Greenberg at Somerset NJ

Agreed ... I've all but stopped going to Greenberg shows unless I really NEED a train fix.

So I shouldn't make the 2 hour trip tomorrow? 

-Greg

The best part of Greenberg is walking around and listening to the conversations.

 

#1

Customer:          I have a command base next to the transformer.

Seller:                What transformer?

Customer:           The big one.

 

#2

Seller:                The ’93 & ’99 Hess trucks are very desirable.  They’re sure to go up in price.

Customer:           Wow!

I also attended the Somerset show today.  Lots of people milling about.  Didn't plan on any new purchase's (saving for the 3rd rail TOT!), but Pete Costa made me a deal on 4 freight cars that I couldn't refuse.  Also saw a good deal on a Weaver SP Daylight, had to pass (really want that TOT).  I thought it was a good show.  Will be back tomorrow.

I'll second that.  I can't recall a Greenberg Show with a lower train to non-train item ratio.  It was  actually somewhat difficult to find a row or aisle with O gauge trains for sale.  And on top of that, the ticket prices are now $9.00!!!

 

that, combined with the bad driving conditions....passed at least 10 accidents going-and-coming on New Jeresey's route 287....and it was not a great way to spend an afternoon.

 

- Mike

That's a shame....Greg

Definitely a waste of time today.  Lot's of junk on the tables.  Lot's of complaints overheard about slow sales.  If you were looking for broken stuff from the mpc era, this was the show for you.

Thanks for saving me the trip.

c'm,on Chris, we all know the best part of the Greenberg shows is going to Harolds. I think I will skip the show this time and just go for the corned beef and pastrami

I'm still gonna give it a shot. But, if Somerset is as described, i will be limiting myself to Edison, as my impression has been that for some reason Edison s better.

Ahem! Harold's is quite a ways from Somerset. Depending if you are coming from nyc or the parkway from the shore, it can be on your way as it's in Edison. However you're going out of your way if you ate coming from north central jersey, western jersey or PA.

 

You never know what you'll find in the toy section.  I found Mr. Burns in O scale yesterday.

Stop going to them a long time ago.

I agree. I was there yesterday. For some reason Edison has more trains and less toys. Also has a better selection of MTH. I saw lots of Lionel at the show yesterday but not much MTH. All I got was one MTH boxcar.

 

I wasn't crazy about the $9 entry fee. Makes York seem a like real bargain at $20 (or whatever it is now) but you get 5 or 6 buildings of mostly all trains. So 5 or 6 times the show at only (roughly) double the cost.

 I was at the Somerset Train Show yesterday. The table vendors selling Lionel/MTH, Atlas etc were few. I would say that train vendors made up 50% of the show, not real strong for O gauge model trains but it was great for my needs.  I ended up buying over 20 assorted 1/43 scale 50's era cars and trucks for the layout but not a single O gauge item. While the parking lot was overfull (had to park 1/4 mile away) and the show looked busy, I did not see much train activity being conducted.

My layout has all of the vehicles necessary,the show was uninspiring for trains, so it is doubtful that I will attend this event again. IMO, the only area shows that are worth attending for O gauge, are The Greenberg Edison Show, The Allentown (First Frost/Spring Thaw) Shows. The rest of the local shows are tiny. York is still the best, but since resigning my membership (79-14659) from the TCA; without the worthless $50  card, I am no longer welcome at the Eastern Division show.  

I don't even remember when I last attended a Greenberg show... might have been back in the 1990's!!!    The world has changed, and they've largely outlived their usefulness.  

 

Someday I'd like to attend Springfield, but I'm admittedly very spoiled having both Allentown and York within easy driving distance.  Several nice LHS's nearby too.  Add to that the seemingly endless offering of sales by forum sponsors right here -- not to mention the goodies that show up on the OGR for-sale forum from time to time.  Plus there's always eBay.  Given all those terrific avenues, I just don't see any worthwhile reason to venture out to the Greenberg shows anymore.  They just don't seem to be a relevant part of the toy train landscape nowadays.  Am I missing something?

 

David

 

I did end up buying a Navy Boxcar, from a forum sponsor even! Took info to maybe join a club and satisfied my need to not buy an N scale FEF for now, so it wasn't a waste, but it was a disappointment. Gotta find a way to get to York!

I don't think your missing much, except that in areas that have less O gauge in driving distance, it can be fun. Plus, there are 2 Lionel vendors, that are always there and have the best prices I've found on Novelty Boxcars (which I am fond of) 

It's too late now but if you buy the ticket online (I bought it yesterday right before I left for the show) you save $2.00.

 

Hopefully they'll continue that.

I too was not sure about the show.  My son (18) was amazed at the O gauge modular layout that was there.  He loved the details.  He asked me to take the photos so he can use it as  a guide for his Eagle Project. (except for the 80 INCH high trees.)

i went yesterday it was first time to this show, i missed allentown in the fall had some cash and figured why not, i run mostly PW and MPC soo not bad for me, i bought an MPC tobacco car a williams LNE car and the gold chessie gp-7. i did think the price of admission was steep, but it was the first show i've been to in a while maybe that's why i enjoyed it, looking forward to allentown next month!

Dave

I live in Edison and I haven't bothered to go to any of the greenberg shows in several years.   Thought about going just to see the layouts but the admission price keeps me away.

My main focus is standard gauge so the only shows worth it for me are the York meets.

When I was buying more o scale stuff I found the Allentown meets to be very good.

I went to the show on Sunday afternoon.  I too thought the door price was a bit high considering the Nov Edison show was still at the $8.00 price.there were several modular display layouts. N scale ho scale and TWO 3 rail layouts- Raritain valley & Independent Hi-Railers. I was looking for lionel dmy f3 trucks due to a bad coupler spring. Hardly any parts dealers but I did pick up some detailed Walther's cornerstone parts like piping and tanks and roof details.

Well guys, it is what it is. After all it it's advertised as Greenberg's Train and TOY show. That being said, It's still the largest show in N.J.You just have to ignore the toys and

concentrate on the trains. There's still an lot of O gauge to be had. If there was no

Greenberg, all you would have here are the small shows that most times are not worth

the drive. I was suprised to hear of the 9 dollar admission, though. It was recently bumped

from 7 to 8 last year. That could be a problem for some, annoying, at best. Anyhow, find

trains and make the best of it!    Mike

Thanks for the info Chris. I didn't know about that. I was there at 10am and the line for the people who bought tickets over the internet was a lot less than those who bought the tickets there. So that's another advantage to buying the tickets on line.

 

I just want to ad that the layouts were awesome. I enjoyed seeing them.

If you attend the show and sign up for the door prize they will send you a $2.00 off coupon. 

The best Greenberg show around here was a while back when they had the Fort Washington PA (Philadelphia area) Expo.  im guessing its been 8 years or more since cause the expo center sold to a college or something. I pass by there ofter. It seems they all been kinda small. We went to Oaks a few months ago to stock up on Scenic Express and they where not there..

 

 

Now there's a blast from the past!  Might have been on the "OR MORE" side  , but don't hold me to the exact year the Expo Center switched hands.  Back in those days when I last attended (I'm talking the 1990's), I recall the folks from SideTrack Hobbies would make the trip from the southern tip of Maryland to attend that show.  Definitely a different era.  Now, it's just not worth their while.  Back then they brought tons of MTH goodies at great prices, whereas now they primarily bring Tinplate offerings to York.  Life certainly has a tendency to change, that's for sure. 

 

David