I pre registered on-line for the show on Thursday, 8/17, and today the TCA Eastern Division Registration envelope arrived. 49 days away.
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I pre-registered a couple weeks ago and was surprised at how quickly they mailed out the passes. This will be my first show. Coming from Berks County, PA.
Matt
Badge109 posted:I pre-registered a couple weeks ago and was surprised at how quickly they mailed out the passes. This will be my first show. Coming from Berks County, PA.
Matt
Badge109, congratulations on your first York meet. You're in for a treat. If you get a chance, stop by my table (Blue Hall I45) and say hello.
John
BlueComet400 posted:Badge109 posted:I pre-registered a couple weeks ago and was surprised at how quickly they mailed out the passes. This will be my first show. Coming from Berks County, PA.
Matt
Badge109, congratulations on your first York meet. You're in for a treat. If you get a chance, stop by my table (Blue Hall I45) and say hello.
John
Ditto here - it'll be a blast! Stop by the Quaker Steak and Lube on Thursday night as numerous fellow forumites gather there for dinner. It's open to everyone - just head to the back - it's informal, folks just grab an open seat 
-Greg
Badge109 posted:I pre-registered a couple weeks ago and was surprised at how quickly they mailed out the passes. This will be my first show. Coming from Berks County, PA.
Matt
Matt, whereabouts in Berks? I live off Hwy 73 between Oley and Boyertown.
Johnsgg1 posted:Badge109 posted:I pre-registered a couple weeks ago and was surprised at how quickly they mailed out the passes. This will be my first show. Coming from Berks County, PA.
Matt
Matt, whereabouts in Berks? I live off Hwy 73 between Oley and Boyertown.
Not very far from you! I'm in Douglassville.
Certainly still an excellent and large meet run by nice people but one designed to turn away business by keeping out the public. Successful businesses do not exclude customers. Can anyone say otherwise? IMO, to go after the same exact audience every year will result in zero growth and sinking attendance numbers. NO hobby show can continue to survive in today's times where both a rapidly changing demographic and an exclusionary process bears on the results. Like it or not that is a the reality of the situation. Apparently many TCA members disagree but lets see how York looks in two more years. Please prove me wrong.
Dennis, enjoy it for what it is, let the future take care of itself. 
Dennis, in case you did not hear - the public is now allowed on certain days.
Paul
There he goes again....another non-member shooting his mouth off belaboring the same old views. It's a meet among members...not a show.
-Greg
Dennis LaGrua posted:Certainly still an excellent and large meet run by nice people but one designed to turn away business by keeping out the public. Successful businesses do not exclude customers. Can anyone say otherwise?
The TCA was not established as a "business", but rather as a group of like minded members, who pay membership dues and follow membership rules. Your position is a good example of "the tail wagging the dog".
I will chime in with those who are welcoming new participants, and especially TCA members, to the TCA Eastern Division's bi-annual York Train Meet. It remains what is arguably the biggest and best toy train meet on the planet. It is something of a Mecca for O and S gauge collectors and operators in particular (with a smattering of other scales thrown in). It's not as crowded an event as it was 10, 15, or 20 years ago--largely the result of changing demographics--but it is still a great place to spend several days or even a full week if you can carve a slice of time out of our hectic workaday world to do so. Even more important than the buying/selling-trading of trains is the opportunity to be with thousands of others who share a common interest in the world's greatest hobby (which is what I truly believe it is). I'm looking forward to seeing a good number of you folks at York in October because being with friends--old and new--is the highlight of the event for me.
Allan Miller posted:I'm looking forward to seeing a good number of you folks at York in October because being with friends--old and new--is the highlight of the event for me.
Couldn't have said it better, that's a major part of the reason I go to York.
Allan, You said it all. It's the greatest train meet on earth by far. See you there.
They have trains for sale at York?
Keeping the public out? Come on we all know the public is welcome on Friday and Saturday in the dealer halls where they are required to collect sales tax.
I am really looking forward to exhibiting in the Orange Hall for the fourth time. Each one has been a learning experience for me as I work to evolve the awareness of my product among the O Scale community. When you make the decision to attend one or more days in October, please make a concerted effort to stop and talk with as many exhibitors as possible. Somewhere along the way we all share a passion for model railroading and all that goes along with the hobby!
In case you want to plan ahead- here's a little about me. I spent four years in consulting civil engineering working on mass transit and railroad projects: the Washington Metro, Linden Yard and SIRTOA platform extensions for the NYCTA, and electrification of the NY&LB Railroad. I have owned a modelmaking business for over 25 years now with a world of experience in project types, and modeling materials and methods. And along the way, was the adult leader for the Somerset 4-H Trainmasters, an O Scale modular club, for 14 years.
So if you are not (yet) a TCA member, take the plunge and plan a trip to York on Friday and/or Saturday. Shake and howdy with the likes of OGR, Lionel, MTH, Atlas O, and hundreds of other exhibitors!
Well said, Allan.....
I'm packed and ready to go. 
As usual, I will announce (around Oct 1) a Thursday AM, pre-Opening breakfast at the Round-the-Clock Diner on route 30, just east of I-83. It's always a great time.....and, for those of you traveling alone, or, coming to York for the 1st time, it's a fun time to meet fellow York adventurers...
Peter
Well I registered yesterday for my first trip to York. I want to go to the DCS Users Group Wednesday evening, and breakfast sounds great, Peter. Because of ageing parents and mother-in-law needs, I don't know yet how long I can stay, or if I will have to scrub the trip altogether, but I will give it a shot.
The DCS Users Group is 6 days after my scheduled second cataract surgery, so I hope I can see better than in the last few years! LOL. Wish me the best, and I hope to meet many Forum friends for the first time!!!!
Mark Boyce posted:Well I registered yesterday for my first trip to York. I want to go to the DCS Users Group Wednesday evening, and breakfast sounds great, Peter. Because of ageing parents and mother-in-law needs, I don't know yet how long I can stay, or if I will have to scrub the trip altogether, but I will give it a shot.
The DCS Users Group is 6 days after my scheduled second cataract surgery, so I hope I can see better than in the last few years! LOL. Wish me the best, and I hope to meet many Forum friends for the first time!!!!
I hope you are able to go! Please do stop by the breakfast Peter organizes and/or the dinner at Quaker Steak and Lube on Thursday. Regardless, there are TCA members at virtually every restaurant you go to regardless of the night so it's usually not too difficult to strike up a conversation. I'm sure if you mention you're looking for places to hang out and have a meal you'll get several suggestions at the DCS users group.
-Greg
Mark,
Good luck on the cataract surgery! 
Chief Bob (Retired) 
Thank you Greg and Bob!!
Greg, I forgot to mention the Thursday evening at Quaker Steak also! Bob, the eyes have really gone bonkers in the last year and a half, but the surgeon comes well recommended!
Putnam Division posted:Well said, Allan.....
I'm packed and ready to go.
Peter
Peter,
Your always packed and ready to go. 
NJCJOE posted:Putnam Division posted:Well said, Allan.....
I'm packed and ready to go.
Peter
Peter,
Your always packed and ready to go.
And Joe, you are moving closer to York if I recall correctly. Just keep your bags packed too!!
Mark Boyce posted:The DCS Users Group is 6 days after my scheduled second cataract surgery, so I hope I can see better than in the last few years! LOL. Wish me the best, and I hope to meet many Forum friends for the first time!!!!
Be VERY careful of your activities for the first few days after the surgery. I got careless for the first eye and the lens got displaced, they had to do it again! @#$% You'll also have a mountain of eye drops to bring along as well.
John, Hindsight is always the best, so it is good to hear from someone who had problems. Thank you!!! Yes, I intend to follow instructions completely. At least by York time, I should be an old pro at the eye drops since the first eye is scheduled September 28th.
The key time is the first 24 hours. You can't tilt your head forward and bend down, that puts a lot of pressure on the lens and it's likely to get displaced. It's harder than you might imagine not to look down!
gunrunnerjohn posted:The key time is the first 24 hours. You can't tilt your head forward and bend down, that puts a lot of pressure on the lens and it's likely to get displaced. It's harder than you might imagine not to look down!
Ah ha! So I won't be able to walk around, because I'm always stumbling on stuff if I don't look down. My wife will have to put away everything she leaves laying around! Don't let her know I let out her secret! Sheepish grin!
Peter,
You are always packed and ready to go. Do you ever unpack when you get home from a York or do you leave that suitcase packed for the next one? Lol!
See you in about 6 weeks.
Ted
As for the "Negative Nancies", do us us all a favor and stay home. A lot of us thoroughly enjoy the camaderie first and then maybe buy some trains.
Peter, Mark and Team
If you attend, just have fun, that's what this is all about! Meeting people you email with or discuss items with on the forum, maybe buy a few trains to have fun with, and generally jut enjoy the event.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Is the October YORK meet again open to the General Public or to everyone, only on Friday and Saturday? Is it still only the Orange and Purple Halls? Thanks, a few friends of mine want to know.
Laz, The answer to your question is YES.
Submitted online before the early registration deadline. Found out my job is going away but plan to go to York anyway. Scrapple is on me! I should have something else lined up before too long. No, I'm not a real farmer.
Mark Boyce posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:The key time is the first 24 hours. You can't tilt your head forward and bend down, that puts a lot of pressure on the lens and it's likely to get displaced. It's harder than you might imagine not to look down!
Ah ha! So I won't be able to walk around, because I'm always stumbling on stuff if I don't look down. My wife will have to put away everything she leaves laying around! Don't let her know I let out her secret! Sheepish grin!
Just follow GRJ and DR's advice and you should be fine! I couldn't believe the difference it made for me, just incredible! Anyway, Good Luck!
Just noticed I need a new avatar, I don't need the glasses any more except for really fine print.
rtr12 posted:Mark Boyce posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:The key time is the first 24 hours. You can't tilt your head forward and bend down, that puts a lot of pressure on the lens and it's likely to get displaced. It's harder than you might imagine not to look down!
Ah ha! So I won't be able to walk around, because I'm always stumbling on stuff if I don't look down. My wife will have to put away everything she leaves laying around! Don't let her know I let out her secret! Sheepish grin!
Just follow GRJ and DR's advice and you should be fine! I couldn't believe the difference it made for me, just incredible! Anyway, Good Luck!
Just noticed I need a new avatar, I don't need the glasses any more except for really fine print.
Will do! Thank you, Bob! I don't know about going without glasses after so many years. I'm used to making a spectacle of myself. 
Mark Boyce posted:Well I registered yesterday for my first trip to York. I want to go to the DCS Users Group Wednesday evening, and breakfast sounds great, Peter. Because of ageing parents and mother-in-law needs, I don't know yet how long I can stay, or if I will have to scrub the trip altogether, but I will give it a shot.
The DCS Users Group is 6 days after my scheduled second cataract surgery, so I hope I can see better than in the last few years! LOL. Wish me the best, and I hope to meet many Forum friends for the first time!!!!
That's awesome. You will love it.
George
Mark Boyce posted:rtr12 posted:Mark Boyce posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:The key time is the first 24 hours. You can't tilt your head forward and bend down, that puts a lot of pressure on the lens and it's likely to get displaced. It's harder than you might imagine not to look down!
Ah ha! So I won't be able to walk around, because I'm always stumbling on stuff if I don't look down. My wife will have to put away everything she leaves laying around! Don't let her know I let out her secret! Sheepish grin!
Just follow GRJ and DR's advice and you should be fine! I couldn't believe the difference it made for me, just incredible! Anyway, Good Luck!
Just noticed I need a new avatar, I don't need the glasses any more except for really fine print.
Will do! Thank you, Bob! I don't know about going without glasses after so many years. I'm used to making a spectacle of myself.
Out of close to 20 years I wore glasses, at least 19 years were spent getting used to them. The going without adjustment took much LESS time! Although I will admit that it did take a bit to adjust to not having anything to adjust, look for, clean, etc. that goes along with wearing them.
55 degrees in Richmond today....it's October, York weather!
Peter
As always looking foward to York. As a suggestion though, how about some designation or symbol on our badges to indicate our participation and enjoyment of the forum. It might contribute an interesting dynamic to the event.
Tom McGriel posted:As always looking foward to York. As a suggestion though, how about some designation or symbol on our badges to indicate our participation and enjoyment of the forum. It might contribute an interesting dynamic to the event.
I have a OGR metal pin I place on my badge. Over the past 7 years of wearing it, no one has commented (including those at the OGR booth). So much for the "interesting dynamic".
