For me this is the first time in about a year and one half since I have attended a show. About the only things that have changed is there seems to be more Lionel vendors and less N scale. Also there were far less vendors than before and I have been to these shows before only several days after Christmas and seen more participation. There wasn't much in the way of anything on my list to get anyhow and just as well because it was the same old stuff just marked up even higher and now more dingy and grimy than ever. I left the show with exactly two pair of little iris scissors that had been on my shopping list and that was that. I even overheard a couple of vendors complaining about the same old stuff being run through the mill, and that was a first. Saw exactly one FEF out for sale and that was it. The same vendor had one running nicely around a small layout. I expected to at least see one or more of them on the Ntrak layout but alas none. The T track folks also had a set up there and were running some trains. But if this is any indication I expect these shows to eventually completely fizzle out. Wasn't a bad crowd but very few folks reaching for a wallet or leaving with stuff. Admission price went up and I suspect the costs to the vendors went up which may also be a reason I did not see some of the usual folks.
It has been a long while since I bought anything at a show also. But I don't count the N scale weekend events in Columbus and Bedford as 'shows'. Those two events seem to be the only ones where one can find some good deals. This is getting to be a very expensive hobby with all the price increases and technological developments. Meanwhile another long time local hobby shop closed. The proprietor cited the internet and competition from other hobbies or interests were the big factors. He says in the last few years he saw very few kids come into the store. The majority of his customers were middle aged and above men.
Shows here in San Diego County generally suck. Like you noticed it is the same geezers selling tin plate. Parking and show prices together run about $25 here at Del Mar. The layouts continue to offer the 'siege mentality' look. And look you had better do because getting some guy to wander over to the boundary to answer a question seems harder every year. My biggest problem with the N and HO layouts is that they are the same modules I saw at my first train show in 2002! Nothing has changed, well maybe more dust, and who knows how long before 2002 these same modules were being shown. The only layouts that show well are the On30 and G Scale ones. Sheesh.
Any more,if I go to a show,it's just for me and wifey to get out of the house..I almost never find anything I "need",I end up buying a "deal" because I hate going home with nothing..Last show I went to,I ended up buying some dirt cheap brass HO cabooses I fixed,painted,and threw on Ebay.. Really,other than treating it as a social event if I know friends will be there,I see no reason to go to shows anymore.More often than not,I end up running into people I'm TRYING to avoid..And once you count gas,entry fees,ETC,Ebay is free,and eventually,you'll find whatever it is you want..
This is about what the couple in my area have become. Which most attendees seem to enjoy as such. Oh well.
I forgot to remark that on the backside of the T track folks there were the subway folks. What they had done was to cut either 3 or 4 inch PVC pipe with one side being open to view the tracks inside with subway cars running in them. Very neatly done. And you are right about the Ntrak modules. Just a different set up shape this time but still the modules were for the most part in some serious need of upkeep. And some of the same ones seem to still be in an unfinished state years later. Some of the venders belong in the Humor thread as their prices for a sadly out of date and worn box of layout details was absurd, along with the other items. About the only folks who seem to have anything close to current stock and new stuff are the folks who evidently are Walthers or Kato dealors. As for the others well, I think the only time their stock has traded hands is from one vendor who is losing his butt selling to another vender. At some point a lot of this over priced and ancient over handled stuff is going to end up on the auction site. The show I used to be able to find some stuff at was the small one put on by the Gaithersburg Society of Model Engineers that was held at the fairgrounds by the railroad tracks. Used to remember the whole show activity would stop and the building would lean to the direction of the tracks when a set of airhorns would sound for the grade crossing. Haven't heard of them putting on a show and sale for some years now.
Hop on a train or plane (or take a long drive) late next month and get to the show in West Springfield, MA: http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/ If you've never been to one, it should be on your bucket list.
I have only been to the 'West Springfield' (MA), show. The 1st. time was a huge eye opener and I really enjoyed it a lot. The 2nd. time was 'great'! but for the wrong reasons. The 3rd. time was not too bad but not that great except that I was with my fiance. The 4th. time was like the 3rd time except there seemed to be fewer impressive N-Trak modules. I think most of my enjoyment was the N-Trak modules and just being there with my girlfriend and showing her possible.
the hobby is failing. the grandkids like to watch the trains. but are not interested in the mechanicals. Much more fun is located on their IPhones. I agree, the train shows are the same with the same items at higher prices. It is the last ditch effort of us dinosaurs to cash out on our hobby.
From the looks of the photos at the linked site it appears to be a show like a show should be. For me It would have to be a train ride up there. Be hanged if I am going north in January in my new van. If I still had the old Jeep it might be a different story.
John... Without naming names or locations, I'll bet I can guess which show you attended. My experience with the same show a number of years ago was similar. There is a basic reason for the lack of product: pre-orders. Vendors find it hard to get new stuff (especially if they are not brick-and-mortar or cannot get around some distributors' rules) and most product is spoken for before it ever leaves the factory. Train shows have been mostly a social event for me as well. Further to the comment about "people you don't want to meet," a friend of mine attended his first one earlier this month and I went around with him explaining who to buy from and who not to buy from. It's very true that "live show" humor hasn't ended with the advent of eBay humor... Even so, there's always that "thrill of the chase." The Thrill Is Not Quite Gone (with apologies to B.B. King) but it's fading.
My biggest complaint about train shows is no place to sit down. I haven't been to Trainfest in Milwaukee for a couple of years--primarily cost and the hike from parking and no chairs. They had Trainfest in two buildings this year and I understand that they had a shuttle between them. WISE division of NMRA runs a bus trip to Madison for their train show, but 2015 may be my last time. My senior center buddy and I had to sit on the floor to eat lunch and the show is wasn't on two floors.
Shows around here are the same people selling the same junk. It's getting to be more stuff not related to trains or model railroading. Our club sets up our layout, that's the only reason for going. Don
That is basically our club. If it wasn't for the fact our club gets in for free plus the honorarium for setting up then I doubt anyone would go. And that brings up another point. If it weren't for the three Greenberg shows in our area our club would probably cease to exist. That honorarium they pay us covers the storage costs for our trailer. Not only is the honorarium is our only source of income other than club member dues but provides us with our only recruiting opportunity for new members. So while we complain about the shows and the prices, the fact is we really need them.
Here in New Mexico I was told that they were no longer cost effective, so there are very few if any. A sad state of affairs for the Hobby. And as stated earlier in this thread we're not passing the Hobby down to our youth. Not all to the fault of us but it just isn't happening.
To slightly detour, World's Greatest Hobby on Tour is coming to Raleigh next month. Trying to decide if it is worth the trip. $12 to get in and $10 to park. I know of two local layouts that are always shown at the local shows to be there, but what else is there to make it worth $22 dollars to walk in the door? What do you think?
A HUGE part of the problem is our litigious society. We have far too many (nicely brainwashed) idiots who stupidly sue over the slightest speck of disturbed dust. This has driven the cost of putting on a show up through the roof. (Some of those who sue will complain about no shows. Duh.) And such legal activity has also scared away potential participants in sales or display. If you can't get vendors with a good variety of fresh inventory and at attractive prices; if you can't add to that some eye candy in well done displays and/or layouts; then if you can't get bodies in the doors, it's over. You now have a couple of generations worth of people who are used to the immediacy of the Internet. Too many of those who'd not get off their LAZY rears to attend a show. It has nothing to do with age of those involved or attending.
Plus the cost of fuel. However that type of show generally draws some of the better retailors and some of the folks that you won't see at some of the run of the mill shows. The question then becomes whether you will find anything that is cost effective to go for or find something at a decent price you have been looking for but is hard to find.
You should definitely go to the one next month in West Springfield, MA. Digitrax will be exhibiting there so you can deliver your rant to them up close and in person.
