Trainfest

@R Nelson posted:

Who on this forum, are planning to attend Trainfest in Milwaukee next month?    I have my hotel room, tickets, and my parking all lined up, and this year looks like there are more vendors than 2 years ago, when Trains, and Trainshows Inc. ran it.    Attendance must be going to be good, as parking is filling up fast in that area of Milwaukee.   Just curious, and throwing it out there......

From all my years of attending that event, there was VERY little 2-Rail Scale there.

I'm planning to attend while visiting relatives near Milwaukee.  Didn't realize parking might be an issue, they have big events there all the time?

Yes, I agree, not much 2 rail O there, however one never knows what you can find that can be used in 2 rail O scale. Regarding the parking, this years event is NOT at the state fair park.  It is at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee so you do not have the big lot to use.  You need to reserve spots at local parking garages.    There is a link on Trainfest web site to find parking.  On street parking from what I know is a very limited option.  Two months back, I got parking for $5 a day.  Now the same location is $15 plus per day, and going up.

I looked at some of the parking links on Trainfest's website.  A phrase I saw frequently is that a space is not guaranteed.  Not real hot on paying in advance for a non-guaranteed spot.  Am I reading the fine print correctly?  Hard to believe that parking would be hard to find near a major convention center on a weekend, but what do I know. 

On a related note, any recommendations for German restaurants other than Mader's?

I also have tickets and parking. I'll be in Oshkosk for work, and staying at the Marriott there. Not sure when/if I'll hit the show.

I'll be wearing a green polo shirt with yellow Jersey Central Lines logo. Stop me if you see me.

@CNJ Jim posted:

... I'll be wearing a green polo shirt with yellow Jersey Central Lines logo. Stop me if you see me.

I'll be the gray haired guy wandering around in a daze wearing jeans and a train-themed T-shirt. 

I'll be there. Should be a great venue at the new convention center.

Picking up track and turnouts from Steve @ Ross Custom Switches that he is bringing for my new layout. Sommerfeld's booth should be great as usual.

So pumped up that it’s back! I’ll be there with my boys.

I'll be there with a side trip to Sommerfeld's.

Sommerfeld will be at the show

Well, it has been 2 weeks since Trainfest.   It was not a bad show, albeit not as big as I had expected it would be.   The venue, The Baird Center, was okay, but a little bit goofy with only one entrance open to the building.   My parking lot was a 4 minute walk to the east, at least that is what was on the website for Spot Hero, the parking outfit!    In reality, it was a 25 minute walk from my truck, to the Trainfest entrance.   Good thing was, it was not too cold, and no rain or snow!   Next year I am told, it'll be back at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.   Did get a few things, and a nice jacket NS Heritage, from Denny Jelsma of Jelsma Graphics.   He gave me an offer that I could not refuse!   Did not need it, but I am glad I picked it up.     On the Friday before,  I hit Sommerfeld's and Jetco's Hiawatha Hobbies to get a few Atlas 53 ft containers.    I grabbed a Hub Group green, EMP ex Pacer, and an EMP ex HUB (orange) container.     These are hard to find, so when I saw them, I grabbed 'em!

I'd like to know an attendance figure. Not sure how the vendors did one was down 30%.

I heard lots of talk about how it will be back at the fairgrounds next year which is fine by me. The Baird Center is nice, but parking was a little odd. Overall, it is a much nicer facility even when accounting for the Mickey Mouse “security” screening.

I‘m not surprised that some vendors reported sales were down as attendance seemed a little light. It also seemed to have fewer vendors.

At the end of the day it was still a great show and I’m glad it’s back.

@bigtruckpete posted:

I heard lots of talk about how it will be back at the fairgrounds next year which is fine by me. The Baird Center is nice, but parking was a little odd. Overall, it is a much nicer facility even when accounting for the Mickey Mouse “security” screening.

I‘m not surprised that some vendors reported sales were down as attendance seemed a little light. It also seemed to have fewer vendors.

At the end of the day it was still a great show and I’m glad it’s back.

FWIW, a local train store operator told me that the number of vendors was down by 30% from last time, and that booth rent was much higher.

I agree about the parking and security situation - it wasn't easy to get from the car to the venue, and the security theater was annoying.  The long walks and cost of parking and food made me think I was at the airport.  At least I didn't need to remove my shoes and belt to get inside.

The volume of people at the opening on Saturday seemed less than usual.  I appreciated the extra space between layouts - it was much easier to move around and view them.  It got busier as the day went on.

The layout operators I spoke with liked the access for setup.  I've not heard anything regarding whether or not the access for teardown was smooth.  I hope that the layout operators were happy, because the quantity and quality of layouts separate Trainfest from other shows.

Overall, I prefer the fairgrounds - easier access, cheaper parking, and nearby options for lunch.