York Highs and Lows.

These are recurring feelings I have about the York Meet.

Highs

*The people.  The members of the TCA and this Forum.  Getting together, breaking bread and talking about trains and catching up on life with friends and meeting new friends!  And it's such a pleasure to chat with the manufacturers and dealers.  I just wish there was more time to talk to everyone at more length.  Heck, my cousins were at the Meet and I didn't get to see them either!

*The DCS meeting on Wednesday night.  Aside from the great new info, this for me is the kick-off to the York Meet.  Even driving through the monsoon Wednesday afternoon didn't dampen my excitement driving to York.  It's the first social event for me of the Meet and it's so fun getting to see some familiar faces for the first time in six months and seeing their excitement too!  Then after the meeting some of us head over to Round The Clock Diner to continue the party and have some pie.

*The trains.  Just being surrounded by the items of my favorite hobby is like a carnival atmosphere and enhances even more my comments above!  For awhile now I have not made a specific list of items to look for at the Meet.  They just seem to find me, even those I didn't consider before or expect to find.

*The OGR Gathering at Ruby Tuesday's on Thursday night.  What a great tradition!  Mingling with Forumites and raising a glass to this great hobby.  Every one of these events I try to chat with more people, even as the attendance increases.

*A new focus and vision for the redesign of my layout, which I believe will make it easier to work on, maintain and operate.  The end of the Meet wasn't as sad this time as I figure the redesign will take me right into the April Meet and perceivably shorten the time between the Meets (along with other local shows until then!).

*Also, what fun it is that my wife attends the Meet with me and enjoys it as much as I do!

Lows

*None.  Other than 2PM on Saturday arriving too soon. 

No lows!

Great deals, great trains and great friends!

See you all in April. (or at Allentown in a few weeks or Trainstock in January)

Peter

Here is my report:

A Newbie’s First Trip to York

After having followed the posts about York, I thought that I was ready and knowledgeable for my first trip. That plan went out the window when I pulled into the parking lot via the Carlisle Ave gate. I was directed to a good spot under a tree, got my bags, list and hall map and off I went.

My plan, simple, I had a list, 21 items on it, prices, dealers who had the new items I was after. After careful planning and research, I decided that my best attack was to hit the members hall first and then the dealer halls. I opened the door to my first hall, and my mouth dropped open and my eye balls popped in shock!

Words can’t even come close to describing what I saw and felt! It was GREAT, but at the same time overwhelming!

I started with my list and found a few items right off the bat. But the one thing I really wanted was the # 2359 B&M GP-9. I finally found it in my 3^rd hall! Marked at $ 120.00 and I told the dealer how this was the last piece of my original trains I had as a kid and he nodded and said a hundred bucks and good luck! Thank you!!!!

I found the gentlemen with the transformers and I spent a good 30 mins going over the various ZW’s on display for sale. I settled on a ZW that was in good shape, cross another item off the list. To the car with the first load, and back to the fray!

By the end of my time at York I had money still in my wallet and had found only 7 items off my list! I must confess that this was a bit of a surprise as I thought I would find all I wanted and then some.

Now for my thoughts, please don’t flame, this was my first ever York experience…

The Good:

• Great people! Everyone I met made me feel at home and welcome!
• Thrilled to meet Lou Palumbo and get his book & DVD!
• PIT BEEF, yummo!
• Well organized and laid out aisle plans
• More trains than I ever saw

The Bad:

• Aisles way to narrow
• Guys using scooters should obey the rules of the road!
• After registering, I never rec’d the package that the TCA used to send out with all the info on the Meet. Maybe they do and mine never showed up. Saw some folks with them.
• Cell phones use in the members halls? Wish I had a nickel for everyone I saw in use, could have bought a few more goodies
• Not at lot of the items that I was looking for.

The Ugly:

• I found that common courtesy was out the window. I was bumped and jostled and only got a handful of ‘excuse me’s’. Holding doors for some one must denote some type of weakness, so tough luck for you if hands were full. This is a hot button issue with me anywhere I am. Lack of civility and common courtesy.
• Aisles blocked by groups talking making it impossible for anyone to pass. I waited behind a group of gentlemen discussing in rather vulgar terms a seller who had priced an item higher than one wanted to pay for over five minutes! I said excuse me 3 times to try and move past this group, no one turned, blinked or acknowledged me. After the 3^rd attempt one gentleman turned and looked at me and went right back to paying attention in the group. Finally I was forced to use my ‘job’ (law enforcement) voice and just said “move!” And as expected like Moses parting the Red Sea the group opened a passage for me and then closed right back up. That was wild to see and be involved with! And the amazing thing to me anyway was at no point during this entire exchange was I even acknowledged or did they even miss a beat! I still shake my head at this.
• Should have a hygiene class for some people, by afternoon it was getting ripe!

Recommendations:

• Has anybody thought of a brief 10 – 15 minute orientation for first timers? Could just give overview of what to expect, how to get around etc, just a thought but might be helpful.
• Dealers & Members selling should make sure to bring everything I have on my list!
• More PIT BEEF, a stand should be outside each hall, front and back!

In closing, I was awe struck and overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of items and collectors all coming together. I don’t think that on your first visit that you can really appreciate all that York is! For me it was a blur and I felt like I was in a trance going hall to hall, aisle to aisle. I will be back, hopefully for the October show! To all who work to make this show what it is, please accept my thanks, York was all I dreamed it would be!

Frank:

Thanks for your first timer's report. I found it very interesting and you put a lot of thought into it.

One thing I did not experience, and we covered all of the Halls, was the lack of courtesy. With that many people in the aisles, you undoubtedly will accidentally run into people. We found courtesy everywhere with an excuse me.

I ma glad that you had a wonderful experience and you will return. This Meet has no equal and you eventually will find what you are looking for.

This was my first time at York- thoroughly enjoyed myself! 

Highs- 

* The people- friendly, helpful, had some great conversations

* Great deals!  

* The sheer size- who wouldn't love building after building of trains? 

* Well organized 

Lows- 

* Didn't have enough time. I was only able to come for Friday afternoon. I didn't realize the member halls would be closing at 5:30 and the dealer halls at 6:30, so I was moving very fast trying to get through everything. 

Cell phones are allowed in all halls, no picture taking in member halls.

Jerry

Highs:

1) So many good friends and quite a few new ones.

2) Quite a few folks asked about my photography and I delivered three prints to a very happy fellow.

3) I got to meet and chat with the amazing and incredibly talented Bill Bramlage. What a great fellow !

4) Clark and Mrs. Dunham complimented me on the Muniz Lines ! High praise.

5) Ed Boyle smiled and shook my hand. Ginny wasn't even there !! Lots of folks asked about Ginny. They wewe sorry she was not there. She had to work so I could buy lots if trains  

6) I got to chat with Scott Smith and his wonderful son. What a nice young man.

7) Mike Reagan was in a good mood !!

8) My truck, Nellybelle, was being repaired and I was able to con MIke Lauria into driving.

9) Our hotel, Best Western Westgate, was great with a good rate. They provided unlimited chocolate chip cookies (like I need them) and a great Acela lighted pen !!

Lows:

The only low was the nice folks at Gryzboski's Trains who refused to give me a receipt for an $850 Legacy engine claiming they were "Out of receipts." Asked them three times and on the last pass saw a Gryzboski's salesman with a booklet of receipts. Fortunately, Mike Reagan came to my rescue because the loco needs a fix. 

Highs

Meeting Alex and Dina Malliae and trying to figure if our families came from nearby cities in Italy.

Meeting our Editor in chief, Allan Miller.

Meeting Roger Carp at Brand X’s booth.

Getting Lionel’s  Mike Reagan to laugh - - I told him I really liked the Big Boy, but I would need a new house in order to build a layout that had bigger curves.   He though that idea had marketing potential – “the Big Boy is so amazing that Lionel enthusiasts are buying bigger home to fulfill their dreams”.

Talking to many TCA members.  Most sellers were more than happy to answer my questions and share knowledge on why similar items were priced differently. 

Seeing every Hall and most tables in just about one day.  Could not believe how much American Flyer was available!

Found a beautiful Lionel 726 engine and 2426 tender (both works great), two operating giraffe cars, a set of Northern Pacific conductor buttons, the Brakeman Riveter tools, Two Miller Engineering signs, a Korber  radio station kit,  some smoke Fluid,  tiny figures,  Roger Carps latest book, a Jack Pearce lighted fire truck, and some old railroad stock certificates.

 Going to Valley Forge on the Sunday after York.

Lows

Should have arrived on Thursday afternoon rather than Friday to allow more time.

Not going to the OGR Forum Grandstand meeting where I could have meet more forum members.

Being away from my beautiful wife for 9 days.

It was a pleasure meeting you too, Dave! I hope we'll meet again in the future.

Glad you had a great time at York, Dave. Sorry we missed meeting you. Thanks for the photos of your York treasures.

Meeting and socializing with many great fellow hobbyists at York is always the highlight of the event. I've never met anyone there who I didn't like.

 The high point was also saying goodbye to an outdated TCA. As my final York, I'll certainly miss it, but if the ransom is a $50 TCA membership just to get into the event, count me out or I'll just wait it out. TCA is losing membership at the rate of 200 per month. Its just a matter of time!!!!!

Non-contributing members weed themselves out...hopefully the "right 200" quit every year...QUALITY, my man, not quantity...you just never miss a chance! THANK YOU!!!

quote:

Meeting and socializing with many great fellow hobbyists at York is always the highlight of the event. I've never met anyone there who I didn't like.

I don't think you've missed an opportunity to complain about the fifteen dollar dues increase.
Unless you live close to the York fairgrounds, I'd guess that 15 dollars is barely measureable when compared with all the other costs of attending the York train meet.

I intend to maintain my TCA membership indefinitely, regardless of whether I attend the York show.

I think this is a very narrow minded statement.  I joined TCA yes primarily for York but also reap the other benefits mainly the friends I have gained over the course of time and the other benefits that the TCA offers.

but if the ransom is a $50 TCA membership just to get into the event

 "I joined TCA yes primarily for York but also reap the other benefits mainly the friends I have gained over the course of time and the other benefits that the TCA offers."

Marty this is reason enough to pay the fifty bucks. The friends we make and the York Meet are irreplaceable. Just taking your best lady out for a good dinner is going to cost you more than a TCA membership. 

Thanks for stating this thread as it has been a great pleasure to read so many favorable comments about the most recent York Meet. Why anyone would give this up for $ 15.00 more is beyond me. Go figure.

I spent an arm and a leg for motel and meals, and the cost of getting to and from

there.... I didn't find a stinkin' thing...and I still would not have missed it...

$50.00 for membership is a drop in the bucket, certainly if you can attend York.

To be honest, I am not yet a member of the TCA.  I attended my first York this October to see what the York meet was all about.  I had heard good things, but even the descriptions and stories from others could not do it justice.  I drove from Tennessee with my Dad and my brother (a 9 hour drive) in a 2005 Dodge Ram (not exactly friendly on the gas).  I spent a fair amount on a hotel room for 3 nights (roughly $600 split between my Dad and I).  Needed 3 beds so stayed at a more expensive hotel.  Plus the cost of meals.  I got some great deals on stuff I bought, but the savings didn't cover the cost of the trip.  But you know what, I plan to join the TCA and continue attending York in the future.  And the main reason for that is the people.  I didn't meet many of you there (my own fault).  But I did meet some other great people and I hope to meet more of you in the future.  The cost of TCA dues is a drop in the bucket for the York experience and the opportunity to talk with some great people.

Each person needs to make there own decision on their membership, but that is my two sense.

TNHokie:

You summed this up very well. You can't place a dollar value on the friendships you make on your York journey. Welcome to the TCA. Smart move.

TNHokie---I’m glad to hear you enjoyed your first experience.   The gang will be there waiting for you at Ruby Tuesday’s next year.  Come introduce yourself!    Your response summed up the York experience quite well.   I’m in the process of tearing down my layout in order to better organize my basement and rebuild.   Though not in the market for anything I wouldn’t miss York for anything less than a family emergency (and I still will end up finding stuff to bring home).  I always enjoy meeting and talking to those I know in the hobby – it’s priceless!

--Greg

Now that it's 2 weeks in my rear view mirror, I've had a chance to really assess the trip. I had a blast as usual. I brought 2 modular group members with me. Both are joining TCA. They were amazed at the show.....and enjoyed the people most of all.

I have also realized that I got a great deal in the Silver Hall. I bought a very lightly used New York Central S2 switcher with Legacy for $275........an excellent value, and the engine is flawless.

Looking forward to First Frost next weekend.

Peter