FIRST TIME GOING TO YORK

Alex

 

Based on your postings I would start in the Orange Hall (the Toyota Pavilion) .   It is all the newer stuff and more of the big name dealers with the newer goodies such as Legacy engines, PS3, and such.  The manufacturers, MTH, Lionel and the others are here.

 

Just a couple of buildings down from the left of the entrance to the orange hall is a scooter rental.  Not really far at all.

Alex, Marty is right the Orange hall has all the shiny new stuff. Follow the arrows on the floor and your dad should be fine.  Scooter rental is just to the left of the Orange and Brown halls.  Talk to the mfg and tell them what your would like to see them do, also tell them what they are doing right.  Atlas and Weaver are very receptive to our ideas.  Make a list of things you would like to purchase and what a decent price would be.  Many vendors have scenery items that you haven't seen before.  The Brown and Purple halls also have good dealers.  The black hall usually has the layouts. The other halls are member halls, mostly older stuff but not all.  They don't know command very well I picked up some 135w power masters cheap, some say they are better than the 185w variety.

You can spot the first timers by the wide eyes, there is a lot to see.

Dan

I thank you Marty and Dan for some great info, I'm looking forward to seeing you guys there.

 

Thanks again, Alex

Check out Clem's primer stickied at the top of this forum.

Thanks Marty lots of info there

 

Alex

I might assume that your Dad is more interested in the older trains.  The Blue and Silver halls are the place to be.  They are connected so you do not need to go outside.

 

Al

Alex.....this is one of the things I do........if there is a specific item I want, and I know a dealer has it for a good price, I ask him to bring it to York for pick up.

 

Peter

Hi Al and Peter thanks for the help,

 

Al he does like the older trains thanks

peter very good to know, thanks

 

Alex

 

 

As you are planning your day, keep in mind that the member halls (Blue,Silver, Red, etc) start to close about 4:30 to 5 while the dealer halls (Orange, Brown and Purple are open until 7 both Thursday and Friday.

 

I like to start in the member halls because I find the best deals there whereas most of  what I like to see and do in the dealer halls is there most of the show.

 

Prepare yourself and your dad to be totally overwhelmed.

 

I think it is great that you are taking your dad!

 

Happy railroading,

Don

I always start with the Orange hall

That is where the major manufaturers have thier displays and new products.

I particularly look for 3RD RAIL/GGD,  LIONEL, MTH, ATLAS, WEAVER, WOODLAND SCENICS, ROSS CUSTOM  SWITCHES. There are many custom builders in the Hall for bridges, buildings/structures  and all kinds of stuff - you name it and it's there.

Many fine craftmen and custom builders have their tables in the Orange hall along with a quite a few  Hobby shops with familar names..

 

Don't forget the BLACK HALL which houses the visiting modular group each meet.

 

Most important have a safe and fun filled trip.

Thanks very much Don, great info. Yes I'm glad I'm taking my dad because he always wanted to see york and I'm happy I can get a motorized chair, he can't walk 100ft

without getting totally exhausted.

 

Thanks again, Alex

Thanks Charlie, this is sounding like it's going to be a lot of fun and a good time

 

Hope to see you all there, Alex

Just take your time and have fun.  One thing I will mention is that the doors to the Orange Hall will be unlocked by 11 and probably a bit earlier.  You can't go into the hall itself but the lobby is quite large and food vendors will be open and rest rooms are available should you need it.   Perhaps someone else will chime in about the other halls - I've just always gone to the Orange Hall first.   That hour before the meet opens is always a good time to catch up with old friends and be introduced to some new ones.

 

Hopefully you'll make dinner at Friday's on Thursday night.

 

Have a safe trip and enjoy the experience with your dad!

 

--Greg

Thanks Greg, I will be at the dinner at Fridays on Thursday night see you there

 

Thanks again, Alex

Alex, regarding the motorized chairs, the selection can dwindle quickly.  The best thing to do is reserve one in advance.

 

As listed in the York Meet notice, you can call D&R Mobility at 570-648-7418.  Let them know you want to reserve for the TCA York Meet and the dates you will need to reserve a chair.  They will ask for the height & weight of the person using the chair so that they can bring a comfortable one to use.  The cost as of this past April's York Meet was $45 for Thursday, $50 for Friday and $45 for Saturday ($140 total for all three days).

 

To reserve the chair you'll need to send payment by check in advance to their address (but you'll need to call first!):  

D & R Mobility

434 West Arch Street

Shamokin, Pa. 17872

I accompany the check with a short letter to confirm the reservation:

 

Hello,

Enclosed please find payment of $xxx.00 as quoted for a power wheelchair rental at the Train Collectors Association Meet in York, Pa. for Thursday October 18th, Friday October 19th and Saturday October 20th.

 

The power wheelchair is for my xxxxx’s use,  weight is xxx lbs. and height is x’ xx”.  Please confirm receipt of payment and any questions by calling me at my home phone number xxxxxxor my cell phone number xxxxx.

Thank you very much for your help.  Have a wonderful day!!

Sincerely, 

This way you just give them your name when you get there and the chair will be ready.  As mentioned they are located next to the First Aid building next to the Brown Hall.

Have fun on your first York Meet!!  Wish I could make it this time, first one I missed in 14 years, but I'll be attending my cousin's / Godson's wedding out of state.

So, Alex, you're finally going to "MECCA"

 

Congrats and have a WONDERFUL time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

BTW, you WILL be overwhelmed and probably exhausted by the time each day is over.  Don't dispair, relax in your hotel room for a few minutes, look at your treasures and then enjoy a good dinner with great OGR friends.

 

Three days is NOT enough to see it all...

 

Have fun, be safe.

 

Best,

Dave

Alex,

 

I've been to four of them and I can tell you this.  I was totally blown away with the show the first time I went.  You just have to see it to believe it.  And even though I've only been there a few times, it is just as overwhelming each time I go.  I am not sure you can actually take it all in.  There is always so much new stuff and things I've never seen before.

 

One thing to think about.  If memory serves me, I think the member hall tend to get pretty crowded and hard to navigate sometimes, especially with a scooter.

 

Hopefully some of the more seasoned York goers can chime in about possibily being better times to take in the member halls to beat some of the crowds.  Naturally, overall show attendance dictates how crowded any of the halls are.

 

Regardless, you and your dad are about to have the time of your life.

 

Ed

Orange Hall, first stop for sure. 

Stop at Vince's Trains first, front corner stall, second aisle from the right, for a great deal, and a story from the one and only "TrainPop". He'll also help you lighten your burden, easing your struggle with that load of cash with one of the best selections of GREAT DEALS on engines around.

 

Shameless plug! 

Well guys I can say I'm so thankful for some of the great people on this forum

you guys are so helpful and so nice, I could only hope to meet all of you at this great event. Also the help and suggestions for my dad was just awesome. I can't thank you guys enough. Traindiesel thanks for the great tip I will call them a little later today.

 

THANKS VERY MUCH TO ALL, ALEX

"Orange Hall, first stop for sure. 

Stop at Vince's Trains first, front corner stall, second aisle from the right, for a great deal, and a story from the one and only "TrainPop". He'll also help you lighten your burden, easing your struggle with that load of cash with one of the best selections of GREAT DEALS on engines around.

 

Shameless plug! "

It certainly was good advice too! LOL!

I always start at the Orange Hall and some meets never get out of there, lol. You have to come to Friday's on Thursday evening, nuttin but a bunch of OGR folks in there mostly. I'll be sitting quietly in the corner as usual, so stop by and say hey!

I was originally planning to go to York this October but as the summer wore on (and the economy was taking a nosedive) I was beginning to lean towards not going or if I did I'd go on Saturday and bring my grandson for his second York. But now that the summer is winding down and the yard work is getting easier, pool will be closed this weekend and the vegetable garden is pretty much finished I'm getting into the fall mode and I think I will be going on Friday for myself and Saturday with the munckin, I might even hit Fridays on Thursday this time around. There's a few things I'm looking for and I'm tired of getting skunked on Ebay plus I like the instant gratification of here's the money and here's my train and the ever popular "OH MAN! That's cool, I've gotta get that!"

 

Jerry

Hi Paul and Jerry I'm looking forward to seeing you guys there I will definitely be at
Fridays on Thursday night see you all there.

Thanks, Alex

Traindiesel thanks to your great info it was a pleasure to order the motorized chair for my father. So that's all I have to do is just pick it up on Thursday morning and away we go.

 

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU GUYS AGAIN, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU GUYS THERE.

 

THANKS, ALEX

My pleasure Alex.  Hope you and your father have a great time.  Maybe I'll see you at April's York meet.

I told Sean and others this year I am a com in. The wifey has given it her blessing, for how long has not been determined. I like to go for the full four days or so but I am not sure if I could afford all that and buy a few trains too. don't want that check book to turn into rubber and max out the CC's. 

Thanks Brian and I will see you in April

 

John do what I'm going to do just go for Thursday and Friday.I'm only going two days so I don't blow the bank account and then the wife (aka the boss) will kill me.

Hope to meet you there.

 

Thanks, Alex