Good old show!
The Big E is one of the best Train Shows in the USA, wish I still lived closer to attend!
PCRR/Dave
I have been to a bunch of train shows that were less than spectacular. So I'm having trouble believing that this show is so big? It was posted that it was hard to see everything in one day?
We drove to a Ohio show and thought it would have stuff for sale. We found out talking to Mike Wolf from MTH that it was more of a show to show off new products for the manufacturers. It was fun and a good show overall. It was just, not what we were expecting.
Gigantic! Makes York look small..
Train Nut, You could put all the O gauge & standard gauge at the Big E into the white hall at York and it still wouldn't fill it..
Our 3-Rail Scale club, The Connecticut Society of Ferroequninologists and Model Railway Engineers, has been attending this show with our 32x18' modular layout For the last 39 years--and we love every minute of it. Wherever you live, attending this show will be worth your while! Come see us at Column HH31 in the Better Living Center Building .
eddie g posted:Train Nut, You could put all the O gauge & standard gauge at the Big E into the white hall at York and it still would fill it..
You mean "wouldn't"??
I've been to both. Just comparing size. All gauges. Layouts. Clinics. Live steam. Real locomotives etc... Has it all !
Aside from York, the train show at Springfield is the biggest in the Northeast, and well worth the time and effort to get there. I look forward to going every year. See you there!
Comparing York and Springfield (Amherst):
According to the attendance figures that are made public, Springfield is better attended.
Doesn't matter. They are two different shows targeting two different populations.
I like to attend both. If I had to choose one, it would be York.
Gentlemen,
Just be glad you are free to attend both of these fantastic train shows, next time you see a guy like Mike G at a Trains show, thank him for his service, and for the freedom he helped provide so you can participate in this great hobby. Without guys like Mike G there would be no Trains Shows for any of us.
It does not matter which of the shows is bigger or better, enjoy them both, if you can. I lived in CT for a while and attended the Big E Train Show in Springfield as often as possible, I loved it. Unfortunately I have not been to York in many many years.
PCRR/Dave
We use to go every year...a dozen or more years in a row. It got bigger and bigger each year. It had become almost overwhelming and we found the massive crowds and parking far away and trudging through the cold to stand in a ticket line had finally become too much for us. It made the show less appealing and we eventually stopped going. Nevertheless it is THE BIG TRAIN SHOW .
Your way to nice Dave!
I thank everyone who has gave us the freedom to play as we wish!
Comparing york to the Amherst show is like comparing left field to right. Kind of pointless.
The big E is the only show I do theses days. I don’t have to drive 7 hours (only twenty minutes) or spend hundred of dollars getting there, staying there, or getting back from there. With several ogauge retailers there, including Mr. Muffins for the first. I’ll have plenty of potential purchases.
Yes Eddie there’s not much post war like york but post war is not my thing. I get to see all the clinics if I want. Talk to the people who work at my favorite tourist lines, get updates on the goings on at steamtown and B&M 3713. Get a calendar from the NYCRRHS, see friends I haven’t seen in awhile, talk bicycles with Steve at the Ross booth, on an on.
and did I forget all the layouts to view?
In my opinion, the Amherst Railway Society Big-E Show has become the best and largest model railroad show in the Northeast, if not the entire US. People and vendors from Maine to New Jersey are well-represented at this show. In recent years, there also has been a noticeable increase in vendors from throughout the US. Mr. Muffin's Trains will be there this year. The Amherst show includes all scales and gauges, and offers the opportunity to see what's happening in every phase of model railroading. I've been attending since 1998 - both days almost every year - and look forward to enjoying it two weekends from now.
MELGAR
Amherst is without a doubt one of the best shows in the country. However, it’s dofficult to compare it to York. In my opinion they really Serve different markets. Amherst has many, many layouts and clubs of all scales, as well as manufacturer displays and real railroads and museum booths. These tend to pull in lots of children and families, unlike York. York is mostly focused on the vendors, and those are dominantly three rail o gauge, s gauge and std gauge. Vendors at Amherst are mainly dealing in the smaller scales, anlthogh there is some large scale and o gauge/scale. Both are impressive experiences, but how useful they are to you is dependent on your specific areas of interest. For my friends who are into HO scale, Amherst is their favorite show and York would be a low priority. For my friend into s gauge, York and the pre shows were a dream. For me, I have use for both.
If you do a search, you will find a series of photos that I have taken in the past.
bringing this up again for another poster.....
Looking for the quickest route from eastern Mass via the pike.
Exit 7, 6 or 4 ?
Thanks.
Richie C. posted:Looking for the quickest route from eastern Mass via the pike.
Exit 7, 6 or 4 ?
Thanks.
Whichever way Google Maps or Waze says is faster that day.
As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.
From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.
From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.
Lad
Train nut, Thanks for noticing my error.
Lad Nagurney posted:As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.
From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.
From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.
Lad
Glad you commented on the way to go. I avoid that area like the plague and have no clue what's open and whats not.
Lad Nagurney posted:As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.
From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.
From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.
Lad
From the East, I was planning on getting off at MassPike Exit 6 and taking I-291 to the Dwight Street exit (before the I-91 exit) and then a right onto Harrison/Boland streets and straight across the Memorial Bridge to the rotary.
Are you saying that route is blocked/inaccessible now ?
Thanks.
Bobby Ogage posted:The Big E is a great show, and I will be there.
Hi Bob,
What time do you want to meet and where???????
In case your phone doesn't work I'll meet you at the show office in the Better Living Building at 11am..If it does work I'll meet you when you get there.....OK????
Gene
Richie C. posted:Lad Nagurney posted:As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.
From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.
From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.
Lad
From the East, I was planning on getting off at MassPike Exit 6 and taking I-291 to the Dwight Street exit (before the I-91 exit) and then a right onto Harrison/Boland streets and straight across the Memorial Bridge to the rotary.
Are you saying that route is blocked/inaccessible now ?
Thanks.
Richie,
Your route is ok. For those who remember, as I-291 merges with I-91 south from the left, one could quickly (1/8 mile) go across 4 lanes of traffic to the right and get off on the East Side of the Memorial Bridge. There were several accidents a week. When the viaduct work was done on I-91 over the past year, the barrier was extended so no longer can you go across the lanes and immediately exit.
Lad
Lad Nagurney posted:Richie C. posted:Lad Nagurney posted:As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.
From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.
From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.
Lad
From the East, I was planning on getting off at MassPike Exit 6 and taking I-291 to the Dwight Street exit (before the I-91 exit) and then a right onto Harrison/Boland streets and straight across the Memorial Bridge to the rotary.
Are you saying that route is blocked/inaccessible now ?
Thanks.
Richie,
Your route is ok. For those who remember, as I-291 merges with I-91 south from the left, one could quickly (1/8 mile) go across 4 lanes of traffic to the right and get off on the East Side of the Memorial Bridge. There were several accidents a week. When the viaduct work was done on I-91 over the past year, the barrier was extended so no longer can you go across the lanes and immediately exit.
Lad
Thanks, Lad - looking forward to the show and hope there's no snow.
Part of me is looking forward to it and the other part is not looking forward to the mad house its been the past few years. Like the last weekend before Christmas at the mall!
Update about the show. JTs Mega steam smoke will not be able to attend but mr. Muffins trains will have the full selection at his booth.
superwarp1 posted:Update about the show. Mega steam smoke will not be able to attend but mr. Muffins trains will have the full selection at his booth.
I wonder if he has the gallon size
Railrunnin posted:Hi Gary, if OGR does not attend we can always take over Steves booth at RCS
Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Paul
I would like to meet some of you guys. What is meant by Steve's..... ? Or has anyone discovered if OGR will be there ?
I believe they mean Steve the owner of Ross Custom Switches.
mlaughlinnyc posted:Railrunnin posted:Hi Gary, if OGR does not attend we can always take over Steves booth at RCS
Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Paul
I would like to meet some of you guys. What is meant by Steve's..... ? Or has anyone discovered if OGR will be there ?
After you stop by Ross Custom Switches come on over to see the Mohegan Pequot Model Railroad Club’s LCCA/ Lionel FasTrack Modular Railroad.
Oh yeah! Bring OGR with you if you can. It has been too long since I have been able to say HI to Ed.
~Kevin
From today's Springfield (MA) newspaper
10 things to see, know about at Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show
http://www.masslive.com/entert...ook_for_amherst.html
Hope to see many over the weekend, Lad
In the Better living center there was vendor who sells Hopper and gondola loads. They have a wood base and are darn good. For the likes of me I can't remember their name. Anyone have a clue?
on another note. Weather looks great. Mid 40's both days, sunny Saturday and a chance of light rain late Sunday.
I go every year. Usually both days. This year I think I'm only doing Saturday. Doing both days, by the time Sunday afternoon rolls around I need a day off! One good thing is I live about 15 minutes away.
I'm thinking about the possibility of buying a B&M locomnotive at the show.
Does anyone know if they have a test track available and where it might be located ?
Gary - check the list of exhibitors on the website - it's probably there.
I've never seen a genrally available test track there, but there are many modular railroad groups operating. Look for one near where you find the engine you want to buy and ask them and the seller if you can take the loco to thier layout. Most modular layouts just run trains around a loop at shows and have plenty of sidings where thye could easily test something. Try the NMRA Hub division and the Ameherst society - both generally friendly groups. Hub wanrts to attract members.
superwarp1 posted:In the Better living center there was vendor who sells Hopper and gondola loads. They have a wood base and are darn good. For the likes of me I can't remember their name. Anyone have a clue?
Gary, I don't have a specific answer, but the Big E website lists the vendors - maybe that will spark the name for you.
Paul
Railrunnin posted:superwarp1 posted:In the Better living center there was vendor who sells Hopper and gondola loads. They have a wood base and are darn good. For the likes of me I can't remember their name. Anyone have a clue?
Gary, I don't have a specific answer, but the Big E website lists the vendors - maybe that will spark the name for you.
Paul
I’ve been looking at the list and nothing comes to mind. I’ll find them if they are there this year.
BTW, speaking of Amherst, can anyone recommend a good hotel in that area? We stayed at the Marriott Residence inn. Unfortunately, our first time there three years ago, we got this wonderful suite. However these last two years, and we booked this same room back in September, last minute like just days before check in, we have been denied obtaining the same room. My wife and I are convinced that unless the weather turns bad and no one shows up will be the only time we will be able to obtain the same room. So we are looking for another hotel who will be more honest with their customers.
