Oct 2016 York

Answer to your questions.

 

1. YES

2. Check the York show thread and on the Eastern division website for times. 

3. Don't need any member to sign you up

4.So many to choose from.   I've stayed at the Quality inn right off the highway but next time I would stay where Eddie G stays(sorry can't remember the name).

5.  Start in the Orange hall and work you way out.  Orange has the top vendors and all the Importers, Lionel, AtlasO, MTH, etc

 

You might be better off having Rich M move this to the York thread.  All your questions can be answered in better detail over there.

# 5 depends on what type of trains hit your fancy.  For New, Orange is the best bet (Purple and Brown also, but I believe Brown may be consolidated into Purple by then) as Gary suggests.  For older (or slightly used second hand modern), the member halls (White/Red/Blue/Silver) can be a good bet.

 

As to TCA "group rates" for hotels I do not think such a thing exists (though I may be mistaken).  Any hotel right in or very close to York will cost a bit more than a similar hotel within a bit of a drive.  I'll let others who stay locally fill in more details for you there.  I got my standard Days Inn for ~ $ 222 for 3 nights (including tax), but I drive ~ 20 miles each way to get to it.   If you are only doing this once, you probably want to stay closer (and possibly at a more "resort style" hotel, depending on your preferences) even for the higher cost.

 

-Dave

Thanks Gary and Dave!

As a follow on, are vendor/dealers equipped for credit cards, or will they accept checks, or should we bring a Brinks truck full of cash?

Most dealers will take a card but cash is king. Bring a truckload. Better deals, etc with cash. 

A lot of folks reserve their room a year in advance to be sure to get one. All the major motel chains are in the area  Remember, this is an Eastern Division event, so go to their Website for information about the meets.  I would get my membership card in advance soon and have it mailed to you so you don't have to wait in line the first day at registration, i.e. you will receive registration information in the mail to pre-register for the meet.

.....

Dennis

5.  Start in the Orange hall and work you way out.  Orange has the top vendors and all the Importers, Lionel, AtlasO, MTH, etc

As mentioned in another post above... It does matter what you are into, however if you do like the newer stuff and the vendors, my opinion is to save Orange for last.  Else the rest might be a disappointment.  Orange hall is open longer and later than some others.  Some close at 5pm while Orange is open later.

 

Have Fun!
Ron

 

 

Whew, with this title, I was afraid I'd have to start packing already!  As for motel

prices, it sorta depends on how far you are willing to drive.  I used to stay right up

by the turnpike (south of Harrisburg on I-83) but got tired of the drive.  When the car shows, Carlisle or Hershey are on at the same time, that area is no bargain. There are more motels than there used to be.  Mine this time was complaining about a number of cancellations, yet seemed more expensive, so I may switch rather than fight.  I was starting in the Orange Hall, but started in the Blue and Silver Halls this time, as mfrs., set up in the Orange, have not been too exciting lately.  It does depend on what you are looking for, as described above.  (for old stuff in orange boxes, that are there every year, for years, start in the Blue Hall), for fresher stuff from what guys have found locally, go up to the Red and White.  But it is really the luck of the draw and a crap shoot as to where you find what you are looking for.  You have to pan a lot of sand to find the gold.  Luckily, there, it is a lot more likely you will hit the bonanza.

As stated most dealers will take a credit card, but you will end up paying sales tax as well.  Most if you pay cash it is the quoted price out the door and if you want to haggle some on price they typically only want cash.  Cash is better also in the member halls other than check.  again, people tend to negotiate once they see cash in hand from what I experienced as long as you make it respectful.

The dates for the TCA Eastern Division York meet are October 20 through 22, 2016. 

 

I found the dates on the home page (lower LH corner) of the Eastern Division website: www.easterntca.com

 

Here's a snapshot of the hours for 2015. Please note there is always a possibility these hours could change for 2016. 

 

 

 

Just like to add that in case you join the TCA at the October York Meet of next October you can download the York Meet Notice before you go. You don't have to be a member to download the York Meet Notice. It has the hours in it and other important information. 

Thank You!  Lots of very useful information here.  Will start checking now for rooms.  And hiring that Brinks truck

Read Clem's York Primer. On TCA sight. Lots of good info. Doesn't change too much year to year

Join TCA right now.  You don't need any member signatures.
Soon as you get your card then start registration process with Eastern TCA.
Get your badge mailed to you in advance.  You don't want to spend any time waiting in the registration line or badge pickup line.  Buy a badge holder to wear around your neck from Eastern TCA or someplace else.  Badge needs to be visible in the halls.
Calculate the largest amount of money you would wildly spend there.  Double that number and take it in cash, ALONG
with your credit cards.  Cash is the fastest payment method and time is money.  Keep small bills also for exact change.

If you only want brand new stuff go to the orange, purple and dealer halls.  If you want used stuff, fairly new or old, then do the member halls, blue, silver, red and white.
Don't count on a good deal being there when you come back.  Know what you want and the prices.
Plan on being there all three days or more if you go to the hotel train shows on Monday through Wednesday.

Some really good deals can be had on Saturday if it's something you didn't really have to have.

Hi Aussteve,

Paid my $52 dues this past Saturday (myself and wife).  They are waiving the $25 application fee, so I pay membership fees.  Good deal.  So thats done now to search for good accommodations that not a 30 minute drive.

if your a train show type of person, i would go to the blue-silver,red-white halls first,since the member dealers are there with the best deals,imo. the orange retail dealer halls are open 1 1/2 hrs later after the others close,so theres time end of the day imo-Jim

I was going to recommend that you join the TCA in the spring as membership runs from March to March or at least I think it does unless they have changed it. We have stayed at the Holiday Inn in Loucks road in York which is now Wyndham Garden York. One of the outlaw train swap meets is usually there on Wednesday the day before York opens. Have also stayed at Holiday Inn on Leader Heights Road in York. Both places are not far from the fairgrounds. While you are  planning your trip get some addresses of places to eat and a couple of places you don't want to miss is breakfast at the Round The Clock Diner on Arsenal Road and prime rib at Coombs Tavern on Pennsylvania ave. I agree with all the other posts about halls to visit first. It just all depends on what you collect. Believe me when I say when you first walk into one of the halls you're going to think you died and went to train heaven.

Thanks again for all your replies. I am printing these off and file foldering them as a reference.

LV 601, I will follow up on these suggestions.  My wife loves prime rib, so that will be a definite dinner stop.!