York First Timers-What do we need to know

I'm sure you will get much feedback from the group.  As a newbie last spring I can sum it up in one word "overwhelming."  As close an an O Scale enthusiast can get to nirvana.  Having previously gone to the Greenberg-sized shows, this is bigger than any train show I have attended.  I would suggest making it at least a 1 1/2 day event due to the amount of halls.

For a good start, go to the Eastern TCA website:http://easterntca.org/

and look for Clem's York primer. I don't think a new one for Oct 2013 has been put yet, but likely soon will be.

Suggest reading the primer, even the one from last April covers most of your questions.

All the hall are worth seeing, but so not miss the Orange, Silver and Blue halls. Orange hall is mostly new stuff, the Silver and Blue are the biggest of the member halls and have mostly older items

Cash is good for most of the members although a few have taken a PayPal transfer from me. Many will take checks with your TCA number on it.

Most all of the dealers take credit cards and I have never really noticed any offering cash discount so I stick them with the card and keep the cash for the member sales

Really aren't too many seminars that I noticed. The DCS and the Legacy meetings are good if you run either ones command control systems. The OGR Grandstand meeting is OK but usually you can pick up the same info talking to the dealers or watch the video if it is posted (not all are posted). Mostly I spend 2 days wandering around the fairgrounds then spend Saturday touring PA and stealing the Amish's souls with my camera and getting Shoo Fly Pie

Here is a link to Clems 2012 primer, guess there was no update for April 2013  www.easterntca.org/Clem%27s_Primer_Oct_2012.doc

The maps for the October 2013 halls have been put up, you may want to look at those

1)  For the sheer visual impact, I think a first-timer has to start with the Orange Hall.  For the huge array of train-related items for sale -- a lot of which you never even knew existed -- as well as the nice-looking manufacturers' displays, with many of their latest trains running on layouts, it's hard to beat.

2)  Many dealers take plastic.  But it would be wise to bring a check or two, and more importantly lots of cash; when you get to the tables manned by private sellers, credit cards may not be an option.  (Plan before you go..."how much cash am i willing to spend."..then whatever that amount is, bring a lot more!!)

3)  Wear comfortable sneakers, or whatever can keep you on your feet for hours.

4)  If you're looking to meet others you see here on the Forum, make it on over to TGI Friday's on Thursday evening, where the O Gauge Railroading crew and Forumites convene for an informal "happy hour/dinner" type get-together.  A lot of fun.

5) Maybe bring a notepad and pen (or some 21st century technological equivalent!) so when you see something interesting you may want to buy, you can make a note of what hall you saw it in.  After a while, you'll see so much cool stuff that it will start to become a blur!

Those are a few thoughts.  Hope it helps.  I'm sure there's a ton of other things on which people will fill you in.

- Mike

• If there is something specific that you are looking for, make a list and research prices before you go.

• Sensory overload is an understatement. There is good reason badges must be displayed. It is possible to forget your own name and is embarrassing when being introduced to forget who you are....

• If you see something you really want and the price is right. Get it right then. You don't want to remember the things you "should and could have bought".
• Prices are not in stone. If you want to make an offer on an item, make an offer. Worse thing that happens is the seller says "no".

Gilly

All good tips, so far.  Here are some of mine:

Print or bring a copy of the fairgrounds map with you so that you know where the buildings are and other points of interest, like restrooms and ATM's.  On my second York, I forgot my map and almost missed the White Hall entirely (and the great deal I ended up getting there).

Bring change to tip the bathroom attendants - I usually tip around a dollar a visit.

I usually bring a cooler with my own drinks (I like unsweeetened iced tea and stuff sweetened with sugar and not corn syrup).  I have also brought my own lunches on occasion (when I want to eat a little bit healthier), but the food on the fairgrounds is pretty good as far as non-big-chain fast food goes.

If, by any chance,  you get into town Thursday night, the OGR gathering at the TGI Fridays is always a fun time and a great place to meet and shoot the breeze with other forum members.

The OGR Grandstand meet (2 p.m. Friday) is a good excuse to give the feet a rest and see a bunch of manufacturer presentations along with a good dose of humor from our hosts and the manufacturers themselves.

Take the time and talk to people whenever you can.  You can meet some fascinating people from all over, and you can make lots of new friends at York.  It is as much a social event and festival as it is a marketplace.

If you don't have one already, the TCA sells a nice badge holder at the event (at the registration desk, and I think I've seen them selling in Orange Hall as well) for only about $2.

Andy

Here's what I bring:

-Cash (and checks in case)

-Clothes for walking in the weather, as their are several buildings

-Change for the bathrooms

-A list of things I want/need

-Alligator clips, to test accessories at the testing stations

-Garbage bags, to protect items in case of rain

-My badge, holder, and TCA membership card

One piece of advice for you is to remember to eat/drink. I know I get so distracted that I sometimes forget. The way I get around this is to buy lunch and eat it at the OGR Grandstand Meet at 2 on Friday. That way, you sit and eat lunch, while still learning about trains. However, some of the other attendees do get a very hungry look in their eyes from the food.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I will definitely look for the "primer", vaguely remember reading one before.

Follow up and more questions......................

Change for the bathrooms?  Is that for tips or is this a pay-4-pee type facility?

TCA Membership card.....hmmm.  Not sure where that might be.....is there a way to get a duplicate or replacement card?

I understand that I will receive and have to display my badge.  Will TCA send my son's badge too or do we have to pick it up at York registration?

On my registration packet there is a map of the fairgrounds and buildings are identified, is that accurate enough?

Are there ATMs onsite?

Is Friday a good day to come?  My son has school so wanted to minimize the amount of days missed. 

Change for the bathrooms is only for tipping the attendants (they are working for tips only).

I never needed my membership card, but it can't hurt to have it.

The map in the registration packet (also on the Eastern Divisions site) is the one you need.

There are several ATMs on site, but be warned, they sometimes run out of cash later in the day.

Friday is the longest day, so if you are limited time-wise, it is the best day to come.

Andy

Definitely don't miss the Orange Hall, and then hit as many others as you can.  Purple is another good one for more recent stuff, and there are others as well.

Most commercial vendors accept credit cards and a great number of dealers and individual sellers accept checks from TCA members (write your member number on the check).  Cash is always king, of course, but many folks do not like to carry around large wads of bills.

I'm not sure about kid-friendly places to stay because I don't have kids, but I expect that any of the major hotels would be fine.  Depends on where you might be able to get a reservation at this point in time.  If I was going this time around and could not find a room close by, I would head down toward the Baltimore area because I have stayed in the northern suburbs many times in past years.

I always tip the restroom attendants a buck per visit, but I, unlike some, do not have to visit an inordinate number of times.  Those very pleasant guys do a fine job--one that most of us don't even like doing at home--and it's worth a buck just to kid around with them.

You and your son should definitely try to make the OGR Forum's "Thursdays at Friday's" event on Thursday evening, if at all possible.  You'll both be very welcome.  The OGR Forum Meeting in the Grandstand at 2 p.m. on Friday will give you a chance to rest your weary bones for an hour or so, although the grandstand seats, like most grandstand seats, are not terribly comfortable.

Do visit Clem's York Primer for answers to these and virtually every other York-related questions you might have.

One thing I don't think I see mentioned is that if you're on the lookout for a particular item and you see it at your price BUY IT!.  I've missed out on several rare-ish items I was looking for by saying I'll be back and when I did get back it was gone. 

Also, bring one of two of the fabric shopping bags.  They can be stuffed in your back pocket and it's a lot easily to carry small items in them rather than your hands. 

MTH runs some seminars that you can pre-register for.

If you want the MTH York car get it early.  They're run out of them in the past. 

I third or fourth recommend reading Clem's primer.  It has all you need to know.

And it's York.  Bring an umbrella.

Wow.  Everyone has pretty much covered everything.  This will be my 4th York in 2 years.  I also took my son (12) last year on Saturday in October, and wished I had gone on Friday - some tables covered until 10am and some folks packing up at noon.  He did great with the walking.  He asked to come this year, but I hesitate pulling him from school.

1) Read Clem's Primer - it helped prepare...

2) Prepare to be overwhelmed and amazed at the sheer volume of trains and the generations they span.

3) Know what your want.  Make a list.  Use pictures vs. text.

4) Do research before hand and know exactly what you are willing to pay.

5) You will see wild variations on price for the exact same item - example: 6464 Series I re-issue $185 in one hall, $650 in the next.  By the time I realized the $185 was the one I wanted, it was gone.  See #3 - buy it or it may be gone.  There were plenty more for much less than $650, however.

6) I personally do the Orange Hall last.  Figure most of the stuff there is "newer" and manufacturer focused and don't want to miss out on any "deals" on personal member tables.

7) I typically do a round in all halls, then come back to "shop", unless I see something that is a must-have at a good price.   Last year I took a chance and kept coming back to one table looking at an item, once per hour for the last 3 hours.  My indecision and the sellers desire get rid of the item saved me $100.

8) Check under the tables.  I was looking for 3 well-used girder bridges, they were not on my list, and by the time I was on my way home, I forgot to check there.

9) I brought a backpack and a bottle of water.  Plus some plastic garbage bags in case it rained.

10) Last April I went with 3 other guys, and one of them drove.  We had no plans to meet until 4:30pm.  I decided to by a 25lb. engine that I then had to carry around with me the entire time.  Lesson learned - if you carpool, get a 2nd key to the car so you can stash your stuff.

Lots of good replies.

As to the member ship card itself, I doubt you will need it for the meet itself (your TCA number is on your badge).  Reprints can be obtained instantly in person at the TCA museum in Strasburg, but I don't imagine they have the blanks or membership database to do so at the meet itself. 

In terms of non-meet stuff to do: the TCA Museum and Pennsylvania Railroad Museum are both good and down the street fomr one another about an hour east of the fairgrounds.  They have Websites covering days/hours.

And as people have said, if you see something you absolutely must have and the price is really good, go for it.  It probably won't be there when you return.  however, if you see "maybe" items, I carry paper to log item and location to check back on if I don't spend all my money elsewhere.  there are always exceptions, but this is the general rule.

-Dave

If you are a post-war collector or operator you go to the Blue hall 1st, then the silver hall, and then the red and white halls. I presume you have your badges already.

If you are there for at least 6 hours you will have time to walk ALL the halls. I agree that you should start in the Orange Hall.

York is HUGE, so if you see something you want at a fair price, buy it. It is very hard to find where you first saw an item (the rows are marked, but most tables are not). Also, one of the 14,000 other shoppers may have bought it. You can waste a lot of time playing "Where did I see that?".

There are suggestions go to so and so hall first, but many of us have different interests.  I get the impression that each hall has a general area of focus (i.e. member vs dealer)  What would really help is a list of what the various halls are like so we could make our own priorities.

Thanks

Bill

Orange, Brown and Purple: New stuff and Dealers

Black: Operating Display

All other are member halls. I haven't noticed any real divisions in the member halls, they seem to have a mix of it all (Prewar, postwar, modern)

Thursday is the best day to attend the Meet...but that's for someone who has the time and the right personal circumstances.

For a first-time visit  --  FRIDAY (as you're doing) will be the best.  Longest day.  Most exciting day in terms of activity.  Product is still there.  Good choice and you won't regret attending the Meet.

You son will have a blast.

Hey guys I'm a 1st timer also.  About the only thing you haven't covered is food.  Are there any quality food vendors (like pit beef) on site?  I'm not really into junk food.  Thanks.

Food is OK, no 5 star restaurants. Typical fairgrounds food. Burgers, Hot Dogs, Polish sausage etc. A BBQ place that smells good but I never have eaten at it. A traditional favorite is the funnel cake place by the silver hall (Bring insulin). Also there is the White Rose restaurant open on site, not sure of their menu.

Alexanders Restaurant is nearby and a favorite though I find it average. Many like the Round the Clock diner which is close

Food on the Fairgrounds (other than the funnel cake) is not very good, IMO.  Panera, Bob Evans, Alexanders, Logans, et.al., are all close (almost within walking distance).

Round the Clock is 10-15 minutes away--but worth the trip--if you enjoy the truck traffic on Hwy 30.

Wild Mary,

There is a good pit place in front of the Blue/Silver Hall.  Great beef, pork, ham, and turkey legs.  Only problem is that it is 7 or $8( I think) bucks a pop for the sandwhiches.  By the time you add a drink your at $10.  Good but too $$$$$$.  The cafeteria is also expensive and not that great.  I can vouch for the sausage sandwhiches however, chicken fingers seem good also.

Paul Edgar

Some may say it's ALL junk food, but I think it's OK. My favorite is a stand across from the brown hall. I always get their Italian sausage with cooked peppers and onions. $6. but worth it, IMO. If you want "quality vendors", go to the Reading Terminal Market in Phila.

I have sampled most of the food vendors on site, and I found them all to be satisfactory - definitely better than fast food chains.  While I prefer sit-down restaurants for my meals, I find that these vendors are perfect for someone "on the go" - I am there for the trains and the fun, after all, and am content to savor the sit-down meals in the evenings after the meet and in the mornings for breakfast before the meet.

There are two places that sell BBQ pit beef/pork/turkey - the one in front of the Silver and Blue Halls and a smaller one in the area North of Red Hall and West of White Hall.  I assume they are the same people (the prices are the same).

I also enjoyed the sausage sandwiches, crab cake sandwiches and pizza from the vendors across from the Orange Hall.

Also, there is that place on the side of Purple Hall (Sodl's?).  When it is chilly out, their corn chowder sure hits the spot.

There is a lot of variety on site, including lots of snack foods, like ice cream and they usually have a pudding vendor, too.

Andy

Don't forget the free ice cream and York peppermint patty on Friday night in the Orange Hall at the show closing time

Thanks again everyone for the information.

Looking forward to "York"tober.

Another first time attendee.   I'm coming on Thursday morning, and staying over Thurs and Fri nights and going back on Saturday.  I should have total overload by then!   I'm cleaning out the back of my crossover to make room for trains.

I was kind of undecided about going this fall since I can only get off on Thursday and not Friday like I wanted but it looks like I will be there on Thursday and I'll bring the munchkin on Saturday (he's already asking about it with out any prompting from me, I think I've created a monster). Guess I'll have to stop cruising Ebay now so I won't spend all my train budget for York.

Jerry

Well, being right next door, it makes it pretty easy for you!

Not necessarily Gunrunner, me and the wife commute together to Baltimore if she can't take off too I'll have to drive her to work that morning all the way to Baltimore and then turn around and drive all the way to York. Plus, 83 has a bad habit of having traffic issues when you need to be somewhere in a hurry or you're running late. Don't want her to use the parking around where she works, too expensive and too many people get mugged.

Jerry

Hey guys I really appreciate the food response.  Glad to see that pit beef and sausage w/onions & peppers are available.  That's just good comfort food or as we Raven fans say "tail gaten" food.  Now I just have to get some sticker paper so I can print some Coke labels to wrap around the Natty Boh cans.

If you're going to York, it's just silly to drive to Baltimore!

That does make the trip longer.

Another question....For me I enjoy the MPC/Modern era starter sets and mid-range priced items. How is the selection of items from these era. I also I am looking for Christmas related items.

I hope to make with my son in April.

Thanks for any help!

Frank, you will eventually find everything at York if you go long enough.  There is usually a lot of MPC and modern stuff in the member halls, including starter sets, and Christmas items are not hard to find (although they may be easier to find in the Fall).  Dealer halls will have a lot of more recent starter sets, as well, although there are some big dealers that bring older stuff as well.

Andy

Thanks Andy!

Try the Scrapple! 

That's a mean thing to tell a newbie!

WARNING:   Scrapple will kill you.