World's Greatest Hobby on Tour

I would say yes but be prepared for crowds. Last one we had, about 5 years ago attracted over 40,000 people in two days. 

 The Worlds Greatest Hobby on Tour is worth attending but do not expect a typical model train show. It's mission is to promote the entire model railroading hobby of all scales. It is a large show and you will find many of the train companies exhibiting and promoting their products there. The selection and variety of trains for sale is smaller than at a regular train show but it is a nice change, and I enjoy going to that show.  

I've been to two of these:  Columbus Convention Center and the Cleveland IX just last year.  The Columbus show was really cool, but I was into HO at the time so mind mind was skewed in that direction.   The Cleveland show was a bit of a disappointment, and I went to that one with O gauge in mind.  I think these can be hit or miss, but most of major players will be in attendance.  It's definitely worth going, but you may come away with more ideas than actual train stuff.  I remember crows being nuts in Columbus, but Cleveland wasn't bad at all - I didn't lose my kids once 

Our modular club did one last year at Oaks, PA, it was a lot of fun for us.  Large crowds and lots of activity.

The $15 ticket price will keep me from going. It pains me to pay $5 for the Raleigh TCA show. When you have a spending budget of $40, the ticket price is a factor to consider. Yeah, I'm a tight-wad!

$15 is a bit steep, I think they may be shooting themselves in the foot at those prices.  Of course, last time I went as an exhibitor, the entry was much cheaper.

GO! Bring the kids, have fun. see the trains.

have lunch, talk, walk, see the sights

and best of all get out and about!!!

Thanks for the replies.  Well, $15 is steep but got two Grandkids under 16 [advertised free] so it cuts the math.  The Raleigh TCA shows are, never mind.  Member but quit going.  Maybe I can con Will Allen in going with me.  He didn't seem impressed.  Missed the REAL Raleigh train show earlier this fall.  Understand it is moving to the Graham Building [larger] with restaurant attached.  

When they came to Tacoma a few years back, there were plenty of vendors, but few of the same local vendors you get tired of seeing a local shows. It was great talking to factory reps from Bachmann about their On30 stuff.

I also got to speak to a few authors who showed up to sell their books directly, something you never see at the average model train show.

Kind of like a mini-NMRA national train show. I enjoyed the heck out of the one they had here a few years ago and hope they return someday (though the real national train show for the NMRA will be in Portland this year, so I have very little to complain about).

Only been to one in the Chicago area. I would not go back. Not a matter of the admission fee, just not for me.

I think the WGHOT show does a phenomial job introducing our hobby to people outside of the current; what I call the traditional hobbyist.  The primary purpose of the Lionel Collectors Club of America is to promote and foster interest in Lionel trains specifically and the hobby in general.  The LCCA plans to have a booth at all 5 WGHOT shows this year.  I invite all of you to stop by our booth and talk trains.  

A lot of people have opinions about the current state of the hobby and about its future.  These shows are a great opportunity to promote our hobby and to reach out to the novices,  and to re- acquaint toy trains with people who may have had trains years ago as children.

I hope to  see you at these shows.

Al Kolis

President  Elect

Lionel Collectors Club of America

248 709-4137

Went to the one in Cincy a couple years ago, was not impressed. There will be one in Columbus next month may check it out.

I went to the one in New Jersey a couple years ago.  Most of the manufactures were there with displays representing all scales.  Some of the larger dealers were there as well.  There was a mix of train stuff for sale.  A couple weeks after the show I found a big box on my porch.  I won a door prize from one of the manufactures.  A nice HO train set.

If you've never been to one, it's probably worth going to one.  I suspect these are something like the Greenberg's shows, some are pretty good, some are really lousy.  Too bad the Greenberg's shows that come to Oaks seem pretty universally lousy, it's ruined me for Greenberg's shows.

I'll be there with the Train Loft of Winston-Salem!

They used to come to Novi, Michigan. Went one time and would never go back. We have to many excellent shows, that are put on by local charities and clubs. This weekend we have a show put on by the Avondale Education Foundation.

  Click flyer to enlarge.

I didn't care much for WG either. "Vender-ville". I like to get my hands dirty.

Avondale is a great show! Best of both worlds.   

Welcome to California,we even charge $10 to park,when we pay $2000 for a Big Boy this is chump change.

Hey, throw this chump some change.

The original TMCC Demo Group showed at the first OAKS WGHOT show. Wow, I think I'm still tired from that crowd. What a neat show for promoting the hobby. The crowds were overwhelming. We had an 8x8 layout and I don't think we were ever less than 8 deep around the table letting folks try TMCC both days. I got to break away from the table for only a short spell, and yes if you were going there to shop you would be disappointed, but if you were going to enjoy the Hobby, it was worth the effort. And I place emphasis on effort, as I understand the traffic problems associated with that show were horrendous. A side bar story that I have to share. I was trucking in my equipment, using a Office max folding hand truck, basically the equivelent of a rolling suitcase, into the expo hall down the newly installed carpeted entrance. The Manager of the expo center stopped me and proceeded to give me the riot act that, "All  exhibitor equipment MUST be loaded in through the docks!" that were around the other side of the hall. Yeah, ok, next load I'll do that...Well, after 55,000 people tromped through her magnificent carpet job that Saturday, we made eye contact and she must have read my thoughts as she gave me a "Don't even say a word" look as I pulled my tiny hand cart out to my truck that evening.   

Great photos Al.  Only problem, get that kid with the UNC sweatshirt out of there.

If you are in a train show-poor area, then I say go! here on the west coast, we don't have that many big shows. It's about the only place that you will see a full Lionel, MTH, Atlas, Bachmann exhibit set-ups all in the same place plus many other smaller firms outside of the NMRA National Train Show. I have been to both in Portland, OR and I've found plenty of 3-rail O to be had. It's an excellent way to spend an afternoon browsing, buying ,looking at the layouts even after the admission and parking.

Peter