O gauge train shows jointly sponsored by OGR and CTT?

I doubt that OGR has those "deep pockets" you talk about. It's a three family business you know.

.....

Dennis

 

Why does the term "deep pockets" drive me nuts? Perhaps because it is used by people who like to suggest to others how they should be spending their money.

O gauge train shows jointly sponsored by OGR and CTT?

 

Probably wishful thinking! Like Democrats and Republicans finding more common ground.

 

Kalmbach bought out Greenberg in a move to gain market share and be top dog.

Ace,

   You know your business, and your thoughts are absolutely correct.

PCRR/Dave

 

We have deep pockets?

 

Wow...I'll have to be sure to tell Jim and Ed. It will be a surprise to them, as it was for me.  

Deep pockets, shallow pockets,empty pockets,no pockets it doesn't matter who, what or where. Model trains cannot compete with the latest internet compatable tech gadget,no train show or magazine can change that, its 2013.

 

Actually, While OGR (CTT already has Greenberg), has a vested interest in seeing O Gauge flourish, they already do what they can to promote the hobby. It is Really up to ALL of us to work to make O gauge more popular. get involved, go to local meets, If you belong to a club (Masons, Elks, KofC, etc) bring a small setup to a club meeting. If every one of us got just one more person interested in O Gauge in 2013, we'd DOUBLE the size of the market IN JUST ONE YEAR. So, "What's in it for me" Well, if you increase participation in O Gauge, there's a better chance that your LHS won't close in the near future and the nice folks at our suppliers wouldn't be working their fingers to the bone cancelling long awaited items, they'd be busting their butts bringing us MORE TRAINS!!!. Now everybody, GET TO WORK!!! Don't let George (or Rich) do it, It's OUR job

For more years than I care to remember, the "grow the hobby one person at a time" approach has been what I have advocated.  That is the very best way to grow the hobby.  Mentoring has long been a good way to grow/advance just about anything.

I have deep pockets. I just can't find anything of value in them!

Ron

MTH has the Blue Comet Award they hand out to people and clubs who do the best at promoting O gauge railroading. http://www.mthtrains.com/news/060

Isn't that exactly what you are doing, given the subject of this post  

A well known phrase is...deep pockets and short arms.

Bob 

Most american families today because of the poor economy and the loss of good jobs have limited funds. The latest tech gadgets like smart phones, ipads, and latest hot new toys have captured the wallets of todays family and youth. Lionel was the **** in the fifties and every boy wanted one. Times have changed and with that comes a smaller buying and interested market. Thus hobby shops are competing for a smaller market. Unless trains become cool again in this pop culture world. Only we the hobbiest can keep it alive and pass on this wonderfull hobby to the next generation. Plus a robust economy again could not hurt. That seems highly unlikely given the new direction washington has us headed on!

You make some good points. On the other hand, I've read that a poor economy tends to keep people at home (maybe playing with trains?) rather than traveling or collecting vintage Corvettes.

Anyone who thinks that a company involved in publishing a magazine (or a newspaper for that matter) has deep pockets sure doesn't know anything about publishing these days.

Ain't that the truth!  

Who is CTT?

illinoiscentral CTT is Classic Toy Trains published by Kalback.

 

The ones doing a great job like is stated at the head of this thread is the industry its self. But they only do five shows a year and try not to duplicate a city they have been in before. Even there pockets are not that deep.

 

The train show business has grown smaller over the years; at least in the Philly area. Greenburg has pulled back in this local area from what they did before the Fort Washington EXPO center closed and for whatever reason the Phila. EXPO Center in OAKS replacement hasn't worked for them and the VF center is a dog for Vendors and Exhibitors in somes thoughts (I'm one of in that group). The best shows in this area are First Frost and Spring Thaw in Allentown and is maxed out for exhibitors, they even have to take turns there.

 

 

 

Getting back to Kenn's original question I see no value in having yet another train show to suck the last $ from my pocket.   We already have enought shows in the mid-Atlantic states that already do that. 

Train shows are a great way to see the latest item in the marketplace and to see the old favorites that are no longer available. To me train shows are exciting because they are not available on a regular basis. How many of us would be excited about York if it was available every day?

Someone previously mentioned the current state of the publishing business. I can definitely tell you that it is not very strong these days. I sell mechanical components to a few of the printing press companies and they are hurting big time. Goss Printing is one of the largest printing press manufacturers in the world and their business is so bad that they are subcontracting their manufacturing facilities in Durham, NH. They are currently making wind energy generation equipment in addition to their standard product line.