The price of York

Not sure if you have costco in your area, but I booed some car rentals via them at some great prices, they also do airlines tickets, but have not tried those.

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Chris,

I've gone to York for many years and get excited when I find deals and blowout prices.

But when I figure my rental car expense, fuel, food and lodging, just to get there and get around, I could probably stay home and buy my trains on the Internet at full MSRP, and get more trains for less money.

But there is something about the excitement and "the hunt" that makes the York trip one of my most anticipated journeys twice a year.

This past October my adult son came with me and now he wants to come again in April and has joined TCA to do so.

Good luck on finding the cheapest way to get there.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I couldn't afford to buy enough stuff to have the savings cover the expenses. So yes I do look at it as a social event/vacation. Besides York, I have really found myself enamored with the Pennsylvania countryside and don't want to reduce the trip to fly in Weds fly out Friday even though that would save me quite a bit. Just getting tougher to do and trying to get creative. Been using Google a lot  and different travel sites trying to find something.

Sometime in April we get our yearly bonus, not sure how much it will be this year, but as long as it's close to $1000 I should be able to make it.

As is usually the case: people are always going somewhere else.  I'm thinking of skipping York entirely (1st time since joining the TCA in 1995) and heading out West again. Thinking of spending perhaps two weeks in Santa Fe, then  North & West into Idaho. (As posted elsewhere: I figure Y/04/10-2012 will be less then a rewarding experience, while conditions seem promising for a classic road trip ... )

Cheers

Between A and B---head out to the PNW---we have a fantastic RR history: logging, Class 1 etc.   Not to mention great scenery, food, ambiance and weather (ok not now)...

just sayin'!

For those who have to travel far distances to attend York you have to look upon it as a destination. There is no way you can justify the cost of travel, food and lodging in an attempt to save money on buying trains.

Traveling to York can only be justified as a vacation of sorts in which you get to do and see and participate in a hobby and interact with like minded train enthusiasts.

I live pretty close to York, about 50 miles, so it isn't the travel or the cost of food that will deter me from enjoying York. For me it is how much time can I spend at York. I now find myself in the unenviable position of being physically unable to really walk around the various buildings due to spinal stenosis and arthritis in my back.

This April I will probably only attend on Thursday and hopefully be able to attend the Thursday at Friday's dinner session. If my back holds out maybe I can try again for Friday.

Steve Tapper

"For those who have to travel far distances to attend York you have to look upon it as a destination. There is no way you can justify the cost of travel, food and lodging in an attempt to save money on buying trains."

Yes, Steve, that is the way I am looking at it. We'll drive there from St. Louis, and it will be a vacation for us. I am looking forward to meeting some, or better yet, many of the forumites whom I have never met, and yet seem like old friends. I also plan to visit other attractions and perhaps some of 'my friends' layouts.

I guess I better start looking at hotels!

Alex

In fact, it's always the opposite for me. I'll often see an item I like for a few dollars more than I was hoping to spend on it. But, I'll say to myself, "What the heck, I've spend so many $$$ on hotels etc. why not a few extra for this item." -- and then buy it anyway!

It's the whole experience and seeing friends as well as trains that keeps me coming back. 

Jim

And then there's people like me who live 15 miles away

23 miles for me!!  This will be my first "York Meet" in over 30 years.  I can't wait....

I HATE TO SAY IT CHRIS BUT MAYBE YORK IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY.

JUST THINK - BUY NOTHING AND YOU SPENT $1,100 BUCKS !! IS IT WORTH IT ??

I HATE TO BE THE BAD GUY AND DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER BUT MONEY IS MONEY AND SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN'T PAY.

JUST ASSUME THE FRIENDSHIPS AND ACQUAINTANCES ARE WORTH IT AND MAYBE IT WILL FEEL A LITTLE BETTER.

You know what, I spend well over a $1,000 just getting there & home, 6 day's Food & hotel before I buy anything. Yes it's worth it. I have missed 3 meets since 1977.

It's changed for me. It used to be that you would find things that you couldn't easily (or even not so easily) locate elsewhere. I got a lot of stuff that way, particularly at the old bandit meets.

Now it's the experience and friendships. A sort of solo vacation, if you will.

Gerry

Look at it like this. Life is a collection of days. How we spend those days is very important. Money can get us things or experiences and interactions. Sometimes the who and how is more important than the what. But you are right, each person must decide for himself.

there is a lot to do in the area.   i only live a little over an hour away.  if u stay further away,  u can find a cheap hotel

Who want's a cheap hotel? I want a nice hotel with an indoor pool, gym, A game room with a pool table, a nice restaurant, a bandit train show inside & outside, nice people at the front desk, nice maid's that clean your room.That must be the hotel where I am staying.

I always spend too much and have too much fun.

So what's the problem?

Eddie, that's the stuff I like too, but I never seem to have time for them while at the York Meet.  Too much train activities and socializing!  For years I pack my swim trunks for the York trip and haven't used the pool yet.  Probably the one time I don't pack the swim gear is when I'll want to go in the pool!

York. A train related social event occurring twice yearly for the purpose of fun, and emptying my wallet, maxing out the old plastic. Yes, come and spend without a care.

Think not of the cost, but the enjoyment you will experience. But more than anything, spend, buy trains, after all you can't take it with you. Give your money to the dealers in the halls before you go, for they will enjoy it long, long after you have gone.....

I go every year, and run myself ragged. I can't wait to get there, and then I can't wait to leave. I always go with my wife, as she is a great supporter of my hobby. We live about 2 hours away by car, or 25 minutes if we fly in to York airport, and get the loaner car. The trains are great, the food is terrible, the traffic tough, but York is York and nothing else compares.

Lou

My way of justifying the cost is to skip the feeding frenzy during the convention sales and make the TCA Museum, SRR and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania a off season vacation destination as many have noted going there solely for buying trains is hard to equate with my common sense and available discretionary money. Take the wife and add the other areas attractions and it's a good fit, from my location in North Carolina. I really don't need more trains unless a had a twenty track mainline or whatever. I think it's still a great destination but more relaxed in the off season.

York is an experience. The cost of what I purchase is fairly irrelevant. I want to get good deals, but the cost of airfare, gasoline and lodging negate them. If I just want good deals, I can go to DuPage, which is only 30 miles away. Between gas, admission, and the obligatory hot dog, it costs me 25 bucks or so to have a pleasant day at DuPage. The same goes for the local TCA meet.

However, train people should try to experience York occasionally, provided they have the means, time and ability do so. There's nothing else like it on this continent.

Let's not forget the tmcc and dcs clinics, the OGR grandstand meeting, the layouts,the ice cream social, free coffee and doughnuts  and all the other extras of York which add to the experience.

It is a three day vacation away from all the problems at home. I look for old tinplate that I can't find locally. Rest and recharge oneself. It ia something to look forward to.

The hobby purchases are fine, seeing new items on display is fun too, but really, it's all about the people. Thursdays at Fridays is the main reason I go to York. I could skip the fairgrounds and still have a great trip as long as I get to meet up with my friends.

Jack

I'm still thinking of going, but probably leaning towards not.

I just started getting into standard guage and have bought way too much stuff off ebay recently.

Would love to go, but I also think that it cost's me $100 in diesel just to get there.

Didn't order my ticket, but still thinking about it.

The relationships are worth it. Then there's 4000 tables of trains.  

Not sure where you're planning to fly in, but last time I researched this flying into BWI via SWA was very reasonable.

We will be driving the 575 miles from Indianapolis. 

york is really worth the cost!  wonderful experience!

York is Railroad Retreat Week and worth every Penny, I go home reenergized, glad to see folks I gladly call Friends, enjoy the ride, gather new ideas and oh yeah buy a few things that leap off the tables and say "Love Me".

That pretty much sums it up Don!

Steve Tapper

My father started me on York in 89.  We went every year, some with my young son.  He passed in 97 and it wasn't the same but the last few years I hear him telling me what he likes....  

I usually just do Thursday for a few hours.  Just like the new stuff now.  Last Oct I found myself wanting to do more so maybe I'll be adding Friday.  

Always enjoy the Museum open house and seeing dad's memorial bricks in the entrance.

Looking forward to the Gilbert display (only have a few Flyer items but love Erector).

Funny thing about making a list of things to buy, I have none.  Changed my mind so many times but I'm sure I'll be bringing home a Legacy steamer that'll fit on less than 054.  And probably one or two of those neat electric signs...

Hope the weather's okay, have fun, John

Chris,
I've thought and thought about that question. The price of York?
How do you put a price on happiness?
Would you spend the same for a trip to the beach?
So it's an individual thing after all.
Believe me if I could go, I'd do it in a heartbeat
Maybe this fall

David

I have always felt that even if I only had enough money to get to York, to eat and pay for the hotel, I would still go anyway. Even a bad day at York is better than a good day at work!

Where else can you go where you can see so many things you have never seen before, and hang out with a whole bunch of like minded people.

For me the major attraction of York is the fellowship. I see a lot of people there that I only see twice a year.

The fairgrounds are sort of the coda to the week. I typically walk them Thursday and leave for home first thing Friday morning, having been there since Monday afternoon.

The real fun is getting a group of York buddies together for a dinner and showing the treasures we have found.

Roland

This $4.00 gas isn't making me happy--it takes a chunk out of the York budget.

Scott Smith

I'm sorry to say that I won't be joining you all in the fun this time around. Please tip a cold one for me at Fridays. I'll be watching for your reports. Have a safe trip and a great week at York.

Jack

I'm surprised no one has started a York-Board a Forum Friend list.  For people that live close by if they have an extra room they could let someone use it for the 3 days of York saving on hotel costs.  If I didn't live 3 hrs north(or I lived near a larger airport) I would certainly offer boarding to anyone on the forum, especially if you are coming from Utah or Maine!  

Another note:  If you stay at Gov Pinchot State Park it is like $35 a night in the cabins.  Of course you have to bring sheets and the bathrooms are about 100 ft away and community type.  But it is just up the road about 10 mi.  You do have to get reservations way early though.  This is where I have stayed to save money.

See you on Wed at the DCS users meeting or Thurs!  Gosh, this is better than Christmas!

In the scheme of things, it is only money.

We lived for many years near a funeral home and I never once saw a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer to the cemetery.