Skip to main content

Although I have been posting hear for DECADES- I never been to the TCA York Train Show. That being said- and I did do a search on this topic before posting- generally speaking how much Money does one need to goto York TCA to make it worthwhile? This is actual door fee and train funds - NOT including bandit meets, hotel fee, gas to and fro, lunch, the dinners for Thursday and Friday night gatherings,  Etc. 

IT would be a 3+ hour trip each way to York. So having $50.00 or even $200.00 Spending $$ and door fee doesn't sound worthwhile. [I  do that for Allentown, Greenberg, and Hamburg- NOT for Amhurst for sure!] I buy Contemporary Scale so I have minimal interest in Postwar and Prewar.

What is your Minimum to say "Go or No go for York?

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Genuinely depends what you want. There have been some Yorks that I’ve spent $75, and others where I needed to hit an ATM on Friday morning. $500 is my baseline wallet amount. I usually don’t spend it all. Buying trains isn’t what York is all about. It took me a little while to get the hang of the social portion. 

If you’re crafty, the starting number is $0 and a trunkful of trains you pre-sold on the forum for York delivery. Empty, refill and go home. 

I am about a 3 1/2 hour ride from York and I attend roughly every 2 years when work and family obligations do not conflict. Would go more often if I could. Early on when I started in the hobby around 1995 I owned less trains and knew less about what was out there to be had. Those early Yorks I had "need" for locomotives and rolling stock so York was about finding and buying new/old stuff. Fast forward over 20 years and I have way more trains than I need so York is more about searching for items for the layout, be it scenery, a building, or an accessory. Being able to see the breadth of what our hobby has to offer up front and personal rather than online is always worth my York trip. So during the early years I may have brought a couple thousand dollars just in case I saw a great deal or two on locos I wanted but usually limited myself to one loco purchase! Today I still bring a few hundred dollars but rarely spend over $200 as my needs are less. Still so worth making the trip!!

mikey posted:

I have gone from Ca three times and last time there was nothing to buy,$650 airfare,rental car $280,hotel $600,food $300,gas $85,no longer worth it.

Mikey

My good man. I think you should at least have one goal/item you want/need too buy. That's a lot of loot. Stay home and lay low till there's a very good reason to travel. That much money can buy plenty good train stuff just not going out the front door.....Lol

I've gone to a lot of Yorks and have spent $0. to $80. at many of them. I'm very happy to walk in "Train Heaven" for hours. IMO, York is not "Bargain City", but it IS a place to further your toy train education, as well as find something you never knew you needed. In fact, I find it sad when some forum members tell new folk to make sure they "bring LOTS of money".

I used to go with an old friend of mine C&O Steam Engineer Retired. We had a great time especially going around the parking lot setups during the show week. It was fun just bartering on an item or 2, + all of the people from all over the world, that we met, and had a conversation with.

I remember seeing and meeting singer Frank Sinatra, he and his bodyguards sat down where we were eating lunch outside. Interesting conversation, as we kept it to trains, and not about who he was....! 

I usually spent $500.00 to $1000.00 dollars plus travel expenses. 

The bottom line for me, it was all about the Trip to York, and the fellowship with the people, and vendor Companies....

 

Last edited by Brandy

If you only live 3 hours away and are comfortable driving, (and can take a day off from work, if applicable), do it once without the hotel and all that for a single day one meet and judge for yourself. Your question is sort of like asking "in general" how much someone needs to spend on a good car or go on a decent vacation.  Everyone has different levels of  "bang for the buck" that works for them.

If you can get up early enough allowing for traffic, etc, I'd recommend doing it on the longest meet day, Friday.  If that's too early for you to get up without being delayed by rush hour, do it on Thursday when the meet doesn't start until noon, since it has the same closing time (Saturday closes earlier).

My first meet was a single Saturday in April 1997 (bear in mind, I was also new to the hobby then, so I was in "general acquisition mode", not looking for specifics).  I drove in in the morning, and drove home after the meet was over.  I don't suspect I actually "saw" everything, but I walked most of the large buildings of that time and ended up getting what I thought was a good deal for my efforts.  I had purchased a single Lionel N&W Maxi-Stack car from a gentleman in the Blue Hall, he had multiples and offered them at $60 a piece or 3 for $150, IIRC.  I bought one on my first pass by his table. I walked the rest of the meet and didn't buy anything else, so I went back and asked him if I bought two additional cars if he would give me the deal since I had bought the first one a few hours earlier.  He joked with me a little, and was willing to do the deal.  I considered that a successful first York!  (I certainly don't recall every transaction I've done at York, but that I remember).

I found it odd you wanted to exclude all the other things like hotels, gas, food, but kept admission in the mix (at under $25, it's not on the radar in the big picture, unless you live right near York).

-Dave

Last edited by Dave45681

I think the original post is a good question.  However, a three hour drive is close!  If you have a couple hundred to spend, then go.  I often wonder the same thing but for me it's more like a 12-13 hour drive.  And I'm new to the hobby so there won't be any "catching up with old friends" or whatever.  It's strictly a swap meet.  If I'm facing that kind of drive, I think I better have a couple grand and some specific items I'm targeting.

C W Burfle posted:

 

On multiple occasions I've gone to York looking for specific items. Many of the times I did not find them, even after looking over multiple shows. Contrary to popular belief, there are no guarantees that any particular item will be there.

I found that to be true. Years ago I searched York for a VERY common item...Lionel postwar metal caboose #2457 with steps, BUT in excellent condition. Two Yorks, no can find for any price, so I bought 2 on eBay. Since then, I have found 3 at York (2 at the same show)...but still!

beachhead2 posted:

And I'm new to the hobby so there won't be any "catching up with old friends" or whatever.  It's strictly a swap meet.  If I'm facing that kind of drive, I think I better have a couple grand and some specific items I'm targeting.

I think you're missing the point!  I get to meet a few people I have not met, and others that I've only corresponded on-line with at every York.  When you get that many train nuts in one place, you're bound to find some common ground!

For me, one of the major items on the York agenda is meeting friends, old and new!  Another thing is getting to see in person some of the products you're only seen in pictures.

I went to York for the first time last October, then went again last week.  I would say I am the budget York attendee.  It is a 4 1/2 hour trip one way, and I made 3 stops each way.  I took a packed lunch, fruit, granola bars, and drinks from the grocery store, so the only meal I bought at a restaurant was the OGR Quaker Steak and Lube supper.  Oh, I bought a burger at the Turnpike rest stop on the way home, because I had run out of food.  Andy Hummel was good enough to let me room with him for half the night's fee at a less expensive motel about 20 minutes up the Interstate from York. Two tanks of gas, $15 toll twice, and I almost got out of York with a hopper, dump truck, and LED lighting.  So that would have been $150 in products.  On a last cruise through Orange, I got a NIB Premier PS3 FA-2 ABBA set for $450.  I passed up a lot of engines that would have been nice to have, and in the future, I may not be able to put down $450 again.  I could have let it go if I was that strapped and still said it was well worth the trip because of all the neat items I saw, but don't care to ever own, and especially for all the good Forum Friends I got to see.  Oh yes, I attended Barry B's Thursday seminar on the DCS WiFi, which was very helpful since I only recently purchased the WiFi.

Now, I will say this.  At that distance, I am realizing doing it with only one overnight is a bit taxing at age 61, with arthritis and stiff joints.  I may not go again unless I can spend the time and money to stay longer.

Joe Hohmann posted:

 IMO, York is not "Bargain City", but it IS a place to further your toy train education, as well as find something you never knew you needed.

Interesting, everyone I know that goes always brags on how the bought all these items at such cheap prices, even some current, brand new items at 50% off of list!

BobbyD posted:
Joe Hohmann posted:

 IMO, York is not "Bargain City", but it IS a place to further your toy train education, as well as find something you never knew you needed.

Interesting, everyone I know that goes always brags on how the bought all these items at such cheap prices, even some current, brand new items at 50% off of list!

Well I must admit that that NIB PA-2 set in the Orange Hall was just over 50% off the MTH 2013 MSRP.  However, I would classify that as one of those once in a lifetime opportunities!

I would respectable disagree about York not being "Bargain City".  Maybe if you have only 1 item on your list and you can't find it at that price then maybe; but this last York I had a list and all of the items I found at prices I would never see online or at local shows.  For example, I found a NIB Premier Proto 2 Empire State Express for 500.  Most dealers had them from 825 to 1,000 but I found this at York.  21" Bombardier 4 car set for 250.  Legacy Go Rail engine for 220 off list.  GE Evolution for 29% off retail.  The woodland scenic trailers are listed at 94 dollars and I was happy to find them at 70 but should have waited because the next aisle over Nassau had them for 50 each and this item just came out.  

2 Yorks ago I was able to purchase 3 Lionel Carnival Rides (Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Swings) for 100 each when those go on the bay for over 200 all the time.  Lionel swing bridge for 99, and the big grey lift bridge for 250 both NIB.  And I didn't even mention the Saturday purchases when Vince's trains was at his last York.  I would say more than 50% of my layout items come from purchases made at York over the last 5 years and I was extremely happy with the prices I paid.   

 

Last edited by Bryan in Ohio

For me, York is a day-trip. If I had only $20 to spend, I would still go, just to find the two best $10 cars I don't have yet. Actually, the guys I go with have been going for ages, and they usually do escape for well under 50 bucks each. The cost of getting there, getting in, and eating is amply repaid by all the neat stuff you get to see, even if you can't afford to take it home.

Mark, 

It doesn't have to be as long as you have a few items you are looking for.  I have been very lucky but usually my savings on what is on my wish list more than pays for the hotel, food, and 6 hour each way trips gas.  I mean just the Empire State Express engine saved me minimum of 325 this trip, which is about what the trip costs me in hotel, gas, food for 3 days.  And hopefully he reads this aggravating Paul 2 in another state.....Priceless.

Mark Boyce posted:

Now, I will say this.  At that distance, I am realizing doing it with only one overnight is a bit taxing at age 61, with arthritis and stiff joints.  

Hey Mark! Try it at 65, after heart surgery , COPD and numerous other problems it don't get any better, but it's still worth it. It's just a little slower going.

MIKATT1 posted:
Mark Boyce posted:

Now, I will say this.  At that distance, I am realizing doing it with only one overnight is a bit taxing at age 61, with arthritis and stiff joints.  

Hey Mark! Try it at 65, after heart surgery , COPD and numerous other problems it don't get any better, but it's still worth it. It's just a little slower going.

Dave, I saw you during the OGR meeting, but didn’t run into you while we were putting up the chairs!  Congratulations on getting out there!!  That’s right, just take your time.  You may see something or someone the other guy missed!

BobbyD posted:
Joe Hohmann posted:

 IMO, York is not "Bargain City", but it IS a place to further your toy train education, as well as find something you never knew you needed.

Interesting, everyone I know that goes always brags on how the bought all these items at such cheap prices, even some current, brand new items at 50% off of list!

These are the same guys that tell you that it only takes them 20 minutes to drive from the fairgrounds to their 5-star $40./night motel in Harrisburg.

Joe Hohmann posted:
BobbyD posted:
Joe Hohmann posted:

 IMO, York is not "Bargain City", but it IS a place to further your toy train education, as well as find something you never knew you needed.

Interesting, everyone I know that goes always brags on how the bought all these items at such cheap prices, even some current, brand new items at 50% off of list!

These are the same guys that tell you that it only takes them 20 minutes to drive from the fairgrounds to their 5-star $40./night motel in Harrisburg.

No, it wasn’t 5-Star rated by any means; maybe 2; maybe 1 1/2.  LOL. It had a clean bed and bathroom, and that’s all I was looking for!  LOL  

seriously, that is the first time I ever got a new train at 50% off!  Obviously he didn’t want to take it back to his store.  I don’t expect that to happen to me again.

Generally speaking you need to have enough for your travel expenses and admission.   If  you live close enough to make it a day trip, that is probably just lunch for meals and admission.    If  you want to spend the night, then  you have a night in the hotel/motel plus most of 2 days meals.      If make a reservation ahead you should know the hotel cost and the admission.   Then if depending on what  you like to eat plan for meals.   If you are ok with sandwiches and burgers, 25 per day for meals is more than adequate.    A hotel is probably 75-100 depending.    

Then the rest is what you have to spend on new gotta-haves.      If you just want to look, you don't need much spending money.   If  you have a special loco in mind,  you need enough for that.

Who said you cannot wheel or deal or BUNDLE two or more items? At York I don' insult anyone on a item I want....but oh my, if you don' ask you will never know. Congrats to Mark Boyce on his "luck"...yet he isn' the only one!    I've come close to a steep discount such as yours....generally most vendors will wheel and deal. Some tell me about my offer  "That ain't  happening (RUDE)...to which I respond.."you are absolutely correct..and we are done"    Way more often than not the vendors are friendly.

 

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×