Chicago Land March Meet

Yes.

Hot water, How about using your pull with 3rd Rail and get them to produce a C&O. K2 or K3 Mikado. I have a lot freight to move between Chicago and Cincinnati thanks

I thought the show was well attended and there was a lot there.   I have a specific era and road I follow, so I didn't buy a whole lot, but I did pickup a loco from Allegheny Scale models that he graciously delivered at the show.   

 

And I did find 2 new Atlas O X-29 PRR cars I did not have.   

 

I enjoyed the show and the attendance seemed better than last year and there seemed to be more buying going on than last year.  

 

My biggest disappointment was that the guy who had the table next to mine will not be coming back next year.   he was a very good neighbor, but he is moving to the west coast and will probably not attend the Marchmeet anymore.

Oh believe me, I have tried. I, and others, got Scott to announce the NYC H10a/b and the C&O K3/K3a, some THREE YEARS AGO!  Apparently nobody else has been willing to reserve/order either model in sufficient quantities to proceed with the production of either.

 

What can I say?  A number of us tried, but we are obviously in the minority.

Thanks for trying I'm still hoping for one

Man, you and me both!!!!

Try, try again? 

If you build it, they will come.

No, that isn't logical at all. Without advanced reservations/orders, NOTHING gets "built"! Even Lionel, Atlas, and MTH have been forced to conduct their business that way.

I had not heard they were taking reservations for a C & O Mikado?  THAT IS something

I'd be interested in...., as my personification of what a steam locomotive SHOULD look

like..and what I am kitbashing assorted others to look like.

That was Jim Weaver, sadly he passed away a few years ago. Interesting to see how much high priced stuff sits there (and returns every year?) compared to "real" pricing which sells. There were some 3 rail items and some very, very nice structure kits.

 

Hot Water,

 

Where is your sense of humor and movie trivia?

 

Yikes!

 

Larry

My take is that prices at Chicago and other O scale shows these days are significantly lower than in years past.  One reference point would be the price for USH locomotives like NYC Hudsons and PRR K4s.  In the 1990's they commonly went for over $1k and now can be seen around $500.  One effect eBay has had is to create a vehicle for learning what prices items actually sell for - and that has had an impact on asking prices at shows. The unusual or rare (e.g. Fischer cars, Overland pickle cars) still command premium prices, but the common stuff like AtlasO locomotives and cars take quite a hit off MSRP.  Another observation is that there are quite a few new small companies offering O scale laser cut wood kits and now even O scale turnouts.  If you consider the resale market - from a price and selection perspective it's a good time to get into 2 rail O. With the thinning gray hair on attendees heads and generally declining interest in model trains among the post baby boom generation, I believe prices on good used models will continue on a gentle downward trend.  Perhaps 10 years in the future a USH K4s bought new in 1971 for the $295 will resell at the original price.  Not a good investment - but fun to enjoy while you ran it all those years.

 

To see the scope  what's available in O scale there is no better way than to attend a large show like Chicago.

 

Ed Rappe   

That's a harder question to answer than "Where is Flight MH370 ?"

From what I saw, I would agree with your take.

 

Lots of nice structures, kits and track components.  Things that are nice to "see and feel"  in person.  

 

And lots of friendly folks that you see once or twice a year.  The real beauty of the show.

 

Plastic and some brass could be had for a decent bargain. 

 

I was happy to pick up a nicely painted PSC N6b for $235 and an OMI H31b for $210.  Not dirt cheap, not a ripoff,  but priced very fair... for decent quality brass.  

 

There were, of course folks there that thought their trains were gold and not plastic, metal and brass.  These folks go home with the same "treasures" they bought to the show.

 

All in all, Chicago, O Scale West and the Indy meets are worth traveling to... as are the Strasburg meets.   

 

We make vacation trips out of the meets and that works out even better.

I generally agree with what Ed posted above. I have been going to this show for many years now, and this year was much better attended (it seemed) than the past few years.

 

While the table holders seem to be holding on to the rolling stock from year to year, the structure guys seem to be bringing more and more new, detailed items to the show. 

 

Here a few pictures I snapped with my phone, not the best quality.

 

Below are two pictures from the contest room, not sure who won, but these were pretty interesting:

 

Look at the superb rigging of this crane. No information on this one, but the detail was fantastic! I will assume this is from a kit, which is fine, but if scratch built, than that is one well done crane.

 

 

 

The Train of above was nice, but I'm not sure it was complete. However, as a passenger guy, I am now seriously thinking about reserving the Sunset/3rd Rail offering.

 

Sorry I did not take more pictures of the structures available, but needless to say, they now have more than I can possibly build in five years.

 

Charlie

 

 

Charlie,

I was not able to visit the contest room, but I do know that the Train of Tomorrow is owned by Paul Balter and was built for him by Dan Pantera (Calumet Car Works).

 

Dan built all 4 cars of the train and graciously shared photos and information so Sunset/Golden Gate can do the train correctly.

Bob

Pix of the show and contest winners in the new issue of the O Scale Resource Magazine.

 

Dan I must say that is one of the best magazines that I have seen, very well written and so very informative.  Thanks to all of you who make it possible...you guys are making the 2 rail world fun and exciting. 

Thanks Chris, we appreciate it

That's a "Two Thumbs" up for The O Scale Resource Magazine!

 

Larry

I have to agree. Like the enhanced resolution of the PDF, by the way.

How does one subscribe to OSR so it can be emailed automatically?

Thanks,

Ed

Go to the site (http://www.oscaleresource.com) and click "Notify Me" and you'll get an E-mail when the next issue is up.

Hi Ed,

 

Simply go to http://oscaleresource.com/ and click on the current issue. You may also ready all the back issues. As Matt also said we can Email you when the next issue is available.

Thanks guys.

Cheers,

Ed

Anyone know how to get in contact with Eddie Wicham of 401 Streamline Models? I saw his ad years ago in O Scale News and didn't know he was still making CNW passenger cars.

Dave,

Depends on what you supply him with. Price can range from $300+/- to $ 800 +/-.

E-mail me and I can give you more details.

Bob