It is a yearly event. Layouts of all scales - 2 bucks to get in. Next year I will likely be exhibiting my multi gauge layout.
I talked to all of the operators in O scale. Here are some common themes.
1. For layouts Fastrack was the preferred choice. (these were traveling layouts)
2. NO ONE used wire bigger than 16 gauge. One person who is a railroader and works at the LHS does EVERYTHING in 18 gauge. Many used 20 gauge.
3. In a very casual query Lionel was the preferred brand, MTH second....
4. The larger the curves the better but all acquiesced to smaller sizes for portable layouts. 0-31 to 0-72 was the range. (no surprise) All cited 0-72 as a good minimum for larger trains.
5. Most ran conventionally but one guy (all in Lionel orange) ran all his trains (5 loops) with his iPad. Very cool.
Aside from this I saw a TT layout. Very rare and interesting. Also a younger group had Lego Trains. They exceeded my expectation for appearance. Very cool. There was little or no G scale this year. Very disappointing. I have yet to see operating Z scale at a show. There were some N and, of course, HO layouts. Also one in S but the big one from the Loose Ties Model Railroad Club was missing....
Lots of fun for $2.
