I went to the train show in Wheaton, IL today. It was the first once since March 2020. Two fewer buildings, and a few less vendors, but wow, what a crowd for an August show!
The kicker is I somehow couldn’t stop buying! I landed NINE postwar F3’s, all in the $20-$30 price range. One was a B unit for $8! Yes, that’s an Ocho. Five 2023 and 2031 Alco’s for $100. An AEC 57 Switcher for $15. An A-B 2240 Wabash set for $20! Way too many PW to modern era freight cars from $4 to $10 range. A plastic bin of steamers and whistle tenders for $25. I’m shocked at how much I scored given how little I spent. I’m giddy with all of the goods I now have to fiddle with. I wonder though, is this the new normal? Are too many older folks passing on, so dependents are just dumping vintage treasures?