York, What do I need to know?

Bob,

First you need to be a member or a sponsored guest to attend. Living in PA it should not be that hard to find someone to sponsor you or you can go to the fairgrounds and join the TCA on the spot.

Yes the meet is quite different than other shows. The meet is aimed at buying/selling trains, very few layouts, but lots of demo displays to see. Several buildings that have every different type of train that you could want. I travel in from Utah once a year to see it, if I lived as close as you I wouldn't miss it

Also on the days, It opens Thursday at noon, all day Friday and closes Saturday about 2. If you only have one day, Friday is the best, followed by Thursday. Saturday is rather anti-climatic but if you have no other chance get there early

It looks like Clem's York primer is still online. This may be too much info, but it does cover everything

Clem's York Primer

And of course we have the York Forum here

According to the temporary page put up by the show's sponsor, "Non-member toy train enthusiasts are invited to attend".

Unfortunately, no details are provided.

I suggest you contact assistantregistrar@easterntca.org as soon as possible.

This seems to be something new. Normally the show is only open to TCA members and their guests.

It is a very large show, folks come from all over the country and even from overseas to attend. There is a mixture of commercial dealers, manufacturers, and small companies selling newly made trains and supplies for Model Railroading.

There are also lots of member table holders offering older trains for sale.

Engineer Bob,

It looks like we're both in Lancaster. I'll be happy to help you with this week's York meet,  -- I'll be there Thursday through Saturday as I'm selling in the Red Hall.  Email me (address in my profile) if I can be of service.

You can attend the meet one time as a guest of a member, then you have to join TCA.  A member has to sign you in, and the fee at the door is $20 for the entire 3 days of the meet (it is cheaper if you pre-register, but it is too late for this meet).

You can also just show up at the meet, pay the $50 membership fee to join and the $20 meet fee ($70 total -  the TCA National site has the application form, and states that the $25 application fee is still being waived) and you are in.

If you want to check it out first, you can probably just show up at the Silver hall, go to the registration desk, explain that you would like to check it out and ask to be registered as a guest.  If that sounds too intimidating, you will have no problem finding someone on this forum that would be willing to meet up with you and sign you in.

This meet is far larger than any show that I have ever been to - it takes up the entire fair grounds (the map is still up at the bottom of the Eastern Division's temporary page).

If you can go, I recommend that you go.  I don't think you will regret it.

Andy

Bob:

There is no other train meet (show) like this one. Not to be missed. You will see more, learn more, and have the best time than what you have experienced before at any other train show you have attended. Go for it!

You have to go to this show if you live in Lancaster.   Take a member up on their offer to sponsor you and have at it.   You can also stop by Ruby Tuesday's on Kenneth Rd between 6 and 6:30 on Thursday night to meet everyone else from the forum who regularly goes to the OGR get together.  

--Greg

Here the link to the pictures from the April meet. You should note no show anywhere else on earth can compare.

https://ogrforum.com/t...4-a-brief-photo-tour

Scott Smith

THIS York, bring your raincoat and umbrella!! It rained the whole stinkin' day all across Pennsylvania! 

Bring cash!

Be prepared to be overwhelmed at how large this show is the first time. Greenbergs, Timmonium, etc. are tiny by comparison. Once you go to one York, nothing beats it if you are in the market for trains.

If you see something you really really want, buy it right then and there. If you make the rounds and come back it just may be "gone".

Go to Vince's Trains in Orange Hall and ask for TrainPop. Just give him the contents of your wallet and pick out your train. Save a few quarters so you can still visit the toilet.

Gilly

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of the replies. I will definitely give it a try. I don't have a lot to spend this year so I might have to glue my wallet shut as I walk around, although I'm sure I won't walk away with completely empty hands. Rob, thanks for the offer to sponsor me. I will contact you shortly. And if I can make it to Ruby Tuesday's on Thursday I'll try to stop by. Thanks again everyone. I'll post pictures of my door layout later today.

Been going to York for years. People from all over show up. Farthest I have met was from Australia!!

quote:

 I don't have a lot to spend this year so I might have to glue my wallet shut as I walk around, although I'm sure I won't walk away with completely empty hands.

There have been York shows where I've spent every dime I brought, and the extra money I got from the ATM.
There Have been York shows where I went home with almost all my money unspent.

Either way, I always had a good time.