Train Show Sleepers!!!

You got some nice buys at that train show. The Z transformer you bought looks just like my postwar 250 watt Z transformer that I have, except I am missing one of the light covers on it. It's a very nice transformer, powerful, I use it with my older Lionel engines. The only draw back is that you need separate 7 or 8 amp circuit breakers on each output as the factory circuit breaker is rated at 15 amps like it's cousin the post war ZW.

The other freight cars were some good deals too.

Lee Fritz

It's not the time of the year for model train shows. Prime train show season is late November through mid January. After that the newness of the Christmas train has worn off and only the hardcorest of the hardcore train guys are still going to shows...

Wish I knew about this... I'm in Rochester and was looking for something to do last Saturday.

I have a Z and use it to power accessories. I think this was a great find for you.

Popi,

   Great find on the Z transformer, use the 10Amp breakers and it will run your DCS without any problem.  I have to admit I understand the problem with the ramps and bathrooms, and I now stay away from these kinds of building most of the time, you will now know about the crappy access for your wife.  When one of my buddys wifes was hurt and wanted to go to a show, we got a motorized chair for her for the day, it really did help. 

PCRR/Dave

Matt

Im surprised the TCA group didn't advertise better in the Rochester area.

Dave

we went to the show in springfield Mass a few years back and I rented a wheel

chair for my wife. they had 4 buildings. we made it through 2 1/2. if we didn't have the wheel chair, we would not have made it through the 1rst building.

that was a hugh crowd 25,000+

Boy 20 tables is good size show in these parts (Louisiana).  Four buildings sounds like a York type show, not available in most of the USA.

It only takes one good table with stuff you need or like or can afford to make it a good show.  Sounds like Popi did OK at a small show.

Charlie

Charlie,

I did most of my buying from one dealer that had 3-4 tables. AND this goes right up there with a posting about dickering with dealers. The Weaver Grain cars I got 5 for $80.

he had them marked $20 each. I asked him to take one out of the box, when he did, the bottom fell off the car and the weight fell out from inside. Not a big deal because I love fixing stuff. So I offered him $80 for the 5, instead of the $100 it would have been totaled up. He agreed and we packed up the 5 and I handed him $80. He said, no that's $100. I said, you just agreed to $80 for the 5. he stumbled for a second and said OK. I asked him a second time "are you sure", he said yes and I put my hand out to shake his.. I spent $105 total at his table. He was selling briskly as he had all his O gauge rolling stock priced at $15 and had a box of rolling stock priced at $5.

It's not the time of the year for model train shows. Prime train show season is late November through mid January. After that the newness of the Christmas train has worn off and only the hardcorest of the hardcore train guys are still going to shows...

Not the time of year?  I must live in a great area.

- Allentown Spring Thaw

- TCA York

- Timonium Great Scale Model Train Show

Charlie,

   In the Pittsburgh, Pa area a 20 table Train show is so small it probably would not be opened, the building would cost to much for just 20 vendors to pay for it.   Even the Fire Hall shows around this area, have more than 50 tables.

PCRR/Dave

Wow, that's a great deal on the Z.  Often the smaller shows do have the big bargains.  

"$25"...how do you sleep at night...{yeah, I would've grabbed one up like that in a heartbeat too!}...nice find.

Bob,

I sleep just as sound as I did when I bought my 1rst ZW

at that same $25 about 10 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on some good buys!
Lose sleep?... I'd bet that seller knew exactly what he was doing. He probably wanted to move the transformer and cars out. (motivated seller).
I saw a fellow at the recent Utica show selling refurbished KW and Z transformers for $45 each. Told me they were taking up too much storage space.

Well you know I was joking...I got my ZW almost 2 years ago for $50 and was skipping out the guys door before he changed his mind.

...I think I'd like to come to your swap meets!

Hey Popi, you can't (rightfully) brag about the great buys you got while also saying the show wasn't up to snuff..... (well, you can but...)