York Fall 2015 Meet - What did you get?

Boilermaker1 bought the GP60M GP60B. B&O946 got the GM50 set. But best of all I stole a 6 car N&W GGD set.

Steve

A real man-Maker's Mark. 

Hmmm, Maker's 46 would be nice! 

Picked up tons of stuff at scenic express, some miller signs and this track cleaning car.  Its made from a Weaver box car and has two rotating pads, no fluid is needed with these pads.  The are spring loaded and it runs off track power.  Lifetime warranty to original owner.  Pad holders slip right off when not track cleaning and you can use as just a box car.  Each pad covesr the inner rail and the outer rail on the side that pad is on.  Has a nice easy to reach on/off switch.  I ran it on my brand new track and it already made them cleaner.  Plus I love the Weaver graphics!

The entire first year of O-Scale Railroading magazine in great condition for a song!

--Greg

A successful York spending way more money than I should have....(famous last words?)

* MTH Transformer and LCL Containers for my freight yard

* JT's Smoke Fluid (or as I call it, "The Sauce"

* Model Power figures from Nassau Hobby

* A Station platform and water tower from Just Trains

* An MTH Railking Southern Pacific Hi-Cube boxcar from Just Trains. 

* A Sherri's Crabcake Sandwhich

*Hurting feet....

2 Pencil Sharpeners! (One is a Boston Ranger 55 )

Picked up 3 Weaver 50 ft flats for a great price,  even was able to buy 3 sets of Weaver diecast couplers,  bought a MTH 60 foot flat with a US Army Hemitt load from Ralph Digges in Purple Hall.   I have been looking to buy it for last 3 Yorks and finally took the plunge.   Will make a nice addition to my modern US Army train.  Ralph does rally nice work on loads he puts on various flat cars.  Bought about 20 different vechicles for our club layout,    Also bought 22 metal figures for our various scenes at club layout,  one maybe too risque to use.   VBG   Had a great time seeing friends and having lunch and dinner with folks over the two days I was at show.   Was sorry  to see Elizabeth was not there with her Wall of Trains and Arttista  did not come.  I believe the owner's wife had an accident of some kind.

I bought an MTH Railking Penn Central gondola car from Just Trains and of course got the MTH York Car as well.

I had to limit my York Purchases to leave enough room for Randy T who was in my car for the trip. (just kidding Randy)

1. Had a great time as Randy is a lot of fun (Lets Go METS!!!)

2. A Lionel Legacy SD60 in BNSF SD60, Thanks to the guys at Nassau Hobby

3. Paints for my newly acquired air brush

4. Prisoner and Police people for a nice Road Gang scene

5. Replacement saw blades and other Exacto knives

6. loads of barrels, crates and pallets and dull-cote from scenic express

7. Picked up a full case of plaster cloth from Scenic Express for the club logging line

8. Mega Steam smoke fluid

First York trip in 25+ trips where I did not purchase any Rolling Stock.

• An original (Eastwood era - 1998) Monopoly Mint Car - last piece I needed (except for the 3 Monopoly Engines from this era which I will not be trying to acquire)
• A MPC 2324 (445) Switch Tower
• MTH York Car
• GLA 11
• CTT Archive DVDs
• Greenberg 2016 Guide
• METCA Trolley pair from 2016 convention (though this was technically before York at the TCA Museum)

-Dave

Free reading material

Two spare motors for my Marx #490 (or as we call it at my house - Old Sparky) $10

A spare early 70's MPC #8300 (IF my original even dies!) $10

OGR GLA Vol. 11 Blu-Ray $19

4 bottles of Tru-Color paint $24

Pumkin Funnel cake $5

TCA badge holder $2

I was in frugal mode for my first York.  $70 dollars spent at the fairgrounds.  

Meeting fellow forum members, seeing all the toy trains and 3 great layouts $priceless$

man!, did they start letting in the flea market people for sellers? seems purchases were pretty meek this time around.- Jim

In ascending order:

Two aching legs

One aching back

1 Y6B

Assorted cars for grandson and me.

Socializing with old forum friends.

 Vince's and OGR forum guys got most of my York funds this time.  I had to pick up 3 items I ordered from the Buy/Sell Board (3 buildings, Pennsylvania RR MU cars, NYC Passenger cars) and got 2 very satisfied deals from Vince. (6 Q type subway cars and 8 Pennsylvania K-Line aluminum passenger cars)   Along the way through the halls picked up some Lionel operating accessories, people, Miller sign, telephone poles, led flashing police car, and couple semi trucks.  All in all a very good York. 

I got some beautiful near new prewar pieces for my collection. Every York is better than the last one. I hit every hall at least 3 times except the purple & brown halls which to me are a waste of time. Can't wait for April. 

I bought a Lionel postwar tender for $5. It's a little beat up but it's better than the one I have at home. This one the screw holes still work and on mine they are all broken and the trucks turned white (I have no idea why).

I bought the Hamburger restaurant from River Leaf Models. A long time ago Andre from River Leaf Models fixed one of my locomotives for me. It was awesome to meet him and see his incredible work in person. He is a great guy.

I bought my wife the Good Humor truck from Dept. 56 buildings. She's not a big collector but she loves those GH trucks.

I also got a Lionel PS1 boxcar that was already converted to 2 rail for only $40. What a deal! I'm not home right now so I can't post any pics.

At the last York there was almost no 2 rail--maybe 2 pieces is all I saw. I'm not complaining as I don't want to turn York into a 2 rail show but I like to see a little 2 rail there. This year (not that there was a lot) but there was more 2 rail there than I have ever seen before. The table next to 3rd Rail had an estate collection--all really nice brass pieces, a table near Lionel had a whole bunch of 2 rail (the whole table), Gorge Kohs was there, and I saw a table displaying a Atlas 2 rail GP35 with the LokSound system in it (Wow that sounded great) and I saw at least 2 other tables with one older 2 rail locomotive on each table. And don't let me forget Sunset/3rd Rail themselves and SMR.

What a great time I had. I can't wait until April!

I had a great time at York on Thursday. Breakfast with friends before and dinner with them after at Quaker Steak.

As far as purchases, the load was light this time. I picked up some more Trainshelves, more smoke fluid from Mega-steam, and traction tires from MTH parts, all of which saved me sales tax, and shipping fees, paying for my Meet admission and TCA membership...thanks TCA.

I really enjoyed the Lionel product demonstration of the new Vision Line GG-1 by Mike Reagan, new product information right from the horses mouth...this is the kind of thing that really makes me appreciate the TCA and brings me back to York.

They may finally get it!  York was bookended with the Strasburg O scale show, where

I only picked up two pairs of O scale archbar caboose trucks, but found out Keil;-Line had been bought, found three more pairs of arch bar trucks at York, a White Box

1936 1/43ed Ford sedan (had not before seen White Box or Neo...saw both), and

discovered, and was ecstatic, that Hallmark actually made a 1936 GMC pickup (Hey,

not a pre-war Ford...done to death) so glommed one of those, found two cheap RMT

Budd cars, for chasses to power my just begun American Standard Car Co. gas electric

kit (and maybe the promised McKeen mentioned on the Forum), and at Timonium,

in a rush through this morning, found a book on Missouri Pacific power, including a

lot of gas electrics to maybe kit bash one.  Did not find the book on CB&Q cabooses.

With all the money blown on motels, three shows are MUCH better than one!

I'm just getting into the more modern, "scale" stuff, and the new DCS and Legacy systems. I bit the bullet and picked up a DCS Command System and a new Pennsy M1a Coal Hauler set along with a couple extra Berwind, GLa 50 ton hoppers. Needless to say- I'm excited! 

Had a weaver wish list but didn't find any of them. Did get a couple of wood chip loads from Don Kane for the new Lionel wood chip hopper. Made the car look so much better then the Lionel load. A couple of Miller signs. More Mega smoke. Gar Graves specialty track for the new gantry crane coming from Lionel ( my first accessory since the fifties).  The new price guide from Greenburg.............Paul

it was pretty good hunting! found a lionel 2 8 0 steamer in Orange Hall for a great price compared to other sellers at other Halls.  A Miller Engineering power supply for some sign. A speeder - BRAND NEW - for around $59.00.

  the man in white hall with the coca cola building selection came thru AGAIN! I snagged 2 more building and stayed at my " a little at a time" rate in accquiring these. they rarely have much coke advertising affixed to them, but they are absolutely perfect for O or S scale! And a couple a boxcars...shoulda snagged the WM F units off Charles Ro.....looking at ads at home, now I see the price was very fair.  dag nabit!

    wish I knew Scott Smith was still at Shrewsbury, I too stayed over friday nite...and the 32oz Sam Adams Octoberfest was a great dessert.

This was my first York, and I really enjoyed the Silver, Purple, and Orange halls. I am focusing on my layout, so was looking for scenery and the like. I got:

• MTH silver single track steel arch bridge, and the smaller girder bridges to go on either side of the arch
• MTH flatcar (really just for the tiedown chains, I'm planning a homebuilt load for a weaver flatcar and really like. The mth premier tied own chains)
• a pair of switches
• a couple other misc. track pieces
• my new MTH catalog and an engine maintain kit!

sandjam, do you have any contact info for the cleaning car co? I saw his booth and watched the demo, and was planning on stopping back by, but didn't make it. How much did it cost?

I got a Ross 3 way switch from a forum member, some Gargraves track and several Korber background buildings to keep me busy while I am in Florida.  On the other side it was my second best selling show ever in 36 years.  At my best show I sold a like new boxed Girls Set which makes a big difference.

Due to a flood of pre-orders coming in in September, my train budget was limited this York, but fortunately, I sold nearly half of the stuff I brought for my table, so I was able to pick up a few things.  I came home with the Lionel PS-1 Cotton Belt boxcar that the TCA national was selling in the Silver Hall, an Atlas reefer and a K-Line boxcar that were on my want list, the new GLA Blu-Ray from OGR, and a couple bottles of Mega-Steam.

Andy

That blu-ray is FANTASTIC!!!  Popped it in the blu-ray player late Thursday night and watched Bob Bartizek's "Pennsylvania & Western" segment on our 54" HDTV, then watched Bill Bramlage's "Tower City" segment Friday morning.  All I can say is WOW!!!

World-class layouts and a world-class production.  The blu-ray is tack sharp... giving you the impression "You are right THERE".    For a few extra bucks, get the blu-ray.  It's SO worth it... even if you need to buy a blu-ray player!  They're cheap now (under $100).   

Can't wait to watch the disc again on the big screen in the home theatre!!! 

David

I agree David. I watched it as soon as I got home. Both are incredible layouts but the Bob Bartizek is more my speed. I watched that segment twice. Great job OGR!! I can't wait for the next DVD!

Yes, one of my Faithful Scouts and fellow 2 railer reported that, and actually ran out of money;  his 'fav' purchase was a Thomas 4-4-0, 2 rail ex-works.

He also reported seeing a pair of Fulgurex 0 scale locomotives in the Red [ ! ] Hall;  one was a French 0-10-0T, the green version -- does anyone know what the other was ?

Best regards, SZ

It's made by MNP out of Newport News, VA  757-596-2309.  www.mnpinc.com  The best part is that if you want a different road name or graphic, its a standard Weaver box car and you can swap out the shell from any other one.  They are not cheap by any means.  185.00, but the design seems very smart.  2 pads that rotate and each pas covers an outer rail and the middle rail.  All the others I have seen the pads just drag along parallel with the track. So basically the same dirty spot gets dragged along the track. This actually cleans and polishes at the same time.  The pads are easy to change and not expensive and the pad holders just slip right off when not using it for track cleaning.  Heavy duty motors and a Lifetime warranty to original owner is a pretty good deal too.  We will see how it works out but so far it seems like it will do the job very well.  Plus when I was at the booth, he told me you do not have to change the pads until they are basically pitch black.  So they should last a long time.  I bought a bunch of extras. 

Do be aware that the boxcar models have 2 rotating pads, which stick out from the side and may interfere with switch motors.  They also make a singlke pad model which doesn't interfere, having only one centered pad.

Both layouts represent the epitome of why we're in this wonderful hobby.  Bob's layout definitely tugs at the roots many of us recall from our HO "scale days" reading Model Railroader magazine and John Armstrong books about track planning for realistic operation.  

OTOH, Bill's layout wins the prize for a layout that plays to the stage like a Broadway Show.  Simply magnificent!  

And beyond the actual layouts, the video production gives us a great glimpse into the personalities of each of the layout's creators.  Well produced.

Admittedly, there's no denying that real-life issues present challenges to most of us "playing with trains full-time".  But if these two layouts don't inspire us all to hit the ground running, nothing will.

David 

Can't speak for other track systems, but no problems on my Fastrack switches. 

I went to York expecting to buy only things to enhance my layout scenery, but in the blue hall, I happened upon a 1981 Lionel train set, that included a Norfolk and Western 611, and 6 matching passenger cars, asking price of $525.00, looked it all over on Thursday, went to think it over at the hotel, and thought I might make an offer Friday, after going through the white, red and silver halls, ended up in the blue hall, had a nice talk with the owner, tested the engine, took it back, but didn't make an offer.... after making the rounds and doing a little visiting headed back to the blue hall and took one more look, now you have to understand I am a Pennsy guy, it's all I run on the layout, but I have always admired the Lionel version of this engine, so I asked "what is your bottom on the set"? he said $450.00, I replied $425.00 would be better..... He said "OK"! All it needed was to be lubricated and smoke added, looks and runs like a top! I did buy some scenery things and a some smoke fluid, but I had more fun at this York than I have had in quite a few years, hope all of you did too!

Got my MTH York boxcar, natch.

Then went over to RPO trains because they always have interesting unboxed stuff. But this time something in a box caught my eye.

I have been looking for MTH's Amtrak rapid-discharge hoppers ever since I decided to build a NEC ballast train. Most of what I had was the result of buying up Just Trains' stock (4) back at the 2012 Fall York. Since then I've been looking for the six-car sets and literally none were around to be had. The set was not a limited-edition, but it had apparently sold out, and those who had them weren't selling. (From the Aarons' Trains thread, I spotted some of the separate-sale cars, and while they were all the same number, I made a mental note to clean them out after York.)

So lo and behold, I spot one of the ballast hoppers in RPO's booth, out of the box on display. Then I saw another behind it. Looking at the side of the box not only revealed product numbers with letter suffixes, but more cars. And they had different road numbers. I had found one of the six-car Amtrak ballast hopper (rapid-discharge) sets, less than ten minutes after walking into the show--SOLD. That made my day. Now I have 11 ballast cars. 

And to top it off, I have a lead on components to build an Amtrak Anniversary train, but that story is in the "deals that got away" thread.

---PCJ

I'm just now recovering from my York Meet hangover. And I need another hit, I can't wait six months!!

Due to several soon to be delivered pre-orders, our haul was a bit lighter than usual. I left sooo many things on the tables.

After fueling up with breakfast at the Lyndon Diner on Thursday morning, I was ready for the hunt. But I had to be selective with less ammo than usual. Of course, once you enter "The Vortex of Fantasy" that is the York Meet, all responsibility is abandoned. I tried so hard, but it was futile. Once I entered the Jungle that is Vince's Trains booth, I was hopelessly lost. Also, the evil and notorious Charles Ro blindsided me by having a friend work the booth and present me with a great deal to complete my Christmas train.

So here's all the glorious goodies I was helpless to refrain from:

MTH Union Pacific 4-8-4 FEF w/ ProtoSounds 2.0 in the Greyhound scheme
Lionel Polar RR Legacy 4-6-2 K4 w/ Whistle Steam
Atlas O (Industrial Rail) PRR 4-4-2 (For the start of my Grandson's first set)
MTH Premier Full Dome Passenger Cars (Santa Fe, Gulf, Mobile & Ohio, C&O & Erie) (For my excursion Train)
Lionel Scale Dow Chemical Unibody Tank Car and 3 Bay Hopper (Custom for Henning's)
Four Lemax Metal Fence sets
K-Line by Lionel Norfolk Southern Operating Paint Shop
Lionel Pirate Ship Ride
Lionel Angela's Gallery Building
Woodland Scenics Depot
40 Beach Figures
(7) Department 56 Buildings
(3)Yuengling Beer custom made Freight Cars (including a cool bulkhead flat car with keg load) w/ matching custom K-Line MP-15 (conventional)
(2) O scale resin Amish Horse & Buggy
Miller Engineering Rotating Signs (Bowl, Motel, A&W & Diner)
Miller Engineering Northern Pacific & Meadow Gold Ice Cream Billboard signs
Miller Engineering Woolworth's, Rexall Drugs & S&H Green Stamps flush mount signs
Miller Engineering Window signs (Jewelry, Bail Bonds, Pizza Hut, Paradice Club & Dunkin' Donuts
OGR Blu-Ray Great Layout Adventures 11
And two Railroad Hand Towels my wife found to use when we host the Northern Central High Railers group

Here is what I got at York, sorry no photos

Lionel

Elevated Trestle

Passenger station

Flood light tower

Rotating beacon

Amtrak Work Train Set

Train Order Station

B&M Blue caboose

Operating Giraffe Car

C&NW Poultry Car

NPC Xmas Box Car

Turbine with whistle tender

Amtrak bunk car

Kalmbach DVD Classic Toy Trains

MTH

Smoking Air Products Tank Car

Amtrak Engineering Car

Semaphore signal

The best thing I got at York was the chance to spend time with my wife and daughter.

The second best thing I got at York was a chance to meet new friends and talk with old ones!

The third best thing was this Standard Gauge Set!

If your York was half as good as mine, congratulations!!!

Steve, you did get rolling stock, it came in a plastic baggie in little rusted squares!

Don