Which table(s) in which hall at York draws you in the strongest? For me there are the vendors selling K Line in the Blue Hall...
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When first attending York in years past, l started in the Blue Hall. Addition of the Silver Hall seems to have increased parking around the two, so decent parking requires an undesired early arrival before Thursday noon. So now parking may be near another building, and convenience and the desire for an early find suggest a start at a different building.
Orange Hall. Near MTH. Dealer use to sell MTH production samples.
For collectors of pre/post war it has always been the Blue and the red hall first. For operators of the modern stuff it is always the orange hall, and some of those operators never go to the Red, blue & white halls. They hang around the orange hall all day or the purple hall all day.
When I was looking for great-condition AF postwar trains, I'd start in the white hall. To get first dibs on high quality 1:43 car models, the orange hall. Great selection of vintage transformers, the red hall. Best hall for cheapskates that don't want to "tip" restroom attendants, the black hall.
All tables in all halls. I never know which table will have that special treasure that I have been looking for ... or didn't know I was looking for
As a former Orange Hall exhibitor, I tend to spend my time there, partially because I visit my many friends who are stil exhibitors. Also, because there is a good mix of dealers selling both used and, especially new products. I have most of the older, postwar trains that I want as a collector. I am always looking for new things as well as scenery material (my former business). My favorite place for scenery items is Scenic Express. If you cannot find find the scenery product you seek from them, it probably does NOT exist.
My favorite table is the table where I meet a friendly TCA member who is willing to make a deal. So I have many favorites.
I do have tables that I call favorites for looking and admiring but never buying. The merchandise is beautiful but the prices are not what I want to pay.
HARRY HEIKE, and his friend HENRY, in the ORANGE HALL. Always a good start for me.
Was Beth's in the Black Brown Hall. Bought a lot of stuff from her. There was another dealer I liked near the front, far right door of the Orange Hall. Can't remember his name. Went to Florida I think.
I also liked Al's in the Orange Hall before he went tinplate.
Since I'm only interested in new stuff and layout items, I frequent the Orange Hall now a days hoping to find the few remaining scale Weaver, GGD, and 3rd Rail items I want. I buy from whomever has the lowest price.
I always hit both Trainz and Gryzboski's first thing for Postwar and old MPC, and all the parts dealers in the Orange Hall. Then off to the Purple Hall for more parts. And then all the member halls to see friends and look under tables.
Usually start in the orange and work my way left to right. Many Fav's including Harry Hieke, Nassau Hobby, Trainland Scenic Express. Over a two day affairI make sure to hit ALL THE HALLS. Every York there is something that pops out and says BUY ME...
I enjoy the tables near the center of the blue hall (maybe silver, as I always get them mixed up) that has a really good selection of old original standard gauge items. Since I'm a runner and unwilling to pay for rarity, I've never bought anything, but I enjoy looking and learning.
For bargains on modern stuff, I like Nicholas Smith Trains in orange.
I am an operator, so all the vendors, big and small in the dealer halls. But the ones I lingered in the most is/was JusTrains in the Purple Hall and Vince's Trains in the Orange Hall. I swear they made me feel like they were giving stuff away!!
But I also have found many treasures in the Member Halls too! I wish the York Meet was four times a year!!
Orange hall Thursday and try to get the rest on Friday. I don't have any favorite tables. Lots of great stuff.
While I visit and enjoy all the halls and have purchased items in each over the years, my favorite is the Orange Hall because I see so many friends and get to chat for a bit as we all walk around and shop.
-Greg
@Traindiesel posted:But the ones I lingered in the most is/was JusTrains in the Purple Hall and Vince's Trains in the Orange Hall. I swear they made me feel like they were giving stuff away!!
Vince’s Trains is the one I couldn’t remember earlier. Great guy. I also liked the old JusTrains, bought a lot from them.
I usually begin up the hill at the Red hall. It seems like I've always scored some great deals there. Then I do the White,Blue,Silver and repeat over and over - I don't rush and try to look at what's lurking below the table too. I usually do the Brown/Purple/Orange halls on Saturday when the crowds are thinner. I've been to York maybe two dozen times since 1979. My best advice to newbies is if you see something you want and the price is right or can be "haggled" down a bit,go ahead and Buy it! It will not be there when you return.
At recent past meets, I've done best in the Red hall..........
I never thought of the red hall being up the hill.
Having accumulated most of what I need I usually spend my time only in the Orange Hall.
Not being a PW collector, I may walk through the other halls once or twice every 3 or 4 years. I noticed that one of the halls is now empty, when did that occur?
During my first visit to York I noticed all the halls were full plus a large tent adjacent to the Silver Hall. Today's attendance seems to be about half of what it use to be. The trade off is that it is much easier getting down the aisles.
@Ricky Tanner posted:...My best advice to newbies is if you see something you want and the price is right or can be "haggled" down a bit,go ahead and Buy it! It will not be there when you return.
If you remember only one thing from this thread, this is it.
My favorite hall is Purple since two gents there, different vendors, sell K Line...usually used, but VG condition.
Because of my girth, you can tell my second choice(s) are the Blue/Silver...cause I get to visit the funnel cake and pit beef/chicken trailers. Then walk off the food coma by walking back to Orange Hall.
@eddie g posted:I never thought of the red hall being up the hill.
Wait until you reach your 100th birthday.
@Ricky Tanner posted:My best advice to newbies is if you see something you want and the price is right or can be "haggled" down a bit,go ahead and Buy it! It will not be there when you return.
I agree...and not just because of it being sold. Dealer table numbers are usually hidden under table covering or stuff for sale. You may know it's Red Hall, Row D, sort of a third down the row. Good luck with that one. Been there, done that. Did I miss it? Was it moved? Was it sold?
My favorite hall is any with trains on tables. Makes it simple.
Dave
Before I was a table holder (Blue Hall) I would always start in Red Hall as there was a gentleman in the center of the hall that always had Atlas O at incredible prices (usually $30-$35 per car). I bought quite a few reefers and PRR freight cars from him -- often spending my entire (and limited) budget at that table. He would be mostly sold out of Atlas by the end of the day on Thursdays. Since becoming a table holder, it has been more difficult to get away from my tables to shop, but I still seem to find treasures to take home. 
Andy
The Orange Hall is probably my favorite. I have many friends in the Orange Hall from my years of exhibiting there. Now I just come as patron. The booth where I almost always walk away with purchases I have made is Scenic Express. They have the most amazing selection of new scenery products and always seem to have new ones at each show.
I spend most of my time in the Orange Hall. As others have said, that is where I run into most of the folks I know. Also, I am not looking for any pre-war or post-war, so some of the halls have a lot of tables I skip. However, I go down every aisle in every hall, because you never know what gem you will find, or what fine person you will meet.
First stop is the Orange Hall that is the items I’m interested in and where most of my friends are. Next the Purple and then the Black to see the Layout. Hardly ever the blue and silver just no interest there. I do go to the Red Hall to see MTH Tech and friend Jon Nestlerode. I finish my weekend in the Orange hall saying goodbye to my friends. Hopefully to see them again at the next show.
My most interesting finds have been in the Orange Hall, and none involved buying a train. A $90 value large vintage Putz house with figures for $20, a wonderful hand built 1:48 wood chicken coup, various "quality" 1:43 autos, and a beautiful 3' long, hand-built model of the Hellgate Bridge for $300..
@Joe Hohmann posted:...a beautiful 3' long, hand-built model of the Hellgate Bridge for $300..
I'd like to see a picture of that bridge.
@trumpettrain posted:All tables in all halls. I never know which table will have that special treasure that I have been looking for ... or didn't know I was looking for
I'm with Patrick here. Everything seems to charm me one way or another so it is pleasing to my brain. I usually try and talk to everyone that I show any interest in what they have even if it is just to ask the real simple questions on things or them in general. You never know what you find, and some chances you never know what you'll buy until you really look.
I start at the Red Hall. It's all downhill from there.
the ice cream stand in between the blue and silver halls.
@Nation Wide Lines posted:the ice cream stand in between the blue and silver halls.
Now you’re talking!!
@redjimmy1955 posted:My favorite hall is Purple since two gents there, different vendors, sell K Line...usually used, but VG condition.
Because of my girth, you can tell my second choice(s) are the Blue/Silver...cause I get to visit the funnel cake and pit beef/chicken trailers. Then walk off the food coma by walking back to Orange Hall.
The funnel cake trailer hasn't been at York since 2018. The pit BBQ trailer was missing at the October, 2019, Meet.
Things aren't as they used to be. 
RThomps...I couldnt agree more! Our group had some pretty bummed out folks last October, when we came up to Blue/Silver Halls...and those food vendors were absent! Yikes!
I imagine with York attendence dropping, the food vendors need to look elsewhere for revenue. I DO HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED hoping for an October York....
Crossing our fingers is all we can do Red Jimmy!
Love the Orange Hall - several dealers there that I visit. Purple Hall is fun too. Used to like the Brown Hall when Public Delivery Track was there. They are all interesting. Hope York is open in October - it's time to check out trains!
