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The Changing Face of the York Train Meet

G3750G3750OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I just arrived home after having attended all 3 days of this April's TCA Eastern Division meet at York, PA.  All told, this makes my 33rd show.  I've seen some changes, but this one seemed to be stick out in my mind.

For whatever reason, fewer of the big names were in attendance (Lionel, Atlas).  Other influences of varying degree (Classic Toy Trains, OGR) were absent as well (although OGR did host their grandstand meeting).  

My observations:

  1. Orange and Purple Halls (the dealer halls) were noticeably more sparsely populated.  There were lots of empty spots in Orange Hall.  Same for Purple, although tables were spaced further apart (larger aisles).
  2. The member halls (Blue/Silver, Red, White) were strong - they were full except for the occasional empty table.  There was little evidence of shrinkage there.
  3. Business seemed good, and I certainly did my part.  Bargains were there for the taking and people were walking out of the buildings carrying lots of trains and accessories.  I found lots of things to buy.  Of course, it was nothing like the mob scenes of the early 2000's, but a member in the Blue Hall was rumored to have sold $60,000 worth of trains (a rare collection) yesterday. 
  4. I noticed more women walking around and participating in the purchase of trains.  Usually the majority of women in attendance at York are being dragged by their husbands.  These ladies seemed to be active and enthusiastic participants.  I also noted the increased presence of young men (teens and older).  Both all good signs for the hobby as far as I'm concerned.

 

Hope you all had a great time.  York is alive and well.

God willing, see you at the Fall meet.  

George

Last edited by G3750
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FM Former Member

As I walked into one vendors "store", I overheard a gentleman telling the vendor, I believe, that large scale is phasing out.  As soon as he realized I was in earshot, he clammed up and looked around to see if anyone caught his little speech......LOL  Whether or not his sentiments are true, concerns me not.  

J. MottsJ. MottsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

York is too far for me to make the trip, airfare is an arm and a leg plus both big toes.  I'm hoping and planning on attending the TCA meet in Albuquerque, NM this summer but if my wife doesn't find a job, I may not make it there either even though they will be a 3 hours drive from the Armpit of Texas.  Let me explain the last statement concerning my wife, she is actually the major bread winner of the family, what I make doesn't amount to a hill of beans compared to her, she left me in the dust about 5 years after we were married.  That said, I really would like to attend York one of these days but the future doesn't look all that bright for that right now.  As luck would have it, probably by the time I'm able to make it, they will quit having it.  I do thank all the nice folks who have started threads about it and all who have answered and made comments about it too.  It truly sounds like a great time could be had by all and if you have enough money with you, you can have an even better time buying trains.

Glad everyone had a good time and thanks again for posting.

J. Motts

OKHIKEROKHIKEROGR Forum Member
G3750 posted:
Scrambler81 posted:

I couldn’t go, so I didn’t see them myself, but Classic Toy Trains has been posting from York all week. 

Maybe they were there, but not in their usual spot.  I didn't see them.

George

Classic Toy Trains was there but in a different location in the Orange Hall and their "booth" was staffed with only one person.

G3750G3750OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
J. Motts posted:

York is too far for me to make the trip, airfare is an arm and a leg plus both big toes.  I'm hoping and planning on attending the TCA meet in Albuquerque, NM this summer but if my wife doesn't find a job, I may not make it there either even though they will be a 3 hours drive from the Armpit of Texas.  Let me explain the last statement concerning my wife, she is actually the major bread winner of the family, what I make doesn't amount to a hill of beans compared to her, she left me in the dust about 5 years after we were married.  That said, I really would like to attend York one of these days but the future doesn't look all that bright for that right now.  As luck would have it, probably by the time I'm able to make it, they will quit having it.  I do thank all the nice folks who have started threads about it and all who have answered and made comments about it too.  It truly sounds like a great time could be had by all and if you have enough money with you, you can have an even better time buying trains.

Glad everyone had a good time and thanks again for posting.

J. Motts

It wasn't my intention to infer or state that the York meet is going away.

I don't think it will.  Not any time soon, anyway.

Save your pennies and make plans to attend.  It's worth it!

George

Allan MillerAllan MillerOGR Editor-in-Chief SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Dan Padova posted:

As I walked into one vendors "store", I overheard a gentleman telling the vendor, I believe, that large scale is phasing out.  As soon as he realized I was in earshot, he clammed up and looked around to see if anyone caught his little speech......LOL  Whether or not his sentiments are true, concerns me not.  

For what it's worth, the fine folks at MTH tell me they are seeing a resurgence in Large Scale. I hope that's true, because it's a scale and type of railroading (garden railroading) that I really enjoy.

P PGentieuOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER
G3750 posted:
Scrambler81 posted:

I couldn’t go, so I didn’t see them myself, but Classic Toy Trains has been posting from York all week. 

Maybe they were there, but not in their usual spot.  I didn't see them.

George

On Friday, I saw Carl Swanson at a small table with a CTT sign on it at the front of the Orange Hall, almost in the opposite corner from where they have set up in the past.  Seemed to be primarily a "show the flag" kind of thing, no display or material for sale. 

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