And this is why I'll probably never go to York,and like state above, it's too far from the Western states. In my house trains is a family thing, so if the whole family can't go with me, I won't go. That's how you grow the hobby, by taking others to see how cool it is, not just going to meet up with other like minded people that already know how cool it is.
The distance from the west coast to the York Meet is a valid reason for it being difficult to attend. However, your whole family is able to attend if you bring them. Family of TCA members are admitted free to the York Meet.
The York Meet was created by and for like minded people who love the model train hobby to buy, trade and sell trains. It has grown into not just for collectors but for operators too. Many women and children attend all TCA events. As far as growing the hobby, it's not any different than any other public train show. People go, walk around, marvel at the offerings, buy stuff, sell stuff and go home happy. They can attend seminars by the manufacturers, see operating layouts and displays, and in some cases meet the owners or representatives of the big train companies. Not to mention the many offsite model train activities around the area as mentioned many times here. Just check out the York Primer thread in the above Featured Topics section at the top of this forum. I personally think the York Meet is head and shoulders above any local or public train show I've ever attended.
But because of being part of a membership, along with the added bonus of meeting up with OGR Forum members, the friends you make adds a lot to the experience. The photo Dave posted is repeated all over the complex!
