I'll be attending York for the first time!!!

I assume that you are a TCA member.

Start here and watch for the April edition of Clem's York Primer. Also wear good walking shoes and have plenty of money.

Jeff,

Get ready for a great time, just about everywhere you look there's trains.

I go Thursday morning and I leave Friday evening, one tip book a room soon.

Your going to love it.

Alex

Prepare to go into sensory overload!

....all kidding aside, it's a blast.....to start off with, go to the TCA Eastern Division website and read Clem's York Primer. Then, you can get some ideas Of what you might like to do.

Depending on whether your focus is old stuff or new production, it will determine how

you approach the halls.

Have set your travel plans yet? Are you driving? How long will you be there? Plan to come to Friday's on Thursday night to meet everyone. The DCS & Legacy meetings are also good. The Granstand Forum meeting is always informative.

You have a lot of time to plan....and that's great.

Peter

Definitely heed Bill's advice about good footwear - you will be doing A LOT of walking.  Also, you're supposed to tip the bathroom attendants, so bring some spare quarters or dollar bills so you don't have to dip into your train fund.  Another item to bring is a small notepad.  All of the halls are named after colors and most of the aisles are labeled with letters.  If you see something you like but aren't 100% sure you want to get it, write down the location so you can come back to it later (just keep in mind it could be gone when you go back).

Prepare to have your mind blown!  It's a GREAT time!

Welcome to the greatest train show!  Here’s my suggestions:

• Read Clem’s York primer before you come

• Pre-register for the meet so you don’t have to wait in line (nothing’s worse than standing in that long line while others are already buying trains!)

• Wear good walking shoes

• Make a list of the things you are looking for, including a separate list of parts      that you may need, as you tend to get overwhelmed looking at all of the trains      for sale and forget about parts

• Bring a copy of the fairgrounds map that’s included in the York Meet booklet which shows the location of the Halls because the buildings are not painted the      colors they are named, and also note on the map where you parked

• Print out the latest dealer Hall charts from the Eastern Division website when they become available.

HTH and have a great first York!

Bill

Bring your camera, video camera, 1980s cell phone, stroller, walkie talkie........

Just kidding...

Use your first couple York meets as learning experiences.  It is more important to bring a list of things you want to see, questions you want to ask, rather than a wish/shopping list. You will undoubtedly be back so don't feel compelled to actually buy anything on you first outing.

Not yet, but will be in time!

Booked!

In Harrisburg the first part of the week on business.  Legacy & Grandstand; Check!

Tip bathroom attendants, I hope you're kidding...

Check!

Ha!

Impossible! 

Thanks guys, looks like I'll be checking back here often!

You can have a great time at York without spending a lot, but the majority of sellers do not take credit cards. MAC machines are few, and they can run out of cash. Even if you take notes, it will not be easy to re-find a dealer (the place is huge!). Although every dealer has a location number, these are not usually posted at the actual table (so, you have a Hall name and a row letter...then you hunt).

Shoes that are comfortable.

Zeke is correct about he bathroom attendants. They do a great job keeping the bathrooms clean.

Bring cash, checks, credit cards and when you see something you like, get it because either you will forget where it was or it will be gone when you go back.

Many consider this an escape from reality so go crazy buying. Ok, i might be a terrible influence, hahaha.

If there are specific items you are looking for, bring a list of them. If you don't have specific items, then just bring a list of what you already own so you don't buy a duplicate.

Change or singles for the bathroom attendants.

Comfy shoes, painkillers of choice and water. Those floors are hard.

Most have bags but you may want to bring a decent cloth bag.

Wear layers depending on weather.

Most importantly, have fun!

Rain gear, including large plastic bags to keep items dry on the way to the car.  While we never hope for rain, there have unfortunately been a few yorks over the years where it has rained all 3 days.

Unfortunately, people are not kidding about the restroom attendants (this is covered in the registration flyer, I think). 

-Dave

Remember where your car is parked.

Comfortable and lightweight shoes can't be stressed enough.

Sit down ocassionaly or you'll age ten years by the end of the first day.

Small bills for the small purchases.

If you see something unusual that you've never seen before: stop, look it over, check the price, and resign yourself to never seeing another one ever again if you walk away from it (this has happened to me too often!).

Ask questions - don't be shy - you'll learn things.

Talk to strangers - you've already got something in common, and the friendships you'll make here are something you'll look forward to renewing each York.

Join us at Fridays on Thursday night.....Greg

went to my first last fall,,,it was all and more than everyone said...good shoes, money. you will have a blast...enjoy...conrail john

Preparing for the weather is very important.  It can be anywhere from warm and sunny to cold and rainy, and anywhere in between, and sometimes you will get big changes from day to day, or even from the beginning of the day to the end of the day.  I've only been going since 2008, and I've seen pretty much everything except a full-blown snow storm.

Andy

I never go to York in October without a rain suit. Of the 4 times I have gone, twice have been very rainy, to the point of not wanting to go outside

Last October I went to York, where I parked I could have used an airboat to get from my car to the pavement. 

Jerry

There was that one time (maybe late 90's or very early 2000's) when it was 95 degrees one day, but I've only seen that once in 16 years.

So if you want to be prepared for everything, bring a pair of shorts too.

-Dave

Dave.....I remember that day. It was 96. I went to Walmart and bought a pair of shorts. I can't remember the date, maybe 05 or 06. The Yellow Hall was still open (before Orange) and it was a steam bath!

Peter

Watch out for the floor arrows.  You must follow the yellow arrows painted/stuck on the floor.  Otherwise you will have somebody give you some lip.

Oh, bring a badge holder, just something clear plastic with a pin or clip that you can display on your shirt.  Otherwise you will have somebody force you to buy an expensive badge holder.

Huh?  The TCA badge holders are 2 bucks. 

You can usually barder or go back and forth with the prices in the member halls.  Sometimes you can in the dealer halls depending on the vendor.  So throw a price out there maybe you'll get the item and then again maybe not but it can't hurt.  Remember you win some, loose some, and some get rained out but ya gotta dress for em all.

If you are looking to buy a new, say Legacy loco, ask for a receipt (a good one with letterhead, date, etc) if you want the warranty.  Cash gets great prices at times but...