Was it all worth it?

Not sure, I did leave a day early. 

Sorry, but I'm not sure what kind of answer you are looking for here.??? Did you take those pictures Thursday morning or Friday morning.

Every York, no matter in what capacity, is worth it to me.  As a customer, even if I do not buy much, or as a seller, I do not sell much, the fellowship and friendships I have experienced there are worth more than I can accurately express.

This past York I stayed on the fairgrounds for the first time, and let me say that late at night and early in the morning, around sunrise, the fairgrounds are a rather peaceful place, and in the morning, the anticipation is almost measurable in the air.

Andy

I think I am looking for some introspection, reflection, and evaluation, with a dash of personal and shared-wisdom.

Clem K gives us an intriguing hint. Interesting.

Andy is his usual analytical and considerate self, always a value to read.

IMHO

Photos were taken: Oct. 17, @ 7:55am.

Frank, I like this topic. I like it a lot.

There is no financial price tag you can place on your participation at the York Meet. Example, how do you place any financial value on the opportunity to meet old and new train friends, that in many cases because of distance, you only get to see at the York Meet. How do you put a price tag on seeing all the latest and greatest train equipment and accessories and have the ability to speak directly with the leaders in our industry. I had a terrific time if just for the opportunities I just stated.

This was the first York Meet that I could share with my Bride of two years. She had as much pure fun as I did. There  is no financial value you can place on this experience. The TCA members in attendance that she encountered treated her like a queen and she will always remember this experience. She can't wait for the April Meet.

I went to York this past Meet with a rather short list. Two of the items were going to be a very tough find, but thanks to Forum member Mike Caruso, we were able to leave for home with both rare passenger sets. I doubt that I would have ever found these complete sets were it not for my travels to York. The satisfaction of just having these sets on the layout is more than you can place a financial value.

So to answer yore question Frank, was it worth the trip, yes, absolutely yes.

When I first entered the hobby as an adult I  had a retail hobby shop and my 'hobby' was aerobatic RC flying.This was early 1987.  We built a RC car racetrack for the kids and was open a year or so before someone introduced me to trains again. Along the way I joined the clubs and began to hear of York. Still I had no idea of the scope and depth of it!

We had two small boys and I had very little time for anything hobby related after work so I never even considered going. A divorce several years later put my life in disarray for awhile and trains were almost forgotten.

Getting back in  with a new wife in 2009 and discovering this forum I began to hear about York again. We decided to go see what all the fuss was about - Man was I surprised and overwhelmed! As a first-timer in Oct 09 I was almost blown away. I attended the DCS meeting the first night we arrived and didn't know a soul. I did recognize Marty F from seeing him in the magazines many years before (he hadn't aged a day).

It was a wonderful experience and I'm grateful for going. Have only been able to attend a second one back in April of 2012 and visited Cesar's amazing layout. Hopefully I'll be able to attend this spring and finally meet many of you.

We were not able to attend. We were booked and ready but the wife had a fall and we had to cancel everything.

That being said, I would have to whole hardheartedly agree with what Brian said above. I enjoy seeing all of the "stuff" and especially Franks dioramas, I walked away with one the last time we were there.

Really enjoy seeing everyone there, even though we do not know a lot of folks as we are from the Midwest.

What can I say....I made the find of a lifetime this most recent York...and posted it on the forum!!  But I have to say that I agree with the posts above that the best part of the York experience is the folks I have met and developed friendships with...can't put any kind of price on that!!  So...Frank....it was well worth the 2000 mile trip!  Next time I am going to come by and visit with you....!

Alan

Well the best way to say about York is it GREAT!!

   For me it all started manny manny years ago.

  The first time I went to York I was a child.

   Went with my Father and Grandfather it was an experience.

    Then years went by and had been there in my teens helping Dad.

 Then some years later still setting up there in the orange hall.

 Now I am just turning 50 and will still go till I die.

The best thing is meeting all the people we deal with over the phone and internet.

  We have made great friends from all over the states. Some we only see twice a year.

  Then there are get togethers after York each night.

 The best is to go and experience it your self and don't be afraid to talk to people.

  Just be friendly. 

Roger, I remember clearly how quietly proud, inside myself, I was of your buying from me. In fact, I believe I even recall the Insta-Rama you bought - it was one of my Amish-themed/detailed rural vignettes, right? I may even have a couple photos of it still. If I recall, also, you showed the forum how you blended it into your layout landscape so very well.

FrankM.

Thanks for your input here, too.

I always look forward to York. My first I believe was around 2001, and I think I have missed two since. Since I became a seller, things have changed a bit; even though I am with another vendor, he sells trains, and I sell loads. It's very hard to leave my post, as the guys I'm with don't have time to handle any transactions in my absence. If I go off wandering, I may miss out on sales.

Since I started selling, I have been staying with my sister and her husband about twenty minutes south of the fairgrounds in MD. It's nice to see them, usually three times a year, Christmas, and the October and April York meets.

Usually, a group of us from another forum meet for dinner on Thursday and Friday nights, similar to the OGR get together, but a much smaller scale. Our group is usually less then twenty. 

On the negative side, the crowds have diminished steadily over the last thirteen years I've been attending, and since my wares only relate to a small percentage of the O and S gauge market, it can get very boring at times. Friday is the longest day by far at now nine and a half hours, especially after sharing several glasses of wine with the brother in law the previous night!

I wouldn't miss York for the world if at all possible. I did have to cut my trip short one year due to participation in the performance of Godspell at our church. I went to York on Thursday, missing the dress rehearsal that night, but Godspell was probably a once in a lifetime event, and most definitely trumped York. 

Don

I have never heard anyone say it's not worth it, but then I have only been going for near 40 years.

York is a wonderful experience. If you find something you want, all the better. Frankly, I've never understood the comment "Bring lots of money". It implies that you will only have fun if you spend money. If you feel that way, you may as well stay home and shop on-line.

I go to York every 6 months on the charter buses from Long Island. I look forward to the meet not only for the trains but I get to see old friends and make new ones each trip. Attendance may not be what it once was but the hobby is for our generation and has limited interest in the younger set. If you haven't been to York you may not understand but it is not just buying trains. In total it is still the best.     Lenny

A great time making new friends and renewing friendships with old friends......priceless in my view.

Peter

I wish there was a bus to take in my area. I tried to get one going years ago, but the interest wasn't there.

Is the trip worth it?

If the only reason I was going was to buy trains, the answer would be no.

It's the trip itself that makes going worthwhile.