Worlds Greatest Hobby On Tour

These are usually pretty good - a 'general' train show with lots of things for kids and families.  It will depend on your local area as to what kind of dealer turnout you'll have but we went to one in Atlanta a couple of ears ago and it was huge for two days. Definitely worth the price of admission (where we had to stand in line for 10 minutes two hours after the gates opened!

checkout there website it shows a list of vendors, train clubs and manufactures.

I attended the one near Phila with our modular group. Very little for sale except for things like "Thomas". Booths from train companies like Lionel. Lots of modular layouts. Huge crowds. Your show may vary.

I got a mailer from them this past week and went to see Lone Survivor yesterday afternoon at the movies in the same "shopping" area as the expo center.   There still is no left hand turn signal on the exit ramp coming off of 422 and there is more traffic coming from the opposite side of the intersection as they recently put in a new restaurant and stores.   Traffic coming off of 422 was backed up onto 422 and this was on a Saturday afternoon with nothing big going on in the area.    The last show at this location had 40k in attendance and was a traffic nightmare....doesn't look to me that this time around will be any different......Greg

I attended the one in Chicago last year. Be prepared for allot of strollers!!! Even with my heels being whacked a few times I enjoyed the event!!

Have to support the hobby!!

The vendor list looks good.  It should be a good show.

http://www.wghshow.com/phl_exh_010814.pdf

I think they vary state to state, I hope yours is good. The two times they visited Utah they were pretty poor. Do not expect everyone on the vendors list to attend.

I attended a show in New Jersey a couple years ago.  I won a prize from Bachman.  A couple months after the show I found a big box on my front porch.  It contained a complete HO train set.  If I ever get my O and the N-scale up and running I may build a shelf layout in HO.

Stop by our layout and say hello, we'll be at the Phila show this weekend.

Went to one in Indianapolis 2 years ago, i think, best train show i ever went to.

We will have the North Penn 'O' Gaugers club layout will be at the Phila show at Oaks.

All the club members will have there sections there with big center yard.the two bridges and large amtrak station. A lot to see on this layout. 

Attended the Long Beach show the first year this show series started. The attendance was massive -- larger than any prior train show I've attended before or since. I think the big reason for this is that the show was designed around people outside the hobby. There were a LOT of families there with kids, plus there were areas with trains on the floor for the kids to play with -- everything from BRIO to LGB. There were a lot of demonstrations aimed at people starting or curious about starting in the hobby. There were also a lot of vendors there for those already inside the hobby. I'd classify it as almost an industry trade show to which the public was invited.

Bottom line is I think you'll enjoy the show. Hopefully there will be one nearby my area.

I suppose whether it is worth it or not depends on how heavy your addiction to model trains is.  I like these shows and yes, its worth it to me.  The atmosphere is lighter and more general (all scales, all interests) than at TCA meetings, and I get a better sense of how the rest of the world, outside my little cocoon of O gauge interest, views the hobby, and I get to see what companies like Atlas and Bachman are doing in other scales more than I know.  So I am all for these shows.  On the other hand, I seldom learn anything new at about O gauge offerings and forthcoming products - I think that will be true for just about anyone who hangs out on this forum - and I don't buy anything - just look and enjoy. 

The Lionel Operating Train Society (LOTS) will be in attendance! 

Save $6 if you join LOTS at the show....plus you'll receive a FREE chance to win one of our Tennessee Aquarium cars.

Our current limited edition club car...America's Favorite Ketchup (Heinz) Lionel Double-Sheathed box car will be on display.  See http://www.lots-trains.org/htm...14_heinz_boxcar.html

Information about the train layouts and other tours being offered during our 35th Annual Convention in Pittsburgh will also be available.

Indeed, as others have posted LOTS of strollers and kids!  LOTS loves kids and they love playing with the 5 x 8 Thomas Layout we have in our booth. 

Kids are the future of this hobby! Randy Bachmann and his Crew do a fine job of putting these huge shows together.  Hats off to the manufacturers sending representatives to these shows too.  The manufacturers only set up at a handful of shows each year.....if one comes to your town....be sure to go....they won't be back for 5 - 8 years, if then.

Hope to see you in Oaks, PA or Novi, MI!

Paula Smith

LOTS Business Manager

I went this past weekend here in Houston.  It was a big show with lots of stuff, but if you are looking for top-end o-gauge stuff or anything 2-rail, you won't find anything.  I also enjoyed looking at the local S-gauge modular that was there and talking with the Houston S Gaugers club that was there.  MTH had production samples of the soon-to-be-released F3s and rolling stock in S gauge.

Good show for families and people looking for Thomas stuff.

I think Chris makes a good point, the closer  the show is to the bigger "east coast" o guage dealers the better. I know some of the bigger name stores like Grzyboskis for example were present at the Chicago one last year.

There were a few things to buy but for the most part it was an "overall impression" of model railroading in general.

I especially remember "Hotwater and crews" ( Midwest Hi-railers?) modular layout at the Chicago show, it pretty much dwarfed anything else there on rails. An amazing layout.

There were a few familiar faces from OGR magazine there as well.

Hi Guys the LCCA will be there next to the LIONEL DISPLAY.

We will have our mini Layout and display.

GG1GUYY

SAL GAMBINO

If I'm not too exhausted from Trainstock and the Flyers/Islanders games on Saturday I will be there on Sunday.  I plan to get up early and be there by 9:00 and just read a book or stop for breakfast around the corner to avoid the traffic. 

I will definately stop by and say hello to the NP O-gaugers.....Greg

I went to the Houston show yesterday. It was a good turnout for Houston due to the publicity and advertising that it got. Typically train shows aren't very large here. This one had tons of kids which was refreshing to see. We need them to get involved in the hobby. I saw a couple of OGRR forum people. Steve from RCS was there and Texas Eagle was there running their modular display.

I attended the one in Cincy a couple years ago, I was not impressed. Not many vendors or sellers for O gauge. About a half dozen layouts of various gauges.

Depends what you're looking for in a train show.

I went to the WGH show in '09 when it was in Oaks PA.

Huge crowds, hard to walk around and see stuff. Lots of things for kids to see and do. Seminars and workshops aplenty. Outrageously high prices on stuff. It appeared to be geared for first-timers wanting to know more about the hobby and get into it. 

It wasn't my kind of show. I'll probably never go back to a WGH show. 

Here is the list from the show web site.

Operating Model Train Layouts

Allegheny Western Lines 55x65 HO

D and J Train Drag Racing 6'x32' O

East Penn Traction Club 30x40 HO, O

Joe's Brick Depot 12x30 LEGO

Lehigh Valley Hi-Railers 25x60 O

New Jersey Southern NTrak 28x28 N

North Penn O Gaugers 32x48 O

North Penn S Gaugers 26x32 S

Royersford  Modular Model Railroaders 24x51 HO

South East Pennsylvania Garden Railway Society 40x60 G

South Jersey S Gaugers, Inc. 16x30 S

Spirit of  America Railroad 12x20 HO

Strasburg Model Railroad Club 20'x120' HO

Tims Miniature Transit 5x16 HO

Train Collectors Association-Atlantic Division 6x8 O

Train On Time 40x50 Riding Train

A couple things that are nice about the show.  You can use your cell phone and take pictures.

The Lehigh Valley Hi-Railers will have a 25x60 foot layout on display. Stop by and introduce yourself! We will be happy to talk with you. Photographers welcome as always.

Chris

LVHR

I went to the show in Cleveland a few weeks back and really enjoyed it.

I would go again.

Two nights ago I saw about a 30 second ad for the Oaks show on CBS.  This was during one of the highly rated NCIS shows.  It was a good spot, lots of color and three-rail trains.  Good verbiage/sound.  Attractive spot.

It is being advertised.

Large ads in the Phila area newspapers, as well. That's the main reason for the huge turnout, especially during the winter "blah" months.

The Houston WGH Show was good. I got a good deal on a mth building I had been looking to add to my city. I have been to 3 WGH shows over the years; San Antonio in 2009, Ft. Worth in 2013, and now Houston in 2014. Of the 3 the San Antonio show was the best. It was twice as large as the other two shows. More of the manufacturers were there and a lot more venders than in Ft. Worth and Houston.

LCCA Will Be In Philadelphia PA this Weekend for WGHOT show.

The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) invites you to start of your new year on the right track by attending one of the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour Shows near you.  LCCA Is coming to Philadelphia PA for the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour (WGHOT) train show January, 18 & 19, 2014.

This is a friendly reminder that your Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) is coming to the Philadelphia’s World's Greatest Hobby On Tour Train Show (WGHOT) this weekend.  What better way to start off your new year then to be with your family and friends from the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) and with Lionel Trains.  Come to the World's Greatest Hobby On Tour (WGHOT) show and meet with former LCCA Directors Dave Miller and Sal Gambino.    

WGHOT Philadelphia PA

January, 18-19, 2014

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

100 station Ave,

Oaks PA 19456

Show Hours

Saturday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM

Sunday, 10:00 AM -5:00 PM

Admission

Adults: 2 day registration $12/each

Saturday only, $11/Each.   Sunday Only $10/Each

Kids  under 16: FREE!  ( Must be accompanied by a parent)

For those of you who may not have attended a WGHOT show, you don't know what your are missing.   Trains, trains and more trains of all shapes and sizes are there for the enjoyment of the entire family.   Bring the kids, grand kids, neighbors, friends, they will have a ball!  The LCCA is committed to being at this show to help introduce the club and Lionel toy trains to a generation that may not have grown up playing with Lionel trains as children.

The LCCA team of volunteers will staff a booth adjacent to Lionel's operating layout and display.  We are certain you will enjoy LCCA's Mini-operating layout which was designed and built by TW TrainWorx of Dallas TX. This layout demonstrates what can be done within a very small area. 

We may need your help during this weekend train show.  This is a golden opportunity for you to get involved with the club and introduce the Magic of Lionel Trains to thousands of people in just a couple of days. If you and any of your friends are interested in helping out, please stop by the booth and inquire.

Come and see the Lionel layout and speak with Lionel personal.  Lionel has a great hands-on interactive display featuring their new LionChief remote controlled starter sets.  Bring your children or a friend and introduce them to the magic of Lionel trains, the train hobby and the camaraderie of the LCCA.  Better yet, sponsor a new member into our club and receive your very own personalized LCCA billboard insert and 100% Made-in-America Billboard frame.  Both the club sponsor and the new member will receive this personalized set.  We'll welcome them into the club as new members of "The Best Toy Train Club on the planet"!  We hope to see you there!   We know you will have FUN!

Al Kolis

President Elect & Special Events Manager

Lionel Collectors Club of America

248 709-4137

agkolis@comcast.net