Buying standard gauge

Plenty of SG at York at all price points. Gotta walk around and find it.

 "Anything at reasonable prices?"

Haha! Good one. Expect to pay top dollar at York. I'd say most of the STDG on tables at York is priced more at "show and tell" level than actually for sale.

Sure, maybe some people find a few good STDG buys at York, but I never saw one. Of the 5-6 times I've gone I have found interesting things, but never a deal on STDG trains.

I guess it all depends on what you consider a deal. There is plenty to choose from at York for standard gauge.  If your looking for used pre war standard gauge hit the member halls that is where you may get your best deal. Just be aware some guy's think they have gold on there hands. If there not willing to work with you just move on to the next table.  After going to York a while you'll see the same stuff at the same price. It doesn't sell but it gets to go for a ride twice a year! 

I bet there will be some pieces you recognize from 7 years ago! Same table, same price!

Like Chris said, avoid those and move on. Plenty more to choose from.

I thought the ballroom of the Wyndham or whatever used to be the Sheraton had a good bit of it before the York show started.   

IMHO York has more prewar and modern era Standard Gauge for sale than any other train show.  Out here in Mid-America (Arkansas and surrounding states), I am lucky to find one or two tables at a train show with any SG for sale.  This includes my favorite train show, Milwaukee's Trainfest.  York attracts many if not most of the big tinplate dealers who typically bring much of their extensive SG inventories to York to sell.  Furthermore, if you need any SG parts, York is a great place to find them.  Lastly, you never know what SG you are going to find at York so it's always an adventurer!

Bob

It looks like I will be in PA that week and will be able to attend part of York.  Anybody know what the hours are for the ballroom at the Wyndham?  Also, when does on-site registration open on Thursday? I missed the online registration. 

Thanks!

George

I found the meet notice with registration information.  They could have made it easier to find by putting a link on the main page.

Would still like more info about the Wyndham tables.  Who organizes this?

In all the times I have been to York I have never gone to as it's called a "Badit meet" at one of the hotels usually on Wensday of York week.  I would hop over to the "York" forum there will be definitely someone over there who will have more info on that. My friend Eddie G. comes to mind. 

There's plenty to find there.  Always some unusual stuff as well. The Standard Gauge Modular Group has a breakfast on Friday morning and there is usually a show and tell with the odd standard gauge stuff found and purchased in the halls on Thursday.  Don't just look on the tables--sometimes the deal you are looking for is in a box under the table.

Scott Smith

I'm still a relative newbie in the Standard Gauge world, but I found that you owe it to yourself to stop at Sidetrack Hobbie's booth in the Orange Hall for the latest offerings in the MTH/LCT world.  Al & Libby are the best, and they pretty much bring only Standard Gauge trains to York.  I'm not into the "original" Standard Gauge pre-war stuff, because there's just no reason to pay premium dollars for it when MTH is pumping some TERRIFIC shiny, brand new stuff into the market these days.  Lately I've been pretty much making York a day-trip, and I don't get a chance to visit the member halls all that much anymore.  So I get my Standard Gauge "fix" from Sidetrack Hobbies while spending most of my time in the Orange Hall. 

David

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

I'm still a relative newbie in the Standard Gauge world, but I found that you owe it to yourself to stop at Sidetrack Hobbie's booth in the Orange Hall for the latest offerings in the MTH/LCT world.  Al & Libby are the best, and they pretty much bring only Standard Gauge trains to York.  I'm not into the "original" Standard Gauge pre-war stuff, because there's just no reason to pay premium dollars for it when MTH is pumping some TERRIFIC shiny, brand new stuff into the market these days.  Lately I've been pretty much making York a day-trip, and I don't get a chance to visit the member halls all that much anymore.  So I get my Standard Gauge "fix" from Sidetrack Hobbies while spending most of my time in the Orange Hall. 

David

Dave is right. If your looking for new standard gauge Side Track Hobbies is your best bet! Al and Libby are great to deal with!  It is possible to come across someone in the member halls with some "New /Old" stock Lionel Classics standard gauge but that is hit or miss at best. 

Where is York? When is it being held this year? Might try to make the pilgrimage up there for the first time myself.

It is York,PA. It opens Thursday afternoon April 14th 12-5, all day Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-2. If you are not a TCA member you can go only once after that you will have to join the TCA. Go to the Miscellaneous forum section, click on York meet. Scoll down to you find Clem's primer, this will give you plenty of info on York.

El Classico posted:

Where is York? When is it being held this year? Might try to make the pilgrimage up there for the first time myself.

York is always in York, PA in April and October.  It is the Eastern Division meet of the TCA.  You need to be a member or guest of a member to attend, but I believe they will sign up new members at the meet.  You used to have to have a member sponsor, but I think they changed that.  Also, they are currently waiving application fees.

Here is the event notice:

http://www.easterntca.com/member-notice.htm

Here is the new member information:

http://traincollectors.site-ym...page=Become_a_Member

Hope you decide to join!

George

The "traveling collections" are there every time. The same guys bring the same trains and never budge on their prices. The last 2 York meets I sold a lot of SG--but I priced the items to sell. Keep an eye out and you'll find the sellers who are serious about moving their trains. Stop by I-45 in the Blue Hall--I may just have what you're after.

BlueComet400 posted:

The "traveling collections" are there every time. The same guys bring the same trains and never budge on their prices. The last 2 York meets I sold a lot of SG--but I priced the items to sell. Keep an eye out and you'll find the sellers who are serious about moving their trains. Stop by I-45 in the Blue Hall--I may just have what you're after.

I too am amused by the traveling collections.  I think I could tell you what is on certain tables in blue and silver blindfolded, as I've seen the same stuff in the same places for 20 years.  

Will look for you in a couple of weeks.

The "traveling collections" are there every time.

The traveling collections are not limited to standard gauge. There are plenty of traveling collections of all gauges, brands, and time periods. But there is also plenty of reasonably priced goods too. The TCA / Eastern Division has no control over what table holders ask for their stuff.

I don't think I ever left a York show empty handed.

I see some people asking unreasonably high prices right here on this board too.