Chicago O Scale show - are you going?

We are thinking about going.... how much modern train related stuff is there?

 

I'm going this year. First time in many years. Have a roomette on the Texas Eagle from Tucson, via San Antonio. It's always fun to be in Chicago.

I am going for the first time.  Just sent in my registration and made hotel reservation.

Well I just booked the Westin Hotel for Sat night We are going to the show on Sat and maybe Sun and hope to get to some of the layout tours too eh. Which layout tours are closest to the Westin?

Chad,

Looking at the list of layouts from the website, I would say the Naperville layout and the Hindsale layout are the two closest options.  The two River Forest layouts will be the a little further away toward downtown.  They are both nice layouts though, and still pretty close to the hotel.  Plus they are literally down the street from one another, so if you can make one you can probably do both.  The Elgin layout is a bit further out west, but it is well worth the time to visit if you get the chance.  The Crown Point layout and the two Rockford layouts are an hour plus drive from the hotel.  So it depends how much extra time you have for those three.  Or it would be nice if they were on your way to or from home.

 

Keep an eye on the open house times.  Several layouts have overlapping viewing times but are some distance apart geographically so they can be difficult to get them all in.

 

I hope this helps.

Jim

Would someome who is going please ask Erik Stott (Midwestern) to please provide an update; it's been 6 months.

Richard,

I will. Do you have any on reserve?

I'll be there both days. Also Jerry Kimble of Atlas O will be giving a clinic on the California Zephyr at 3pm. 

2, so far. 

Wonder what the clinic will be about, the history of the CZ?

I'm thinking about it, I'll decide buy next week

Glad to see AtlasO will be represented at the show this year.  Years ago several of us  lobbied Jim Weaver at the AtlasO table for better 2 rail trucks and couplers. There has been some progress on that front but we never made any headway in urging AtlasO to use their single motor EMD diesel switcher drive in other locomotives. Fortunately Scott Mann did listened and now we have smooth running single motor drives in the diesels 3rd Rail is producing.

 

Ed Rappe

 

 

Maybe we can get 3rd rail to do Alco FA's... wouldn't they be sweet in Pennsy...

 

Will have to make the suggestion in person at the March Meet.

I may go. For me it's closer than the Du Page monthly show 

I myself say again, Pass. I'd love to go but then I compare the cost of an uncomfortable  flight, meals,  and hotel vs a new model purchase . It would be very nice to have a video to watch for those so far away to meet and see vendors and sellers, slow motion sweeps of, "for sale" tables, and video of any work shops / layout visits. A Facebook page where those who went could post their photos or videos of the event. Oh Gee, Right here. So, I am looking forward to those videos and photos of those lucky enough to live within a day trip driving distance to the event.

 

Phill

 

Just my opinion but, I sure wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for videos of the March Meet. The place is too big with tons of stuff to look at and purchase, instead of videoing everything.

I agree with HW. My experience of us doing the Sunset/ Golden Gate display at the TCA York show is that 50 or more folks ask about taking photos /videos of the display. At Chicago we might have 5 requests.

Chicago is a far more intense show than York from my perspective. Not nearly as many tire kickers, but a lot more buyers.

Hi

I will be in Chicago for the train show and plan on being in town for three days.  Does anyone know of a good train watching spot nearby the Westin that is safe and has lots of trains?

Thanks!

Don

Ghosts of March Meets (and forums) past!  You might recognize some of the participants.  Sounds like Downers Grove to the south or Elmhurst to the north.  I can say that the UP line through Elmhurst has a lot of freight traffic at night once the commuter traffic dries up a bit.

 

Train watching recommendations for the show

 

Jim

Don:

 

Big Train has provided fine advise. I would only add that the hotel, and both spots to watch (Elmhurst and Downers) are very safe. 

 

If you have time, both spots should be visited.

 

My opinion is that Elmhurst is a bit better due to the trains slowing down to arrive at the Proviso yard and also just leaving since they have not really had time to gain speed. This allows you to be very close to slow moving trains.

 

But, you should really try to get to both locations and even wonder up and down each line to get a little feel of the area.

 

Charlie

Thanks guys! 

I appreciate all the input.  I can't wait to go to the show.  Should a fun weekend!  Hopefully there will be some good stuff to buy!

Don

For train spotting would agree Downers Grove is great! Much variety. A little history - - the DG station protrudes in the center, at the agent's office, because about 1947-8 a major derailment of a Zephyr put a passenger car into the station. The protrusion was the rebuild. Driving west of the station, following the tracks on the north side, you will notice a bulge in the road; that was the location of the old coach yard from steam days. Also, spot the large radio tower - it sits right on the spot where the turntable was located. And today's commuter trains contain BNSF double decker cars, which are at least 50 years old - stainless steel beauties. As close to a Zephyr as you will find in service, today!

Does anyone know which Layout Tours would be a more modern layout?

Anyone at the show who would be interested in having 3rd Rail offer an option of 4'8.5" gauged wheels rather than 5' please talk to Scott about it at the show.

Thats kinda what I figured Eh  Whos is the best one to go to or the largest?  Thanks

R Nelson

Don Byrnes is on the layout tour list. On the march meet website, they don't list the names of the people who own the layouts but the cities they live in.

 

 

Chad

In terms of the "LARGEST" layout that would be Ted Schnepf's layout. A little fun fact, my dad helped build his layout. Who's layout's are the best one's to see, is easy for me. Here are five layouts that I like visiting when and if they're on the layout tour list.

 

1. Don Byrnes switching layout

2. Phil Marcus

3. Jack Wheelihan's 3-rail scale layout (not on the list)

4. Paul Balter

5. Ted Schnepf's

 

All these layouts are on the list but it's best to use a GPS for the directions because the directions they give you are not that great.

 

 

Is Teds the Fox Valley Club layout in his basement? We visited that layout during the 2008 Chicago O meet at the racetrack hotel,I believe that was the last time Atlas had a table at Chicago manned by the late Jim Weaver and others.

Yes - the Fox Valley club layout is in Ted's basement - a must see.

 

Ed Rappe

Hibar, yes, you have the correct club. To be more specific, this is a Milwaukee Road Themed layout, that has grown since 2008.

 

Charlie

Thanks for all the info eh    is the Fox Valley club close to the Westin?

Chad

The Fox Valley club is about a 30 minutes away from the hotel.

Great layout, it appeared to fill the whole basement at that time.

That sounds great! that will be one we will hit for sure eh 

I intend to be there and will be presenting a clinic at 11:00 Sunday AM showing how I convert locomotives from 3 rail to 2 rail for anyone interested.  It has been about 6 years since I last presented this clinic so perhaps there are some attendees who have never seen my presentation on this topic.  I will also be in the trading hall all day Saturday with Bob Heil, the Sunset Rep.

 

See you all next Saturday.

 

Joe Foehrkolb

Baldwin Forge & Machine

No, we took a year off. However, I'll be here all day Friday and Saturday night if you want to stop by.

If any of you stop at the Right-O-Way table ask Lou about the first leg of his trip via AMTRAK.

 

Jay

Yep, I'll be here. Stop on by.