it seems like the pervasive attitude was fling open the gates and hords of the public would stamped the place like a invasion,time will tell if it works,if not oh well back to the drawing boards,just think how long it took for pictures and cell usage,,,York wasn't built in a day,,,as the saying goes,,or was that rome,hummmmmm
bigo426 posted:My advice to the Eastern Division decision makers is what it has always been. Stop listening to jealous hateful people. Period. To them you can add those who work in corporate greed. The secret handshake imaginers, the camera people, the cell phone anglers, and the public meet demanders all got their way and to what end? They sent the TCA and ED down one rabbit hole after another so they could get their jollies off of the anguish of others. Now the new demand is for more publicity. Let every corporate entity in the Orange Hall join together and create a fund to pay for the advertising. How they respond will show us what they really think it's worth.
Nonsense. What you have said here is absolutely ridiculous. All your post does is stir up emotions where level-headed analysis is what's needed.
The issue here is nothing more than trying to make this show/meet become more relevant to the hobby as it exists TODAY. It isn't 1990, it is 2017 and the world has changed. The TCA cannot survive as a bunch of paranoid good ol' boys any more. If they don't do something to get young people interested and involved, the organization and this meet are doomed. The York meet is now the smallest show we do. And it just gets smaller and smaller.
In the train/trade show business, it is the responsibility of the show PROMOTER to handle the marketing and advertising. That's how every other show in the industry works. In this case, that's the Eastern Division of the TCA, not the dealers in the Orange Hall.
After this dismal April 2017 showing we are seriously considering doing this show/meet only once a year in October. It's become too small to be worthwhile.
OGR Webmaster posted:bigo426 posted:My advice to the Eastern Division decision makers is what it has always been. Stop listening to jealous hateful people. Period. To them you can add those who work in corporate greed. The secret handshake imaginers, the camera people, the cell phone anglers, and the public meet demanders all got their way and to what end? They sent the TCA and ED down one rabbit hole after another so they could get their jollies off of the anguish of others. Now the new demand is for more publicity. Let every corporate entity in the Orange Hall join together and create a fund to pay for the advertising. How they respond will show us what they really think it's worth.
After this dismal April 2017 showing we are seriously considering doing this show/meet only once a year in October. It's become too small to be worthwhile.
Dismal??!!?!? I had to park on the racetrack! 
I was at the Eastern Division membership meeting Saturday morning. I believe the leadership was realistic. They were hopeful about public attendance, but they knew this was the 1st time and it is the spring......not a big toy train time. I(me) would call this a dress rehearsal for the fall meet.
I would cut the Eastern Division leadership a little slack. We'd all like to hit a home run 1st time up at the plate....but 1st you have to see the ball, and learn.
They moved on cell phones and photography (maybe slower than we would have all liked), but they did and they have shown a willingness to try new things and adapt.
Peter
Thanks Peter. Your assessment seems spot on to me. This is the first cycle of the open meet. I'm sure they'll need to tweak their strategy a bit before anyone can proclaim it a failure or success. As you said they are trying.
Paul Edgar posted:BIGRAIL,
Like almost every club or organization, who is going to do it? The museum staff can barely keep up with the work they have now. Not that your idea is not a good one. But where do the extra funds come from to pay someone to do it? How about a dues increase !!!
At my table in the Silver Hall there was a guy complaining to the meet chairman that should we do this and we should do that. Some of his ideas actually made sense. But once again he was told he can't even find enough volunteers to enforce all the rules that we have now. No extra money for someone to do the work, no volunteers. What is one to do??
Paul Edgar
Paul,
I do not disagree with what you are saying but consider this: there are a great many people who joined the TCA so they can go to York. If York were to someday be no more, I'm betting the TCA and the museum would go down with it. No amount of dues increase would save it. My point is the TCA and the York meet fates are tied pretty close together. The TCA can't afford to not step up and promote the show. BigRail
It seems that I’m one of the few members to not renew my TCA membership and attend as part of the public. I’ll give you a little insight into my decision. The main factor was cost. I only joined TCA so my sons and I could attend the train show. I didn’t plan on staying past 3:00-4:00 PM. I had to make a decision as to whether or not to join the club. It was simple, pay $72 for TCA admission (membership + admission) or $14 for public admission. It was an easy decision. In another thread, I mentioned that most of my past purchases have been made in the orange and purple halls. We built our layout two years ago and our interest are in modern diesels and technology. Thus, we determined our highest priority was to see the manufacturers and dealers in orange/purple for the 6 hours we would be at the show. I would have loved to walk through the member halls as there was an individual there selling some items that I probably would have purchased. But in the end, I decided to take that extra $58 and spend it in the orange hall for this particular meet. It had nothing to do with me being angry at TCA or anything of that nature. It was simply the cheaper option for this particular meet. There’s a good chance I may renew my membership for the fall.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Harry Henning went over to the registration desk and asked. It's not like it's supposed to be a secret.
Just curious, was the 109 figure based on the number of green armbands or the total that showed up at the Orange Hall as first timers. Many when they learned they could visit all the halls if they paid 22 bucks opted to head over to the Silver Hall for their badges. There were reports that it took 1 1/2 hours to get registered because the line was out the door.
While the manufacturers may have requested longer hours and allowing the public in, the motivation for the Eastern Division willing to try this was to hopefully produce more revenue. If it achieved this and they came out in the black then it was a success. Having extra cash will allow for more advertising for the next show.
Pete
OGR Webmaster posted:bigo426 posted:My advice to the Eastern Division decision makers is what it has always been. Stop listening to jealous hateful people. Period. To them you can add those who work in corporate greed. The secret handshake imaginers, the camera people, the cell phone anglers, and the public meet demanders all got their way and to what end? They sent the TCA and ED down one rabbit hole after another so they could get their jollies off of the anguish of others. Now the new demand is for more publicity. Let every corporate entity in the Orange Hall join together and create a fund to pay for the advertising. How they respond will show us what they really think it's worth.
Nonsense. What you have said here is absolutely ridiculous. All your post does is stir up emotions where level-headed analysis is what's needed....
In context with my previous comments on this matter I don’t believe my post was nonsense. The analysis is that in comparison, the Allentown show is an example of the best you can get as far as a train show in Pennsylvania. Many of the attendees at Allentown are already TCA members. Some non TCA attendees at Allentown are parents that are trying to keep the kids distracted. With that group, there’s not enough potential for worthwhile repeat business. Bottom line, Allentown is the example that illustrates the region is wrung dry - maxed out - and there is nothing more to be squeezed out of the proverbial stone. I think it is nonsense that corporations with a national perspective would consider descending on a locality such as York in Pennsylvania and expect to find a magic solution to the overall problem of declining interest in their industry. Perhaps with a New England style event in every state there could be a chance for a spark of a resurgence. TCA ED is not a promoter of a "for profit" event. If the "for profit" companies want to pitch in financially and create a better income stream at York, then they ought to take the responsibility of promoting that end of the situation.
OGR Webmaster posted:bigo426 posted:My advice to the Eastern Division decision makers is what it has always been. Stop listening to jealous hateful people. Period. To them you can add those who work in corporate greed. The secret handshake imaginers, the camera people, the cell phone anglers, and the public meet demanders all got their way and to what end? They sent the TCA and ED down one rabbit hole after another so they could get their jollies off of the anguish of others. Now the new demand is for more publicity. Let every corporate entity in the Orange Hall join together and create a fund to pay for the advertising. How they respond will show us what they really think it's worth.
Nonsense. What you have said here is absolutely ridiculous. All your post does is stir up emotions where level-headed analysis is what's needed.
The issue here is nothing more than trying to make this show/meet become more relevant to the hobby as it exists TODAY. It isn't 1990, it is 2017 and the world has changed. The TCA cannot survive as a bunch of paranoid good ol' boys any more. If they don't do something to get young people interested and involved, the organization and this meet are doomed. The York meet is now the smallest show we do. And it just gets smaller and smaller.
In the train/trade show business, it is the responsibility of the show PROMOTER to handle the marketing and advertising. That's how every other show in the industry works. In this case, that's the Eastern Division of the TCA, not the dealers in the Orange Hall.
After this dismal April 2017 showing we are seriously considering doing this show/meet only once a year in October. It's become too small to be worthwhile.
This mirrors some of the thoughts I've had regarding this event.
I can say - with great certainty - that the gestapo mentality that existed at this event - kept me from attending.
My uncle was an Orange Hall guy - the screw man.
As long as I can remember (until just a few years ago) - he would stop and stay overnight at our house on his way to and from the show. (He lived in Cleveland - his sister is my mother). Whenever the topic of me going with him was broached - he always brought up the SS Hall setup security - and overbearing rules - in short - he didn't want to be responsible for me - and you have to be a TCA Member...etc. So - I never went.
So - for sure TCA prevented me from being exposed to the more serious side of the hobby.
I guess it didn't help that my uncle could never take any pictures to show off the event to family, friends and fellow hobbyists. (too bad considering he was also a skilled photographer)
I have tons of York Show memorabilia - programs, name tags, maps, registration stuff, stickers - but no photos!
I live in Franklin County - just a county away from York - but watch Harrsiburg and Lancaster TV news - if there was a TV news story, I did not see it. Did the TCA buy any local TV time? Despite being "non-profit" - TCA lacks the trappings of a philanthropy - you can't expect free coverage.
It seems like the TCA/ED is still producing this event themselves - and while they pull it off - they clearly aren't event professionals - or promoters in any sense.
Hire some professional consultants - and do this right!
Dont re-invent the wheel - there are trade shows everywhere - a train show shouldnt be any different to organize for a competent promoter.
Does TCAED have actual 501c3 status - or do they just label themselves "non-profit"? I think everyone involved wants to profit - so perhaps a change of tact is needed here. I assume any TCA Members with tables are there to make money!
Disconnecting this event from the broader notion of TCA membership would be the best for everyone. TCA should just be another vendor - selling whatever it is they sell.
Quote from TCA ED website says it all - "We're growing and because we require membership in the Train Collectors Association to attend our meet, York has become the Number 1 recruiting tool for the Train Collectors Association." Well - at least they're honest.
York has exist to serve the hobby - not the TCA. They're bragging about signing up 51 people and 100 renewals - whats that - less than 10,000 dollars? Doesn't sound very successful to me...given the number of people that are supposed to be attending this event.
Having extra cash will allow for more advertising for the next show.
They advertised in the Baltimore Sun. According to what I found online, the Sun is the largest paper in Maryland. I could not find any information on their actual circulation numbers or the geographic location the paper covers.
I am not saying that the Eastern Division shouldn't do more advertising. But I do think that it is impossible for them to advertise in every paper within a certain radius of the show. They have to spend their advertising dollars wisely. It is going to take some work to determine exactly how.
I don't know whether the ED sent out press releases. I'd suggest sending out a carefully written press release that is publishable as a small feature story to every television station, radio station, daily and weekly paper within their target area.
Sending out such letters would cost under $1.00 each.
Hmm, I guess I have a different perspective as one of the public that attended. I usually go to the bandit meets but since the TCA was open I decided to forgo bandit and attend TCA instead on Friday, which I figured would be a quieter day. I live within a half hour drive so it wasn't a big trip for me to attend anyway.
I think it stands to reason that almost anyone who attends this will already be a hobbyist rather than someone just starting out, though I for one would be happy to see new people inspired by the hobby. I saw a couple other public entrants that knew of the show due to a local hobby shop. The person giving us the public information did a nice job welcoming us and making it friendly.
I would say it was confusing to figure out where to get the public ticket so more signage next time around stating "Go to Utz hall" would be helpful.
I enjoyed the modular layout in the black hall and threw some money down with OGR (great deals on building front pieces) and Scenic Express and Altoona Model works (had a great talk with the owner, really nice guy).
I was a bit starstruck to see people who's work I've admired on the forum after all these years of reading or folks like Mike Wolf in person. I also enjoyed seeing models in person built by Harry Hieke and some other industry greats
Benefit to TCA - $14 for my registration plus plenty of my cash to vendors there they would not have gotten plus marketing to me to check out new vendor websites and possibly have me as a new customer. Even if there were only a hundred new people there that is a hundred more customers. I agree with keeping the first day for members only and member halls only as members pay for that benefit. I think staying public to further help the vendors generate more revenue to cover costs and to keep cost of products low for us is a benefit.
C W Burfle posted:Having extra cash will allow for more advertising for the next show.
They advertised in the Baltimore Sun. According to what I found online, the Sun is the largest paper in Maryland. I could not find any information on their actual circulation numbers or the geographic location the paper covers.
I am not saying that the Eastern Division shouldn't do more advertising. But I do think that it is impossible for them to advertise in every paper within a certain radius of the show. They have to spend their advertising dollars wisely. It is going to take some work to determine exactly how.
I don't know whether the ED sent out press releases. I'd suggest sending out a carefully written press release that is publishable as a small feature story to every television station, radio station, daily and weekly paper within their target area.
Sending out such letters would cost under $1.00 each.
This pretty much says it all...
Further, i'd encourage everyone here to carefully separate the results of the changing hobby from results of the York meet. As a "younger guy" in my 40s in this hobby, I am starting to get scared that my collection will end up with no value when I reach the downsizing age. I'd really like to see more young people getting into the hobby because there are some great products and talents out there now based on what I saw in York.
I think the dealers like OGR and the hobby shops can get more for their travel dollar by having York serve the existing hobby crowd as well as serve the public crowd on Friday and Saturday.
As far as advertising, in the internet age I think newspaper and TV advertising is not going to reach the demographic that has the new customers. Kids and folks in the 20-30 age group are not reading newspapers as much and skip advertisements on their DVR'd shows.
I'd bet that just advertising on the main forum sites, like OGR, plus having internet vendors put a banner on their website would provide most of the advertising of the show needed. People interested or doing a little bit in the hobby are most likely reading about it on the internet. That might help TCA save some advertising dollars also.
I think Rich Melvin should check on what is going on the the Blue, Silver, Red & white halls. I doubt he checks those halls. Friday morning I could barely move thru the aisles in the Red Hall.
eddie g posted:...check on what is going on the the Blue, Silver, Red & white Friday morning I could barely move thru the aisles in the Red Hall.
That's good news about the Red Hall. What do you feel it might bode, Eddie G. ?
EmpireBuilderDave posted:......... I am starting to get scared that my collection will end up with no value when I reach the downsizing age.
If you have any belief at all that collecting trains is suitable as an investment of any sort at all, you have made a tragic error. Almost uniformly they decrease in value upon sale, not unlike driving a new car off the dealer's lot.
mwb posted:EmpireBuilderDave posted:......... I am starting to get scared that my collection will end up with no value when I reach the downsizing age.
If you have any belief at all that collecting trains is suitable as an investment of any sort at all, you have made a tragic error. Almost uniformly they decrease in value upon sale, not unlike driving a new car off the dealer's lot.
I think you're putting words into his mouth - concern about holding value - does not mean "investment"
And - you're ignoring buying on the used market...those are already discounted - and if you are clever and determined - and buy right - you can recoup most of what you pay - when you render your collection to the market.
Example: LIONEL MPC-era GG-1 stock seems to be up these days - I was snapping these up for 90-125 a few years ago - now it seems like, nice specimens with box are bringing closer to 225-250.
Example: LIONEL MPC-era GG-1 stock seems to be up these days - I was snapping these up for 90-125 a few years ago - now it seems like, nice specimens with box are bringing closer to 225-250.
I can agree that some prices have started to go back up.
But how does $225-$250 compare to the original street price?
From a relative newbie- been on the forum for about 8 months.
Was watching the build up to York with both anticipation and curiosity (No, I was not planning on attending), I must say that it doesn't seem worth all of the aggravating and expense (travel, hotels, meals, etc). As internet sales continue to grow, are train shows even relevant any more?
If the TCA is trying to bring in new members then this doesn't seem to an outsider like its the way to do it. I am far from new to the hobby either- I've had trains almost my whole life and I'm in my mid 50's now.
I am not looking to start a new argument here, just my 2 cents worth.
As a "younger guy" in my 40s in this hobby, I am starting to get scared that my collection will end up with no value when I reach the downsizing age. I'd really like to see more young people getting into the hobby because there are some great products and talents out there now based on what I saw in York.
Years ago, I had a train person tell me that we needed to get young people into the hobby so we'd have someone to buy our trains when we are ready to sell them.
Personally, I've always felt that money spent on trains should be considered gone. If you get something back when its time to sell them, that's good too. But I've never spent money that was needed elsewhere
Does TCAED have actual 501c3 status - or do they just label themselves "non-profit"? I think everyone involved wants to profit - so perhaps a change of tact is needed here. I assume any TCA Members with tables are there to make money!
I don't know the numbers or the laws. The TCA is legally a non-profit, whatever that means.
Are member table holders there to "make money"?
Yes, some of the member table holders are running hobby businesses and are looking to make some money.
Other folks are just looking to move out items they no longer want.
RSJB18 posted:From a relative newbie- been on the forum for about 8 months.
Was watching the build up to York with both anticipation and curiosity (No, I was not planning on attending), I must say that it doesn't seem worth all of the aggravating and expense (travel, hotels, meals, etc). As internet sales continue to grow, are train shows even relevant any more?
If you are going "just" to buy trains then York probably isn't your first avenue. If you are looking at it for both train buying and social experience then it would be more in-line with that. I could buy zero, nothing, nada and still have a good York.
Once again I will go back to advertising..if they only did newspapers then they reached an old audience. People 60 years old don't read the paper as much as those who are 70 and those over 80 read the obits every day. Are we wanting young families, then advertise on radio targeted at young families. Billboards would have been a good way to go as well. Newspaper advertising missed the target.
Scott Smith
Why, can I ask, is it only the EDTCA's responsibility to spread the word. As TCA members isn't it also up to us to do so as well? All the members, dealers, and such. I know we mentioned it more than a few times at the shop where I deal about the meet being public for the first time. We seem to be hammering the EDTCA pretty good but perhaps in addition we should look in the mirror at the other way folks can hear about it. LHS could easily put a sign on the counter. I imagine the EDTCA could send them some flyers and such but a little self motivation could have helped as well.
RSJB18 posted:Was watching the build up to York with both anticipation and curiosity (No, I was not planning on attending), I must say that it doesn't seem worth all of the aggravating and expense (travel, hotels, meals, etc). As internet sales continue to grow, are train shows even relevant any more?
You can't put a price on face-to-face meeting with folks, it's the primary reason I go to York. If it weren't for the social aspects, I wouldn't bother.
In the greater Baltimore area it was in competition with the Greatest Show on Earth's last run. I was there, me and 1000s of my kid friends who didn't look at any model trains...
Severn posted:In the greater Baltimore area it was in competition with the Greatest Show on Earth's last run. I was there, me and 1000s of my kid friends who didn't look at any model trains...
While I'm sure that's wasn't the only contributing factor, that is a really good point.
If that is the closest local venue that the circus is visiting for it's final run in the Baltimore/York/Harrisburg/Lancaster/etc. area, I can see where people would certainly try to go see the circus for one last time instead of going to a train meet.
-Dave
Well some friendly folks seated near us were from -- Wisconsin? Something like that. I was rather amazed ... but just an example of it drawing a good sized crowd -- full but not packed. Check the ringling bros website for further details -- there are 2 shows operating in parallel with a different theme... don't really know more about it than this...
My review: I enjoyed it and did not expect to.
Now back to the regularly scheduled program...
gunrunnerjohn posted:RSJB18 posted:Was watching the build up to York with both anticipation and curiosity (No, I was not planning on attending), I must say that it doesn't seem worth all of the aggravating and expense (travel, hotels, meals, etc). As internet sales continue to grow, are train shows even relevant any more?
You can't put a price on face-to-face meeting with folks, it's the primary reason I go to York. If it weren't for the social aspects, I wouldn't bother.
Agreed- can't put a price on friendships.
OGR Webmaster posted:bigo426 posted:My advice to the Eastern Division decision makers is what it has always been. Stop listening to jealous hateful people. Period. To them you can add those who work in corporate greed. The secret handshake imaginers, the camera people, the cell phone anglers, and the public meet demanders all got their way and to what end? They sent the TCA and ED down one rabbit hole after another so they could get their jollies off of the anguish of others. Now the new demand is for more publicity. Let every corporate entity in the Orange Hall join together and create a fund to pay for the advertising. How they respond will show us what they really think it's worth.
Nonsense. What you have said here is absolutely ridiculous. All your post does is stir up emotions where level-headed analysis is what's needed.
The issue here is nothing more than trying to make this show/meet become more relevant to the hobby as it exists TODAY. It isn't 1990, it is 2017 and the world has changed. The TCA cannot survive as a bunch of paranoid good ol' boys any more. If they don't do something to get young people interested and involved, the organization and this meet are doomed. The York meet is now the smallest show we do. And it just gets smaller and smaller.
In the train/trade show business, it is the responsibility of the show PROMOTER to handle the marketing and advertising. That's how every other show in the industry works. In this case, that's the Eastern Division of the TCA, not the dealers in the Orange Hall.
After this dismal April 2017 showing we are seriously considering doing this show/meet only once a year in October. It's become too small to be worthwhile.
I have been watching this thread with a great deal of interest and have a couple of observations. First, I would think it would behoove our webmaster to make his point without stooping to childish name calling. Making reference to long time TCA members as a bunch of paranoid good old boys is about as insulting and unprofessional as it gets and this from the CEO of OGR. If you want to make a point that's fine but kindly do it like a professional. Secondly, I attended the meet on Thursday afternoon as well as Friday morning and if the crowds in the member halls were an indication this April 2017 meet was anything but dismal. From the lay of the land it would seem that OGR is very interested in pulling out of York for at least one meet because our webmaster has made this statement before. Quite honestly, that would be fine with me.
I think the point is made about the failure to attract the public... but compared from last April 2016 to 2017 it was very busy!
Blue hall was very tough to get around Friday morning.
I believe a better plan is needed to attract the public. And that should include a more appealing facility....
C W Burfle posted:Does TCAED have actual 501c3 status - or do they just label themselves "non-profit"? I think everyone involved wants to profit - so perhaps a change of tact is needed here. I assume any TCA Members with tables are there to make money!
I don't know the numbers or the laws. The TCA is legally a non-profit, whatever that means.
Are member table holders there to "make money"?
Yes, some of the member table holders are running hobby businesses and are looking to make some money.
Other folks are just looking to move out items they no longer want.
Eastern Division has 501 (c) (7) status NOT 501 (c) (3).
Ron M
scott.smith posted:Once again I will go back to advertising..if they only did newspapers then they reached an old audience. People 60 years old don't read the paper as much as those who are 70 and those over 80 read the obits every day. Are we wanting young families, then advertise on radio targeted at young families. Billboards would have been a good way to go as well. Newspaper advertising missed the target.
Scott Smith
Good point Scott. We've been to Lancaster/ Hershey/ Strasburg many times. Seems to me that appealing to families would help pull more people in. The whole region is a great family destination.
OGR Webmaster posted:After this dismal April 2017 showing we are seriously considering doing this show/meet only once a year in October. It's become too small to be worthwhile.
Support!
I would hope that doing so would also strengthen member interest in the other non-ED regional meets....especially east of the Mississippi!...to have but one mega-York per year.
You know, sometimes I draw a bunch of analogies in my mind between York and the life-threatening medical issues encountered by extremely overweight individuals. A 'diet' would be good for both.
Oh, wait!....You said it's TOO SMALL?????
But that's just one man's opinion.....FWIW.
KD
Maybe some Thomas the Tank engine layouts would help ...
OGR Webmaster posted:"...After this dismal April 2017 showing we are seriously considering doing this show/meet only once a year in October. It's become too small to be worthwhile."
Please reconsider, Rich as OGR's presence would definitely be missed!!!
eddie g posted:I think Rich Melvin should check on what is going on the the Blue, Silver, Red & white halls. I doubt he checks those halls. Friday morning I could barely move thru the aisles in the Red Hall.
ThePUBLIC can't go in those halls, Eddie! So your point is meaningless.
Restricting the public to only part of this show/meet is another of the arcane rules that are present at York that are very counter-productive. It is confusing to tell the public, "You can go in this building, but you can't go in that one over there." I'm sorry, but that's just silly.
Combine that with the late afternoon PA announcements about not closing your booth until 6:30 pm when the show closes, then at 6:31 pm EDTCA staff are literally screaming at you to, "GET OUT...NOW! The show's over!" None of us manufacturers and dealers get treated like that at ANY other show we do.
OKHIKER posted:...Making reference to long time TCA members as a bunch of paranoid good old boys is about as insulting and unprofessional as it gets and this from the CEO of OGR.
What is insulting is being automatically suspected of doing something wrong or illegal when just setting up your booth for this show.
Case in point...
The dealers and manufacturers set up in the Orange Hall during the day on Wednesday and on Thursday morning. However, on Thursday we are not allowed to take any boxes or containers OUT of the building once we take them inside! Everyone has various boxes and containers that are part of the booth setup, but cannot stay in the booth during the show. To make space to work in the booth, they have to go back to the trailer, truck or whatever for the duration of the show. However, we cannot remove anything from the building until the show officially opens on Thursday.
Because of this paranoia about someone stealing something, getting an unfair deal before the show starts or whatever, the opening of the show on Thursday is a mess. When the doors open, TCA members are trying to get into the hall while other people are trying to take empty boxes, parts containers, hand trucks and other materials OUT of the hall! It makes for an interesting traffic jam at the doors for several minutes.
This rule about not removing boxes from the hall before the show starts is paranoia at its finest. It is also another situation that is unique to York. This NEVER happens at other shows we do.
Severn posted:Maybe some Thomas the Tank engine layouts would help ...
As much as I agree that we need to do our best to attract a younger demographic, the last thing I want the York meet to turn into is a glorified toy / souvenir show aimed at preschoolers. To me, the York meet has always been a premier venue and social gathering aimed at a discerning group of hobbyists, collectors and operators who look forward to buying and selling premier toy trains and related items that are rarely found in such quantities at other public train shows.
This is a large reason I am a TCA member and attend the York meets.
Thomas the Tank Engine - sparingly PLEASE!
C W Burfle posted:As a "younger guy" in my 40s in this hobby, I am starting to get scared that my collection will end up with no value when I reach the downsizing age. I'd really like to see more young people getting into the hobby because there are some great products and talents out there now based on what I saw in York.
Years ago, I had a train person tell me that we needed to get young people into the hobby so we'd have someone to buy our trains when we are ready to sell them.
Personally, I've always felt that money spent on trains should be considered gone. If you get something back when its time to sell them, that's good too. But I've never spent money that was needed elsewhere
I'd be curious to know if folks with the mindset of "younger guy " in my 40's, or a similar mindset, ever take vacations. If so, how do they feel about the money they spend on those vacations? You generally have no monetary ROI from a vacation, but you hopefully do get a return of relaxation, enjoyment, having fun, experiencing and learning new things, etc,, which are returns basically similar to those one enjoys from being involved with model railroading.
