York First Timers-What do we need to know

I always keep a supply of plastic trash bags (13 gallon) in the car.  Great for transporting things in the event of rain and for keeping purchases somewhat concealed while stored in your car.

Go put it in your car, simple as that.

So I am thinking of attending York on Friday only.  I am currently not a TCA member so what would my total cost be to join the TCA and attend  the York show? 

 

Thanks,

 

Rick

$50 for the annual dues plus $20 door admission to the meet.  Normally there is a one time application/initiation fee($25), but according to the TCA Website, that is waived through June of 2014.

 

So $70 to walk in the door if you do it this October.

 

-Dave

 

I bring 2 or 3 realtively small containers and some packing material that I load  in the car trunk. I have purchased fragile items and rolling stock that have no boxes. It is difficult to protect these from damage as you fill the trunk with other items you find. This ensures a safe trip home and is handy to tote all your new treasures into the house.

Sam

If driving there, change your oil before leaving home.  A good lawn chair to put in your car to take a break during the day.  I also pack a lunch, on Thursday,  to have at the car to get away from the crowd. Also a nice tote bag to haul your stuff around until you get back to your car.

Fill up your vehicle with gas before the meet.

 

That way, if you spend all your money on trains you will still have enough money to get home, or at least most of the way home.

If you are traveling by car, it might be a good idea to bring a small cooler with some cold water and maybe a few snacks.

As far as the trains go, I like to bring some packing materials for the trains. I will usually bring a few cardboard boxes, a package of gallon sized food storage bags (no ziplock), and some newspaper. If I purchase any unboxed trains I slip a food storage bag over the item (sometimes long items need one bag slipped over each end) and wrap the train in newspaper before placing it in the cardboard box.

Boxes items go into the cardboard cards too. This keeps every thing neat, and prevents damage on the way home.

You change your oil for your 49 mile trip?

My trip is 92 miles, maybe I should at least check the oil?

 

You're right it is only 49 miles, but better safe then sorry,  BTW going Salmon fishing in Pulaski NY week before so needed oil change for a big Fish On!!!!

Hmm... even the minimum recommended oil change interval is 3500 miles, do you really change your oil every time you're going to drive a couple hundred miles?  Get's kinda' expensive and time consuming I would imagine.   I think if you change your oil for your Pulaski, NY trip, my guess is you won't need another oil change until after York.

 

I'd think a lot more useful suggestion as far as the car prep is concerned is to check all fluid levels, check the tire inflation, including the spare, etc.

 

I would respectfully suggest your Number One Priority, if you want your enjoyment to be to the maximum, is get plenty of rest ahead of time and eat well - healthy - and avoid the junk food (which can give you a temporary "high" then drop you down hard.)

 

Oh, and also drink plenty of fluids.

FrankM

This is going to be silly question to some, but I live in Hawaii and have not been to one of these super sounding shows, so the question is this... what is all this talk of badges for ?

Do you have to have one to enter the show ?

If I was planning on going to one of these shows what exactly would I need to do..

Sorry for asking but I have no clue....

 

 

You have to be a TCA member (Train collectors Association).

The TCA has made it very easy to join. Sponsors are no longer required. If you wish to attend York, you can join the TCA at the door. You would just have to pay the annual dues, and the York admission fee.

The TCA puts out a quarterly magazine, and a separate quarterly swap sheet. In addition, there are some members only online resources.

Plus the air fare from Hawaii to Baltimore...no small expense.

You can attend York one time as a guest.   I'm sure one person from the forum would be glad to meet you at the meet and get you registered as a guest.

 

--Greg

Gunrunner, I used to have a car like that! 

 

Jerry

I've had one you had to add oil every couple hundred miles, but that's different.

 

so, you had self changing oil?

Yep, and all the drivers behind me got an oil bath!   It was so thick when I stepped on the gas that it looked like I had a fog generator.

 

That was long ago, my cars now go the full mileage with no leaking or burning of oil.

 

It also keeps the mosquitos down too.

How about showing a map of the Fairgrounds. Especially where the halls are located.

 

Jim

See sheet 7.

 

-Dave

In case anybody missed it:  New guy buys the beer! 

Here ya go: Y10/2012

 

 

There's a map of the fairgrounds with the halls identified in the middle of your York Meet Notice booklet.

BEST ADVISE

 

Bring LOTS of $$$$$$$ !!!

Makes perfect sense to me - I see you've included a well-worn pathway to at least one major restroom, as well as a dog-path journey or two, eh?
FrankM

The map in the registration booklet (also available at York if you register there), is as good as any because it names the hall colors, which are unique to the TCA York Meet.

Maybe I should have not been so brief.  The "sheet 7"   link I posted was for the Fall 2013 registration book others are referring to.  Has hall colors.

 

Since it's quite possible someone may be a new member, guest, or may intend to sign up at the meet to join, It didn't seem right to me to just say "see the registration form you got in the mail" .

 

-Dave

If you see something you like at a fair price, buy it. It will disappear if you try to shop around and come back later.

To answer your question about badges, when registering, either by mail or in person, you are given a paper badge about 3" square with your name and member #.  You wear it on the outside of your clothing and the security guards at each doorway allow you in.  If you "lend" your badge to a buddy to save the entrance fee and get caught, you get in trouble.

OTOH if you do choose to pass it up, you will likely find something else in the next row or building,  that you absolutely must have, that you never expected to see, at a 'please take me' price you can not refuse! ...