How was York?

Paul-

The unfinished box is the prototype of the building’s stair box. The actual building is about 800 feet long and has several stair boxes along the street-side elevation. The real stairboxes are 3 window columns wide- I made it at 2 window columns wide so it would not overwhelm the main elevation. The footprint of Downtown Building #1 is 9” square. The first floor is recessed to the same depth as the top floor.

@Todds Architectural Models posted:

Paul-

The unfinished box is the prototype of the building’s stair box. The actual building is about 800 feet long and has several stair boxes along the street-side elevation. The real stairboxes are 3 window columns wide- I made it at 2 window columns wide so it would not overwhelm the main elevation. The footprint of Downtown Building #1 is 9” square. The first floor is recessed to the same depth as the top floor.

Thanks, Doug a 9” depth will work for my planned “city section). I’m still in for one that height when you make them.

It was my first time attending York and I had an absolute blast! I went Friday and Saturday and took my time through every single hall. To me, as someone re-entering the hobby I saw a lot I had never seen before and personally thought prices weren’t too outrageous compared to what I see online, but what do I know lol. I waited to buy anything until Saturday and I’m glad I did cause I ended up with 15 boxcars for the price of 5 and a beautiful MTH Premier Katy. It was really cool to see how, both days, sellers would be willing to negotiate and make a package deal. That’s something you don’t get online. I’ll definitely be going back if the schedule allows.

@Putnam Division posted:

Other than what was said at the ED business meeting, no.......and, what was said will be in the minutes.

.......an issue like this is highly charged and I do not want to take the chance of being misquoted.......and, I how no idea what is going on behind the scenes.....

Leave it at the ED leadership undestands the importance of Lionel to the membership and they will work on it.

Peter

Thanks Peter for the update.  While many could care less if Lionel or the other manufacturers show, I really think their and the other manufacturers presence adds to the meet.  I really hope they can work it out.  Yes MTH and Atlas were there but not like the old days.  Personally maybe a smaller booth is what they need.  Why go through the expense of a full blown display.  Regardless I do hope they can reach an agreement.  Although it would mean I would have to fight for some time for the Legacy meeting.  For some reason I was never able to get an answer on whether we could have a better time on Friday.  And then when Lionel dropped out we just cancelled it so it didn't matter.

@stevenemeigh posted:

It was my first time attending York and I had an absolute blast! I went Friday and Saturday and took my time through every single hall. To me, as someone re-entering the hobby I saw a lot I had never seen before and personally thought prices weren’t too outrageous compared to what I see online, but what do I know lol. I waited to buy anything until Saturday and I’m glad I did cause I ended up with 15 boxcars for the price of 5 and a beautiful MTH Premier Katy. It was really cool to see how, both days, sellers would be willing to negotiate and make a package deal. That’s something you don’t get online. I’ll definitely be going back if the schedule allows.

Steve……..great to meet you…..hope you can come by the club next Saturday, the 29th. We’re having a business meeting ( where we will be reviewing the agenda/displays for the next 3 months) and an Open House from 11-3……..you are welcome to come for both or either.

Peter

@MartyE posted:

Thanks Peter for the update.  While many could care less if Lionel or the other manufacturers show, I really think their and the other manufacturers presence adds to the meet.  I really hope they can work it out.  Yes MTH and Atlas were there but not like the old days.  Personally maybe a smaller booth is what they need.  Why go through the expense of a full blown display.  Regardless I do hope they can reach an agreement.  Although it would mean I would have to fight for some time for the Legacy meeting.  For some reason I was never able to get an answer on whether we could have a better time on Friday.  And then when Lionel dropped out we just cancelled it so it didn't matter.

Maybe they need something between a tie salesman's trunk and what they have. Something in the middle would definitely work.

@Putnam Division posted:

Steve……..great to meet you…..hope you can come by the club next Saturday, the 29th. We’re having a business meeting ( where we will be reviewing the agenda/displays for the next 3 months) and an Open House from 11-3……..you are welcome to come for both or either.

Peter

It was a pleasure meeting you guys as well. You guys built something really really cool.  

Sounds good to me!  Hope all is well,

Steven.

My wife and I had planned to go on Friday in conjunction with a trip to the Lancaster area. About 6 miles north of the Lebanon, (rte72) exit on I 81, there was an accident alert about 3 miles south of the exit. We decided to head S on 72 and do our Lancaster trek first instead of York. By the time we got to the outlets in Lancaster, it was after 2 PM, and we decided to head north on 72 for home. From past experience, if leaving York after 3 PM, the traffic on 83 is horrendous from just before Reeser's Summit through Harrisburg, and we were not going to deal with that. My wife recently had an insulin pump installed, and is having issues, which confirmed our decision to skip York and head home. For the past several York trips, our sole purpose was to see friends. Hopefully April will be better. It's always nice to about read everyone's experiences.

York did not seem as busy as other years on Thursday.  Really enjoyed the show found some things I was looking.  Overall it was great.

@rail posted:

My wife and I had planned to go on Friday in conjunction with a trip to the Lancaster area. About 6 miles north of the Lebanon, (rte72) exit on I 81, there was an accident alert about 3 miles south of the exit. We decided to head S on 72 and do our Lancaster trek first instead of York. By the time we got to the outlets in Lancaster, it was after 2 PM, and we decided to head north on 72 for home. From past experience, if leaving York after 3 PM, the traffic on 83 is horrendous from just before Reeser's Summit through Harrisburg, and we were not going to deal with that. My wife recently had an insulin pump installed, and is having issues, which confirmed our decision to skip York and head home. For the past several York trips, our sole purpose was to see friends. Hopefully April will be better. It's always nice to about read everyone's experiences.

Don:

Missed you buddy. Hope and pray that your wife's health improves.

Pat

I don't have the long term perspective on York, since last October was my first, but I thought this York was well attended. The April meet was smaller I am pretty sure, there were a lot more open tables in April than this meet. I arrived Thursday at around 12:30 (Pennsylvania traffic is not always so sunny...), and the lot was pretty full.  Silver and Blue were full, white and red were about the same as April (and prob october as well). Crowd wise it looked like a good crowd, and to be honest having heard what York was like in the past, I am going to commit heresy and say I kind of liked that the aisles were bigger and you could walk and look without getting pushed or shoved (I have been to very crowded shows, it isn't pleasant for me).

Like many on here, a lot of it for me is talking to people, got to talk to people with a lot of shared things, like Allan who I sat with at Quaker Steak for a second year and found out our dads were both born the same year, both fought in Europe in the 3rd army, had a great night chewing the fat (not literally!). Same at the meet, you never know who you will strike up a conversation with.

I have to say the collaboration between the capitol city trackers and the  river rail guys from Virginia was spectacular! The bridge is the centerpiece of the layout, I really got a chance to look at it closely and it is impressive (just seeing that layout made the cost of admission worth it).

Like others, I did notice more than a few younger people there, compared to prior meets, and that is a good sign.

I didn't think the RV area was all that different, and actually I think it was more full than April for sure, not sure about October.

In terms of what was there, as others have pointed out a lot of it is dedicated to post war/conventional as it has been in the past (and traditional S, etc).  In some ways what is offered mirrors what I see at places like Greenberg and First Frost and the like, it is basically a ton of common stuff, some sold at runner prices, others with price tags, well, I won't go there. There is slowly more and more 'modern' equipment showing up in the member halls, which I think is a good thing, because post war is eventually going to be much less of an emphasis as time goes on I suspect. Price wise most people were willing to talk, the ones who weren't quite honestly were people who I realized had bought up lots, probably from estate sales, and didn't know what they were selling. I was looking at a railking ps 2.0 engine (likely 5 volt), and I made an offer that was reasonable for that engine (somewhere in the 200-250 range), and the guy was like 'I have 400 in it,it is worth a lot more than that'. Obviously I walked away, and got the same engine, in more mint shape, for 240 bucks .....

The dealer hall was nice, it looked about the same size as the last 2 to me. Lionel not being there was unfortunate, but for me personally it didn't change my experience much. Dealers like member halls were kind of all over the place, some of the prices at the dealers were nothing special (though they would take offers), and they seemed busy. One thing that was kind of funny, my nearest LHS was there (first time I have seen them there), and basically what they had was tables of what is normally under the table stuff (ie body shells, trucks, accessories that def need tlc, etc). Not sure how that justified them going to York, but hey, what the heck.

One thing to keep in mind is that people like myself, who don't have a long history (and as time goes on, will make up more and more of the York attendees) don't have the perspective long time people have, we weren't there when it was crowded and there were so many more vendors, etc, and among the people I met/talked to who hadn't been there all that long, most really enjoyed it.

If manufacturers aren't attending I don't think it is because people go to York to socialize, I think they aren't going because they feel like these days, with the internet and the nature of the business (being BTO), they don't get as much benefit out of it unlike years past.

I actually was a lot more concerned with the April show than this one.  The other thing is right now we are in a time when Covid is not totally over, that may have kept some away, and the added cost of travel and living at the moment may have kept people from attending, so it could be future shows will be better.

My guess is that the show over time will become smaller, likely they will consolidate some of the halls. I can only hope that purple hall, now where the layouts reside, we can get even more folks with layouts to come, among other things those layouts are the gateway to new people getting excited about the hobby (good question, was purple open to the general public? If not, it def should be).  I have had fun at all three Yorks, and I plan on going to as many as possible in the future.

I have gone for a few years to the Fall York, and I cannot make a real determination as this was the first time I went on Saturday. People were starting to clear out and I kind of rushed through the orange hall trying to see everything, but mostly doing light browsing.

I kind of did miss the big Manufacturer display booths, but I have liked seeing some of the new stuff and getting to ask questions. Perhaps with MTH gone as a large presence, Lionel doesn't think it will have to work to win me over. It also was a little bit noticeable on the overall size with only displays in the purple hall and nothing under the bleachers.

The biggest benefit to York, for me, seems to be that no matter what weirdness I am looking for, I am going to find something for it. Just before, I was thinking about the Steel layout I've been wanting to fill out, and sure enough found cars and locomotives to match. that left me happy. I even spotted a car that might make a good stand in for an essential part of my roster. 

I hope that in the future, I can go for more than a day, and maybe get to attend some of the social events and meet some of the people I know from this forum.

We made York the end of a 2 week trip, after a few days in Lancaster.

When we checked into the RV area on Wednesday, it looked a bit thin, and even during the meet, there were less RVs than pre-Covid.  But as usual, the RV managers are helpful and every meet seems more organized as far as RV procedures and parking!

On Thursday and Friday we managed to hit all the halls...headed home on Saturday morning.  I came to York with no shopping list, but did manage to find some items!  On the way to York, we visited Durbin and Cass, and after seeing the Shays up close, I decided to look for one!  I managed to only find about 3 and decided on a MTH WVP&P Premier unit. (like new, PS1, but with a BCR... tested perfectly!)

A few tinplate items and some inexpensive cars rounded out the purchases.

We now go to York to camp with friends and look for trains.  Friday night was nice... we had a campfire and even the security guard joined us for a chat!  Also on our list of to-do's are a few visits to Isaac's Deli.  (Note the one by the Strasburg RR is now closed, but there is one just about a mile from the meet in West York.)

And of course, we did see a few friends, but missed a few we usually keep an eye out for.

There's always April 2023!  We'll be there!

@bigkid posted:

I have to say the collaboration between the capitol city trackers and the  river rail guys from Virginia was spectacular! The bridge is the centerpiece of the layout, I really got a chance to look at it closely and it is impressive (just seeing that layout made the cost of admission worth it).

Thank you for the kind words!

Peter

I thought York was great. Is it what it once was? No, but still worth going in my opinion.

Talked to a new seller in the Orange hall. This was his first time there. He said he did well and was planning on coming back. His prices were reasonable which makes all the difference to potential buyers.

On Thursday evening my wife and I took the train ride on the Northern Central Railway the TCA sponsored. Left the fairgrounds at 4 pm and got back around 9:45 pm. What a great trip. Bus ride, train ride and dinner were all included for $99. a person. Really enjoyed it.

Ready for April.

Another thing that made it somewhat memorable this year for me was that b/c of an unforeseen car shortage at home, I had to drive my very first car over to the meet along with my friend.  While it was tight,  we did manage to stuff all of Thursday's purchases in the boot and behind the seats.

(Sorry to York Fairgrounds for the oil spots that now reside in that parking space)

At 2,858.5 miles away (I looked it up), it's an event I can only imagine, so reading these observations are great! 😁

Mark in (far from York, PA) Oregon

One of the.important factors impacting York attendance is ... getting there.  It is way out of my way to drive untolled  I-80 and country roads to get there, but if you live out of state, l paid the tolls and rejoiced when l got off the TP. I had just recently paid lost in mail April tolls, first unpleasant exposure, and debated ever visiting Pa. again, as out of state visitors are apparently not desired .  Just found out PATP tolls are highest in world!!, but infrequent users are provided no means for prompt payment.  Called and was told to call in three weeks with my license plate for the York trip.  I used to visit several shows in Pa.

Another thing I noticed at this York was the lighter-than-usual rail traffic just outside the Blue Hall.  Over the 3 days of the meet, I only saw this power movement and the train it returned with later.  Usually I see 1-2 trains on the average Thursday, 3-4 on Fridays, and maybe 1 or 2 on Saturday.

Andy

@irish rifle posted:

Don:

Missed you buddy. Hope and pray that your wife's health improves.

Pat

We've been on the phone with her endocrinologist, and waiting on a call from the pump rep. I saw you in the photo at the Thursday breakfast, along with several other familiar folks. I went to the breakfast twice, and enjoyed the company and the food.

Andy,

Lots of real trains running at night... many audio and visual indicators while camping there!

EddieM,  I didn't know there was an Isaac's in West York. We went to the other to Strasburg and that one had closed. Where is that Isaac's in W. York?

All you people are missing something if you don't do all the halls. I know that some of you just hang around the Orange hall.

It was my second York meet (first was last October).  It's a 825 mile drive for me (St. Louis, MO).

I had a great time on Thursday and Friday.  I sold some stuff here on OGR and delivered it to guys at the fairgrounds.  It was nice to meet those folks and I said hi to a few others that I recognized as I wandered the halls.  I recognized vendors like Mr. Muffin, Trainz, Hennings (and GRJ), Atlas, MTH, etc.  But there is always someone bending their ear so I don't see any reason to pile on.

York has proven to be a poor place for me to acquire trains though.  Sad to say, for the second year in a row, I pretty much struck out.  I came ready to spend with a wad of cash and credit if necessary!  My total spent was $80.  I spent a lot more at the hotel bar.  York is definitely a prewar/postwar paradise but that's just not my bag.  If York is transforming into a member swap meet, then I sure hope future members will be peddling stuff made this century.

That said, I still had a blast and I'll be there next fall.  I love a good train show and York is the best.  One of these times, I may even spend some money!

@MikeH posted:

It was my second York meet (first was last October).  It's a 825 mile drive for me (St. Louis, MO).

I had a great time on Thursday and Friday.  I sold some stuff here on OGR and delivered it to guys at the fairgrounds.  It was nice to meet those folks and I said hi to a few others that I recognized as I wandered the halls.  I recognized vendors like Mr. Muffin, Trainz, Hennings (and GRJ), Atlas, MTH, etc.  But there is always someone bending their ear so I don't see any reason to pile on.

York has proven to be a poor place for me to acquire trains though.  Sad to say, for the second year in a row, I pretty much struck out.  I came ready to spend with a wad of cash and credit if necessary!  My total spent was $80.  I spent a lot more at the hotel bar.  York is definitely a prewar/postwar paradise but that's just not my bag.  If York is transforming into a member swap meet, then I sure hope future members will be peddling stuff made this century.

That said, I still had a blast and I'll be there next fall.  I love a good train show and York is the best.  One of these times, I may even spend some money!

Good to meet you in person, Mike……

Peter

I would be interested in attending a "toy train buying self control" self help clinic at next York.   Maybe early Thursday morning in the blue/silver hall connecting hallway.

Or even Monday morning in the Wyndham parking lot.

The boxes on the left side are cases of 40 inch straight track

Some of you guys have honed your self control skills, while I have no skills.

Eddie G. Isaac's in West York was on the road that Hoss's is on. I believe it's closed now also. Dave

I took a circuitous route from Hartford, CT to York to Cape May, NJ for a weekend wedding so I only got to spend 2 hours in York on Thursday, but I really enjoyed it. Stayed in Harrisburg the night before to watch the trains coming and going across bridges and into train yards. Quick hit to the area but got there because of York show and will return for the same whenever they have it, and whenever I can get there.

@aussteve posted:

I would be interested in attending a "toy train buying self control" self help clinic at next York.   Maybe early Thursday morning in the blue/silver hall connecting hallway.

Or even Monday morning in the Wyndham parking lot.

The boxes on the left side are cases of 40 inch straight track

Some of you guys have honed your self control skills, while I have no skills.

I would never buy that much stuff at York...because my car is too small.

@aussteve posted:

I would be interested in attending a "toy train buying self control" self help clinic at next York.   Maybe early Thursday morning in the blue/silver hall connecting hallway.

Or even Monday morning in the Wyndham parking lot.…..

I’d also be interested in that. I buy too much tra…..  Ahhhh never mind!

@eddie g posted:

All you people are missing something if you don't do all the halls. I know that some of you just hang around the Orange hall.

All of the times(4) I have attended York, I have been in every single hall. I've bought twice in blue and silver halls, got a few in purple a few times, and some things in orange. I think that some of my opportunities are misses because of money, either I don't have enough, or spent a portion already(like most people). My last two visits was when I did the blue and silver purchases. I did the classic miss last year, see it, buy it. It was Dreyfuss artwork, etching I think, should have, but was hungry and figured a quick run to the bathroom and a pretzel was needed. Gone in 10 minutes time. I blew it Eddie.

Isaac's Deli in West York is definitely still open!  Had a "Finch" last Friday !

Mooner,

Our circuitous route ... 10 day  trip to York:

Bridgeport, CT to Cape May NJ, to Assateague MD, to Newport News VA, to Cass/Durbin WV, to Horseshoe Curve PA, to Lancaster, to York!.... then back home!

@aussteve posted:

I would be interested in attending a "toy train buying self control" self help clinic at next York.   Maybe early Thursday morning in the blue/silver hall connecting hallway.

Or even Monday morning in the Wyndham parking lot.

The boxes on the left side are cases of 40 inch straight track

Some of you guys have honed your self control skills, while I have no skills.

Hmmm….I also lack these skills and I seem to have the same affliction. Not sure if I want the cure….

These are the four boxes we picked up before flying home!

@aussteve posted:

I would be interested in attending a "toy train buying self control" self help clinic at next York.   Maybe early Thursday morning in the blue/silver hall connecting hallway.

Or even Monday morning in the Wyndham parking lot.

The boxes on the left side are cases of 40 inch straight track

Some of you guys have honed your self control skills, while I have no skills.

I’m afraid you have passed the point where any clinic would be of help - a full blown intervention is called for. If you will just send us your address, those of us who were unable to attend will come and remove the leaning tower of temptation. No thanks necessary, just trying to help.

Gerhardt  I feel better after seing your photo.

Apple5s, that's what is so great about the OGR forum.  Members willing to help each other out.

@eddiem posted:

Andy,

Lots of real trains running at night... many audio and visual indicators while camping there!

Eddie,

The two guys from my club that camped on the fairgrounds reported the same thing.  I just thought it was unusual for so little going on during the day compared to previous Yorks.  When they come by during the day, people rush into the alcove area (where my tables are) to watch, and I think I've made a few extra sales from these viewers after the trains passed...    See a train, buy a train... Great advertisement! 

Andy

@Larry Mullen posted:

Another thing that made it somewhat memorable this year for me was that b/c of an unforeseen car shortage at home, I had to drive my very first car over to the meet along with my friend.  While it was tight,  we did manage to stuff all of Thursday's purchases in the boot and behind the seats.

(Sorry to York Fairgrounds for the oil spots that now reside in that parking space)

Is that an MG? I am envious, my first car was an Alfa spyder, if I brought that they wouldn't even notice the oil from your car, my alfa changed its own oil.

@MikeH posted:

It was my second York meet (first was last October).  It's a 825 mile drive for me (St. Louis, MO).

I had a great time on Thursday and Friday.  I sold some stuff here on OGR and delivered it to guys at the fairgrounds.  It was nice to meet those folks and I said hi to a few others that I recognized as I wandered the halls.  I recognized vendors like Mr. Muffin, Trainz, Hennings (and GRJ), Atlas, MTH, etc.  But there is always someone bending their ear so I don't see any reason to pile on.

York has proven to be a poor place for me to acquire trains though.  Sad to say, for the second year in a row, I pretty much struck out.  I came ready to spend with a wad of cash and credit if necessary!  My total spent was $80.  I spent a lot more at the hotel bar.  York is definitely a prewar/postwar paradise but that's just not my bag.  If York is transforming into a member swap meet, then I sure hope future members will be peddling stuff made this century.

That said, I still had a blast and I'll be there next fall.  I love a good train show and York is the best.  One of these times, I may even spend some money!

I don't know what specifically you were looking for, but while the tables were mostly post war, there was a lot of more modern stuff at the member tables. It might not be current generation Vision legacy, but I saw a lot of PS2/PS3 MTH, TMCC and legacy engines there. For the more modern stuff Orange Hall is a better bet IME.

@bigkid posted:

I don't know what specifically you were looking for, but while the tables were mostly post war, there was a lot of more modern stuff at the member tables. It might not be current generation Vision legacy, but I saw a lot of PS2/PS3 MTH, TMCC and legacy engines there. For the more modern stuff Orange Hall is a better bet IME.

Oh yeah.  I'm aware.  I went through each hall at least twice.  I'm primarily interested in first and second gen diesels and MTH passenger cars and in road names that are usually but not exclusively midwest.  I'm definitely not looking for VisionLine!  I saw some stuff that was almost.  And I saw a few things that I already own.  No big deal.  That's the way it goes.