so many ways. She is a big figure in in my hobby. She inspires me on things to do on my layout a d gives me ideas on scenery.    eas on 

You are blessed!!  My wife encourages me in the hobby, and adds scenery items, usually whimsical ones, but she went to one show with me 35 years ago and hasn't again.  Maybe someday!

I talked to a friend today that moved from PA to Colorado and was planning on coming to York in April. I told him of the new 2 day schedule and he changed his mind telling me with that taking place it’s not worth the trip back. Unfortunately I won’t be there this year for either show but plan on coming back in the fall of 2021. I remember the 2 day shows from before and they were always good. Maybe by 2021 they will have the problems straightened out and we will all be happy again.

No worries, if you love the York event, you can still spend yourself silly in two days. If the meet cuts back to a Friday and Saturday only event, its only a measure of what makes most the most business sense for the Eastern Division. 

MartyE posted:

If we do a Legacy meeting it will be in the fall only. 

What I'd really like to do in the fall is use the "room" to the right of the Lionel booth when looking at it from the front.  I believe a vendor used to be in there but has since been vacated.  I'd like to do it around 10:30 am or 1:00 pm in the afternoon.  This way it's close to the Lionel booth so it's a lot easier for them to stop in, which I think would really enrich the meeting, and no one has to wake up at O dark thirty and wait for the doors to open.

I hope to inquire about this during the April meet.

MartyE posted:

MartyE posted:

If we do a Legacy meeting it will be in the fall only. 

What I'd really like to do in the fall is use the "room" to the right of the Lionel booth when looking at it from the front.  I believe a vendor used to be in there but has since been vacated.  I'd like to do it around 10:30 am or 1:00 pm in the afternoon.  This way it's close to the Lionel booth so it's a lot easier for them to stop in, which I think would really enrich the meeting, and no one has to wake up at O dark thirty and wait for the doors to open.

I hope to inquire about this during the April meet.

I recall the room, Marty!  That is a great idea if you can swing it!!

MartyE posted:

What I'd really like to do in the fall is use the "room" to the right of the Lionel booth when looking at it from the front.  I believe a vendor used to be in there but has since been vacated.  I'd like to do it around 10:30 am or 1:00 pm in the afternoon.  This way it's close to the Lionel booth so it's a lot easier for them to stop in, which I think would really enrich the meeting, and no one has to wake up at O dark thirty and wait for the doors to open.

I hope to inquire about this during the April meet.

Sounds like a plan, that would be a good location and I like the time as well.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

MartyE posted:

What I'd really like to do in the fall is use the "room" to the right of the Lionel booth when looking at it from the front.  I believe a vendor used to be in there but has since been vacated.  I'd like to do it around 10:30 am or 1:00 pm in the afternoon.  This way it's close to the Lionel booth so it's a lot easier for them to stop in, which I think would really enrich the meeting, and no one has to wake up at O dark thirty and wait for the doors to open.

I hope to inquire about this during the April meet.

Sounds like a plan, that would be a good location and I like the time as well.

I like that as well. Hopefully things go well.