Newbie Impressions / My first York

There is the check box for that on the registration form.  I guess if you didn't like your spot and wanted to try something new, you might try just not writing your old table location on the form and roll the dice on a new location.

As to the red & white vs blue & silver, that's interesting.  It may be a general guide to consider, but there can be exceptions.  I was talking to a gentleman in Blue who was a relatively new seller.  He mentioned to me he asked for Blue and received it, though I forget the exact details.  His first table was April 2014, I believe.

People move on (or worse) in all the halls, so it's definitely not a hard fast rule that more frequent or longer duration attendees are always in blue & silver.

-Dave

Maybe the TCA needs to conduct a survey - the good, the bad and the ugly. Then they can improve or change things. One survey for the trade show display folks then one from attendees. 

Regardless of the results - Net Promoter Score -1 or 0 or +1 there is always room for improvement.

This was my first York in 15 years. Based on all the forum post is the past I had slightly higher expectations of the show. Was I disappointed no. Why? I had a few items I wanted to look at. Korber models - Alex M, other forum members and I had been chatting about turntables and round houses. I picked up my 28 inch Millhouse River Turntable and spent time with Alan getting the best demo possible. Then I met with Alex and talked more about the best way to create the scene. Purchased from Andre at River Leaf Models, the Peerless Room model,  thanks Andre. Nice quality model. Already in the process of building it. Searched out Round House manufactures who had a 3 stall plus the ability to expand to A 4th stall that was long enough to handle the New Lionel UP BB. Down to 2 manufacturers and it will be a quality and price decision.  

Found 2 Atlas 3rl Box Cars - Western Maryland and Tropicana - total $55.00 for two brand new "old stock." Matches my Lionel Western Maryland Heritage units. And Tropicana for my CSX MTH Premier.

Spent time at MTH, Lionel and other manufacturers. OGR and CTT - Opps sorry Rich - wanted to get more information and suggest articles - like Insure your collection.

I used it as a learning experience and yes, sometime Ebay prices are better especially on rolling stock. But, I have also found that Forum members can be just as competitive with pricing.

Visited Rich Roman - and Vernon Peachy - both helped me with my last layout.

Most of in the dealer hall were great. 

Big thanks to Howard Hitchcock, Mike R. of Lionel and Richard Melvin for signing my brand new 765 Berkshire Box. Nice guy - added a little more value to me for the unit.

Members Hall - found a few items I wanted but price was a little to high so I passed on them. Was looking for a 1957 Steamer or ABA unit - road number did not matter but condition did. I found a nice 2037 and tender for my nephew - under $100.00 - for it's age not bad. Clean, oiled and operated nicely Sunday on his little 4** layout.

I will return in the fall - maybe to purchase newer Legacy or DCS. Bottom line - had a great time, met great people and enjoyed time with my club members.

I note that lots of private dealers were literally begging people to make offers. I bought 7 items at York, none near retail.

One of my friends picked up a new Lionel Big Boy and was extremely happy with the price he paid. He did not order early enough and was shut out until York. So overall for him a great York.

K

To me the 'deal' to be found at York is, first and foremost, that you find the item...at all!!  After eleventy-seven Yorks, I'm still amazed and excited by the prospect of finding the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack.  Not always, mind you, but often enough to make it all worthwhile.

As for seeing the same-ol'-same-ol' at some members tables...it's more mainstream at the local train shows/meets in our area.  In fact, my wife and I enjoy hunting down vendor XYZ's table just to see if he still has the same ABC's of yore.  It's been more than 15 years, but one local show dealer is still trying to peddle a Balboa Katsumi HO SP Daylight 4-8-4 that he bought from me.  The box, by the way, is really showing the ravages of repeated shows...handling, packing, unpacking, etc..  I can only imagine the further deterioration inside of packing foam, dried out motor couplings and lubrication, et al.  What more can be said?? 

Nope, York is still worth the 11-hour drive each way, twice a year.  C'mon October!!!!! (but not too soon!)

KD

$2K. No premium - about what I paid plus in the recent issues of some of the hobby trade rags, OGR included I saw a few available around that price. Some of the dealers on this site have / had them listed. Check the current OGR run as I believe I saw a few there as well.

K

Bingo Player - Not sure if they still have any but Charles Ro in the OGR Run June / July on page 11 has 6-11448 or their number L11448 Union Pacific VISION LINE LEGACY Scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4012 listed in their site for $1,999.95. You would need to call them. 

Grzyboski's Trains also list them as available on page 15 - upper left corner of the advertising page. I am sure there are other dealers that have them. And if you the auction fan then the Big E has them but at full retail. 

K