I've learned that:
- you can't take it with you. The "auction sites" can prove that.
- there's always a new one coming out that I don't have.
- the higher dollars spent don't correlate to a higher quality product.
- the postwar and prewar will greatly out live me. The others I'm not so sure about.
- if it's that ugly 3 rail track, then I can give a large box of track to a child and as long as the ends meet, the train will run.
- track type, electronics system, era modeled, paint scheme, fuel tank size, windshield wiper placement, etc: if you like the way you have it then it is the correct way.
- in terms of the best train show for: quantity of O gauge stuff; $ spent per customer; sheer variety; size/# tables; number of days; best organized/ran; the EDTCA York show sits in the top 23 positions on my chart. (I've been 22 times I think. I'm going out on a limb that this next one will be good also).
- there's a bad apple in every barrel. There's also a bunch of good, helpful, friendly ones in there willing to help you out with tips, advice etc.
- we live in the greatest country on earth.
