Left Wednesday AM around 9. No issues with traffic via 91-84-81-83 into York arriving around 4PM. Except for the driving rain south of Scranton and the temps in the 30's.
Wednesday night my son and I went to the DCS users group meeting, my first one, met Barry, said Hi to Marty and others plus had my DCS updated. Food good, information informative, I may of learned how to fix my lashup issues and DCS Wifi will more than likely not be out until the fall along with the next software update. One thing Andy said that I found interesting is the software developer told him sorry for how bad the software was originally written way back in 99-2000. So there's the reason for rev 4.3 and counting on the software. Sorry to say my boy was getting tired and I couldn't stay for all of the question and answers with Andy. I'm sure they will be posted soon.
Thursday: Couldn't make Putnam Division's(Peter) get together at the Round the Clock Diner, sadly. As the Hotel breakfast was free and actually pretty good. Ended up at the fair grounds around 10 AM and ran into a good number of OGR members so those two hours went by fast just chatting. As for the show as always awesome. Spent most of my money that afternoon. Weaver sold me a B&M weathered Pacific right off their display shelf at a good price. I could not say no.
Found a Lionel Milk car I did not have, a few AtlasO reefers I didn't have and a Weaver reefer. Zstuff upper quadrant Semaphore from Ross Custom switches round out the purchases for Friday. Spent some time talking to Steve of Ross switches, Jim, Rich, and Ed at ORG. Dennis at Zstuff, Dave of Crescent Locomotive Works about his round house, Joe at Weaver about you know the engine, and a few others. I did not get to talk to Mike Reagan or anyone else at Lionel as they were swamped, Same with MTH as I wanted to point out how incorrect the B&A hudson they keep offering in the last few catalogs is(and to thank them for offering anything at all in B&A). Left the the meet around 4pm to freshen up and headed over to Ruby's for the OGR meet. Met a find person from Seattle Washington that sat down with my son and I. In fact thanks again for paying for dinner. Talked to Ed from OGR again but not many others. As stated in another thread big time issues with Ruby's and we did not leave until around 9:30.
Friday: My son really didn't want to go to the Legacy breakfast so regrettably we skipped it. Really want to learn all I can as I'm sure Legacy is in my future. Anyway did not go to the show until 10 AM. Found Hemming's Trains, met John Will and purchased four of his super chuffer boards. After Barry's DCS Dinner I was convinced to get a new TIU(still have signal issues) found a good price on a rev L TIU and purchased one. Son and I hit all the halls Friday but really didn't find much of interest in the member halls. After all that headed over to the Grandstand meet which due to the weather was held indoors. The joking around by the Lionel crew(Lead by Mike Reagan) and Andy was fun to watch. The meet was video taped so I'm sure it will be posted soon. After the meeting my Son and I were done and headed back to the hotel.
Things I did not find at York. Looking for a bridge that will fit the span I need for the layout. A few possibilities but nothing at the show that would work. No Legacy systems, only one Cab1L but not at a good price. Only one dealer had Kadee couplers but way over priced so I passed. MTH doesn't sell parts anymore at the show? If they do I didn't see it. One vendor that was selling MTH parts was way over priced.
So a great York meet over all, my son was overjoyed with our purchases.
Saturday. Went to Strasburg RR and rode the train and looked around. Left around 12:30 for Haha I drove east and got on I-95 North over the GWB just to say I've done it. Did it, will never do it again
My son had fun looking at the NYC skyline and we didn't loose to much time.
So now for the 2004 vs 2015 comparison: This is my first Spring York so it's not a apple to apple comparison so here goes.
York traffic, was it that bad in 2004???
Bandit meets, missed them this year as we now have Thursday afternoons
The fact I had no issues getting a hotel room this time around compared to eleven years ago is a real plus.
No issues walking any of the halls, Member halls or Dealer hall. Remember 2004 as being more crowded.
Can't comment on Saturdays I've never gone on Saturday. By the end of Friday I'm spent and with the addition of Thursday more than likely I'll never go on Sat.
So with that, that is it. I'll post pics later.
