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The monthly train show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL was really a good one today.  The weather was fabulous, the breakfast was great, socialization was above average, and the crowds were excellent.  Because the weather was so good, there were a large number of vendors in the parking lots today.  Here a couple pictures of the gang at breakfast.

 

 breakfast

 

breakfast2

When people say that there are no bargains at train shows, they haven't been to ours lately.  If you couldn't find any bargains, you would have had to be blind. 

  • Tonkin trucks $30
  • Corgi trucks $30
  • Atlas freight cars $30
  • Lionel 180 watt power bricks $30
  • Artista figures Buy 2 get 1 free

It was like an Easter egg hunt and I didn't have a large enough basket.

 

But the best deal of all was on Atlas track.  A vendor in the parking lot was selling a large amount of gently, used Atlas track.  I bought 26 pieces of 40" rigid Atlas track for $40!  That's a $1.53 a section!  And I bought 5 Atlas switches: 1 072 and 4 #5's for $60!  That's $12 a switch!  And that was a small fraction of what he had for sale.

 

 

atlastrack

Art

 

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Last edited by Chugman
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breakfast

breakfast2

 

In the first picture is Milt P., Doug B., Paul H., and Scot P. (sp2207)

In the second picture is Stan L. (AtticTracks) standing and Alan N. (AlanRail) and me Art W. (Chugman)

 

Bill and Mike didn't make it this month as Mike forgot to set his alarm, but they still made it to the show.  Dave R. didn't come as he wanted to setup early and didn't think he had enough time.  Jim W. was on a train trip in Wisconsin.  Jack P. just got back from Canada fishing and slept in, but made it to the show.  So we had a smaller group than normal, but good conversation and good food as usual.

 

Art

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Last edited by Chugman
Originally Posted by Matthew B.:

Is the food at the Verdict better than Seven Dwarfs?

I don't know as I have never been to Seven Dwarfs.  I know that some of this group used to go there, but we have been meeting here since I started coming to breakfast with them.  I used to just go to the show early until I found out how much fun I was missing.

 

Art

Originally Posted by trainroomgary:

Hi Art 

Looks like fun breakfast & train show.

Do you have more photos you can share, like the vendors area?

Gary 

Found this Link • http://www.greatmidwesttrainshow.com/ & Photo

May help other members...... See Schedule for show dates...... Click to enlarge.....

Great Midwest Train Show

Gary - I didn't take any pictures inside the show this time, but here is a link to the last time that I did.  This show was probably a little better attended than the one I took pictures of before, but most of the same vendors were there.

 

Previous DuPage pictures

 

Art

 

 

Looks like a great show and breakfast. Wish I would have been there for that Atlas track sale. That was some extremely good pricing on the switches, especially since they are so scarce right now.

 

We have very few shows around here and then they are mostly HO & N. Most of the O gauge looks like stuff they couldn't sell to the train store. Would be really nice to have a mainly O gauge show around here or yours was closer.

These wear taken yesterday at the show on 9-14-14. These photos wear taken before the gates wear opened to the general public. I left the show at 9:15 and they wear lined up at the gates. The show opens at 9:30 to the public. The last 2 photos is at 9:20 as I am leaving the fair grounds with all the cars coming in.

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Last edited by sp2207

Ive made the trek twice from Northern New York State.

14 hr drive. well worth the trip. you get a chance, chck out the

web site pick a date and get there. the only month they are not open

is July.

 

I did only have one concern. 1rst time we went, there was a dealer outside selling playboy magazine. Seeing as this is suppose to be a "family oriented" show

(or so it advertises) I emailed the show afterwards. don't know if they did anything

about it or if they are policing such things now or in the future. I did not receive an email back.

Art,

Looking at the breakfast pictures I think I may join you for breakfast next month if its okay?

 

*fisch330, I do not recall ever having any manufactures at this show maybe smaller ones.

 

I was there yesterday and was doing my usual digging for bargains I came across a Marx 999 with the open spoke cow catcher - price $5. needs work but a rare find for me.

franktrain

 

IMG_2659f

 

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Last edited by franktrain

Frank - We would love to have you join us.  I saw you at the one booth and I should have invited you next time.  Congratulations on your find, this is what makes this show so much fun.

 

Paul - We do not have what you normally think of as manufacturers.  The owner and maker of Z-Stuff has been exhibiting regularly.  And we have a few hobby shops that regularly exhibit too.  Caboose Hobby's from Cedar Falls, IA, Berwyn Hobby from Chicago, Denny's Trains from Oswego, IL, and probably some that I am forgetting.  The majority of vendors are just people that like to buy and sell train things.  There are always several layouts setup too.  Just a nice mix of friendly people that love trains.  All scales are represented, but O scale is the best represented followed by HO and then N and G.

 

Anybody that loves our hobby and lives close enough should visit us.  I think there is something for everybody and no I don't get any commission for this show. 

 

Art

Last edited by Chugman
Originally Posted by Popi:

Ive made the trek twice from Northern New York State.

14 hr drive. well worth the trip. you get a chance, chck out the

web site pick a date and get there. the only month they are not open

is July.

 

I did only have one concern. 1rst time we went, there was a dealer outside selling playboy magazine. Seeing as this is suppose to be a "family oriented" show

(or so it advertises) I emailed the show afterwards. don't know if they did anything

about it or if they are policing such things now or in the future. I did not receive an email back.

Popi - What a testimonial about a 14 hour drive and being worth the trip!  I have never seen or heard about the Playboy magazine incident.  I never go in the "front door" as we always go early and drive our cars inside to the parking lots behind the buildings.  I would expect and hope that Randy followed up and kept the family atmosphere as you mentioned.  There are a lot of families with children that attend and adult magazines do not seem like a good fit.

 

Art

Since I haven't eaten at the Seven Dwarfs, I am obviously not able to compare their food quality.  I do know that The Verdict serves good food with great service.  We have had the same server for quite some time and she does a great job for us.  She knows that we like to sit together and also is sensitive to getting our checks to us promptly when we are ready to leave. 

 

The only other thought is that The Verdict is just down the street from the entrance to the show on County Farm Road.  The Seven Dwarfs is quite a ways east on Roosevelt Road on the other side of downtown Wheaton.  It would be out of the way for anyone coming from the west as many of us do.

 

And lastly most good restaurants are capable of serving the usual breakfasts.

 

Art

Last edited by Chugman

Jon:

 

You have a "great" sense of humor.

 

When the Forum group first started to meet for breakfast at 7:00 AM, this was our home. I think it was Art who first found the Verdict Restaurant, but just from the logistics of convenience to the show site, the change to the new location made a "great" deal of sense.

 

Remember, it's all in the bacon. 

Originally Posted by Passenger Train Collector:

Jon:

 

You have a "great" sense of humor.

 

When the Forum group first started to meet for breakfast at 7:00 AM, this was our home. I think it was Art who first found the Verdict Restaurant, but just from the logistics of convenience to the show site, the change to the new location made a "great" deal of sense.

 

Remember, it's all in the bacon. 

How fortunate to have a monthly event such as the DuPage show for a get together. The change in breakfast venue certainly makes sense logistically. Yet, I feel safe in saying that food and the event itself are second to the time spent together. OK, the bacon is big too.

Last edited by Mill City
Originally Posted by Mill City:
Originally Posted by Passenger Train Collector:

I have had breakfast at both, and in my opinion for many reasons, I think you have made a good choice, Art.

They do have a great sign...

 

I've always been partial to the murals inside. My best friends father had the original artist under contract.

deal Um Steal of the century!!
 
Originally Posted by Chugman:

The monthly train show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL was really a good one today.  The weather was fabulous, the breakfast was great, socialization was above average, and the crowds were excellent.  Because the weather was so good, there were a large number of vendors in the parking lots today.  Here a couple pictures of the gang at breakfast.

 

 breakfast

 

breakfast2

When people say that there are no bargains at train shows, they haven't been to ours lately.  If you couldn't find any bargains, you would have had to be blind. 

  • Tonkin trucks $30
  • Corgi trucks $30
  • Atlas freight cars $30
  • Lionel 180 watt power bricks $30
  • Artista figures Buy 2 get 1 free

It was like an Easter egg hunt and I didn't have a large enough basket.

 

But the best deal of all was on Atlas track.  A vendor in the parking lot was selling a large amount of gently, used Atlas track.  I bought 26 pieces of 40" rigid Atlas track for $40!  That's a $1.53 a section!  And I bought 5 Atlas switches: 1 072 and 4 #5's for $60!  That's $12 a switch!  And that was a small fraction of what he had for sale.

 

 

atlastrack

Art

 

 

Definitely see the point about the convenience of the Verdict restaurant to the Dupage County Fairgrounds. I usually access the County Complex area exiting I-88 at Winfield Road to avoid the traffic and lights along the business districts on Roosevelt Rd. I think this is the easiest route from any direction including from the North.
 
My brother lives in Winfield off County Farm Rd less than a mile from the Fairgrounds.
 
I only inquired about Seven Dwarfs because I remember that was the previous meeting place and had never been to the Verdict.
 
 
 
Originally Posted by Passenger Train Collector:

Jon:

 

You have a "great" sense of humor.

 

When the Forum group first started to meet for breakfast at 7:00 AM, this was our home. I think it was Art who first found the Verdict Restaurant, but just from the logistics of convenience to the show site, the change to the new location made a "great" deal of sense.

 

Remember, it's all in the bacon. 

 

All this discussion about the Seven Dwarfs has made me hungry!

 

It also caused me to see if I could correctly remember the names of the seven dwarfs?  I started off pretty good with Dopey, Sleepy, and Grumpy, but had to Google the rest of them.  I missed Doc, Bashful, Happy, and Sneezy.  Now that I think about it we usually have a representative of all seven at breakfast at The Verdict. 

 

Art

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