how to carry purchases

Park as close as you can and be prepared to make trips back and forth to your car. You will NOT want to lug anything around all day.

The parking lots are just large open fields with few fences to restrict your movements.  All of the halls are within a circle about 2000' wide.  Walking slowly through the halls makes your joints stiff, so walking briskly back to the car to hide your stash is the way to loosen up the old knees. Exercise is good for you.

 

A few other hints:  If you see something you really want, either buy it, put a deposit down on it, or at least make a note as to what building and aisle it's in.  It will not be there when you get back to that hall again a few hours later.

 

Bring multiple plastic grocery bags, plenty of cash (there's an ATM in the parking lot) and a list of what you're looking for.  Your senses will be overwhelmed by the whole scene, and confusion can happen. (And I am not necessarily talking about the crop dusting).

 

If it's sunny out, don't drink the lemonade.   Don't ask me how I know.

 

The UPS company generally has a presence in one of the halls to allow large items to be shipped home, if there's limited room in your car.  Turn off your headlights when you arrive. Bring an extra set of car keys. Try the homemade french fries with vinegar. Yum.

The backpack thing is a bit hard to out guess. I've seen a few people get turned away while others have no problem. Same with cloth reusesble grocery sacks.  If you think you'll need a bag, I'd just stick it in your jacket until inside. The park near the halls that you are shopping at and empty often if needed

It's not a huge deal.

Yes, plastic bags work well. I also bring garbage bags for larger items, in case of rain.

Just take it to your car. 

What Eddie said. 

What I do is head to the Lionel and MTH booths for catalogs (you have to pay a one-time $5 catalog list fee, which also means they will mail them to you if you don't pick them up at York, for MTH or be a member of the MTHRR Club to get their catalogs).  Both companies give you the catalogs in large, heavy-duty plastic bags which can hold quite a lot of additional stuff.  When they are full, I head back to my vehicle to drop them off.

 

The trip back to the vehicle also serves a double purpose for me as I bring a cooler full of my favorite non-alcoholic beverages (I try to avoid drinks sweetened with anything artificial and anything sweetened with corn syrup), and the trip back allows me to get some refreshment and stay hydrated.  I also sometimes bring snacks, but the food on the fairgrounds is good enough most of the time.

 

Andy

pretty much what Arthur & Andy stated.........put your wallet in your front pocket; take plenty of cash  - I've politely bargained prices and some sellers don't mind and some get riled (TS) ;  take a big strong plastic bag with handles.  Do try the pit beef/pork/turkey....etc..........pricey, yes, but York is but 2x a year.

  There is a free bus service that makes the round to all halls.....perfect for dropping goods off at the car.......or in MY car (lol)

Oh yeah.........we would LIKE to see you at Tuesdays on Thursday!

 

hmmm... I guess I said something different

 

 

One of these times I will have to try the buses lol

If I showed with my backpack, most would be upset. It would still be difficult to get a lot of the larger packages in my 2000 cubic inch back pack.  Best to plan and coordinate pick-up with a vendor. 

 

A little walking is in order before you show. Easy 2.5 to 3 mile to walk the whole show. 

There used to be a guy who sold the old canvas news paper carrier bags but I haven't seen him in a long time. I've been using canvas totes from LL Bean the last few Yorks and they work fine.

 

 

They come in several sizes also.

 

I've also been thinking about using my Bean ski bag, it has a shoulder strap.

 

 

Jerry

The busses are great....just found out about them this past fall.  Duh!!

 

--Greg

I stopped using a backpack after leaving the military. 

1. Buy trains

2. Take them out to the car

3. Repeat

4. End of problem

The last time I went to York was with STickpilot back in 2004.  We had my truck so stuffed with trains there was no room for our luggage.

I never keep much money, or good cards in a back pocket wallet. I worked carnivals, its second nature now. My hand finger tips are on the goods in the front pocket. Big money?A hidden pocket. The $20-100 in the belt is a distraction. If you walk to close behind, I let you pass, & mirror your actions.   And I always wear deep pocket jeans at gatherings, not slacks.

In a pinch, an extra T-shirt or jacket, tied off holes, carries lots of pointy auto parts, so I imagine a few pounds of PW engines would be fine.

Love the mail, and news bag idea!

Dress in thin layers?.....

 

Your kidding, right?

No

Except the layers is an exaggeration bit.

A little paranoid maybe??? It's York!

I didn't always live in a nice place either. Call it guarded.

Weather, Good chance it may rain.  Pennsylvania's largest industry is still Agriculture, but interestingly enough, you see little irrigation.  You don't have to get too far west in an airplane and the crop circles become apparent.   Enjoy your trip, better than 1/2 the population of Pennsylvania is in the Southeast corner, Bucks, Burk, and Philadelphia.  Again, Good chance, it's going to rain.  

 The backpack, pictured, has rain gear, poncho with hood, and a backpack cover.  There is also a fleece, evenings, in the PA mountains can chill-off easily in the 50's. 

  Climate is listed as a:  cool temperate moist forest biome 

I mentioned online once that I had used a paperboy's bag and someone was kind enough to mail me a new one.  I will be bringing mine to Springfield this Saturday.

 

It's ideal because 1) it's canvas so if you buy something metal (e.g., track, 395 tower, etc.) it doesn't get holes poked in it the way plastic does, 2) it goes over your shoulder so both hands remain free, 3) if you flip it to the back so it rides on your butt, you can make like an offensive lineman and lead interference for your goodies.  This can be necessary for all of the goofballs who do things like look over all the items on a table and then immediately take 10 quick steps backwards from the table, crushing your and everyone else's belongings.

 

Arthur P. Bloom's hints above are all spot-on, although I don't know anything about the lemonade...

 

HTH.

 

Steven J. Serenska

 

A lot of supermarkets as well as Walmart sell cloth bags for a $1 or so. Get a big one, with thick handles for comfort.

I always tell members to bring a large trash bag.  If the weather is rain or looks like rain, keep it with you to put over your scores so they will stay dry on the way back to your vehicle.

Lots of good suggestions here to be sure, but I'm a little surprised no one has commented on how to best sneak them into the house at night 

That information is classified

I would suggest the large cloth bags. 

 

There are large nylon fabric bags produced here and there that would work.

 

Andrew

With this crowd, Why wait? Tonight with a wooded train whistle in you mouth.

To woo them all back too sleep if they stir.woo!. Woo!  

 

 Oh, how I hate my cold black hearted thoughts ♥♥

  

Real men get home and tell the wife to go bring his trains in from the car as he is tired from having a great time all week.

Hope Dotty doesn't read this.

Dotty tells him to bring in her trains. LOL

Jim D.

Ahhh yes, and a Happy Valentines Day to you!

 

At which hospital will you be receiving visitors while you recover from your injuries?  

The tried and tested method...

 

Extra large canvas totes.  Carry a bottle of water.  If you go Thurs, eat before you come for the noon opening

 

 Jerry

Dotty and I get along very well and both love trains.  We stay positive and I can say I do not know anyone who has to hide trains from the wife. 

I know two guys, sad but true.