FIRST FROST-Allentown, PA Breakfast

I made it there about 9:15, still a line outside about 10 minutes. Walked around twice without spending anything except admittance. Still a great day when you are around Trains, Trains and Trains.

I thought you must have said something bad to the waitress, everyone was practically done by the time you got yours.  I guess your plate got left in the kitchen to cool.

You would think I did, but I didn't. John Devlin was sitting next to me and said something about her drawing the short straw having to serve us. Maybe I was guilty by association?

You may have cracked the code.

I hope I got and paid the right bill. I told her I had sausage patties and she gave me a bill for "sausage patties and eggs" for an amount that may or may not have been right. I still gave her $10 and told her to keep the change because she seemed very overworked. My food came out semi-warm but at least it was edible.

While I'm not enough of an early bird to join the breakfast crowd, I cruised into the show just before 11. Took care of a few deliveries outside the hall , and arrived at the OGR booth just in time to join in the last of the OGR group photos -- not the one that was posted yet though.  Snagged two OGR videos on blu-ray while I was at the booth.  

I always like the Allentown show... Have been going faithfully since the 1970's, and this one didn't disappoint me in the least.  Although York has an admittedly larger attendence in raw numbers, the Allentown show appeared "more crowded" due to everything being in one building.  For the couple of hours I walked the show, the crowd never really thinned out, whereas at York I felt I could have driven a car down the wider aisles at times (on Thursday afternoon).

I'm glad to see Allentown has grown into the show it has over the years -- especially since it falls within a few weeks of York.  But then again, it's open to the public and draws the family crowd which isn't the case at York.  The kids' train races are always good for a few smiles!

David

I also enjoyed the layouts at Allentown, York was a disappointment this fall for layouts.

I enjoyed myself as usual!  I found a used DCS remote for $50, a couple of used ITADs for $10 - all which worked fine when I got home and tested them.  I also picked up 8 Arttista figures and 4 postage stamp planes for $5 each (my son collects them).

--Greg

Missed the breakfast but enjoyed the show. The Allentown shows never disappoint! Came home with a Lionel Hot Box reefer from Nick Smith's.

The $50 remote was a good deal Greg.  

My single purchase was some Hogwarts passenger cars to go with the Hogwarts Express locomotive that I'm upgrading to TMCC/RS and fan driven smoke.  A Dementor car with some added sounds and I'm all set.

Just got home.......had a fabulous time....I will work on posting my pictures later today. I want to thank all of you for your warm Pennsylvania hospitality.......I can only make this show once in a while.....it's a great time!

Thanks, Chuck, for being a great host!

Peter

Thanks to you on that one!  If it weren't for you being around to answer my question I never would have bought it! 

The gentlemen who sold it said he was selling a bunch of stuff for a widow he knew.   Normally, these stories are to be taken with a grain of salt but when I tested the remote it had 37 engines and 28 switches programmed into it.   Many of the engines were big mallets.   I actually had my own little moment of silence for this unknown hobbyist.

Regards, Greg

This was the second time, since I started going to this show, that we in Media PA (1 hour south of Allentown) had our first "killing frost" in the early AM of day of the show.

What a great crowd at the HamFam. A nice bunch of guys, and Jessia. While one waitress for 25 guys is problematic that is often the case. The problem was that the newbie waitress was waiting for all to arrive rather than take orders on the fly. I should have been aware of that but was distracted by the scintilating conversation about my pancakes.  

Thanks to the Allentown Train Meet Associates for another great First Frost. And thanks to the OGR fraternity for the frienship.

However, it should be noted that these two rascals were NOT at the breakfast.  The excuse being from one was that the other one, whom he referred to as "sleeping beauty", couldn't get up that early in the morning.  Which rascal said that about the other shall remain nameless. 

Here are some more pics:

Notice......no strawberry pancakes........but there was a strawberry camera!

I had a great visit to Allentown!

Peter

Thanks for the photos, Peter.

It certainly looks like you guys had a great time and enjoyed yourselves.  Breakfasts with new and old train buddies are a great way to start your day.

Hope that you all had a great show.  And you even said that OGR was there?  Oh, I forgot you are east of Ohio. 

Art

Chris, Peter, thanks for posting the pictures.  Hopefully I'll be in the vicinity for the Spring Thaw. 

Maybe the Foo Foo shop can accommodate the group next time :-)

Another great Allentown Meet!  Another fun event with friends, food and trains.  I could do this every week!

The poor waitress was a bit overwhelmed, but even though I was one of the last to have my order taken, I was the first to get my breakfast.  I guess she wanted to take care of the good looking guy first! 

Actually Brian, I told her you were noted for your big tips.  Hope you didn't disappoint her!  

Peter, you may have the only picture of me opening my wallet in public!

John, I refuse to swing at that softball!!   But I hope the usual 40% was enough!

Sleeping beauties indeed!

While you folks were sopping up the calories in copious quantities, Don Pedicini and I were WORKING to finish setting up our tables. Aah Yes!

It must be a real pleasure to have a leisurely breakfast at the opening morning of the Allentown Show.  The photos sure looked like lots of fun to us working types.

Sincerely,

Don and Ed

That indicates you should have been in the night before to setup.

That would not work for us because we would have to leave Ohio on our 350+mile  journey to Allentown a day earlier. We love going to Allentown, but we can't make a five day trip out of it. The rest of the folks at OGR would not like that much and they would be right!

Ed Boyle

We have been going to Allentown for over 10 years.  My son got his very first train there (MTH GG-1 #4935) from none other than Mr. Ed Boyle himself.  We were glad you made the trip way back then and enjoy seeing you year after year!

Ron

I figured as much, but I thought I'd toss it out there.  When do you leave for the show, in the middle of the night?  That makes for a very long Saturday I expect!

totally bummed that i missed it, but the wife,s car decided it was time to mix antifreeze and oil together, spent the weekend replacing intake gaskets. at least i had nice weather. in case any if one is wondering, yes it's a gm 3.1. see ya'll in feb.