Pictures of Today's DuPage Train Show in Wheaton, IL

Nice photos. Looks like a pretty good-sized train show.

That is a BIG show by WV standards any way!!!! I'd love to have one show a year like that.......you guys are lucky!!!

It's been a while since I got up there (last year a few times). I don't remember the buildings being so bright. I just recently learned about the early bird pricing, and have been doing that the last few times I was there. Since I am up that early anyway, I can see the whole show, drive the hour and a half home, and still have a good part of the day left.

 

Thanks for the pics; I guess I will need to get up there in August.

 

J White

 

Wow...that looks like it did when I used to set up there ten years ago!  Has it

generally recovered from the slump?  Wish it wasn't such a long drive...

Whudja get?  See anything rare and interesting?

Sure brings back fond memories, Art.

My buddy Stan bought 6 Atlas reefers.  I bought a Corgi Schaefer's Beer semi for $40.  We tried to buy a new Lionel Legacy 990 base unit and handheld, but someone beat us to it.  Also missed a like new Lionel Legacy CB&Q ABA set for a good price.  We decided we wanted it and another buyer had his wallet already out.  I guess if "you snooze, you lose' applies here.  Another vendor had a set of K-Line 21" Santa Fe Hi-level cars along with a 21" set of regular Santa Fe cars. 

 

As usual there were a lot of good buys depending on what you were looking for.  A lot of MTH buildings at good prices were available too.  The Artista figure gentleman had a 15% off sale today.

 

Art 

Colorado - I don't know whether it has recovered compared to what it was in the glory years, but it is still a darn good show in my opinion.  I feel very blessed to have this good a show 11 months out of the year to attend.  I have lived a lot of places that had poorer shows once or twice a year.  And even when I can't find anything to buy, I always enjoy the fellowship and friendships.

 

Brian - We all talked about how much we miss seeing you every month at this show and at breakfast.  You need to take a summer vacation and come and see us again.

 

Art

I have yet to attend this show, but after looking at your pictures, that will change.

Thanks for posting.

Ray

ray Z

 

You're in Wisconsin; it's a hop, skip and jump down I-294 South and Roosevelt Road east to County Farm Road in Wheaton; about 40 min from O-Hare. 

AlanRail,

 

That's Roosevelt Road west to Wheaton off I-294.

 

Chuck

Art

Thanks for the update. Looks like you answered the questions from the previous thread.

Steve

Nice pics!

 

Peter

Great meeting a bunch of you this morning! sorry if I scared some of you when I walked up and just sat down.

 

I picked up a few Artista figures and some roof vents for my Union Station. Lots of goodies to look at. I usually just go to the show in January, I was surprised at how full the halls were for a June show.

Ray Marion I sat at the verdict until 5 pm waiting for you to show before I finally gave up.

Eric

 

     Just got there. What table are you at? Oh sorry I thought you guys said pm. Unfortunately last moment mini crisis kept me home. You have my number call me.

 

Art

 

    Your camera is terrific. I have never seen the show so bright and clean looking.

 

Sorry i missed all.

 

Ray Marion

WOW!!!...Art, those pictures almost look like York!!  I have never been to this show but sure would like to sometime in the future.  Looks like it would be a good one for OGR...

 

Thanks Art!

Alan

Art,
Good pictures of the building interiors and available product, when I lived in Dyer,IN.,I went to the train show 3 or 4 times during mid-1990's. Did Dupage County upgrade these buildings since my last visit, cannot remember the building interior? Also it seems that there were more sellers then, I may be mistaken.

Zett - It was great finally getting to meet you in person.  Thanks for not being bashful and joining us and introducing yourself.  I have admired the pictures of your Joliet station and the great job you are doing on your layout.  Our group was smaller than usual as we have some guys that are on vacation.

 

Alan - I have long thought that this show would be a great one for OGR.  You would be a great addition and we would do our best to make you feel welcome.

 

I have been going to this show since about 2002 or so and can't speak for what it was like in the 1990's.  There are quite a few vendors that used to come that don't any more, but there are also new ones that have taken their place.  Overall, I would guess that it is not as big as it was then, but it is still an excellent show in my opinion and I'm very glad that we have it.

 

Art 

Great Pictures - you guys don't know how lucky you are. I went to a show (UK) on Saturday with my pal Eric (Masoner on here) 525 stalls and only 3 of them had any American O gauge.

 

Also apart from one prewar piece all the prices were mad - for example a Lionel switcher for £325 - yes that right £...!!about $480. When I got home I found 3 comparable examples on USA fleabay for $80 each!!

 

We have it rough here.

 

MIKE

 

 

The other thing that makes this show so special is that there is a lot of 3-rail O gauge here.  They also have tables of S, HO, N, and G, but more 3-rail than anything else.

 

Art

Art could not agree more about multiple scale and variety of products per scale. When I went to the train show I saw for the first time the 50 ft. Roco gondola cars, 40 ft. boxcars and 40ft. plug door box cars. I could not believe the detail and reasonable costs needless to say I purchased quite a few and converted them to Weaver trucks.

Also one vendor was selling the Intermountain boxcars and reefer kits again bought quite a few and equipped them with Weaver trucks.During this time I also was told that Chicagoland Hobby was selling Intermountain and Red Caboose car kits.

My opinion is that the Dupage County train show is the best in the immediate area, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan and easy to get off the Tri-State tollway. Many of us will never have the chance to attend the York or West Coast train shows.

WoW, look at all them toy trains

 

Thank you for posting all those great photos.

I really need to make it back down their again, its been way to long

Art

thanks for the pics, I live in Northern New York State

3 miles from the Canadian border. Ive been to two of those shows

while visiting my brother in Beloit Wisconsin.

If anyone is ever in the area and/or you think you may want to make the trip.

it will be well worth your time. I travel 14 hrs to that show and its always worth the drive.

Popi - That's a great testimonial for the show, thanks. Come again with your brother and be sure to say hello.

 

Mike - We have missed you.  Come early and join us for breakfast.

 

Art

Art

 

great photos, I wasn't sure I was at the same show.

 

As Art said,  these photos were take BEFORE the doors opened that's why it looks a bit underpopulated.

Allan the best part of living in the Western Suburbs of Chicago was that most anything you wanted to go to was within a 40 minute drive.

If I were coming down from Wisconsin on 294 I'd avoid most of Roosevelt road travel and take I-88 west to Winfield Road north to Roosevelt Road east to County Farm Road North. Unless of course this years construction season is invading I-88. That's my normal entrance and egress to that area as Winfield Road takes you past and avoids most of the high traffic and signal lights from all the shopping districts and malls. Plus it gives one the opportunity to visit Cantigny War Museum just South of Roosevelt.

Alan - It wasn't trick photography or computer enhanced pictures.  Not that I wouldn't do that, I just haven't learned how.    Maybe this is just an example of you are so used to looking at it and possibly taking it for granted that you fail to realize what a good show it really is?

 

Art

Art

 

     I think your comment about being taken for granted is correct. The show will probably always be under appreciated till it is gone; hopefully not very soon.

 

Ray Marion

Can you put a camper on the grounds.  Or is there a campground nearby?  I would love to attend but coming from Michigan.

"We all talked about how much we miss seeing you every month at this show and at breakfast.  You need to take a summer vacation and come and see us again."

 

Art, we are planning on doing just that.

Nice photos.  That looks like a very nice show with gobbs of things I would be buying...  Thanks for posting them.