Orlando Great Train Expo

In my experience with the GTE's around Florida it's a lot of the smaller scales and the O scale that's there tends to be the same old overpriced Postwar that the same guys carry from show to show around the state. I only ever had one really good fluke experience with this venue; it was in Clearwater one year and for whatever reason there was a much bigger turnout of new sellers and high quality items at good prices.

Of course if you've ever been to York, as in my case, the Florida shows almost become a complete waste of time and gas by comparison.

There will be a GTE show in Tampa the week after Orlando.

I went to the Orlando show once and it wasn't bad. Pretty much all the shows around central Florida have the same vendors (Orlando, Tampa, Deland, etc.), so if you find one closer to you, you wont be missing much.

check out this website: http://www.railserve.com/events/train_shows.html

There are also upcoming shows in Ft. Myers and Pinellas Park.

The TCA show will be in Venice in Sept. Probably a lot more O gauge there.

In all the years I've been going to the GTE shows, I'v never seen Ready To Roll there. Most opf the O gauge vendors are from the surrounding area. I go mostly because it's just about the only one left in florida that I can get to and not spend a lot of money to get there. I usually buy a few pieces of rolling stock, sometimes

i'll buy an engine--- I always buy a few T shirts, and sometimes some RR prints, too. If you live close enough, it's worth it most of the time.

IMO the last few years of this show in Orlando in August have not been as well attended by either potential buyers or vendors as in the past.  The last two years there were plenty of open aisle spaces between tables.  I’m surprised they’re still having it that time of year. 

August here in Orlando doesn’t exactly generate the kind of excitement about toy trains usually associated with colder weather or the holidays!  Or maybe it’s just a sign of the times.

Bill