Monroeville Greenberg Show

Norm,

I plan to go on Saturday.

See yinz there!

I'll be there both days with the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers.

 

Looking forward to seeing all of yinz!

 

Andy

I plan on going, but what are the dates?

This coming Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9.  Details here.

 

Andy

someday when I get off 21 turn I'm going to this show.

       
       


Thanks, Andy. See you there!

See yinz on Sunday.

If I get home from out west I am planning on going on Saturday.

 

Mark Strittmatter

TCA # 14-69917

Indiana PA.

Norm and Scott, Isn't that younz ? (Or maybe, my word is just a Duquesne thing?)

FrankM.

Frank,

Yes the word is actually a contraction of the words 'you ones'  No one seems to know how to spell it.  I like your spelling, but I just followed Norm's lead.  I have also seen 'yunz'.

 

Anyway, I hope to see lots of folks there!

This hasn't been a good show since its was moved to it current location and then the space cut almost in half. But, its better than nothing. Greenberg needs to find a better venue for their Pittsburgh shows.

The only thing I don't like about the current venue is the parking.  Then again, the old ExpoMart was only slightly better in that regard.  As for size, I don't think Greenberg has much control over that aspect - if they don't have enough paying vendors to fill up the other half of the convention center, it doesn't make sense for them to pay for it.

 

Unfortunately, there aren't any readily apparent alternatives close to the city.  Move too far in any direction away from the city and you are likely to lose potential attendance from the other side of the city.

 

Andy

It feels good seeing every one of those idiomatic expressions.

 

However, that was not the case when I first attended an undergraduate English class in a college in Ohio. I can still recall - vividly - the howls of laughter, including from the professor, when I said (and had written!!) "yunz" in a document. Also, I said "gum-bands" instead of elastic bands or rubber-bands. I never used yunz or gum-bands again, to this day. That ban would also include never saying "pop" instead of soda (which to me, always sounded like a tonic or like club soda, not a sweet drink like Vernor's or Coke.

 

I'm not sure I ever said "telly-poles," but I do have to make a conscious effort to say "utility pole" instead of "telephone pole," nowadays.

 

Also, here in "Joisey, I stopped asking for (way back in the late '60's) "chipped ham" even at the local A&P's, and just ask them to "slice it real thin."

FrankM. (an English teacher)

Andy, I disagree. Move it out of the congested Monroeville area they just might get more vendors. I'll bet the current place and cost is the reason for the lack of vendors and extra space.  The fact you have to wait in line outside in the weather dictates if I go or not.

 

Mark, Yunz is past tense.

 

Moonson,  So many Pickburghers go to the Outer Banks grocery stores know what Chipped Ham is. 

Frank,

Yes, I ran into issues when I worked in Virginia for 10 years.  Fortunately after I was there about 5 years, a guy joined our department who was from Beaver.  The Virginians were always surprised when they caught one of us saying something Pittsburghese, then when asking the other without knowledge of the others conversation, how we confirmed each other.  I'm supposedly an engineer, and you know how well engineers communicate.  

 

It was fun.

Thanks for your viewpoint!

Kurt,

Thank you for correcting my grammar!  I always did have trouble with my tenses and parts of speech!  

Mark, I'm a born and raised Pittsburgher, the only Pittsburghese I use is The Buccos.  

So, from what I gather, I'll have trouble finding parking space, then have to wait outside, in line to wait to get in, only to find the lack of vendors.  I was pretty hopped up to go, but I think I'll save some money and stay home.  My wife says I have overspent the train budget for the next fifty years. 

Fortunately, there is a train show in Dalton, Ohio on Sunday Nov 9th. That is an excellent show & plan on going there too.

Keith,

I see that is just past Massillon, just past Canton.  My older daughter went to college in Canton, so Dalton is about 3 hours from me.  I can't go on a Sunday though.

Thanks for the information on Dalton, I had never heard of it.

 

Actually, I may just be an old hick, but I think the Greenberg show in Monroeville is worth the 1 hour trip each way and a walk in from parking.  And, yes, I have had to stand in the weather too at times.  I was at the show when it was in the Expo Mart, but from what I remember they were still letting vendors in with doll houses, toys, beanie babies, so I like the show better now.  Yes, there are some things that could be better, but maybe I'm just hard pressed for fun. 

I'll be there. I've actually been going for a while, my parents used to take me when I was younger now me and my mom go. I have to admit the parking is a pain, especially if you bought a train set or some large prewar or postwar item. Also many of the attendees are elderly so I get kinda steamed (pun intended) when I see the security car over at the store next door with their empty lot.  

Bob Severin, yep, you are correct.  If you get there about an hour before doors open you can get a parking space right in front of the doors.  If not,  I usually park at KMart across the road and walk over.

 

I never missed a show until they moved to this location they have now.  I don't know what it is but I just don't like it.  I mean, it is a nice place and everything but...

 

Don't plan on going to this show either.

 

Rick

I've never understood all the negativity about this show. I've always enjoyed myself and don't mind walking across the street and sometimes waiting in line for five or ten minutes. I guess they could have more handicapped parking but that would take spaces away from the able-bodied complainers.

Just my opinion. 

I went to the last show and parked a reasonable distance away from the door and there was a line which moved fast once the doors opened. No big deal. I enjoyed the show plan to go Sat. Another nice show on the  30th in Kittaning.

Keyes, thanks for the dictionary.  My wife and her sister were reminded of their roots.

 

pennsyfan, doesn't the flyer say you can park at the mall next door?  I'm not familiar with the geography there.

if you are facing the main entrance and do a 180 turn around you CANNOT use their parking spaces.  Your car will be towed.  They will normally have security there which will turn you away if you are not shopping at the stores there

 

However, to the right and across the strete where there is a new Home Goods store you may use their parking lot.

 

and don't forget 'down er" instead of down there and "up er" instead of up there and this comes from some of my educated friends. I'm no Rhodes Scholar but I can do a little better; lol.

 

However, I was born in East Liberty section of Pittsburgh but always called it East Sliberty as mentioned above; never saw the name in writing.

Since falling off a ladder last August, I have to use a cane, and my walking is limited.  I don' t think I'm ready to cross route 22 cause I'd probably get run over.  I think I'm going to pass on this one.  Bob

All parking is on the same side of 22, and they do have a shuttle bus running all day.

 

Andy

According to the vendors I've talked to, this venue is much easier to access for setup and tear down than the Expo Mart ever was, and since setup starts Friday, there is no negative aspect to this venue from a vendor's point of view.  Fewer vendors is more of a sign of the economy and the shrinking demographic than the location of the venue.  The only real complaints I have heard from the vendors is that people aren't buying as much as they used to, and I think that is again due to the economy and shrinking demographic, and not the location of the venue.

 

I agree that the parking was never designed for this kind of attendance, but the question remains, where would be a better place?  When they tried Greensburg, people complained about the long drive (about an hour longer for anyone coming from the North, South, or West of Pittsburgh).  A better venue would need to be within a half hour drive from downtown (to remain centered for people coming from all sides of Pittsburgh) and have easy access by highway and plenty of parking space.  I can't think of any other venue that meets those criteria.

 

Andy

I think the greater Pittsburgh needs something out the parkway (I-376) towards the airport.  A new venue should be set up (or found) near RIDC west.  Or, how about the Allegheny Fairgrounds, or Washington Fairgrounds.  I know Washington has private events and is happy to rent out space.  Plus, it's really easy access from I-79.  

While currently there is "no better place", the fact it is in Monroeville, access is poor from the city side, and parking is limited, keeps me away.  Call me spoiled or what have you, the few times I had attended have convinced me that it's just not worth the trip.

 

Again I don't have a solution but the negatives just don't justify the aggravation of getting there and dealing with the minuses.  It certainly would be nice if a more centralized solution could be found.  Washington County is not the answer as it is the opposite extreme of Monoroeville.

I'm with Andy, I can't think of a better place, and that comes from someone who has to drive a little over an hour to get there.  The TCA has it's meets in the Four Points in Cranberry, which has pretty good access to all but folks to the southeast, but it isn't large enough nor has the parking for Greenberg.  

 

My wife wanted to visit her sister in Canonsburg, so remembering a Munroeville show from 20 years ago, I figured it would be a good way to shoot a day.  But from what yunz say, it isn't worth the trip, being smaller and requiring a trek if you can find a legal place to park. 

 

So maybe I'll just wish y'all a good show and not go to Munroeville.

RJR,

I can't think of a better way to shoot a day than going to the show in M'ville.  If nothing else at least come see the Independent HiRailers great modular layout, watch their massive collection of great locomotives and cars, and shoot the breeze with the guys, many of which are members of this forum!

Since getting a car towed is unpleasant, I just emailed Greenbergs and asked, "Where is the parking allowed for the Monroeville show.  On the O-Gauge forum, some persons have said vehicles are towed if in the wrong lot."

 

Mr. Frank Hicks, of Greenberg, emailed back as follows:

 

"The only place parking is not allowed is in the Babies R Us lot, though to my knowledge nobody has ever been towed.  The lots directly around the convention center are all fine to use, as is the mall parking lot near the Goodyear; a parking shuttle runs between the show entrance and the mall lot near Goodyear all weekend and also makes stops in the convention center lot near the mall entrance drive.

Frank Hicks
Greenberg Shows"

 

If you do have a problem, please don't shoot the messenger (me).
--

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be so negative. I honestly have loved attending this show since it was in the Expo Mart and much of my collection was purchased there.

I have been to every Greenberg show  and have liked them all. Go to a Steeler game parking bad and costs money same with Baseball etc. You also stand out side. Same with many things. Is parking good at the show NO. It is what it is. If you  don't like it don't go. That is why I do not do things in downtown Pittsburgh. I like cars I haven't gone to the Custom car show  why its downtown. You either want to go and put up with the way things are or you stay home. I am ready for a good time at the Show.