Like I said before The Thurs 12 noon start was to KILL the Flea Markets.
I agree, and nobody will even be able to convince me that this was not a major consideration in the decision to change the meet days and hours. I do miss those bandit meets, which I found to be as much of an attraction as the York Meet itself. Yes, there are a few up and running, but they are mere shells of what they once were.
I suspect that some changes in rules, hours, etc. will be made at some point as attendance figures continue to gradually decline (which they inevitably will), but at this point I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for those kinds of adjustments to occur. It's still the greatest toy train meet on the planet, without question, and I would encourage folks to take advantage of it while and when they can.