Full Version: The Quality of train shows today
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I typically love going to train shows, not just for the fact of a day out enjoying the hobby in a way other then building or weathering or the usual but in part for the hunt. The search for that elusive locomotive, or set of passenger cars.......hum sound like anyone we know.. Icon_lol
Lately more often then not when I go to train shows there seem to be more and more vendors with tables full of non train related stuff. I've seen RC toys, doll house stuff, toy cars and a whole pile of useless junk. How about you guys when you go to a train show do you want to see train only stuff no matter what the scale and maybe the memorabilia stuff or the rail fan aspect of the hobby or do you even care that they are more like flea markets then trains shows .
A few years ago, I went to a "nationally" acclaimed model train show here in Houston. I was completely dissappointed. There was more "non-model-train" stuff than model trains. Drinking glasses with train logos, blankets with train logos, signs, t-shirts, hats, train umbrellas, bumper stickers, toy train crap, train dinner plates... "where the heck are the model trains??"

Now, there is a local club that puts on a show each year, and it is about 90% model trains. Very good, I really like that show.
The train show out here are pretty much train oriented to an extent. I don't remember seeing rc toys. There is the 1/24 scale die cast cars, but that is offered as details for large scale. My complaint would be that my interest is strictly ho scale. Some of the shows I've been to have 90% of the vendors catering to large scale and Lionel with 10% focused on n-scale. I have actually been to a couple of shows in the past that did not have one single vendor selling anything for ho scale! Of course the only thing I look to buy at the shows is stuff that I can't get from my local hobby shop. In the past I've picked up locomotive shells out of "grab boxes" for kit bash material. I usually get tools from the train shows. Occasionally I get a locomotive that my local shop does not carry, a couple of undecorated Bachmann GE 70 tonners at the last show for instance,
but new locomotives that I can get from my local train shop, I don't generally buy. I've seen too many of the guys pick up what they thought was a deal, only to put it on our layout and find out that it didn't work.
I agree -- I enjoy going to train shows to see all the different scales, to enjoy the atmosphere and comradery.

The quality of train shows varies from one to another. I don't think I've seen too much in the way of non-train related, junk though. Sure, there are a few tables of toys, cars, etc., but it's not over-done IMO. Most of the stuff being sold is train related.

Rob
There are three "shows" that are annual offerings in my area. The Dupage County show,( aka "the junk show" ) is a swap meet type show, but is predominantly trains, all scales, with a heavier influence on Lionel. I've found and bought several brass locos there.
The High Wheeler train show, Harper college, Palatine Illinois, is more of a layout show with some vendors, mostly train related.
Trainfest, Milwaukee,Wi., is probably the largest display layout show in the nation. There are manufacturers, and vendors, but mostly operating layouts, and trains. Z,N,HO,S,O,large scale, live steam.

The High Wheeler show ( Fox Valley div. NMRA ) is this weekend Mar. 6-7, 9:00AM-5:00 PM. Admission, cash only Adults (13 and over) $7.00...Seniors over 65 $6.00, Kids 5-12 $2.00, under 5 free. I'm going to try to be out there on the 6th. This is the 32nd year for this show.
It completely depends on the show. I havent been to one of the national shows in over a decade, but I remember plenty of non model railroad related items. Most of the non-MR stuff at least had a train theme - videos, trinkets, train toys, tools, et-cetera. Anything else was hot wheels cars, other model related stuff. I usually go to shows looking for a few specific things, but rarely do I find those things. Sometimes I can walk through the entire floor and not find a single thing I want, other times I wish I had brought more money.
I went to 5 shows last year and enjoyed each one in its own way.I wasn't thrilled with some vendors that had model cars or other nonrail items.Thankfully the shows was 90% railroad.

I would perfer the show to be 100% model trains,railroad videos and railroad memorabilia along with good operating layouts.


I did notice 2 display layouts that was having problems..One was DCC(some type of short) and the other had several "No show" members which means they was running 1 train on a large modular layout since 2 members showed up...One member didn't bother to bring any trains with him because he wasn't schedule to operate that day since he was appointed public relations liaison!!!! I will give him credit since he was on his cell phone calling members.
I was just at a train show last weekend, thought the majority of stuff there was model train and train related, there's seems to be a bigger influence of lionel items, more like 70% there 35 about 20% HO and a lot less of N.

Half of the HO is of course the tyco/old bachmann stuff people don't want but yet still has a high price on it just like the higher quality items.
Well this past weekend and I bet it was the same show tomustang was at The Allentown Train Show and I felt the same way you did, A never ending sea of Orange & Blue Lionel boxes with the occasional table of HO "junk" with a few choice items sprinkled in here and there. All in all not a bad day but not good enough to make me want to ever go back.
While I was there I picked up a flier about a new train show Howard Zane is promoting at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott city MD. Nov. 27th & 28th Never been there but looks like a pretty nice place. From what I was told at the show its geared towards pretty much everything show all scale, tin plate, memorabilia, etc. Now don't get me wrong I love the Timonium show and try and make as many as I can throughout the year but some times the timing isn't right and lord knows this year the weather wasn't cooperating so maybe a show a little earlier in the fall isn't such a bad idea. Hey I might just drag the wife along so she can do her Christmas shopping....... Icon_lol
For me if i wanted to see toys I would go to a toy show I want to see trains when I go to a train show not radio controlled flying Elmo dolls... Shoot



http://www.tvmts.com/
Most of the shows I've been to are nearly completely train related. I don't mind the glasses and stuff as long as it's somewhat railroady. There are always some toy cars that may be justifiable. Our own show gets one fellow who has British Buses. One of our dealers does two types of shows: British trains at railway shows and what my friend calls "bric-a-brac" at general shows, Coronation Street trays and English souvenirs.
Then there are a few tables like the fellow selling the ultimate glue who could also show up at the home owners show or the gardening show.

And one show I went to that was all Lionel and American Flyer with one box of TriAng. Cheap show: nice to look at but nothing to buy. Goldth
The shows in Toledo have declined greatly in the past ten years. When I was a kid, back in the early 90s, I remember they used to fill both halls in the county convention center; now it's only about three-fourths of one hall. I couldn't find any N scale that wasn't junk Bachmann, Model Power, or Life-Like train set leftovers or the previous month's new releases at list price. There was also only one dealer with any kind of quality railroad books. Factor in three bucks to park and five bucks to get in the door and I quickly decided it was my last train show there.

For my money the best train show is at Summerail in Cincinnati. It is predominantly railroad paper with tons of timetables, books, and photographs. There is a good mix of local vendors and guys to travel nationally. You'll get everything from individuals selling their personal collection, and splitting the table with a friend, to vendors with ten tables or more. It is now the only train show I attend locally, and that stretches the definition of "local" considerably.
I just went to the Traveling Model Railroad Show, hosted in Denver. Same story. Major dealer's there and often little of their products. Lots of "related" products - ball caps, T-shirts, coffee cups and so forth.

Saw the whole thing in less than two hours - including a half-hour snack break - and left disappointed. Spent very little.
Allegheny2-6-6-6 Wrote:Well this past weekend and I bet it was the same show tomustang was at The Allentown Train Show and I felt the same way you did, A never ending sea of Orange & Blue Lionel boxes with the occasional table of HO "junk" with a few choice items sprinkled in here and there. All in all not a bad day but not good enough to make me want to ever go back.

It was disappointing, The few good was some repeat vendors and The Conrail Historical Society showed up.

I'm weary about going back but I'll have to check the vendor list next time, though I still like to rummage around.

I just hope the lehigh valley train meet at merchants square mall in may isn't that bad as well.
Well I have to look at it this way other then being a 2 hour drive from where I live even a bad train show is better then a good day of working around the house.................. 219
Allegheny2-6-6-6 Wrote:Well I have to look at it this way other then being a 2 hour drive from where I live even a bad train show is better then a good day of working around the house.................. 219
2 hour drive, That would've put me over the hill Eek
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