I went to this show a couple weeks ago, and I must say it was pretty disappointing. Very few vendors were there. And the 'N' scale selection was poor. They advertised that kids 13 and under were free. But once we got there they would not let my daughter in until I said her way. Not even an apology. My friends from Boone hobby were there. And he was the highlight of the day. Is there a better organized swap meet in Iowa? And is this normal for all swap meets?
The show in Mason City a few weeks ago was a let down too, 3.5 tables, and none with anything interesting. They did have the local modular club layouts running which was ok. I feel kind of torn... If nobody goes to shop, no body will go to sell, and if nobody goes to sell nobody will go to shop! It's a slippery slope, and unfortunately I think this one slid all the way down. Probably not one I'd go to again. The Kate Shelley Division meet in the fall is a fantastic one though, they have some clinics and things, lots of tables in the sale, contests, a silent auction, all kinds of good stuff. I've never been to any of the clinics but the rest is great! Not an abundance of N scale, but there has been some here and there. There is usually a good amount of books and magazines and stuff to paw through though, everybody can use more research material. Well worth it IMO. Between the swap meet, The Hobby Shop in Ames and Boone hobbies, and the Scenic Valley RR it's a gold mine around there! Also, if you are interested in a drive, there is a swap meet in Randolph MN every spring that is nearly as good as the Kate Shelley meet, mostly a sale and less other stuff. There is a lot of CGW history there and a nice museum. The Twin City Model RR Museum also has a spring and fall sale at the MN state fairgrounds that is usually pretty good.
Also a show worth doing if you find the time to drive, the NMRA show in Woodbury, MN in the spring is a good one too, and I think they are big into MILW up there.
Spent last weekend at the Helena, MT Railfair, and it was great!! 200 plus tables, 3 operating layouts (N, HO and O), a lot of variety of stuff. N scale, my search item, was weakly represented, but I did score some neat cars and a barely used 1977 Con-Cor Berk. Anyway, it was a really good time for a one day show with lots of folk both looking and buying and selling!! I thought it was a good indication of a healthy hobby out here, anyway!! kalbert, when is this Kate Shelley meet? and where?
He was really enthused by the attendance!! Missed visiting with Warren McGee, but he was there!! Am signed up to do a couple of tables again next year, it was that fun!
It's been at the United Community High School between Ames, IA and Boone, IA on US30 forever. Looks like they haven't got information out on this year's meet yet, but this is the announcement from last year: http://www.mcor-nmra.org/divisions/kateshelley/KS-Meet.html
Another one if your willing to drive is Galesburg RR Days, coming up in June 22-23. Full scale RR displays downtown and a large model railroad show and sale at the Carl Sandburg College. I have been going every year since 1998.
