I saw the WGH show is going to be at Chantilly, VA – February 8 & 9, 2020
and then the following week at Hampton, VA – February 15 & 16, 2020
So, then question is, is one venue better than the other, i.e. more vendors, larger etc. ?
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The Chantilly show will be better, because the Standard Gauge Module Association will be there!
Track time will be available for non-members to bring their standard gauge trains and run them. (Please make sure they are in good running order, because nothing is more boring than watching guys struggling to get trains running!)
Kirk Lindvig
great !
Guys the LCCA will be there with Lionel.
So stop by and say HI to SAL and Dave and see some new and interesting things.
SAL G/ GG1GUYY
Here's the link for the Hampton, VA WGH Show, 2/15-2/16:
It shows, among other things, operating layouts, vendors, kid activities, etc.
There will also a Greenberg's show next door.
And here is a link to the Chantilly, VA WGH show:
I'm filling my Pilot with 4 other train nuts, leaving Richmond for Chantilly at 0715 Saturday AM.....we are looking forward to a good 4 hours at the show.....
Peter
Some videos I took on Sunday, enjoy !
I thought the Chantilly show was rather lame - totally not worth the 40 minute drive one-way or $15 entry fee. Seemed to be a glorified Greenberg show, which I stopped going to years ago for the same "lame" reasons. How about the whole booth dedicated to kitchen and bath remodeling? What the **** did THAT have to do with the show?
It was nice to see a few folks I don't see often and catch up but, IMO, not much to buy and while the layouts were nice (Standard Gauge in particular), I've "been there, done that" with all of them that I've seen most of the layouts at other local events.
I seem to remember far more layouts and dealers/exhibitors at the last show ~10 years ago...or has my memory faded? Not to mention, yesterday was far too beautiful to be inside that old expo center! Made up for it with a 5 mile lap around the lake just 15 minutes from the show.
The BEST part was watching the trains. I brought a pocket of cash and only spent 10$ on smoke fluid. I too was disappointed. Told the wife, 1/3 was kids running around, 1/3 was watching the layouts, and the other 1/3 was the vendors. I did get to see the new MTH Premier NH PA engine that I may "HAVE" to get. LOL
Talked to the vendors and guys running the layouts, which was enjoyable. I do think the vendor list was longer than who actually showed, so yeah, that was a letdown.
I was also disappointed. Sort of remember the entire Expo Center being occupied last time with a cut thru in the middle between the 2 halves. I remember the previous show being an event for parents looking to occupy their kids for a short time. Same thing this time. There are some big strollers out there now! Thank God for the uber wide aisles.
Rich
I too was disappointed. I go to college in DC, where I am unable to bring my car and I figured that it would be a nice big train show, which I had never been to before. I brought my money and picked up a couple of things and left with a lot more left in my pocket than I expected. Tons of little kids, a lot of overpriced stuff, I guess I will just have to take the bus up to York soon.
Reading you’re comments and now debating going to Hampton Saturday. Lot of trouble if there is nothing to see. Seems strange that Lionel prefers this to York but maybe it is a lot cheaper.
We planned to take our two grandsons, age 11 and 7. Are we better off staying home and running trains?
Bill Webb posted:Reading you’re comments and now debating going to Hampton Saturday. Lot of trouble if there is nothing to see. Seems strange that Lionel prefers this to York but maybe it is a lot cheaper.
We planned to take our two grandsons, age 11 and 7. Are we better off staying home and running trains?
The show itself seemed to be geared toward kids with added bonus that collectors are also there looking to buy stuff.
I can see why Lionel and other manufacturers like to go because it is perfect to get kids and young families into the hobby. On top of the layouts set up by clubs, Lionel had four or five tables with Lionchief sets for kids to play with, MTH had some hands-on stuff, Bachmann had a Thomas and Friends layout, other manufacturers had similar set-ups and the show itself had several "kid-activity" areas.
It is a good show but it was not that "York-like" show with aisles and aisles of o scale trains.
I was a participant at the Chantilly show both as a seller and buyer and found the 2 days very successful. To echo some posted comments, the public attendees were all ages but large numbers of families with young children. Yes, the show had a enticing atmosphere for youth with thoughts of Thomas, inexpensive toys and trains, and fun activities which even included some face painting, clothes, and train rides. Older train enthusiasts had a wide variety of venders which offered products of all gauges -- wasn't much G gauge -- in all price ranges.
I believe that the presence of the manufacturers was because of wider exposure to the public rather than a major focus on expenses. Whenever one walked by the booths there were families looking at and actively engaged in the set ups.
My grade for the show -- a solid "A"
Bill Webb posted:Reading you’re comments and now debating going to Hampton Saturday. Lot of trouble if there is nothing to see. Seems strange that Lionel prefers this to York but maybe it is a lot cheaper.
We planned to take our two grandsons, age 11 and 7. Are we better off staying home and running trains?
For children, they'll have a great time , my all means go 
Thanks. We will plan to be there.
