O scale meets

I attended 2 of the Chicago O-Scale meets but I didn’t get much value from those experiences. I was motivated to go from others on this forum, members whom I looked up to, promoting it, but I feel like I get much more value from online activities, including this forum. The social aspect was not a strong enough motivator to make me want to go back, which I haven’t, in over 8 years.

It was a 3-hour drive, each way for me, and due to family and work obligations, I could only be present for an hour, on Saturday. Looking at the show schedule, with clinics and off-site tours, spread out over 2 days, I got the impression that these shows were meant for people who, perhaps had a lot of time, like retirees.

I justified the travel and ticket costs, by saving on shipping costs by arranging to pick up ONLINE purchases from Caboose Hobbies, Protocraft , etc.

These are just my opinion,

Naveen Rajan

@swrr posted:

The amount of savings at the meets easily pays for the cost of travel.

That would depend on the distance one has to travel, hotel nights, etc.  A 2 hr drive one way tends to be cheaper than 2 days each way.

I have noticed that the quality of the clinics seems to have declined at the meets.

Never been overly impressed by the clinic offerings nor numbers of them offered at an O scale meet in well over a decade.  And, even then they were at best, sparse.

Regarding the Chicago March Meet, I attend for not only the shopping  (like I REALLY need more stuff to haul home...LOL!) , but to meet old friends.   Plus, I live less an hours drive from the show location.

Yes, the clinics are by far leave much to  be desired,  unless you have the specific interest in the clinic.    I wish there were more (read new)  layout tours!   The ones offered are same old, same old.     But I do understand the reservation of having strangers  wandering through ones house.   Even though us O scalers are relatively trustworthy folks,   there is always a chance!     

I'm a 3-rail scale guy, but always look forward to the Chicago O Scale meet each year.  I only live an hour away, but would travel further for it's benefits.  The biggest attraction is the layout tours by far.  I have seen so many great layouts, met so many new train friends, and been introduced to and participated in true prototypical operating sessions that is well worth it to me.  Plus the show has scale buildings, figures, cars and trucks that are the same.  The emphasis is on scale and realism and that is what I am looking for.  I like it better than most regular shows for those reasons.

Art

Please remember that Strasburg is August 12.

It is already on my calendar to attend.