It is now official: "The April 2020 York Train Meet is cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus."
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Thanks. It was inevitable. Hopefully, things will be in much better shape relatively soon regarding the coronavirus, and we can all look forward to the October York Meet. I think it would be great if he Eastern Division pivoted back to the 3-day format, at least for the October Meet. Makes complete sense, in light of the cancellation of the April Meet, and there is certain to be a lot of pent-up demand. Indeed, I have already asked Eastern Division President Dan Danielson to strongly consider doing that. Also hope to speak to Dan about this at an appropriate time, hopefully in the next week or two.
Pat
No surprise there. Most conventions and large group gatherings are being cancelled.
irish rifle posted:Thanks. It was inevitable. Hopefully, things will be in much better shape relatively soon regarding the coronavirus, and we can all look forward to the October York Meet. I think it would be great if he Eastern Division pivoted back to the 3-day format, at least for the October Meet. Makes complete sense, in light of the cancellation of the April Meet, and there is certain to be a lot of pent-up demand. Indeed, I have already asked Eastern Division President Dan Danielson to strongly consider doing that. Also hope to speak to Dan about this at an appropriate time, hopefully in the next week or two.
Pat
Pent up demand is not going to change the fact that under the 3 day format Saturdays were a waste of time for the sellers. I certainly will never sell at the fairgrounds again, especially if it is a 3 day show. To add to that, is that from the show's inception in the early 1970s until about 2005, it was a 2 day show, which seemed to work fine.
The 3 day shows are done. This April was to be the first of going back to 2 days. Hopefully we will all get to attend in October.
Forest
Dear Leadership and Volunteers of the York Show,
Thank you for leadership and management of this important show on our behalf. Challenging times and we know you did what you felt best, which we support. Looking forward to the upcoming show. Best. Mike
Always was the best show, people, and execution. Many ardent supporters are on this forum. Getting our priorities straight and moving forward as best we can in the greatest country on earth.
Forest posted:The 3 day shows are done. This April was to be the first of going back to 2 days. Hopefully we will all get to attend in October.
Forest
Well, going to the two-day format was the original plan, as I understand it, but for the coming October York Meet (assuming all is well by then), the Eastern Division or even TCA National folks might want to re-think things a bit and go back to three days, or even four, at least for this one event. They might even want to consider some special features, initiatives, or incentives to tie-in to the meet, which might help to boost attendance back to mid-1990s levels, even if it is just for this one time. Hopefully, by the time October rolls around, there will be a lot of pent-up desire for folks to get out, move around, and do things they were unable to do for weeks or even months. A little outside-the-box thinking might result in an extra-special and very memorable event..
Allan with all due respect, I think they need to keep whatever plan they have in place. This is not time to over complicate things especially when no one knows for sure what the fall will bring. Planning an extravaganza could only lead to a bigger financial hit for them and the TCA membership that we all cannot afford right now. Let's just hope we have a fall show. Once we get closer maybe then they could add a perk or 2 during the regularly scheduled meet but for now it's time to keep it as planned. It's always easier to make big plans with someone else's money. Right now we all need to tighten our belts.
I applaud the EDTCA, it's membership, and volunteers for a great meet every year. I did feel they were slow to cancel but that past now so let's move on.
MartyE posted:Allan with all due respect, I think they need to keep whatever plan they have in place. This is not time to over complicate things especially when no one knows for sure what the fall will bring.
Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying such an extension or even other activities could even be possible. For one thing, the pandemic may still be with us well into this year, or even beyond. For another thing, it may not even be possible for the Eastern Division to add additional days beyond what they have already booked. However, the TCA National, in Strasburg, may have more flexibility, perhaps working in conjunction with the Strasburg RR, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Choo-Choo Barn or other local attractions. Just possibilities for some creative thinking; not ANYTHING definite. Would be just as great to have even the scheduled two-day meet at York. We at OGR plan to be there.
Forest posted:The 3 day shows are done. This April was to be the first of going back to 2 days. Hopefully we will all get to attend in October.
Forest
This is not accurate, based upon my prior discussions with Dan Danielson. Dan indicated that the Eastern Division had decided to go to a 2-day Meet for the April 2020 Meet, but would continue to evaluate the situation for the future. He indicated further that the 2-day schedules posted on the Eastern Division website for future Meets reflected their current thinking, but those dates were not cast in stone. Assuming that the coronavirus abates, and there is an October York Meet this year, like Allan, I am cautiously optimistic that the Eastern Division will pivot back to a 3-day Meet, at least for this one.
Pat
I'll be perfectly happy with the fall York in whatever form it takes. 
Thanks Alan for posting. Sort of haven't had time to catch up with things that I am normally on top of. Hope to see everyone(and I do mean everyone) in October. Give a smile as smiles don't hurt nobody. Take care all, see you all when we are all able.
Allan Miller posted:Forest posted:The 3 day shows are done. This April was to be the first of going back to 2 days. Hopefully we will all get to attend in October.
Forest
Well, going to the two-day format was the original plan, as I understand it, but for the coming October York Meet (assuming all is well by then), the Eastern Division or even TCA National folks might want to re-think things a bit and go back to three days, or even four, at least for this one event. They might even want to consider some special features, initiatives, or incentives to tie-in to the meet, which might help to boost attendance back to mid-1990s levels, even if it is just for this one time. Hopefully, by the time October rolls around, there will be a lot of pent-up desire for folks to get out, move around, and do things they were unable to do for weeks or even months. A little outside-the-box thinking might result in an extra-special and very memorable event..
go back to 3 days or even a 4 day show???
Boost Attendance back to the Mid-1990s????
As the membership of the TCA is significantly below the level of the 1990s, how do you propose that?
Not sure what reality you are living in, but demographics are changing and nothing is going to bring back attendance or TCA membership levels of the mid 1990s.
Allan, I really believe you should get involved in the National level of TCA, with all your idea's. Dave Nichols
Dave Nichols posted:Allan, I really believe you should get involved in the National level of TCA, with all your idea's. Dave Nichols
I really appreciate your comment (I guess, depending on the spirit in which it may have been offered 
), but being well beyond retirement age and still working full time, not to mention trying to stay healthy, I really have little extra time for adding more to my plate in terms of active involvement with many organizations, aside from Angels for Animals, which I also have been kind of neglecting for far too long since the time other changes took place in my life several years ago.
gunrunnerjohn posted:I'll be perfectly happy with the fall York in whatever form it takes.
Ditto, John!
We have no idea if there will be an October show. The vast majority of TCA fit the high risk category. Many small businesses are going to be affected, quite possibly vendors and table holders of the York shows.
We can dream all we want. But there will be a significant medical and a huge financial impact to our great nation and the world. It may take a while to recover. I'm just praying to keep a job.
If we are there and it's two days, and business as usual then I'm ecstatic. Three days would be great.
Well, given the current situation in the country, whether it is 2, 3, 4 or more days, or no show at all, that is the last thing most of us and our families have to worry about.
I agree Diok S. There are far more important things we all really need to keep our eyes on. Other stuff can go to the back burner. I wanted to get some stuff taken care of before all this started, but just haven't gotten around to those, now they will have to wait which I am okay with. As long as I don't dirt nap, it will get started later.
I don't think that any OGR people would be interested in doing anything with the TCA.
If you are naive enough to think this is just hitting the little guy you are gravely mistaken. Our business is live television. Nuff said.
If and hopefully there is a fall York, I may not have the money to go anyways. Let's hope this is over sooner than later. I would give my right arm for a few live sporting events even to an empty arena.
eddie g posted:I don't think that any OGR people would be interested in doing anything with the TCA.
What is that supposed to mean, my friend?
eddie g posted:I don't think that any OGR people would be interested in doing anything with the TCA.
???????
Allan Miller posted:eddie g posted:I don't think that any OGR people would be interested in doing anything with the TCA.
What is that supposed to mean, my friend?
When Manny Ramirez played for the Boston Red Sox, there was not much he did or said that would surprise them. They had a saying "That's just Manny being Manny".
Allan, It reads like he's saying that OGR might have some ill feelings towards TCA. Maybe not but?? Dave Nichols
Dave Nichols posted:Allan, It reads like he's saying that OGR might have some ill feelings towards TCA. Maybe not but?? Dave Nichols
Well, he has been around here long enough to know that is not true. A check of back issues of the magazines and previous TCA National posts on this forum would quickly confirm that.
I assume Eddie is referring to all the previous posts of the past decrying how York is stuck in the past, calling out some of the "rules" as ridiculous (ignoring differences in different areas of the meet), making the decision of OGR to attend less frequently as vendors, etc.
Not trying to dredge up discussions from the past, but they definitely did happen, and they were not always as civil as we all are encouraged to be.
Credit where credit is due, yes I agree the magazine itself has to the best of my knowledge always portrayed York and the TCA in a positive light.
-Dave
I had a feeling this announcement was going to come at some point especially since the York Fairgrounds cancelled all events in the next few weeks.Like everyone on this board;I was looking forward to the York show but it is important that this virus gets contained and that everyone stays safe and healthy.Hopefully we will all be together again in October.
Why do we need three days, 2 is more than enough. Friday and Saturday was just fine for years and then it went to 3 and now back to 2, the way it should be.
Besides I doubt people will have more money to spend come October, without work who will have the money?
Dave
York MEET. not Show.
david1 posted:Why do we need three days, 2 is more than enough. Friday and Saturday was just fine for years and then it went to 3 and now back to 2, the way it should be.
Besides I doubt people will have more money to spend come October, without work who will have the money?
Dave
It's March. Things look pretty grim today, but October is a long way off. Who knows what will happen with the coronavirus or the economy between now and then.
Pat
Of course we don't know if there will be a TCA York show or not, it is too far off. However, there is nothing wrong with planning either. If the October show should get cancelled, I would hope everyone effected would understand.
Charlie
We really have much bigger fish to fry. Let's talk about the wonderful toys we have, how much fun they are, and what needs repair.
Let's stay positive and get united like we did after 9-11. We made it through WWII, the depression, and the cold war.
No one has all the answers, but hindsight is always 20-20. Just watch the news to find that out.
We may have some draconian times ahead similar to other countries, but we have no good choice, but to act responsibly and do what we're asked to do. Our leaders are trying to protect us.
Where I work (about a million square ft, 2000 people, 3 shifts), half of all break tables and chairs have been removed to force spacing. Only ten people at a time can go eat or to break. Signs on what to do are everywhere. I fully expect next week for everybody to get scanned at the badge entrance for temperature. We even had to take an online test about symptoms and expected actions.
Steve, wow! I work at a plant with 3 shifts. Not sure how many people work here but I would guess about 700. We don’t have any of the precautions you have and we are a quasi government company.
Hudson J1e posted:Steve, wow! I work at a plant with 3 shifts. Not sure how many people work here but I would guess about 700. We don’t have any of the precautions you have and we are a quasi government company.
That is unfortunate. The people are the most valuable resource in any company. The time to cull out bad employees, train you, and maintain you is very expensive and difficult to replace.
Similar to the wealth of train information inside the individuals of this forum, TCA, etc. If we fired them, it would take years to replicate their knowledge, willingness to share, camaraderie, etc.
We have plants all over the world and evidently corporate is coordinating all plants to copying the best practices found by other plants where local guidelines allow. We get at least two emails a day updating us on what they are doing AND what they expect us to do. This is raising the eyebrows of a lot of our workers and they realize the company is very serious about this.
Have you ever noticed that practically every thread about York, past and present, eventually devolves into the arguments about how many days it should be, and which days?
Personally I like it as it keeps me entertained on these late studio night waiting for my turn to track some parts
I have attended all but 4 York meets since 1976 so I have extensive experience with both 2 day and 3 day meets. When it was announced last October that the April meet would be a 2 day meet, it was my understanding that the plan was to keep the fall meet at 3 days which seemed reasonable since the fall meet has been better attended in recent years. At the time of the announcement I decided I would continue to attend in October but forgo April. This decision was not a protest or get even act. It simply reflects the enjoyment and productivity of a 3 day meet verses a 2 day meet. The 3 day meet gives me time to sell and shop. Contrary to the experience of some I have found Saturday to be productive except once when I sold everything but a pair of standard gauge switched by the end of the day on Friday. (I gave the switches away). I have a large car and fill the trunk and back seat with trains with suitcases on the floor and in recent years have sold a large volume of trains. As expected sales are a function of price and I have learned to price at the mid to low end of the market rather than the high end. I emphasize again that my decision to skip the April meet is not out of spite or anger. It simply reflects my preference and feeling that it is not worth a nine hour drive from Lexington, KY for a two day meet.
As for the national crisis that we are enduring, I agree that future meets will be in a changed world. Economic and social conditions will be different but I pray that we can all continue to enjoy our wonderful hobby.
Statistically for every person that stays "sheltered" and "distanced" for three weeks 95 people stay alive.
think of all the people that will live because this meet was cancelled.
Smart move. Most TCA members are in the vulnerable age group of not surviving this virus. With the attendance getting smaller with each show, we can't afford to lose anymore.
