Newb looking for a train show to attend

Join TCA and go to York.

If you don't want to get a room, be there when it opens at 9am on Friday and stay all day.  Thursday is great, but it doesn't open until noon, and Saturday is pretty dead.

Keep in mind that going to York will spoil you for all other train meets.

@rattler21 posted:

How far are you from York, Pennsylvania?  Are you a member of a national model train association? Do you prefer a week day show or a weekend show?  John

I am about 3 hours maybe more depending on traffic. Maybe a bit far for a day trip? I do not belong to model train association. To be honest, Im not really sure what you are talking about. I am not aware that such a thing existed. There are no local clubs around me at all.

Tom

@Mallard4468 posted:

Join TCA and go to York.

If you don't want to get a room, be there when it opens at 9am on Friday and stay all day.  Thursday is great, but it doesn't open until noon, and Saturday is pretty dead.

Keep in mind that going to York will spoil you for all other train meets.

Unfortunately my schedule doesn't allow me to go on Friday's. My wife and I own and operate a small winery and we are working Friday evenings. We usually have tasting room help on Saturday's so it's a little better for me. I am only 44 so I have not made it to that wonderful land called retirement yet... hopefully the good Lord has it in his plans for me to do so.

What is TCA and how much does it cost to join? What are the benefits? ( My wife will ask) I already have a couple of train magazine subscriptions and  TV subscriptions.... My wife isn't going to be keen on me adding another "Subscription" to the list... yes, I answer to a higher authority

@Godale03 posted:

I am about 3 hours maybe more depending on traffic. Maybe a bit far for a day trip? I do not belong to model train association. To be honest, Im not really sure what you are talking about. I am not aware that such a thing existed. There are no local clubs around me at all.

Tom

Although it will make for a long day, York is worth a 3-hour drive each way.

https://www.tcatrains.org/ and https://www.easterntca.com/

IIRC, you can join TCA at the meet, or you can attend once as a guest (ask on here, or at the registration desk).  Don't attend as a member of the public - you'll miss half of the meet.

April 2 and 3 The Great Scale Train Show at the Maryland State Fair grounds in Timonium, Md.  This show usually has an adequate representation of O gauge trains ... at least that has been my experience.  The show is heavy on HO but there  always seems to be enough O to keep me coming back regularly.   At the Feb. show I found some great deals on brand new freight cars made by Weaver.  

The GSMTS always has some O gauge clubs running their modular layouts plus other gauges too.  Traffic should not be fine from Southern Maryland on a Sunday morning.  IF you decide to go on Sunday plan to arrive before noon.  Saturday's usually has the best attendance.  

York is worth the drive and beg your wife to get some help Friday night. Yes, it is that good.

@Godale03 posted:

Unfortunately my schedule doesn't allow me to go on Friday's. My wife and I own and operate a small winery and we are working Friday evenings. We usually have tasting room help on Saturday's so it's a little better for me. I am only 44 so I have not made it to that wonderful land called retirement yet... hopefully the good Lord has it in his plans for me to do so.

What is TCA and how much does it cost to join? What are the benefits? ( My wife will ask) I already have a couple of train magazine subscriptions and  TV subscriptions.... My wife isn't going to be keen on me adding another "Subscription" to the list... yes, I answer to a higher authority

Yeah, unfortunately your work schedule isn't real conducive to attending York.  Regarding retirement - there's bad with the good. When York started getting big in the 1980s, most of the participants were still in the workforce - we found ways to make the time.  I've only been retired for a year, but have been going to York since 1989.  For a lot of those years, I was self-employed - I tried not to think about how much each of those days was costing me.

TCA provides a lot of benefits - quarterly magazine, newsletter and buy/sell forum, great museum and library in Strasburg PA, grading standards, local meets, annual convention, and the ability to make contact with like-minded folks.  Dues are about $50.  The museum and library are tremendous repositories of toy train history and information - nobody else does this.

Having said all of that, expect a lot of naysayers to chime in about TCA - it isn't perfect, but it's the largest organization that supports the toy train hobby.  Like everything, you get out what you put in. 

Tom, I have been very pleased with TCA and York is worth the drive. If you can’t attend next month then make arrangements to go in October. Another good organization is the Lionel Operating Train Society (LOTS). Also, you could consider making a layout exhibit part of your winery.  I can’t think of a better way to relax than sampling wine and operating a layout. That would be a great draw for many in this crowd.

One of the main reasons I go to York is the social aspects of the visit.  Before I was retired I was also self-employed, but I took the days off anyway.  FWIW, you can always find excuses why you can't do some activity, but I recommend you try to find an excuse that requires you to come, you won't be sorry!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

One of the main reasons I go to York is the social aspects of the visit.  Before I was retired I was also self-employed, but I took the days off anyway.  FWIW, you can always find excuses why you can't do some activity, but I recommend you try to find an excuse that requires you to come, you won't be sorry!

Yes! It will be a great place to finally meet you! As well as other Forumites

For info on upcoming train shows around the country, try checking the "Calendar" on this Forum and the Railserve website.

I'll second the recommendation for the Timonium show.  A group of us from Pittsburgh do a day trip to that show once or twice a year and have always found it worthwhile.

A day trip to York is best done on a Friday.  I've done York as a day trip several times, and it is a 4 - 4.5 hour drive for me.  York is 7 rather large halls full of trains, plus there is usually a layout in an 8th building.  As others have said, go one time as a guest, and then join when you think you can make it at least once a year.  The people at the registration desk in Silver Hall will sign you in as a guest, or any of us on the forum that are going will usually be happy to sign you in as well.

Here is a link to Clem's Primer that contains almost everything you would ever need to know about York.  This is the Fall 2021 edition, but little changes from York to York except for extracurricular activities such as tours, open houses, interest group meetings, etc.

Andy.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

One of the main reasons I go to York is the social aspects of the visit.  Before I was retired I was also self-employed, but I took the days off anyway.  FWIW, you can always find excuses why you can't do some activity, but I recommend you try to find an excuse that requires you to come, you won't be sorry!

Thank you. I will see how things are looking in October. That is plenty of time to work on a plan.

@Andy Hummell posted:

I'll second the recommendation for the Timonium show.  A group of us from Pittsburgh do a day trip to that show once or twice a year and have always found it worthwhile.

A day trip to York is best done on a Friday.  I've done York as a day trip several times, and it is a 4 - 4.5 hour drive for me.  York is 7 rather large halls full of trains, plus there is usually a layout in an 8th building.  As others have said, go one time as a guest, and then join when you think you can make it at least once a year.  The people at the registration desk in Silver Hall will sign you in as a guest, or any of us on the forum that are going will usually be happy to sign you in as well.

Here is a link to Clem's Primer that contains almost everything you would ever need to know about York.  This is the Fall 2021 edition, but little changes from York to York except for extracurricular activities such as tours, open houses, interest group meetings, etc.

Andy.

Thank you. I will check it out!

Tom

Have U gone to ' TrackSide' hobbies? Mikes Trains are a little So. of Pr. Frederick, Md. NOT alot of train shops around.

Godale03 - For starters, just google the Train Collectors Association (TCA) as their website contains plenty of useful information.

The all O scale show in Harrisburg is also April 2.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

One of the main reasons I go to York is the social aspects of the visit.  Before I was retired I was also self-employed, but I took the days off anyway.  FWIW, you can always find excuses why you can't do some activity, but I recommend you try to find an excuse that requires you to come, you won't be sorry!

I agree 100% John. I have had far more fun attending York after my one in October 2017. Why, because in 2017 I was as they say, the silly kid in awe of everything just running all about the place. Every York after I have engaged far more in talking with anyone and everyone than buying stuff. This year is looking to be a wash for me, but who knows if things will change or not.

I've never been to a train show either.  I'm aiming for York in the fall.  Like others have said, I'm self-employed and every once in a while, you have to treat yourself to something fun or what's the point of being your own boss?  I've never felt guilty about playing hooky for half a day or a whole day here and there when I'm on the hook 24/7! 

A great day trip would be on April 2 to Paterson NJ   Open to any forum member and their family and friends at the NJ HiRailers train club  You dont have to join any club and we feed you.  I make the trip from here to Camden Yards twice a year and its not a bad drive

@WT.Co. posted:

Have U gone to ' TrackSide' hobbies? Mikes Trains are a little So. of Pr. Frederick, Md. NOT alot of train shops around.

I have definitely been to Sidetrack. They don’t have the big window layout anymore since they downsized, but they say I am by far their youngest patron! 😁 Sidetrack is literally 5 minutes from my house so I go there every chance I get. They are getting out of Lionel so I will have to find another store to get my Lionel pre-orders from.

@Apple & Orange Line posted:

I've never been to a train show either.  I'm aiming for York in the fall.  Like others have said, I'm self-employed and every once in a while, you have to treat yourself to something fun or what's the point of being your own boss?  I've never felt guilty about playing hooky for half a day or a whole day here and there when I'm on the hook 24/7!

I am a government IT guy during the day and my wife and I run a small vineyard and winery on the evenings and weekends. We also live on a 255 acre farm which is the biggest reason this time of year is hard to get away. There is a lot of grass cutting and weed control that is a constant battle this time of year. Winter is when I have the most free time.

@bluelinec4 posted:

A great day trip would be on April 2 to Paterson NJ   Open to any forum member and their family and friends at the NJ HiRailers train club  You dont have to join any club and we feed you.  I make the trip from here to Camden Yards twice a year and its not a bad drive

I’m an Orioles fan as well! Camden Yards is just under 2 hours away for me. I may miss some of the upcoming shows this go around, but now that I have a better idea of the many shows going on throughout the year, I will have to make plans to attend a couple the next go round.

@Godale03 posted:

I’m an Orioles fan as well! Camden Yards is just under 2 hours away for me. I may miss some of the upcoming shows this go around, but now that I have a better idea of the many shows going on throughout the year, I will have to make plans to attend a couple the next go round.

Lets not get crazy  I never said I was an Orioles fan  LOL   I should have said Yankee stadium South

https://ogrforum.com/...ichmond-va-april-2-3

This is 2.5 hours away from Prince Frederick......just did it a few weeks ago to visit one of my friends who lives there....

Routes 301, I-95, I-64 and Virginia 288

Peter

@Godale03 posted:

Good Morning,

I have been scouring the Web and looking for a good train show to attend... embarrassingly my first. I am looking for some suggestions. I live in Southern MD and need to stay within driving distance... I am not looking to get a room. There seems to be a few shows around, but I could use some help in making the best choice as my free time is limited this time of year.  Thank you all!

Tom

Check out the link I just posted.

Peter

@Godale03

My model train vendor friend will be setting up at the Roncerverte WV show on May 7, 2022 a Saturday.  A warm small C&O community town south of Lewisburg WV.

My onetime experience at York in October 2019 was a great experience.  Since you are beginning to see the opportunity to build your layout you must attend to pick up all sorts of necessary items for the scenic aspects of model railroading, from buildings, grasses, tunnel portals, roundhouses, turntables vehicles, figure characters.  Everything!

And lighting, track, turnouts, cork, ballast as well, and all carry home with no shipping 😀

Oh yes, tack your model train friends with you to York PA.

Roncerverte WV is 3.5 hours from your town in south MD according to the Maps.

Enjoy your trip!

@Putnam Division posted:

Check out the link I just posted.

Peter

Thank you for the link. This is only 2 hours away and looks like it would be a nice drive.

If you are looking to buy trains at the best price I would recommend York.

If you want to see more O sized trains, parts, accessories, supplies etc, than any place else I would recommend York.

If you want to see the widest selection of older trains ever made, I would recommend York.

If you want the greatest train show experience of a lifetime, I would recommend York.

I live in south Texas, until covid i was employed, and I drive 1744 miles one way to York.  And it is worth it.

Once you visit York you will rearrange your priorities!  Yes, you will !!!

Stay over night and arrive to the show refreshed. Otherwise you will wish you had.

Your youth will help you to navigate the halls.

@aussteve posted:

If you are looking to buy trains at the best price I would recommend York.

If you want to see more O sized trains, parts, accessories, supplies etc, than any place else I would recommend York.

If you want to see the widest selection of older trains ever made, I would recommend York.

If you want the greatest train show experience of a lifetime, I would recommend York.

I live in south Texas, until covid i was employed, and I drive 1744 miles one way to York.  And it is worth it.

I'll add seeing the modular layouts, and the opportunity to visit the TCA museum and other train attractions in Strasburg.

I agree with York, it is  not a bad introduction. You could do a Thursday, if you get there at noon you can make a somewhat decent dent on it if you are going for the experience of going and aren't going necessarily to find that killer find. On Thursday if I read correctly (the website could have the times better on it) if you get there by 12 you should be able to do some damage by the time it closes at 6:30. You could in that time see the operating layouts in the various halls, in Orange see vendor and dealers (IDK who is going to be there this April, prob Lionel at least), and see a sea of trains and train stuff. Multi day you can go back and see stuff you didn't the prior day, but to be honest day 1 I saw a lot and had a good time, got there about noon, and stayed until about 6 (I did get hooked day 2 and bought a standard gauge engine as a display piece....).

I encourage belonging to TCA too because you get to see what is going on. On the TCA website there also is the ability to sell and buy stuff. When you join TCA you also become part of the regional tca (In your case, I think you are part of the eastern district, that is the sponsor of York). I don't know if the Eastern District has events other than york that might be more local to you (in the division I am in, METCA, there are events in various parts of the region that is centered around NYC region).

Keep your eyes out on the event calendar on here, and also keep your eyes on the Greenberg shows as well. They got kind of disrupted by Covid but they might do shows  where you can access it, too.

Wish you luck!