Anyone going there at the end of the month. I've never gone is it good?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Not good for O Gauge. 90% HO & N
Yes Amherst is lots of fun. I go to Amherst every year from NH. It's a huge show in multiple buildings. Lots of stuff from scenery to you name it. I have bought many O things at Amherst but it's a multiple gauge show. Great running layouts from Z to G probally 20 layouts of all different sizes. Here is their website link with tons of information. AMHERST RAILROAD SHOW
Here is what the Amherst Railway Society says about themselves. A number of vendors who handle O Gauge track, scenery, and structures, plus OGR Publishing will be there. And you can always learn from the work of others, even in another scale.
http://www.amherstrail.org/ARS/
Every year late in January or early in February, the Amherst Railway Society holds its Railroad Hobby Show at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds (The home of The Big E) in West Springfield Massachusetts. More than 25,000 railfans and public attended the Show each of the past three years.
The event features real life railroads and scale model railroads, historical societies, travel agencies, art shows, flea market dealers, importers, manufacturers and photographers. Modelers' exhibits will display outstanding handiwork on layouts ranging from the tiny Z scale which fits on a coffee table to a monster 80 foot N-Trak system. The Amherst Belt Lines, an HO scale model railroad empire, has become a show highlight. As of the 2011 show layout, it has grown to over 11 scale miles of mainline (650+ feet of mainline track) on 96 modules and has the capacity of multiple train operation. Live steam will also be shown. The Dry Hill Club will once again break records with 250+ car trains!
Commercial vendors and hobbyists will sell model railroad equipment, photos, slides, video tapes, books and other railroad memorabilia. New and antique railroad items will be on display and for sale. Major national manufacturers and publishers will attend this Show which was rated number one of the top three in the nation in a recent Model Railroad Industry Association manufacturer's survey. Watch for new product releases by many of our fantastic manufacturers!
Regards, Rick
Attachments
eddie g posted:Not good for O Gauge. 90% HO & N
10% post war is what you are looking for. Plenty of modern O gauge.
Here's a link to my thread which was moved to part of the forum where no one goes.
You know what, I'll think I'll re-post right here.
Well it's that time again to to list all the highlights/events for the show. Weather permitting this will be great show. I have confirmed with Ed, OGR will be there, so please stop by and say hi. As always the photo op is at 2pm both days. Show website below.
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/
A small list of who will be there.
Atlas
Lionel
MTH
Ross Custom switches
Zstuff for trains (new for this year)
Scenic Express
That's just a few with many dealers like
B&F hobbies
CharlesRo
Grzyboski Train Store
Plus, lots of layouts, societies, clinics, or what have you. Complete list below.
As for what I'm planning. If anyone is planning a weekend get away and will be in the area. I'll be holding an open house(only twenty minutes from the fair grounds) at 5:30 pm Friday night in my crappy basement to run and talk O gauge. Email me for details.
Saturday at 8AM a bunch of us will be meeting for breakfast at Partners in Agawam(few miles from the fair grounds). Join up with us for great food and fuel for a long day of walking. Website below.
Saturday evening a bunch of us head over to Red Rose in Springfield for the finest Italian around, say 4:30 come and join us but don't be late by 5 it will be standing room only. only a few minutes form the show. Website below.
For those who wish to eat at the Steamin tender website listed below. thirty minute drive from the Big E
Every year I post photos to show forum vendors and the type of crowds and club layouts. I cannot seem to find it. Maybe you will have better luck doing a search.
It is a huge show with plenty to look at. I always get an item or two and enjoy bumping into forum friends.
I'll be there it's a great show!
20CENTURYHUDSON,
Please don't let Eddie G's comment mislead you.
If you only go once you'll enjoy it and be a better man for your efforts.
There is LOTS to see. O Gauge trains for sale and to watch. Ton's of stuff to interest you beyond O Gauge. Sellers of Books, photographs, DVD's, Also historical societies, tourist RR's.
You will get a lot of exercise. Hit the Better Living Center building and the Young building first, the nicer stuff is there.
Here is a link to the map of the buildings-
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.c...30.15.exhibitors.pdf
List of exhibitors-
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.c....Final.1.19.2016.pdf
List of clinics-
Scroll down a little more than half way to see the clinics that are run during the show
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/clinics.php#track2
Try to get there by at least 8:20 for a better parking space or you will be walking a ways to the buildings.
Rich:
Good to see a post from you. I hope all is well.
Agreed, the West Springfield show is tremendous. I consider it better than York (opinion).
Note to 20THCENTURYHUDSON: Go to the show if you can swing it. You will not be disappointed.
Bob
For anyone reading this who loves trains, the Big E is my FAVORITE show of the year and that includes York. Please, please don't let anyone lead you to believe this is anything other than a great show. Yes, there is O scale AND O gauge. True, a lower percentage than York, but then there is A MUCH HIGHER percentage of peripherals for O scale and gauge than York. This show has great modeling and great layouts that will give you many, many ideas for layouts. The show is IMMENSE. Do yourself a giant favor and go to the Big E. Tell them all Scrapiron Scher sent you.
here's the commercial spot for the show.
Are they running that spot on television, or is it just on their web site / youtube?
It's on the local stations.
I have been going to this show since it was in only the better living center. It now consists of four buildings. Anyone in O-gauge will not be disapointed. It's a 3 hour trip each way for me, but it's always worth it. See everbody at the show.
Scrapiron Scher posted:For anyone reading this who loves trains, the Big E is my FAVORITE show of the year and that includes York. Please, please don't let anyone lead you to believe this is anything other than a great show. Yes, there is O scale AND O gauge. True, a lower percentage than York, but then there is A MUCH HIGHER percentage of peripherals for O scale and gauge than York. This show has great modeling and great layouts that will give you many, many ideas for layouts. The show is IMMENSE. Do yourself a giant favor and go to the Big E. Tell them all Scrapiron Scher sent you.
It was good to read your assessment, Eliot. There is always something positive and upbeat about what you typically contribute to a discussion, and I applaud that. Your enthusiasm here for the Big E affords us a valuable perspective and motivation for attending. Bravo. And thanks.
FrankM.
Thanks to all who replied---See you there!
I will be there on Saturday morning waiting in line for the 9:00 opening! I have been going to the show in Springfield for the last 15 years or so and it is my annual train fix!
It's next weekend Jan 30-31st.
In the past there have been several 3 rail layouts on exhibit.
There are often some several small-run companies exhibiting. I have bought quite a few new unique items from them over the years. One usually sells a World Series Car and if the show is after the Super Bowl, a Super Bowl car.
There are also 1 or 2 parts dealers there.
Lad
Ogre Modeling will be in the Better Living Center, same location as last year. Stop by and see our display of Bar Mills O gauge buildings with interior and exterior detailing using LED lighting. Bendable LED "pan-style" lighting fixtures for exteriors of buildings, billboards, interior of roundhouses, etc. Operates from 6-19 volts AC or DC. See you at the Show!