Bandit Meets?

This from the highly-regarded "Clem's York Primer" (see link in featured section of this forum):

 

NON-TCA TRAIN SHOWS DURING MON., TUES., & WED. OF YORK WEEK

 

There are five different train shows held on days prior to the TCA meet at the York Fairgrounds. These are:

 

Days Inn (formerly the Billy Budd). It is located at the confluence of Route 30 and Interstate 83 (334 Arsenal Road.)

 

Best Western Motel just north off of Route 30 (1415 Kenneth Road).

 

Holiday Inn Conference Center of York (old Holidome) at West Manchester Mall north of Route 30 on Carlisle Road (2000 Loucks Road.)

 

Reliance Fire Hall (West York FD) on 1341 West Market Street.

 

Springettsbury Fire Co., 3013 E. Market St., York.

 

Entrance to these meets is free and not restricted to TCA members.

 

I'm just glad that Allan didn't chime in.

No that might be a "Parallel Universe Allan that responded there Eddie.  He left out the Train Show over at Timonium Fairgrounds this weekend.     Yes it isn't a "bandit meet" but I thought I would mention it since it isn't so far away from York,

 

Thanks, Allan.

You're quite welcome, Larry.  If you're at York early in the week just hanging out, you might as well check out the various bandit meets (they're still called that).  Just be aware that what you're liable to see now is just a shadow of what those meets once were.  There was a time, back before the York Meet schedule was changed, when the existing bandit meets, and a few more as I recall, were jam-packed in the days leading up to the main event.

 

On Wednesday, you might also want to venture over to Strasburg for events at the TCA Museum as well as at the many other railroad-related venues in that great little town (Choo-Choo Barn, Strasburg Railroad, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, etc.).

Great advice Allan. Once upon a time, in a world and place, long, long ago and far away, but not yet forgotten by the dinosaurs still roaming, there were meets which could keep you occupied for days on end.......

 

Gerry

Would Monday morning be a good/decent time to hit some of the Bandit meets?  Specifically, how early?   I had planned to run down on Tuesday, but now cannot. Wednesday is another possibility though.  I'm only 22 miles away so easy to run down.  I've been to the Holidome a couple times, just never on Monday. Are the Best Western and Days Inn worth the effort?  I've never done those.

 

Tnx

I don't recall having ever been on hand for the Monday meets (makes for a very long week), but I suppose that day might be as good as Tuesday or Wednesday for what's left of those once-thriving events.  The Holidome is by far the best bet.  The rest are…well…rather sparse in comparison.  Depends, to a certain extent, on what you might be looking for…contemporary production, postwar, prewar, etc.

Thanks, Allan.  Your thoughts on the other two jive with my previous impressions.  Every time I drove over to the Days Inn or Best Western I saw no activity and the parking lot was relatively devoid of vehicles.  I'm going to give it a "go" on Monday to the Holiday Inn. 

Well we will be pulling in on Tuesday with our trailer.

Trailer is full as usual.

Hope to see you there lots of good deals.

I ran down to the Holidome bandit meet this morning.   Got there about 10 AM.   Not the best time to go as most have already surmised.   Vendors still setting up and many still had not shown up (assuming more were coming).   About 20 outside and at least the same inside.   Inside vendors same situation.  Late afternoon visit might be better.

 

I believe I did see Eddie G wandering around, so he made it once again.   When I saw him he was outside looking up at the sky I assume checking the weather one last time.  

 

Then ran an over to the Commonwealth Fire Hall sales.  All inside and room was full.   Maybe 30+ vendors.   This is a new location replacing Springettbury at 2045 N. Sherman St.   9-5 pm Mon thru Wed.  

 

Picked up a flyer for the "Billy Budd" and see they are open Mon. 7-9 pm, Tue., 8 am - 9 pm, and Wed., 8 am to 5 pm.  

 

 

Last york I went to I picked up more at the Holiday Inn than I did at the York show. They may not be as great as they once were, but still some good deals to be had

I was able to walk around a little bit before the rain. One vendor seem to think the proto one steamers were worth 70% of retail. At least he got his weightlifting in!

I was able to walk around a little bit before the rain. One vendor seemed to think the proto one steamers were worth 70% of retail. At least he got his weightlifting in!

Well makes show prices look all the better Thursday

Those values drop sharply on Saturday!

 

 

And the shadow gets thinner, and thinner, until eventually............

 

Gerry

 

 

I didn't get to the Holiday Inn until 2:00 on Wednesday most were packing up at that time.

Scott Smith

I definitely like the new, closer, firehall show location...no need to drive way out

Memory Lane to get to it.  I also noticed they packed up early, I thought, at the

Holday Inn....when I made a run=by after walking Carlisle.