Just did my registration for York a few minutes ago for me and my guest. Good thing too, deadline for pre-registration ends tomorrow September 5th. Been so busy with work as of late(company moving to new location 15 extra minutes away), that it has just been clear nuts for the past month. Good thing is, should have some extra money to consider more possibilities.
Here is the link to register to those that don't know(I really doubt there is any that don't know, but just in case).
Farmer Bill,
Your ex-employer might have done you a favor in retiring you. Kraft/Nabisco made me very happy 1.5 years ago offering me a package and I said "Thank you very much". I will see in about 4 weeks at York.
Hey Ted, I bet you don't miss this week at all....It's Malomars week at Shoprite! 
Dave,
Don't miss the mallomars mayhem this week nor did I miss the back to school single serve sale at Shop rite last week. Back to back "backache" and "buttache" weeks.
I thoroughly enjoy York now knowing I don't have that Nabisco BS waiting for me the following Monday am after York.
Retirement is grand and sweet!
Ted Bertiger posted: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
Now that gives me an idea - a train meet bug-out bag. Maps, badge holders, wad of cash, copy of train inventory ready to go at all times. And although it seems optional at York, it could also include deodorant, soap, a change of clothes, and fresh underwear.
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'll be the gray-haired guy, slightly overweight, wearing a train-themed T-shirt. Please introduce yourself when you see me.
Mallard4468 posted: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'll be the gray-haired guy, slightly overweight, wearing a train-themed T-shirt. Please introduce yourself when you see me.
I'll be the gray-haired guy with the pot belly, Sperry topsiders, and a shirt with button-down collar. When you see me...RUN!
Mallard and Joe,
My guess is a multitude of attendees could meet your descriptions. 
Though we do have a small photograph of you to go on Joe, I think I will be introducing myself to attendees the whole two days!
Peter, we all enjoyed the last breakfast. Great thing to do.
Being that it will be my first York, just look for the guy who is completely lost, haha. My coworker and guest will be the short old guy with the big belly.
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Being that it will be my first York, just look for the guy who is completely lost, haha. My coworker and guest will be the short old guy with the big belly.
Hmmm, It's my first York too! I'll be totally lost too! No, I am meeting up with Andy Hummel who will already be there when I arrive!
Mark Boyce posted:Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Being that it will be my first York, just look for the guy who is completely lost, haha. My coworker and guest will be the short old guy with the big belly.
Hmmm, It's my first York too! I'll be totally lost too! No, I am meeting up with Andy Hummel who will already be there when I arrive!
I'll most likely be wandering around and wondering what to see first. I do want to have a seat and listen to what the manufactures have to say, maybe some Q&A if that is possible. Always good to ask reasonable questions of people. Hard questions are okay, but right out to left field usually never gets an answer. See what comes.
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Mark Boyce posted:Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Being that it will be my first York, just look for the guy who is completely lost, haha. My coworker and guest will be the short old guy with the big belly.
Hmmm, It's my first York too! I'll be totally lost too! No, I am meeting up with Andy Hummel who will already be there when I arrive!
I'll most likely be wandering around and wondering what to see first. I do want to have a seat and listen to what the manufactures have to say, maybe some Q&A if that is possible. Always good to ask reasonable questions of people. Hard questions are okay, but right out to left field usually never gets an answer. See what comes.
Same here!
Mark and Dave......join us for breakfast on Thursday AM pre-York. A great place to meet people and talk about the meet.....I will put up details around October 1st.
Peter
Peter,
Thank you for the invitation! What time do you meet for breakfast? I am getting up early Thursday and driving out. Barney Google says it is 4 hours driving time.
Mark,
Folks usually gather around 8:30 and are there until around 10:30. It's at the Round the Clock diner at their Route30/I-83 location at 222 Arsenal Rd.
It's a good time if you're able to make it.
Regards,
Greg
Greg,
Thank you! Well on Google that is 3 hours and 42 minutes from my house. It will take me 4 hours. I can do that.
Sounds good Pete, thanks.
Mark Boyce posted:Greg,
Thank you! Well on Google that is 3 hours and 42 minutes from my house. It will take me 4 hours. I can do that.
Mark, Dave,
One note for those new to this gathering. The diner is always packed with staff running around to fill orders. If you wait for the hostess and ask for "Peter Condro's group" you will probably (like me) get a response of "the train folks? They're in the back" with a general pointing in that direction as the hostess moves onto someone else
What I suggest is this: when you enter the diner, the counter and cash register will be directly in front of you. Turn left and walk to the far wall. If we aren't sitting along the far wall we are somewhere in that vicinity. Many of us will be wearing an OGR shirt, our York badge, or Peter will have on his trademark bow tie If you don't recognize anyone just ask folks if they are with the forum gathering. Don't be shy---worst case is you'll get some confused looks until you come across us.
I look forward to meeting both of you as well as any others who may be joining the breakfast for the first time.
- Greg
Greg,
Thank you for the directions!!! Like I tell my wife when we go away somewhere, don't worry about what someone thinks, you don't know anyone here! :-)
Maybe google maps will have street view looking into the diner? Of course like Pete said information to come. Always enjoy a good diner. Is this the traditional meeting place each year?
Here you go Dave.
can we just pay at the door? not a TCA member
Walter Anderson posted:can we just pay at the door? not a TCA member
You can pay at the door with a number of options. Friday & Saturday you can pay for just admission to the dealer halls (Orange & Purple) and Black Hall if there is a layout there. Last York, and I assume this one as well, you could sign up for a one-time 6-month trial membership that, in addition to entry fee, gets you access to all the halls and Thursday admission as well. You could also get signed in one time only as a guest and get access to all the halls as well as Thursday admission. You can also join the TCA for a full membership and, with entry fees, get in to 2 Yorks (pre-registering for next York gets you best discount on entry for the next York).
Andy
Andy Hummell posted:Walter Anderson posted:can we just pay at the door? not a TCA member
You can pay at the door with a number of options. Friday & Saturday you can pay for just admission to the dealer halls (Orange & Purple) and Black Hall if there is a layout there. Last York, and I assume this one as well, you could sign up for a one-time 6-month trial membership that, in addition to entry fee, gets you access to all the halls and Thursday admission as well. You could also get signed in one time only as a guest and get access to all the halls as well as Thursday admission. You can also join the TCA for a full membership and, with entry fees, get in to 2 Yorks (pre-registering for next York gets you best discount on entry for the next York).
Andy
Thank you Andy
Marc,
you will love it. great time will be had by all.
Anyone know if Lionel is offering another special car?
Looking forward to meeting you.
PSU1980 posted:Marc,
you will love it. great time will be had by all.
Anyone know if Lionel is offering another special car?
Looking forward to meeting you.
Thank you! I will be glad to meet you too!
Special York car like what MTH usually offers each York? I didn't think Lionel did that, but what the heck do I know.
Looking forward to this whole big sha-bang and hope I have ample time to take in at least a third or better of what is going on. I have heard that there is no way to see it all(as with anything, you never see it all).
Should I start making a list of things to look for(I do have some things I want to find), or just let go and go with the flow?
Other than looking for a nice N&W caboose, I'm just going to go with the flow.
You should make a list of items to look for and what the latest "completed sales" prices were on ebay. I only look for ebay sales that had multiple bids on ebay. Its a good idea to bring cash. Hopefully most vendors will accept cash.
Figure out how much you would possibly spend in your wildest dreams and then double that number. Bring the cash in a mixture of 5, 10, 20, and 100s. If you can offer correct cash then the sale goes so much quicker. If your interests are specific, then it is not a problem to walk the entire show on Thursday. If you stop and look at everything from prewar to 2017 items, Lionel to MTH to Flyer to ?? then you will need the whole three days.
Bring an extra pair of shoes and something to cover your purchases with when you drop them off in your car. The sun shining through the cellophane on a warm day can affect some products.
I like to eat a good breakfast and have snacks and a cooler with drinks in my car. Then I can take a short break in between bldgs and eat a snack. As far as I know water fountains are only in the blue/silver bldg and the orange bldg.
Look at the map on the eastern division webpage and print it out for a reference of the bldg locations. There are usually two shuttles that run in a circle amongst the bldgs. It can save a lot of wear on your shoes. Bring a sturdy shopping bag for your purchases. Pack a cheap poncho in the car in case it rains.
The orange and purple hall have mostly dealers and the most newer equipment. The red, white, silver and blue is mostly used but some new (or new old stock also).
Seriously bring lots of cash, more than you ever think you will need. You can always put it back in the bank when you get home.
If you see what you really want and the price is fair, then buy it and don't look back or think about it any more. Just cross that off your list and move on to the next item on your list. If you pause or walk around the corner, etc. to think about it, there is a high probability it will not be there when you come back. I have read many stories about that on this forum and a couple of experiences myself. The angst of paying a little higher price fades very quickly as you get home and enjoy your new found prize. However the regret of failing to buy an item lingers in your mind for a very long time.
It will be an awesome experience. The Eastern Division and their invaluable volunteers put on the greatest show imaginable in the O scale kingdom.
The most fun is when you find something you never knew you needed. As others have said, if you find something that "clicks", price and condition-wise, buy it THEN. It is not a easy matter to re-find something. Even if you know the building and row letter, individual tables usually don't carry numbers (even though table numbers appear on the charts). It's frustrating to go back and wonder, "Was it sold, or do I have the wrong table?".
Yeah, always bring cash. I would only use my card for no train related items(dinner out or something like that). I try not to use my card unless there is no other alternative. Of course I don't think anyone will be willing to have anyone who can't pay work on the rails until they pay it off that way, lol.
One of the main things I will bring is a very open mind. I almost exclusively by Lionel, and that is just my preference, but that doesn't mean I won't buy from other manufacturers. Also, my modeling skills are not in practice(way below novice), so I may see about learning some stuff if they have time to teach.
N&W caboose is on my list as well, see what steam choices there are.
Andy Hummell posted:Walter Anderson posted:can we just pay at the door? not a TCA member
You can pay at the door with a number of options. Friday & Saturday you can pay for just admission to the dealer halls (Orange & Purple) and Black Hall if there is a layout there. Last York, and I assume this one as well, you could sign up for a one-time 6-month trial membership that, in addition to entry fee, gets you access to all the halls and Thursday admission as well. You could also get signed in one time only as a guest and get access to all the halls as well as Thursday admission. You can also join the TCA for a full membership and, with entry fees, get in to 2 Yorks (pre-registering for next York gets you best discount on entry for the next York).
Andy
Or you can pick up my tab at the OGR dinner at Quaker Steak and Lube on Thursday night and I'll be glad to sign you in as a guest! 
aussteve posted:Seriously bring lots of cash, more than you ever think you will need. You can always put it back in the bank when you get home.
While there is an ATM machine on the grounds it runs out of money very quickly. For those of you like myself, who do not like to carry a lot of cash here is an alternative. Open an account at your local Santander bank. There is a branch a half mile from the Grandstand on Bannister Ave which is open 9-6 on Thursday and Friday and 9-2 on Saturday.
This also helps control those impulse purchases. If you really want something I've yet to encounter a vendor who wouldn't take $20 from me to hold an item while I ran to the bank to take out money and return 20 minutes later.
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Should I start making a list of things to look for(I do have some things I want to find), or just let go and go with the flow?
A list is always a good idea, however, from my experience, your first visit is likely to be a bit overwhelming due to the sheer size of the meet and the many items you will see which are unique to York. At least in my case, I found myself forgetting I had a list let alone what was on it for a few hours at a time.
Go with the flow and have fun is the best advice for your first visit and by all means, as others have mentioned, if you see something you may want at a good price just buy it as it most likely will be gone when you come back.
-Greg
Lots of good advice in the last few posts. Just a couple of things to add regarding payment options. I second the idea of having a mixture of bills - not only does having the exact amount speed up the transaction, but I think it's bad form to bargain a price down from $95 to $80 and then hand the guy a hundred dollar bill. Also, many sellers will take a personal check; I've had lots of folks say they've never gotten a bad check from a TCA member (I'm sure there are a few exceptions). When buying from dealers, the sales tax situation can vary. I've found that most dealers will discount the item to cover the tax when paying with cash. Some do the same for checks. When buying from a dealer, I always ask if there is a discount for cash; if they say no, I whip out the plastic.
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Special York car like what MTH usually offers each York? I didn't think Lionel did that, but what the heck do I know.
......................
They did one in April, but the catch was that they specified up front they were only making 50 of them. The line to purchase one probably had everyone in line that was actually going to get one within 2 minutes of the meet opening.
There was much discussion (much negative) about it on the forum at the time, but I don't have a link handy at the moment. They easily could have sold 200 (or more) of them. The catch and double edged sword here is that if they didn't announce a small quantity, the demand vary well may have been less and they could have gotten stuck with them. It's a fine line there for an importer to figure out where to set the production number.
Part of the reality is that the demand was there due to the low production quantity. (also probably because it was the first time Lionel had offered a "York Car" for a meet).
As to the ATM/Bank situation described above, that is a good point. Depending on who your local banking establishment is, they may have a local branch near the Fairgrounds. Check out Google maps and search for your bank name when focused on the fairground area to check.
-Dave
Thanks Greg.
Oh, BTW, I was talking to my coworker about Pete's invite to Pre-York breakfast. His response was, "I don't know who you're talking about." I laughed and said, "Don't worry, I do."
645 posted:Dave45681 posted:Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Special York car like what MTH usually offers each York? I didn't think Lionel did that, but what the heck do I know.
......................
They did one in April, but the catch was that they specified up front they were only making 50 of them. The line to purchase one probably had everyone in line that was actually going to get one within 2 minutes of the meet opening.
There was much discussion (much negative) about it on the forum at the time, but I don't have a link handy at the moment. They easily could have sold 200 (or more) of them. The catch and double edged sword here is that if they didn't announce a small quantity, the demand vary well may have been less and they could have gotten stuck with them. It's a fine line there for an importer to figure out where to set the production number.
Part of the reality is that the demand was there due to the low production quantity. (also probably because it was the first time Lionel had offered a "York Car" for a meet).
As to the ATM/Bank situation described above, that is a good point. Depending on who your local banking establishment is, they may have a local branch near the Fairgrounds. Check out Google maps and search for your bank name when focused on the fairground area to check.
-Dave
Correction - the special York car (only 50 made) was by Lionel (not MTH) for spring 2017.
MTH used to offer a special York car for many years but don't think they have for the last few years. When MTH did it it was more than 50 so it was a little easier to get one I believe.
I believe I had seen a video from the April show where MTH had offered their York boxcar, at least that is what the video had said. I think that was either last year or this year. If I could remember what video it was(other than obviously about York), I could say for sure. Only other problem is I don't remember which YouTube person posted it. 
Regardless of if they stopped, could always talk to Mike Wolf or one of MTH's reps to get the story on that and maybe they would start up again(unless of course they still do).
I do definitely want to sit in on any Q&A's from either MTH or Lionel(or if there is any other manufacturers) just to get my feet wet.
Just have to hope I can hear what is being said, might be some train whistles, or horns blowing all over the place.
Putnam Division posted: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...
How about if we've been to York before, can we still come?
Since we just moved and are still living in "box land" and repairing things in the new house and because we haven't yet sold our old house, money is leaking all over the place. I'll have to sit out the October YORK Meet but we'll be there in April, God willing.
Enjoy the Meet ladies and gentlemen!!
Brian,
I already know this has been an almost overwhelming time for you. I will certainly miss meeting you in person! Money is leaking all over the place! That's a new way of putting it, but I can certainly concur it has happened to us before!
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