Necessities at York?

....and Mike, don't forget the quarters for tipping the bathroom attendants!  

Peter

-Inventory spreadsheets

-P.W. price guide (Warman's)

-Wallet (w/TCA card), check book & cell, Trainz ball point, (all in attache or leather 'case)

- D cell battery to test P.W. horns

-Meet badge around neck.

Most important thing to remember: where you parked your vehicle.

Well, are'nt you the big spender!

Mine is the 70 year-old's necessities...hearing aid, pills, and a map to get me home again. I selpt with my badge around my neck so I would'nt forget it.

Do not forget comfortable walking shoes and good socks.  You do a lot of walking around. 

ok, how come my pictures don't show up?

I always tip those folks a buck.  However, even at my advanced age I find that I don't need to use the facilities all that often.   I have found the folks doing that rather thankless but important job to be both friendly and efficient. 

After all the beers on Thursday night , it could get quite expensive on Friday.

Jim D.

I always carry a bunch of blank paper in my back pocket (old fashioned, no smart phone or other gizmo) to both record my purchases and also make notes about where I may see "maybe" items(not "must haves", those are invariably gone when you go back!), so I know where to look if I do decide to pursue them later in the show.

-Dave

You're probably right, Jim!  Being a vodka martini guy, I had forgotten about that.  Beer does tend to make it through the system faster.   A full meet day on Friday could result in a pee fee equal to the cost of an O scale boxcar.

Could you explain the restroom fee.  Am I back in Germany with the old women attendant standing next to me?

The bathrooms are maintained by people who work for tips, so you are supposed to tip them on your way out. The exact amount is up to you (my Grandpa told me to just give them a dime, but I give a dollar since I am young and didn't attend Thursdays at Friday's, so I didn't need to be in there often).

Like Michael said:  The restrooms are maintained by a crew of folks who work hard and certainly do keep those places far cleaner than they ever were some years ago.  Best of all, some of those fellows have great personalities and a wonderful sense of humor.  Really worth a healthy tip.

Alligator clip test leads (testing accessories from test track power)

The test tracks now have fixed voltage AC power with test leads attached.  Just push the little green button!!!

Tom

One thing I forgot was a small flashlight to get a good look at some pieces in those not so well lit halls.  I did remember a pen/paper to write down the locations where I did find some items if I needed to go back to buy them.  

Next time I have to remember to brings small bills. Many dealers may not have enough small bills to make change especially on the first day. Also the $1's are good for tipping the bathroom attendants. They keep old bathrooms in great shape. My wife even comments on the cleanliness of the ladies rooms.

I give em buck a trip which I am happy to give.  Anyone who has a job worse than mine deserves to be paid more...that's just my philosophy.  BigRail

I might have to bring some in the fall then Chris, even though Farmer Bill said he was buying.

Bring your PRIOR made room reservation, unless you want to drive from Harrisburg,

or a camping vehicle, or live close enough to drive it daily. (they have built some motels since I started attending, BUT torn down some old ones...doubt if current economy encourages motel building)  Dunno if there are any time share units in York, but you'd have to have the whole of both months reserved, due to changing meet dates..(I am being facetious).

Only been to York once (will be back this October. I like the canvas grocery bags to carry my goodies in. I hate to say it, but my GPS really made finding all the other events easy. I'll be sure to bring it again.

Like others have said, cash in all denominations is handy. I like bringing a list of items I want. I try to make several lists as I have a variety of interests (such as Marx, Lionel (pre, post, and MPC), Plasticville, and American Flyer) so I can grab an appropriate list as needed.

I bring a  cheap camera to take pictures of everything I buy each day, just in case. I also bring a laptop so I can spend a bit of time each night checking the forums and eBay.  (eBay is really low on bidders during York!) I can also watch a DVD if I like with it.

Just a few random things I bring,

J White

I like to bring some empty cardboard boxes, gallon bags (not ziplock), and newspaper. I use these items to pack my purchases for the trip home.

Feeling we need to be aware of our fluid intake (or rather, the unintentional diminution of it,) I bring plenty of Ensure and ***e because I found that I get very dehydrated, drinking far less than normally, with all the walking around and interaction. One coke and one milkshake round out my fluids for the entire event. At restaurants, I drink plenty of lemonade w/ meals.

Frank