Update: March "O" Scale Meet - Chicago, April 1-3, 2022

Will see all of you there.

Dick

Brad,

Is there a list of the vendors, or individuals, with tables?

Jay

Not this year.  Due to the current state of things, we do not wish to put out a list that could be used for nefarious reasons.  Hopefully things return to normal on all fronts so we can such a list next year.  What I can say is that most of the usual folks are already signed up.

See you there............from the vendors I know I think it will be a good turnout.

I'll be a newbie at this show, but I am really excited to be able to attend this year!  Will be booking my room by the weekend.

Promises to be a great event! 👍

Mark in Oregon

I will be attending the March Meet for the first time also.  I have my hotel and travel reservations and I have registered for the meet.  Maybe some of the OGR forum members can get together for a meet and greet.  I will be attending the OSK meeting Friday evening.  NH Joe

The show will be great !

Come one come all!

If from out of town, please stay at host hotel ...so there will be a March meet in 2023 !!! And 2024 ...and 2025....

I'm hosting an open house Saturday night if you like vintage O scale , come on over .

Running 2 rail and outside 3rd rail vintage O scale ...the old stuff ...no DCC ..no added noise ...real live gear grinding and clicky clack

Cheers Carey

@Carey Williams posted:

I'm hosting an open house Saturday night if you like vintage O scale , come on over .

Running 2 rail and outside 3rd rail vintage O scale ...the old stuff ...no DCC ..no added noise ...real live gear grinding and clicky clack

Cheers Carey

Gee... what I wouldn't give to see your stuff in person. Here's hoping we see lots of pictures and videos posted! 👍

Mark in Oregon

@New Haven Joe posted:

I will be attending the March Meet for the first time also.  I have my hotel and travel reservations and I have registered for the meet.  Maybe some of the OGR forum members can get together for a meet and greet.  I will be attending the OSK meeting Friday evening.  NH Joe

If somebody would like to organize such a meet and greet, we can provide space in one of the Magnolia Rooms.  The model contest will be moved to the Foyer, Magnolia will be split into 2 rooms rather than one large and two small.

@Brad Kowal posted:

If somebody would like to organize such a meet and greet, we can provide space in one of the Magnolia Rooms.  The model contest will be moved to the Foyer, Magnolia will be split into 2 rooms rather than one large and two small.

Brad,

I suppose that since I brought up the idea of a OGR Forum meet and greet that I should help "organize" it.  I will contact you via email with my thoughts.  NH Joe (Joe Barker)

Carey

thanks for the invite. Really liked the last time I visited your layout.

Will be there but can't help with the hotel rooms, only live about 7 miles away. 

26 of 331 tables left!

Guys

JM2C

Where this show is located is in the Western Suburbs of Chicago and is a very a nice area. I grew up there.

Lots to do, lots of restaurants.

22 miles to Berwin Toys and Trains

11 miles to Americas Best Train Toy and Hobby Shop

Course after a show maybe not needed

And close to Cantigny Park

Steven Taylor

I think I'm going to have to cancel my attendance.  Amtrak is apparently cancelling all western US trains during the period.   Too far to drive and I won't fly anymore.

Apparently the Southwest Chief is still running 5 days a week during that period.  Maybe you can adjust your travel dates.

Don’t forget Des Plaines Hobby is fairl close to the airport and on the way to and from the show.

@rdunniii posted:

I think I'm going to have to cancel my attendance.  Amtrak is apparently cancelling all western US trains during the period.   Too far to drive and I won't fly anymore.

Interesting.  I am flying to Chicago from the SF Bay Area.  I was scheduled to take the CA Zephyr home on Monday, April 4.  That train was cancelled.  I have always wanted to take the train through the Rockies in daylight.  It is a bucket list trip.  

I was able to rebook on the CZ leaving Chicago (Naperville) April 5 and to extend my hotel reservation one day at the O scale meet rate.  I wonder what is causing Amtrak to cancel its western trains April 1 - 4.   NH Joe

They cut the Crescent, Amtrak 19 & 20 back to 5 days a week till some time in May.  An Amtrak employee told me it's due to crew shortages and people doing mechanical work.  They are hiring people but have to train them to put them on the train.  The regional trains haven't been effected but the overnights are were they did the temporary cut backs.

REMEMBER MINIRAMA?    With all the great discussions regarding the O scale meet, I thought it would be a good time to mention my interest in what once was the Wisconsin Dells Minirama. In operation from 1960-1969. I am very interested in this attraction, and looking for people who have slides and movies of the attraction that they would share with me. I have wondered where some of the buildings went, or the bridge, let alone freight cars, as Dwight Ingalls sold off some of the collection. I have some of it. Attaching a few pictures to jar your memory; and perhaps talk it up at your Convention. Thanks!

I will be there.  Yes, a non-formal, or formal meet and greet sounds good to me.  It would be nice to connect faces with names!   Hopefully I will be at Ted's on Friday, meeting my buddy (and  his wife?) at Ted's as well.   Looks according to the long range forecast that the weather is going to be very nice!  Tired of a heavy winter parka.   Maybe a lighter jacket will be in order.......

I am registered for the March Meet.  

Because I live in Chicagoland, I will not be staying at the hotel.  

I am interested in an OGR get together.  

Chicagoland Hobby is about 23 miles from the Westin Hotel.  

Chicagoland Hobby is located on Northwest Highway in the Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago.  Northwest Highway runs parallel to the C&NW’s charter line.  

Chicagoland Hobby & Des Plaines Hobbies are only about 15 minutes from each other.  

I like Chicagoland Hobby, Des Plaines Hobbies, Berwyn Toys & Trains, and America’s Best Hobbies.  I patronize all 4 of them.

Rattler21:

Thanks for pointing this out.  

I read your post simply as a suggestion.

So this will be our OGR meal with New Haven Joe & the other OGR attendees ?

Sounds great !!!

Not trying to stir the pot, I promise. Last time I was in Chicago (about a year ago) I found quite a bit of 2-rail items at Des Plaines Hobbies. Made phone calls to Chicagoland Hobby and Berwyn's Toys & Trains and was told no 2-rail, don't waste the time to take the drive. If this has changed, please let me know! And what kind of store is America's Best Hobbies?

Des Plaines Hobbies always has some 2-rail stock, though not a lot unless they are acting as a "broker."  The only other store that might have some 2-rail O scale in stock is Chicagoland Hobbies, but that is getting rarer and rarer and usually only occurs when someone trades something in on another product.  Best to call before you go as their website is not very accurate.  America's Best also has little to no O scale 2-rail; they deal primarily in Lionel new and used, but do carry some product for all other scales (Z to G).

Chuck

Is Des Plains working the show?  Before Ron's death they always had a nice presence at the meet with lots of detailing parts and kits.  It will be interesting to see what Sue has available.

@VGN64 posted:

Is Des Plains working the show?  Before Ron's death they always had a nice presence at the meet with lots of detailing parts and kits.  It will be interesting to see what Sue has available.

They have indicated that they will be in attendance, however they have not yet registered.

Will Sunset 3rd Rail be at the show ?

Thanks in advance !!!

@CBQ_Bill posted:

Will Sunset 3rd Rail be at the show ?

Thanks in advance !!!

I believe Rattler said that his table is right next to the 3rd Rail / Sunset Models table.

Why don't we just have a formal meet and greet right at the show location Friday evening?    Might be easier than the restaurant suggestion?    Brad said that the Magnolia room would be available........just a suggestion.  Plus some might have eaten prior to 6PM.   

Des Plaines may be in attendance at the show, but I highly doubt they will have tables.    The daughter and son in law that run the shop, do not seem like they are keeping the O scale inventory up.   The O Scale America line the Ron started, is down to a mere whimper of what it once was, not being replenished at all!   And, at last visit, the O scale inventory in general was down quite a bit, obviously due to the lack of new products, but slow production as well!    Now, regarding Chicagoland Hobbies, I understand they have NO two rail O scale!   Not like when Rich Bozak  (Greg's father)  had the store, then you could find good stuff there!   Now it is mostly a little 3 rail, plus games and toys......

@R Nelson posted:

Des Plaines may be in attendance at the show, but I highly doubt they will have tables.    The daughter and son in law that run the shop, do not seem like they are keeping the O scale inventory up.   The O Scale America line the Ron started, is down to a mere whimper of what it once was, not being replenished at all!   And, at last visit, the O scale inventory in general was down quite a bit, obviously due to the lack of new products, but slow production as well!    Now, regarding Chicagoland Hobbies, I understand they have NO two rail O scale!   Not like when Rich Bozak  (Greg's father)  had the store, then you could find good stuff there!   Now it is mostly a little 3 rail, plus games and toys......

Not much different than the show's originator Mr Hill who owned Hill's Hobby which was mostly 2-rail.  Both are now gone.

@R Nelson posted:

Why don't we just have a formal meet and greet right at the show location Friday evening?    Might be easier than the restaurant suggestion?    Brad said that the Magnolia room would be available........just a suggestion.  Plus some might have eaten prior to 6PM.   

The Meet and Greet is scheduled for Saturday.

@CBQ_Bill posted:

Will Sunset 3rd Rail be at the show ?

Thanks in advance !!!

Yes

Brad....Glad to hear about the Saturday time schedule!   Friday evening may be a bit hectic at best......

@R Nelson posted:

Brad....Glad to hear about the Saturday time schedule!   Friday evening may be a bit hectic at best......

The OGR forum meet & greet is scheduled for noon on Saturday for no more than a hour.  I will be moderating the meet.

As of today (Friday, March 25) there is no OGR forum meeting agenda or program.  The purpose will be to meet other forum members and discuss whatever topics that people want to talk about.   I would welcome topic suggestions.  I will be wearing a New Haven hat and jacket.  Please say hello when you see me at the meet.  

The OGR forum meet & greet will be followed by the OSK membership meeting in the same room at 1:30 p.m.  There is a lot happening within OSK to better promote the 2ROS hobby.  The meeting will be both informative and interesting.

A friend who lives in the area tells me it is supposed to snow next week in Chicagoland.  I'm from CA.  I say: What's snow?  I think I'lll leave my shorts at home.  NH Joe

I will be looking for three 85' coaches:  Non paired windows, clerestory roof, perferably four wheel trucks.  Paint unimportant. If anyone is bringing such things, you have a ready buyer. I will be there Saturday AM