TrainFest and DuPage - Who's Going?

I'll be at Train Fest both days.  Haven't even dusted off/checked the trains yet.  Son already asked about the CNW H1, MTH Big Boy, and Legacy NKP 765 & PW1225.  Hoping to get them all checked out ready to run with the Midwest TCA before leaving Friday afternoon...

 

CNWRob

Art:

 

I'll be there Sunday. Not sure about breakfast this time, but I hope to run into you guys over a cup of coffee.

 

 

Trainfest, no, but I will be at Du Page.

Can't do both so it will have to be breakfast & DuPage!

How does Trainfest compare to Dupage? Is it say a mostly HO show, or just displays and layouts, or there's O for sale too?

Trainfest is MUCH larger than the Dupage "swap meet". Trainfest is reportedly the LARGEST Model Railroad show in the U.S.A., and includes dozens of OPERATING layouts of all scales, plus manufacturers booths, plus many, many dealers selling all sorts of train stuff.

 

The DuPage thing is mostly the same guys trying to sell the same over-priced stuff, month after month after month. One has to be diligent to find the occasional bargain one is searching for. 

Trainfest is a large annual all-scale show that attracts manufacturers as well dealers and exhibitors.

 

 

The best show within a reasonable distance for me to consider. Perhaps this year is still a possibility. Dupage may not be nearly as big, but sure looks fun. 

 

I went to Trainfest last year for the first time in about ten years. While no pro I did think there was less O Gauge to choose from than in the past.

 

Still had fun, but I came home with all my $$ still in my pockets!

For all of those who have never been to Trainfest here is the link!

 

http://www.trainfest.com/

 

I, myself am still up in the air. Saturday or Sunday

 

 

Tough to compare as they are two different beasts.

 

Trainfest is fantastic because all of the manufacturers and major industry players are there. Think professionally designed and built, full trade show booths. Talk directly with the management of MTH, Lionel, Ross Custom Switches, Atlas, Williams,Woodland Scenics etc. Buy from Scenic Express, NJ International, ZStuff for Trains, Evans Designs, Ross Custom Switches, etc. On the operating layout side you will see some very nice high end layouts. Tons of O gauge/scale to keep this guy happy!

 

DuPage is great if you want to wander the aisles looking for hidden treasures, dig through dusty boxes for parts or project cars, engines, etc. Haggle for a better deal on some trains, pay cash and avoid the tax man. Operating layouts are not as nice, but are cool to see.

I'm taking the family up Saturday morning, maybe Friday night. We'll be there most of Saturday. Just look for the guy chasing a 4.5 year old while carrying the 11 month old over his shoulder trying to reach his wallet to make a purchase and then carry the goods over the spare shoulder!!

 

 

I'm doing Train Fest with my 3 yr old.  It will be our second time.  I look forward to the O gauge layouts, as well as the standard and G gauge layouts.  We go to look at the layouts more than anything.  I didn't buy anything for my self last year, but my boy made out well!

The DuPage thing is mostly the same guys trying to sell the same over-priced stuff, month after month after month. One has to be diligent to find the occasional bargain one is searching for. 

 

Right as it's been turning more into a "flea market" than a "train show" for the last 15 years. When the heavy hitter midwest dealers stopped showing up I lost interest.

You guys are certainly right about the DuPage show having changed and evolved over the last 15 years.  But then so have I.  I used to be all about finding a deal on something or looking for that rare item that was hard to find.  While I still like to look for the rare items and the hot deals, seeing my friends and spending time with them is more important.  Meeting new train friends has also become a favorite past time.  I hear people complain about how hard it is to meet new people in 3-rail, but if they worked as hard at doing that as they did complaining it might work out better.

 

Art

Art, I will be operating with the TCA Midwest division at Trainfest all weekend, no DuPage this month for me.

 

Be sure to stop by on Saturday and I will look for your group as well.

 

Sorry I missed your open house, hope to be back one of these days.

 

Charlie

Art:

 

I totally agree with you about events like the Dupage Train Show being a catalyst for meeting fellow O-Gauge friends. With the advent of the breakfast before the show, the opportunity to meet new fiends improved substantially.

Hope that you can make it for breakfast with us again.

 

Art

Sounds great, looking forward to seeing you at breakfast.

 

Art

Sommerfeld usually has some good deals.

 

November 8 & 9- TrainFest - Milwaukee WI

The LCCA returns to Milwaukee to attend 2014 TrainFest, one of the premier train shows in the country.  Part Train show, part hobby show, part layout tour - and a general good time for the whole family!

 

The LCCA asks that if you attend, please stop by our booth and say hello.  Come and meet with LCCA President Dennis DeVito.  The LCCA will have their mini-layout which was designed and built by TW Design of Dallas TX.   This detailed layout demonstrates what can be done with a small space with O-gauge trains.  The LCCA booth and display will be adjacent to the Lionel display with interactive operating layouts and displays.   Stop by Lionel, meet with their team and learn all about their new LionChief and LioneChief remote control engines and starter sets. 

 

 

 

Trainfest Show Dates/Times:

 

Saturday, November 8th & Sunday November 9th, 2014

9:00am – 5:30pm

Wisconsin Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park

8200 W. Greenfield Avenue

West Allis (Milwaukee), WI 53214

 

Admission Prices:

Adults (ages 13 and up) – $13

Kids/Youth (ages 4-12) – $5

Kids (age 3 & under) – FREE

 

Show Details:

 

exhibit space–the size of over 4 football fields–will feature 60 huge, dazzling and fully operational model railroads. Representatives from more than 100 manufacturers and hobby dealers will be showcasing their newest products. Displays from 10 different historical societies will be on exhibit. Numerous educational demonstrations and “how-to” clinics will be staged throughout the event. The environment will be rich with the sounds of trains and thousands of hobbyists of all skill levels exchanging tips, techniques and experiences.

 

A wide variety of activities is planned just for kids. The American Institute of Architects will be on hand with a LEGO® Brick Build Area where kids can build their own imaginative train creations, while Trainfest’s dog bone-shaped race track gives our younger visitors an opportunity to race some of our fast-moving trains.

 

Learn more about the craftsmanship and detail that goes into the model railroads at Trainfest here.

 

See more at: http://www.trainfest.com/ticke...sthash.E1kBipWO.dpuf

 

If you have the time, be sure could use some help.  If you are available for a few hours to help out at our display, please contact me at 248 709-4137 or agkolis@comcast.net.   Any help will be much appreciated.  Spread the word and invite your friends.  The LCCA display will be set up adjacent to Lionel’s display in the hall.  Please bring the entire family and have some fun!   Come and experience the Magic of Lionel Trains

 

Best regards,

 

 

Al Kolis

President Elect & Special Events Manager

Lionel Collectors Club of America

248 709-4137

agkolis@comcast.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be at Trainfest both days with the T.C.A Midwest Division Modular Group which will be right next to the Choo Choo Bob show.  

 

Al K,

 

What's wrong with this picture, LOL! 

I noticed that too, John. Funny...

Art,

I will be there for breakfast on Sunday now that the madness of setting-up my layout is done!

 

Thanks

Ken 

Going to Trainfest on Sun Taking my girlfriend and my parents

I would like to go to Du Page someday eh

 

My Dad and I will be at Trainfest on Saturday. Always a great time!

Art,

 

I enjoyed meeting you and the other guys this morning at breakfast.  Thank you for the invite.  It was fun hanging out at the show with some of the guys.  I am planning on attending next month.

 

Ken

Just a few shots from Trainfest 2014!

 

Ken - Now we know why they go there! The largest breakfast portions ever! 

 

You posted a short video, but didn't indicate what it is nor where it was shot.

 

Any information?

That is a video showing the fire scene on the Midwest TCA modular layout at Trainfest this past weekend in Milwaukee. I am proud to say I made it.

Kevin - You did a fabulous job with that module.  It is always the hit of any show that it is in.  The last time I was with my grand sons and they saw it they were so impressed.  The lights and smoke are mesmerizing.  Very nice job!

 

Art

After all the discussion about Lionel's new California Zephyr cars, I had to take a picture of Atlas' version at their booth at TrainFest.  I think that it is a beautiful car.

 

Art

 

 

One new feature at TrainFest in Milwaukee this year was the train that was giving rides.  It had a large track that was set up around two or three aisles of manufacturer's exhibits and ran the length of the building at one end.  It was very popular!  Every time I saw it, it was full of people and not just families with children.  When I took these pictures, it had a second section following behind that was also full of people!

 

TrainFest just keeps getting better every year.  It is very well organized, caters to everyone in the family for the youngest to the grandparents.  When we were there, they had great sized crowds.  They even opened up a separate building this year.

 

 

 

 

Plenty of pictures have already been posted about Lionel's booth, which was very nice.  But I have to post a couple pictures of MTH's booth too.  I was very impressed.  We were there about 45 minutes after the show opened and Mike Wolf was busy attending to the booth.  He was scurrying about putting out more free catalogs and refilling the shopping bags and moving chairs around and etc.  BUT, he was not too busy to stop and be friendly and cordial.  Mike is a real class act and a tribute to our hobby.  He loves trains, he obviously likes fellow modelers, and has done so much for this hobby.

 

Thanks Mike.

 

Art

 

 

 

Now that is impressive and unusual. In all the years that we attended Trainfest with our Independent Hi-Railres, Midwest Division modular layout, I never saw Mike there. Kudos to  MTH for their regular attendance. 

The DuPage show this month was outstanding in my view.  It started with a great breakfast meeting.  We had the table expanded so far that people couldn't get around one end of it and were ready to start another table beside it.  Kjstrains (Ken) and Jeff T (Jeff) joined us as well as two gentlemen that I met but can't remember their name as they sat at the other end of the table.  John was there again and we had a great discussion.  Was looking for sidewinder, but if he was there I missed him.

 

Show was well attended and the weather cooperated again.  Lot of vendors in the parking lot. 

 

I was thrilled as I got a Corgi Greyhound Scenicruiser bus with the destination Pittsburgh for $30!  My friend got one with Chicago destination for $35 and Jim got a Pittsburgh for $35 too.  Picked up my two new Woodland Scenics buildings and can now work them into my towns of Spencer and Ruthven.  I can't wait.  Picked up a hard to find set of K-Line passenger cars for a close friend and got them sent off today.

 

Saw many friends at the show and totally enjoyed myself.  Then after lunch went to another friends open house.  Great train weekend.

 

Art