Your Allentown First Frost Haul

Looks like some nice pieces.  The F-150 looks sharp.  The glimpses of your layout look very nice!

Some odds and ends for scratch building, scenery sheets, a scale gondola for a project.  Got there at 1030 from NJ just as the rain started.  Seemed not as well attended as in the past.  More than one vendor commented they were cautious with what they brought due to the layoff.  No OGR table.  Several tables were folks selling off there stuff, leaving the hobby.  Whoever bought from them got some huge deals.  Left at 2pm. Drove home in a fierce storm but the trip was worth it.

Not much, but I enjoyed the show.  I delivered a couple of items, and I picked up some shelving and a diecast car.  I also got to talk to a bunch of friends, one of the big reasons I love to go to these shows.

I didn’t get a lot, but I knew that going in. I actually sold some RMT pieces to start the day. I found some of the KLCC PRR Streamliners early this year, and I really like them, so my main objective today was to find more. Mission accomplished. I am up to five out of the eight. My Dad worked for Ford Motor Company, so that explains the next one. The Triumph is a Matchbox Collectible model. I have to decide if it goes on the layout, or in a display. The other two are just for fun. All in all, I had a great day.

I'm going on Sunday as it is an easier to drive there in the am. I was helping out at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft, NJ who is putting up their annual train layout. The grand opening is scheduled for November 21. It was not up last year due to covid and the museum being closed.

Regardless, looking forward to the Allentown show, like if I really need more trains.

Ron, I still have not used those speakers and will get around it it. Being retired does not mean you do nothing, just more busier now than when I worked!

A NIB Rockville bridge for $200, a trolley barn, a MTH beer reefer and an Atlas box car.

- Greg

I bought a book that a friend of mine was looking for....then went back an hour later to buy myself a copy.

Other than that I came home empty handed, but had a great time seeing a lot of people that I have not seen in a while.

I really enjoyed the show and came home with some great postwar deals. I couldn’t help thinking how much more enjoyable these shows would be if the aisles were one way only.  

@MerCrewser posted:

I really enjoyed the show and came home with some great postwar deals. I couldn’t help thinking how much more enjoyable these shows would be if the aisles were one way only.  

I don’t mind the folks walking in the other direction, it is the people standing in the middle of the aisle talking, and completely oblivious to folks trying to get around them. Saw a group of 7 or 8 people yesterday, standing in a circle. Didn’t matter what way you were headed, you were stuck.

I made this video of the event yesterday. I took some footage inside and reviewed all my purchases. Lerro's watercolors won the day for me,

I just posted mine on the “Buy Anything Cool” thread before I noticed this one.

I had a pretty good haul.  Had to take a load to my car and come back for seconds.

I really like the TR3 Scrambler.  You must have gotten to that booth before me.  I would have grabbed it if I saw it first.  I did get a Lotus Super Seven and a 53 Vette from him.

Tony is right about Peter Lerro’s work.  I have several of his prints and if I had more wall space, I would have gone home with one or two yesterday.

Also agree with John.  Talking trains and cars with friends is something I look forward to at meets.

I came home with an MTH operating Xmas car and an Atlas A&P reefer both of which were on my list to buy if I found them there - and both came from Justrains of DE.  They always have a nice setup.  I also got a great deal elsewhere on a Weaver PA wartime gondola.  Other purchases were some Xmas figures, scenery sheets and some odds and ends.

As for the show itself, there were no empty tables that I can recall.  I arrived there at about 10 yesterday and I parked further away than I ever had.  I thought the place was fairly crowded.  Since I had purchased my tickets in advance, I jumped the line of 25-30 people.  I also noted that there seemed to be a steady flow of incoming until I left at about 2.  Many people leaving with several packages at hand.  Personally, I thought that prices generally were a bit higher than expected.  I do agree with some people being clueless in that they would block the aisles — I’ll pass on the insults I’d otherwise offer about them.  Bottom line, it was just really nice to be there as there was a high level of energy.  

Bob

@Lehigh74 posted:

I just posted mine on the “Buy Anything Cool” thread before I noticed this one.

I had a pretty good haul.  Had to take a load to my car and come back for seconds.

I really like the TR3 Scrambler.  You must have gotten to that booth before me.  I would have grabbed it if I saw it first.  I did get a Lotus Super Seven and a 53 Vette from him.

Tony is right about Peter Lerro’s work.  I have several of his prints and if I had more wall space, I would have gone home with one or two yesterday.

Also agree with John.  Talking trains and cars with friends is something I look forward to at meets.

Well, we had breakfast together, so I couldn’t have gotten to it too far ahead of you. I love those 1:43 Matchbox models, but this was the first time I have seen the Triumph. I already have the Jag and the MG, so I had to grab this one.

@Bob Golfs posted:

Many people leaving with several packages at hand.  Personally, I thought that prices generally were a bit higher than expected.

Bob

I thought there was a mix of pricing and negotiation possibility.  Some prices were high like the seller thought maybe there was a bar of gold inside which made it more expensive.  I found that if I went to another table I could find the same or similar for less.

Just Trains had an MTH Premier 5 car C&O passenger set for $145.  I thought it was an exceptional deal and walked by three times.  But I do not have a need for C&O passenger cars.  I tried to tell myself it was a good deal, I should buy it, but my common sense kicked in.  Hopefully someone went home with it.

I haggled on everything except the pickup trucks for $1.  That was already a great price so I gave the fella $3 and took all three.

Many places all you had to do was pause and look or touch something before they would say, "I can do better on that".  The Premier Boxcars I have were listed at $25 each.  I offered $40 for two and he said yes.

I purchased an Iowa Beef Packers Lionel car for my friend.  It was listed for $32.  I was texting my friend asking if he wanted me to buy it and the fella said, tell him it's $29.

Unless I absolutely need it, I'll move to the next table to see what the next person has.  The owner and friend of our local train shop used to say... Nothing is rare.  There is no shortage of this stuff.  It's in basements all across the country.

Ron

The best thing was seeing and catching up with folks for something like the first time in two years. Breakfast at Ritz Barbeque was very good with some good, hardworking staff looking after us.

Picked up a couple MTH Premier items--a PRR cabin car, and a sharp-looking NH 40' AAR Boxcar.  Also picked up a Marx crossbuck sign ( I'm not a tinplate collector, but was kind of charmed by it) and a signed print from artist Peter Lerro, who had a large display of prints for sale. For those not familiar with his watercolors, they are excellent.

Lerro Productions

Was Gene Clee parts man from Pa. there? Dave

Ron,

I’ll have to team up with you in the spring to learn your technique!

Bob

I thought it was a great show. When I got there at 8 this morning, I pretty much had the halls to myself. It was nice to walk the isles and not run into anyone. The prices seemed to be good and everyone I dealt with was asking me to make a offer. I loved seeing all the layouts and train races.

I picked up 2 Lionel cars that were project cars for 5 dollars each and a MTH Rugged Lines Norfolk and Western full vista dome car from Just trains. Overall glad that i was able to go and  can't wait for the next show.

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone,

David

Just got back from Allentown to watch my NY Jets get blown-out.
Show was excellent, restrained myself from buying even more trains. I bought nothing but was great to see and chat with folks that I have not seen in at least 2 years.
All in all, Allentown is a top-notch show. February dates are late in that month for 2022 so the prospect of bad weather may or may not happen then.

Came away with a ZW. Have been using a KW but just always liked the look of a ZW. Bit of an impulse buy. Got it home and plugged it in and blew a fuse. Tried a different outlet and blew another fuse. It was from the table that was selling mostly transformers. He told me he replaced the cord and rollers. Guess he just didn’t test it first. Dropped it off at Hennings and hope to have it back by Thanksgiving. Should have just bought a ZW from Hennings in the first place. Live and learn. Still had a good time though.

Hennings rehabilitated my old KW; as far as I know, it had been in our family since it was new. I even once painted it with gray paint when I was a kid (don't ask, I don't know why either).

Just got home from the Allentown show. My Son and I visited on Sunday morning.  Since on Saturday, we were riding roller coaster's in the November cold at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson New Jersey.   I purchased a Lionel MPC era Ruffles chip reefer 9813 and the small O27 NHL Boxcar 9360.  My Son got some Kato N scale track.    We spent  some time watching the train races.

It was a rough drive home to Maine.   Hit a huge pot (sink) hole on the NY Thruway.   It took out a half dozen cars.  Flat driver side tires.   My tire got a side wall budge.   I hope the rims are ok?  We took it slow the rest of the ride home, in fear of a side wall blowout!

@Mike McCutcheon posted:

It was a rough drive home to Maine.   Hit a huge pot (sink) hole on the NY Thruway.   It took out a half dozen cars.  Flat driver side tires.   My tire got a side wall budge.   I hope the rims are ok?  We took to slow the rest of the ride home, in fear of a side wall Blowout!

Glad you and the family are home and safe.  What a story.

Ron

Second that--glad you got home ok. That's quite a drive!

Allentown First Frost was very well attended, happy to see that. Like others, I could have spent a lot more $ but remained calm/disciplined. I’m trying to put together a Lionel post-war IC passenger train consist; picked up an IC F3 diesel for a great price at the show and it runs like a champ! Now searching for a B unit and passenger cars. Looking forward to the Spring Thaw show in February.

Went on Saturday and bought several postwar pieces to compliment my fleet, and able to get all on my parts list. (Less tax and shipping) met a train friend who i use to work with years ago that put the icing on the cake. It rained driving home but had no problem driving there or back. There were some very high prices but a lot of dealers were flexible which was a plus. Averaged 15-20 dollar reductions and pkg deal for two boxed cars i needed. I love this show and think it is the next best thing compared to york. Plus shorter drive to boot. Can’t wait for next one.

Nice pictures and videos. I wish I could have made it but just too busy with other things unfortunately. Maybe Spring Thaw? I guess we'll see how busy I am then. Thanks for posting all.

Better late than Never(but never late is better)! I've had this thread opened on my browser all week until I could get some decent pictures:

Major Weaver haulage! The 3 "normal boxed" freights all have either die cast trucks and/or a weighted interior  were $45 total- IMO a good deal

The Conrail 50' PS-1 w/ weighted interior +diecast trucks(finally a blue conrail freight!), EMD 75th anniversary 40' PS-1 w/ weighted interior

Titan America 4 bay Center Flow w/ die cast trucks and weighted interior- likely the nicest weaver center flow I've purchased. Got the GATX tank train for $50 from Gryzboski's and wish I would've picked up on or two more!!

Below is the reason I wish I had another tank train! Doesn't look bad with this Atlas 33k tanker BUT would look bed with a tank train to connect!

Lionel ATSF 50' double door boxcar with end doors from Just Trains of Delaware! Thanks for the deal! The Weaver Ford PS-1 40' was a cheap eBay find.

I do need to find a lower ramp for the end doors lol

The Weaver box on the bottom left in the first picture is a custom GP38-2 in GM&O livery- IMO another good deal here, $50 for a good non powered unit in a time when non-powered engines go for 100 minimum!

Below is the GM&O trailing leading  my post-ATMA haul from this week, from a fellow TCA member- Santa Fe with BNSF stamp legacy GP35

Last but not least-My first Weaver TofCee- again at a decent price. In great shape

Sorry for the blurriness, but here it is on mainline

All in all- a great meet and I got some great stuff!

@StevefromPA posted:

Better late than Never(but never late is better)! I've had this thread opened on my browser all week until I could get some decent pictures:

Major Weaver haulage! The 3 "normal boxed" freights all have either die cast trucks and/or a weighted interior  were $45 total- IMO a good deal

The Conrail 50' PS-1 w/ weighted interior +diecast trucks(finally a blue conrail freight!), EMD 75th anniversary 40' PS-1 w/ weighted interior

Titan America 4 bay Center Flow w/ die cast trucks and weighted interior- likely the nicest weaver center flow I've purchased. Got the GATX tank train for $50 from Gryzboski's and wish I would've picked up on or two more!!

Below is the reason I wish I had another tank train! Doesn't look bad with this Atlas 33k tanker BUT would look bed with a tank train to connect!

Lionel ATSF 50' double door boxcar with end doors from Just Trains of Delaware! Thanks for the deal! The Weaver Ford PS-1 40' was a cheap eBay find.

I do need to find a lower ramp for the end doors lol

The Weaver box on the bottom left in the first picture is a custom GP38-2 in GM&O livery- IMO another good deal here, $50 for a good non powered unit in a time when non-powered engines go for 100 minimum!

Below is the GM&O trailing leading  my post-ATMA haul from this week, from a fellow TCA member- Santa Fe with BNSF stamp legacy GP35

Last but not least-My first Weaver TofCee- again at a decent price. In great shape

Sorry for the blurriness, but here it is on mainline

All in all- a great meet and I got some great stuff!

That was some haul.  You definitely maximized your cost of admission.

Ron

@Ron045 thanks!! Since a meet this past summer, each time I've gone to a meet I've tried to make sure that any "normal"(aka usually available online + not tinplate) rolling stock, locomotive or accessory I've purchased would be less than the price I'd pay, NOT including shipping, through a physical LHS near me, on eBay and an online dealer. For certain items I'll pay equal to the online price-again NOT including shipping. After this haul I aggregated the online price and shipping for  the same or similar items and I spent no greater than 40% of what I would've online or at a dealer closer to home. Put another way, I saved at least 60%. IMO- some good deals were had!!