Question about York

The chances are everything you are looking for will be there--the problem is there is so many trains you could look right over them and not see it. Generally speaking the prices at York are less than you would find in other venues. However there are some people that think their trains are worth a kings ransom. Are you going in April?

Scott Smith

Thanks so much Art,
I'll be by myself as my better half has to work. I haven't been to York since I was a child some 45 years I'm sure it's changed a lot.
I had hoped she would be able to go with me I did so want to show her Pennsylvania Dutch country but we can save it for another time.
Once again thanks for the help.

David

Scott that's my plan,
I'm almost as big a N&W fan as you are. I wanted the 38095 J because it's the last one produced and has Railsounds 5.0 - The A because well... I just want one
and the 19 inch Lionel cars are some of the nicest out there.
I was planning to drive up because I wanted to make a stop at Hyattstown, MD( Near Fredrick) because my grandmother and grandfather are buried there and I don't get up that way very often so this will be one of the few chances I'll have to go there.
It'd be nice to go with someone that's York savy but I thought I'd at least pick some brains to get an idea of what I'm up against.

David

Your chances of finding what you want at York are certainly better than they are at any other train meet, but of course it's impossible for anyone to say that the specific items you want will be there.

There are numerous buildings to prowl at York, and you may find what you're looking for in just about any one of them, so you'll likely need that full two days you're planning on.

Prices can be all over the board, as others have noted.  I've always managed to find some good deals when I'm lucky enough to find something I really want, but most times I go to York with nothing really specific in mind.  I generally make a list, but this time around I won't even be doing that because there's really nothing that I particularly want or need anymore.  Still, I might get lucky and spot something I hadn't even thought about in advance.

Thanks Allen,
I realize I've set the bar for my first visit rather "High" and don't really know what to expect , but I figure if there is a venue where I might find those 3 items then it's probably York.
It's also a good excuse to travel north , my grandmother and I were very close when I was a child and being from the Roanoke area it's a pretty good clip to Hyattstown and although all my family is from Maryland, we no longer have any relatives living there  .
I would be leaving Wednesday and staying Wednesday and  Thursday night and would leave Friday evening .
Thanks for the comments guys.
David

York is like a box of chocolates....(you know the rest)

- Mike

My comment would be this: the newer that the item is the better the chance of finding it.  Maybe that's obvious but it is something to factor in.

last April, my nephew asked for me to look for the Harry Potter set at York and get prices.  There was NOT ONE to be found.  I started asking dealers 2 questions:

1. Do they have the set at their store? (all but one that I asked said 'yes'), and

2. Why don't you have any here at York?

The answer that I got, across the board from every single dealer that I asked, was that they don't bring 'older' stuff and since the Harry Potter set was already 3 years old they felt it better to bring newer stuff.

- walt

David, even if you don't find all you're looking for, you'll still have a great time seeing all the trains and dealer displays.  Not to mention hanging out with OGR Forum friends!  The whole event is one big party!

Make sure you stop by at TGI Friday's on Thursday evening and the OGR Grandstand meeting on Friday afternoon.

Mike, I can't imagine not being able to find a PS2 steam locomotive, premier or RailKing at York.  In the dealer halls most will be new in the box, in the member halls they may be new, slightly used or heavily used and prices will vary and/or match accordingly.  If you buy new from a larger dealer the warranty is the same as if you buy from their store.  Just make sure you get a receipt.

They do have a test track but that would probably be between you & the seller on how to go about it.

Dave, I am installing a Cruise Command M in a TMCC diesel.  So, far, the experience has been "eh" as the board appears to be defective.  I've discussed this on another thread, so no need to bring it all up here.  But, I am interested in the possibility of some TMCC conversions.  But, the sound set and the control isn't the same as a nice PS-2.

Mike

Mike your right the sounds are generic .I'm sorry you had trouble with that board.
I wish ERR would expand their sound sets for some more engine specific sounds .
All the boards I've bought were good but I've received some DCC boards that were defective.

One thing I'll say for the company I bought the DCC boards from they have a bullet proof warranty.
When you buy their stuff the warranty states that for one year they'll repair or replace the decoder at their option REGARDLESS of what or who burnt it up no questions asked.
I don't think you could ask for more.
David

Most of us I am sure still make a list, or at least have one in mind. Then promptly forget both. Those further on in their collection carry a spreadsheet inventory.

Walt Rapp (above) probably has one of the best York description quotes ever penned on these pages: "York is where you discover all those things you never knew you wanted."

York is 90% flea market. Think it through: why would a commercial dealer shelp inventory say 250 miles, and potentially back, if he can sell the item right out of his store.

Finally: do leave something on the tables for the other guys. There is no better justification for returning for the next show.

You should have no problem.  You are very smart in posting this as I am sure someone who has those items will key on your post and contact you before York.  You will see the J with no problem.  The cars might be a bit harder to find as they are great cars.  For the A I would look at Charles Ro or Trainworld.

I have the MTH J and was also looking for the Lionel cars to go with it.  I got lucky and scored all 7 cars from a gent in the blue hall for $350.00.  That was my super York score for that show.

Yes Marty indeed that was a good price I hope I do near as well. The J and even the A I didn't think would be to hard to find ,it was the cars that I knew would be a Challenge. Heck I'm optimistic just getting to go as I didn't think I would get this job I was working on finished in time but hurray we finished today.
Well I have my fingers crossed that I'll find the cars but I know I'll have fun anyway.

David