Who is planning on attending the March meet in Chicago this year

I'm going.

Hey Jack, want to get together for lunch, dinner, beers?

Matt Makens posted:

Hey Jack, want to get together for lunch, dinner, beers?

You are welcome to join our small group for lunch on Saturday, at the Rock Bottom Brewery, on the west side of the Yorktown shopping mall. They have very good burgers and EXCELLENT micro-brew beer.

Thank you for the invite. I will take you up on that

Of course we'll be there with the Magazine and running the contest. Stop by our tables and say hello!

Hmmm maybe!! 

Stacey, you should totally come, itll be awesome. Chicago on St Patricks day none the less

I will be there, just received confirmation of registration.

Charlie

Hi Matt,

Is there a link that you can provide that gives dates, times and location? I would take Amtrak in if getting to the event from Union Station is doable...Thanks.

Try this  www.marchmeet.net   

The meet is at/in the Westin Lombard Hotel, at the Yorktown Center. Getting there from Chicago Union Station might not be all that difficult, as there is a METRA station not that far away.  For additional information/questions you can phone (630) 745-7600.

I'll be there, I'm really looking forward to it. 

I plan to be there.    This is the best O Scale Show in the country in terms of variety and quantity in my opinion.     It has a large number of dealers and private individuals selling stuff that we all need!

Not sure, I will think about it. 

Right in my own backyard and I've never been. Maybe this year!?

Matt Makens posted:

Stacey, you should totally come, itll be awesome. Chicago on St Patricks day none the less

trust me id love to come check it out!! Its not THAT FAR for me! haha. I might make it work!! Just hard time of season. hahaha

SCALE CITY DESIGNS will be there as well. We will be in our usual position right by the front door. Come and see us as we will have some new products available as well as reintroducing some items that haven't been available for awhile.

For all those that are unsure about going to this show how can you get any better than this: tons of O Scale, St Patrick's Day in Chicago, Chicago deep dish pizza, and Chicago style hot dogs and Italian beefs.

We haven't been there and we are thinking about going.  I just mapped it and it closer then Dupage, so it should be  an hour drive for us.    

Jim, can I visit my CNW passenger cars?

Matt you are always welcomed to visit them!!! 

mwb posted:

That's an old flyer. Check out http://www.marchmeet.net/Pages/registration.shtml  for the latest.

I'm going for the first time.  We're probably going to fly in.  Table is bought and paid for.  We're supposed to be placed next to the Jakls.  They will be selling some of Lou's remaining collection.

Jay

I'll be there! 

Jeff T posted:

Right in my own backyard and I've never been. Maybe this year!?

Jeff, just because the Cubs ended the greatest streak in major league sports now you too?

Yes, I am going.    Am looking forward to the various allurements Satan will place before me, for my temptation.

I don't think those temptation will send you to hell!!!! 

Wouldn't miss it.

railroad-guy posted:

mwb posted:

That's an old flyer. Check out http://www.marchmeet.net/Pages/registration.shtml  for the latest.

 

Gee, thanks!  I had this silly idea that the one that Melissa handed me might actually be good to share....

Then again, a new one just arrived in the mail....

I plan on being there with 2 tables of stuff to sell, structures and cars that have been either featured in O Scale Trains, or just somewhere in a forum in a universe far, far from here.  I'll also have a full selection of back issues of the magazine and will be taking are of that business as well.

Stop by and say hello! 

I would like to meet you Martin, not sure if I can make it. Jefferson and crew will be there. 

Ed it would be nice to see you again. So tempting to make it this time around. 

Be there or be square!

mwb posted:

railroad-guy posted:

mwb posted:

That's an old flyer. Check out http://www.marchmeet.net/Pages/registration.shtml  for the latest.

 

Gee, thanks!  I had this silly idea that the one that Melissa handed me might actually be good to share....

Then again, a new one just arrived in the mail....

We just found out two days ago when she had me update the Website :-(

Erik C Lindgren posted:

I would like to meet you Martin, not sure if I can make it. Jefferson and crew will be there. 

I'll get my shots and you'll be safe, Usually in a one far corner near a door where I can make my escape when the authorities come looking.....

Ok Martin!

Remember if you can catch a flight here on the 27/28/29 we are set up at the Pinehurst Country Club for "Day out with Trains" ..

Your invited and come do a write up on Johnson's modular system. And most of all play with our trains  

Erik from Midwest Model Works might pull me towards the dark side with his SD45.

Erik C Lindgren posted:

Ok Martin!

Remember if you can catch a flight here on the 27/28/29 we are set up at the Pinehurst Country Club for "Day out with Trains" ..

Your invited and come do a write up on Johnson's modular system. And most of all play with our trains  

 

I plan to be in the Denver area in June, Erik, as long as that does not conflict with the O Scale Nat'l that's also scheduled to take place in June.

Eric,

I'll be in Chicago, made reservations yesterday. Short flight for you. Buy you dinner.

Dick

I will be there, it's been a couple years so I'm really looking forward to it.

John

I will be attending this year, Lombard is my neighbor town so I don't have much of an excuse not to go.

jgtrh62 posted:

I will be there, it's been a couple years so I'm really looking forward to it.

John

John, Hope to see you there!

The Rockford O Scalers layout is open Sunday afternoon.  If you are heading west out of Chicago by car on Sunday, stop by if you can. Details (maps, time, etc) will be available at the show.

As usual...I will be there.   Always a great time to be had!    Sould be some good stuff to bring home...not that I need any more stuff...LOL!

"The Rockford O Scalers layout is open Sunday afternoon"

Well worth the easy drive from Lombard to make the visit, plus really nice guys.

Thanks for sharing your layout again John.

Charlie

CBQer posted:

Eric,

I'll be in Chicago, made reservations yesterday. Short flight for you. Buy you dinner.

Dick

That's a nice offer Dick

Dick, you're more than welcome to buy me dinner. Erik, if you're ever in Minneapolis hit me up. I've got some pictures you might want to see. 

Matt,

I am attending. The show seems to get better each year !

Have been attending for many years.

Great selection of vendors too !!

Tom

Got my Amtrak reservations; lower floor Coast Starlight and Empire Builder eastbound and Zephyr westbound, hotel and registration all done.

OBTW, it should be well attended this year, Melissa had to add rooms to the Sunday night block cause it was already sold out two weeks ago. 

I've also got a table although I use it more as a place to put myself and chat with folks than to sell stuff.  It's nice to have an inside home base.

Getting from Union Station to Lombard is easy.  I take the BNSF Metra line from Union Station to Downers Grove and the hotel shuttle comes and picks me up.  It's how I get back to Union Station too but you have to take the 10 something AM train as there is no 11 something AM train and the 12 something PM train gets to Union Station about 1:50PM which is cutting it too close for 2PM departures westbound.

rdunniii posted:

Getting from Union Station to Lombard is easy.  I take the BNSF Metra line from Union Station to Downers Grove and the hotel shuttle comes and picks me up.  It's how I get back to Union Station too ......

Have you considered taking Metra west to Naperville and catching the CZ there ?  Looks to me [ assuming you are leaving Sunday ] like a significant time saver, even allowing for some Metra delay.

SZ

Sounds interesting. What type of contests does this meet have?

Steinzeit posted:

rdunniii posted:

Getting from Union Station to Lombard is easy.  I take the BNSF Metra line from Union Station to Downers Grove and the hotel shuttle comes and picks me up.  It's how I get back to Union Station too ......

Have you considered taking Metra west to Naperville and catching the CZ there ?  Looks to me [ assuming you are leaving Sunday ] like a significant time saver, even allowing for some Metra delay.

SZ

 

 

You are exactly correct.  However, you have to deal with Amtrak's reservation and management system which does not allow round trip reservations to have differing end points.  And if you do not show up at the Chicago endpoint before the return trip starts your return reservation will be cancelled and you will be denied boarding at any intermediate point down the line and will not be refunded anything.  You can, of course, make 2 one way trips but interestingly it seems sleeper rooms are available from Chicago but not Naperville when you go to make two one way reservations.

On the flip side, weather permitting, you get about 2 hours to leave the station after checking in to get some Chicago style pizza

rdunniii posted:

OBTW, it should be well attended this year, Melissa had to add rooms to the Sunday night block cause it was already sold out two weeks ago.

Hopefully that translates to actual buying attendees and not just an overflow of vendors out into the hallways....

I am a Buyer!!

Eric, do you still have those buildings? If so are any guys from your area driving to the show?

I'm going to be buying. 

Sweet, look at all the guys who want to buy me dinner. That's just great

Ron H posted:

Sounds interesting. What type of contests does this meet have?

Ron, I don't think anybody ever answered this question.  This page has a brief description of the contest arrangement.  It is sort of a hybrid where you can have your model judged, or I guess just essentially show it off.

Jim

Sorry I was late to this. Check out the last O Scale Resource Magazine

http://oscaleresource.com/

It has the information. It's a judged event using somewhat NMRA standards with three judges who have judged NMRA contests. 

RDUNIII, Id love to meet you while im there if you have time. Ill be driving from Minneapolis on thursday afternoon and landing in Lombard either Thursday night or Friday Morning depending on who comes with me. Im staying the Hyatt Place Lombard just up the road a bit from the Westin adn I will be leaving Sunday afternoon. If anybody wants or needs a ride to and or from the train station, airport or what not, let me know I may be able to accommodate you. Ill be going to the Museum of Science and Industry on sunday before I leave town so going back into downtown is not an issue

I'd like to meet you too, and any others from this forum.  I will have a table, which I tend not to spend a lot of time at, which can be used as a meeting place.  If I cannot be found it tends to get announced over the PA system   Last year my table was along the far side wall near MMW.

What time are you planning to go to the museum sunday, never been there before.

Not sure, ive been there a few times and its one of the coolest  places in Chicago, it really is a must see. Im thinking about 10 or 11. I might see if there are any great deals at the show first

Chicago museum of science & industry is truly one of the best museums in the country. I was there countless times unfortunately the O scale layout built by Minton Cronkite is no longer there, it was replaced by a HO layout which is terrific , other must sees: the coal mine, U505 submarine and then the list goes on. What a neat place. Be prepared to spend as much time there as you can as there is so much to see. Enjoy. 

Oh yeah you'll love going back to the MSI.....

You know it, that place is soooo cooool

Let me look at my schedule this next week and if I am available I will lock it in.

big train posted:

Ron H posted:

Sounds interesting. What type of contests does this meet have?

Ron, I don't think anybody ever answered this question.  This page has a brief description of the contest arrangement.  It is sort of a hybrid where you can have your model judged, or I guess just essentially show it off.

Jim

Jim and Railroad Guy, thanks I may attend and bring a loco. I'de like to meet as many forum members as possible.

Ron H

St. Paddy's in Chicago   GREEN Beer and Green Lake!

what could be better?

Matt Makens posted:

RDUNIII, Id love to meet you while im there if you have time. Ill be driving from Minneapolis on thursday afternoon and landing in Lombard either Thursday night or Friday Morning depending on who comes with me. Im staying the Hyatt Place Lombard just up the road a bit from the Westin adn I will be leaving Sunday afternoon. If anybody wants or needs a ride to and or from the train station, airport or what not, let me know I may be able to accommodate you. Ill be going to the Museum of Science and Industry on sunday before I leave town so going back into downtown is not an issue

Wheres the best place to stay

WickedWanda44 posted:

Matt Makens posted:

RDUNIII, Id love to meet you while im there if you have time. Ill be driving from Minneapolis on thursday afternoon and landing in Lombard either Thursday night or Friday Morning depending on who comes with me. Im staying the Hyatt Place Lombard just up the road a bit from the Westin adn I will be leaving Sunday afternoon. If anybody wants or needs a ride to and or from the train station, airport or what not, let me know I may be able to accommodate you. Ill be going to the Museum of Science and Industry on sunday before I leave town so going back into downtown is not an issue

Wheres the best place to stay

The "best place to stay" for the March Meet, is right there in the Westin Lombard Hotel.

 I have been wanting to go for a while. but just not possible.  Funny though as I might have the first purchase from the show. I just bought a CB&Q NE1 from Mike Hill who him and his wife are the organizers for the show. Great guy to deal with.

Hot Water posted:

WickedWanda44 posted:

Matt Makens posted:

RDUNIII, Id love to meet you while im there if you have time. Ill be driving from Minneapolis on thursday afternoon and landing in Lombard either Thursday night or Friday Morning depending on who comes with me. Im staying the Hyatt Place Lombard just up the road a bit from the Westin adn I will be leaving Sunday afternoon. If anybody wants or needs a ride to and or from the train station, airport or what not, let me know I may be able to accommodate you. Ill be going to the Museum of Science and Industry on sunday before I leave town so going back into downtown is not an issue

Wheres the best place to stay

The "best place to stay" for the March Meet, is right there in the Westin Lombard Hotel.

Yup!

I got a really good rate at the Hyatt Place and I think Hot Water is correct, the Westin is prolly the best place to stay. 

Matt Makens posted:

I got a really good rate at the Hyatt Place and I think Hot Water is correct, the Westin is prolly the best place to stay. 

Not to mention Harry Cary's restaurant right off the main entrance at the Westin.

rdunniii posted:

I'd like to meet you too, and any others from this forum.  I will have a table, which I tend not to spend a lot of time at, which can be used as a meeting place.  If I cannot be found it tends to get announced over the PA system   Last year my table was along the far side wall near MMW.

What time are you planning to go to the museum sunday, never been there before.

Richard,

I remember your table. So, were there any further updates to your Sunset EMD demonstrator that USPS lost & kept showing up on E-Bay through a Pawn Shop in GA?

These are just my opinion.

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

Hot Water posted:

Matt Makens posted:

I got a really good rate at the Hyatt Place and I think Hot Water is correct, the Westin is prolly the best place to stay. 

Not to mention Harry Cary's restaurant right off the main entrance at the Westin.

And for the budget minded (aka, that flock of birds singing "Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!"), across the parking lot at the Mall there is a food court and other eateries available.  The brisk walk there & back will do you good,  

naveenrajan posted:

rdunniii posted:

I'd like to meet you too, and any others from this forum.  I will have a table, which I tend not to spend a lot of time at, which can be used as a meeting place.  If I cannot be found it tends to get announced over the PA system   Last year my table was along the far side wall near MMW.

What time are you planning to go to the museum sunday, never been there before.

Richard,

I remember your table. So, were there any further updates to your Sunset EMD demonstrator that USPS lost & kept showing up on E-Bay through a Pawn Shop in GA?

These are just my opinion.

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

Nope.  The pawn shop sold it and I returned the money to the person that bought it from me and never received it.  And because I could not prove to the USPS's satisfaction the money involved they never paid the insurance claim.

On another note.  I agree the Westin is good.  When the Chicago March weather is not cooperative it is even better.  In addition to Harry Cary's there is also Holy Mackerel in the hotel which has good calamari.  There is also a decent Deli across the parking lot and several good restaurants around the perimeter of the mall. 

Guys...just to clarify a comment made earlier by Alanrail....., they dye the Chicago River green, not the lake..LOL!    Which is kind of ironic, as the river is always a greenish tinge!   It just becomes a brighter green on St.Pattys' Day.....  Joke is, the river is always green from the bodies that the Mob bosses dropped in, back in the roaring 20's.......

However the St Patrick's day parade is on the Saturday before St Patrick's day is St Patrick's day doesn't fall on a Saturday so this year it will be on March 11th a week before we will all be there but there will be plenty of Irishman to drink with on the 17th

I will definitely be there.   One of the two best Of gauge shows in the area, Trainfest is the other in Milwaukee. 

Art

Hello all

Looking forward to attending the March meet ..my first time .  I'll be setting up a small demonstration track of outside 3rd rail "Old School"  O gauge .    So if you have an outside 3rd rail engine  and you wish to try out the 6' mainline please  bring it along .  The video is of a Mi- Loco circa 1935  ( 17/64th scale)

.. currently running with an umbilical power cord to tender swipe ..by meet time a proper outside 3rd rail will be added to the track .   Looking for additional 20's / 30's O scale pieces, please bring along to March meet ...also looking for sectional outside 3rd rail track.  See you in March

Cheers Carey    

.

I can't wait to check out the old school 3 rail. 

Absolutely, looking forward to it.

Less than two weeks to go...can"t wait!    Friday I need to take a few of my Overland diesels up to a guy north of Elgin to have DCC plus LED lighting put in, then if time allows, it is off to Teds' (Fox Valley O Scalers) for an afternoon op session.    Hope the weather is great that weekend.....   Looking forward to running into some forum members.

The Rockford O Scalers had the pleasure of visiting the River Forest  layout and the Hinsdale layout that will be open during the March Meet.  Both of these layouts are worth the visit if you can make it to the March Meet. The quality of the two layouts was inspiring and will motivate me to raise my standards and expectations of what the Rockford O Scalers layout should and can be. 

If you are heading west from the March Meet by car on the 19th (Sunday), please stop by our layout if you have a chance.  Hopefully you will be as inspired and have as good of a time as we had today.  Looking forward to seeing many of you at the March Meet.

I plan on going.  It will be my first time.  No expectations so I am sure it will be great.  

I have expectations of St Pattys day in Chicago being a blast. Good thing whisky doesn't give hangovers 

The Rockford O Scalers will be manning our sales tables at the Meet on Saturday March 18 and then on Sunday March 19 our layout will be open 12:00 noon to 6:00pm.  We hope to see there!  

Matt Makens posted:

I have expectations of St Pattys day in Chicago being a blast. Good thing whisky doesn't give hangovers 

Surprisingly, this weekend is when they have their big parade and dyeing of the river Green. Sure there will be some drinking Friday night. They say that Halloween parties have become the biggest source of drunk drivers, wonder where St. Pat's fits in. 

Yes, the parade is always the Saturday befor st pattys day if st pattys day doesn't land in Saturday so I'm a little sad I won't get to see it and the green river but the river is an odd green color anyway. 

Richard Dunn...Do you still have that beautiful UP SD70ACe??    Or did you sell it?    Engineer Joe.....I hope you can make it to the show this year.....

Engineer-Joe posted:

naveenrajan posted:

rdunniii posted:

I'd like to meet you too, and any others from this forum.  I will have a table, which I tend not to spend a lot of time at, which can be used as a meeting place.  If I cannot be found it tends to get announced over the PA system   Last year my table was along the far side wall near MMW.

What time are you planning to go to the museum sunday, never been there before.

Richard,

I remember your table. So, were there any further updates to your Sunset EMD demonstrator that USPS lost & kept showing up on E-Bay through a Pawn Shop in GA?

These are just my opinion.

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

this was painful to hear about. I returned a smashed up and broken engine back to the seller that was in a box without damage. The return address was a fake. They lost the engine. So I lost my money. That also was in Georgia??

I don't know why I bother to insure my stuff with them. I started using FedEx exclusively and over time now, I forgot why.

Now, I'm remembering why!

The insurance is just as bad for all of them.  USPS was my last hope for actually having it work but they like the others set it up to protect themselves first and you possibly.  So long as you know exactly how to play the the game.

R Nelson posted:

Richard Dunn...Do you still have that beautiful UP SD70ACe??    Or did you sell it?    Engineer Joe.....I hope you can make it to the show this year.....

I sorta sold it.   There was a guy at the show that collected HO brass who traded me a beautifully finished Overland KCS GEVO as partial payment.

I hope to see you there too.  I may have the same table as last year.  This year I'll at least have a GGD brass Pennsy FOM RPO and most likely a bunch of PRB Super Chief cars to sell.  I may have a couple of factory painted Wasatch UP cars also.  I'll also have a couple of SD70/80/90 OMI trucks set up to showoff my P48 wheelsets. 

will be there as a first timer

The March Meet is one of my favorite shows. I always go home with a bag full of hard to find detail parts, Kadee couplers and even a $25 freight car or two.  Lots of great layouts to see in the evenings too.

Hopefully I can catch up with my old Independent HiRailer friends while I'm at it.

Really looking forward to it.  One of my favorite shows of the year.  The layout tours is what introduced me to real operating sessions.  Always makes me think I should have gotten into 2-rail O scale instead of 3-rail.  Hope to see a lot of you there.

Art

As of now, i have 3 tubs of cars and kits, and I'll have at least 1-2 more tubs/boxes of just structures to sell like this:

And the caboose structure scene that's in the most recent issue of OST.

Anyone going to the March Meet have adresses for the 2 layout tours in Rockford IL  Thanks Eh

chester7 posted:

Anyone going to the March Meet have adresses for the 2 layout tours in Rockford IL  Thanks Eh

Once you purchase your registration and entrance fee ($20 for both days), then you will be give a list of all the locations & dates for the various "open house" layout tours. Naturally, the layout toured are only "open" to paid attendees of the March Meet.

Hot Water posted:

chester7 posted:

Anyone going to the March Meet have adresses for the 2 layout tours in Rockford IL  Thanks Eh

Once you purchase your registration and entrance fee ($20 for both days), then you will be give a list of all the locations & dates for the various "open house" layout tours. Naturally, the layout toured are only "open" to paid attendees of the March Meet.

Im not going to be able to make the march meet this year but im going to be in Rockford visiting some friends and thought I could check out the layout tours there eh If not thats ok 

The location of the Rockford O Scalers layout is in the 3800 block of Lookout Drive (south side of Rockford near the end of Alpine).  There will be a crossbuck in the front yard so once you get to Lookout it won't be hard to find.  The hours are noon to six on Sunday only.  We don't care if you made it to the March meet or not (but it is a great show so if you can make it, you should).  We have sent out a general invitation to all of the model railroaders/co-workers and friends around the Rockford area.  I can't answer for the other layout.  Hope you can make it.

john handlogten posted:

The location of the Rockford O Scalers layout is in the 3800 block of Lookout Drive (south side of Rockford near the end of Alpine).  There will be a crossbuck in the front yard so once you get to Lookout it won't be hard to find.  The hours are noon to six on Sunday only.  We don't care if you made it to the March meet or not (but it is a great show so if you can make it, you should).  We have sent out a general invitation to all of the model railroaders/co-workers and friends around the Rockford area.  I can't answer for the other layout.  Hope you can make it.

Thanks John eh

john handlogten posted:

The location of the Rockford O Scalers layout is in the 3800 block of Lookout Drive (south side of Rockford near the end of Alpine).  There will be a crossbuck in the front yard so once you get to Lookout it won't be hard to find.  The hours are noon to six on Sunday only.  We don't care if you made it to the March meet or not (but it is a great show so if you can make it, you should).  We have sent out a general invitation to all of the model railroaders/co-workers and friends around the Rockford area.  I can't answer for the other layout.  Hope you can make it.

Just tried to look this up on google but couldn't find a home with cross buck in front and no Alpine eh

rattler21 posted:

Chad,  The operative words are 'there will be'.  John didn't say 'There is."  John

Anybody know the actual address? 

Matt,

The layout tours are a "state secret" because the "tours/open houses" are ONLY for the attendees of the March Meet. Thus, if one is NOT an "attendee" then just how in he$$ would they know where all the "tours/open houses" are anyway?

Having participated in the "tour/open house" for our layout a few times, I sure wouldn't want MY address for an "open house" published in say, the Chicago Tribune, or any of the model railroad magazines, let alone on a website.

I see your point jack. I don't like people I dont know coming to my house that much so having my address on the ol interweb would bother me. still going to pay at the show and skip the layouts. There's plenty of stuff to do in Chicago 

What shop is Erick's?  Planning on hitting the show early Saturday and then do a "shop tour". Always looking for new shops to visit 

I will be there!  I will be displaying a small 2-Rail layout operation inspired by the Inglenook concept.  I believe I will be set-up outside of the main ballroom.  

See you there! 

I'll be there on Saturday...can't wait.

The fun has  begun!!!!  Lots of old friends and a few new ones.

Very few empty tables at the end of setup tonight.   "Diversity" of products abound 

Once again it seems like it's gonna be a GREAT show!

Was MMW set up with SD 45 sample model?

I will be there at the Allegheny scale model trains table with a few 2 and 3 rail items for sale.

Richard Gonzales 

I was at MMW today playing with the 4 sample models he had. All I can say is WOW!!!!! Those of us that ordered some of these models will not be disappointed as the ones I've seen are second to none in quality and detail

Jim, Erik's shop is MMW. Machine shop in Aurora 

Hi Matt

I need a little more information to find Eriks. Googling MMW. Machine shop in Aurora provides either machine shop listing or law firms with 3 partners who last names begin with MMW

Eriks is not open for visits

Show was packed...Mobbed at opening this morning.  l hope as many were there and as much business was done as appeared. Did not look like this is a dying scale.. l picked up a few small items.

No, this hobby is not dying it's a really good show. 

It was a great show.  I was able to find some detail items from three venders.  It was disappointing that most venders were cash only which limited my spending.  It was my first time and I only brought $300.00 in cash and spent most of it.  

I met Mr. Muffin (Steve Nelson) and had a nice conversation about Atlas.  I just got some Atlas 70 ton hoppers and 8000 gallon tankers from him earlier in the week and they are extremely impressive.  I expressed my pleasure with those and my anxiousness in getting some of their locomotives.  I can't wait.         

Marty from Scale City Design has got some impressive stuff that he will be adding to his website.  I will be on the lookout for that in the coming weeks.  He also is now carrying Arttista figures.   I would have bought a bunch of those figures if I brought more cash.   

My buddy bought a rare Weaver brass sanding tower.  Man I wish I had two of them.    

Altoona models are very impressive.  Bob Spaulding was a nice guy and his work and his products are awesome.

Oh yeah, almost all the venders there don't believe in a center rail.  Therefore, no locos or rolling stock were there for me to purchase.

No way is the hobby dieing, I couldn't believe the crowd that was there at the opening...the room was packed.  It was a great day there!

Crazy day. WOW!

Dick

I agree, it was a great show with a good crowd.  Had the pleasure of meeting many forum members there which was a treat.  A lot of great bargains on cars too.   My buddy bought two new Atlas freight cars for $20 each as soon as we walked in.  I bought two new Atlas 40 Ft steel reefers, a Milwaukee Rd and a Rock Island, for $25 each.  Saw Steve Nelson and his wife, Scott Mann, all my favorite vendors, and Hot Water, John Sethian, Matt Makins, to name a few I remember.  

Looking forward to layout tours this afternoon in DeKalb and Rockford.  Another great show!

Art 

Oh, I forgot to mention. In my opinion, you can see the sights in Chicago any time, but the layout tours are a fabulous opportunity to see some great layouts. Everyone I have visited I learn something from that I can use. Whether it is the scenery, the track plan, the operating session, the weathering, or something else, they have all been very much worth your time to see. And the people are as nice as any you will ever meet in my view. You always hear about Southern Hospitality, well you can't beat Midwestern Hospitality either. Try it, you will like it.

Art

Awe thanks Art. 

Art

Nice meeting you as well!

We're on the way back home to Memphis. The Chicago show was great. I didn't sale anything but I picked up some nice 2 rail cars that will on become 3 rail .

Mr. Muffin was there and we confirmed all of my orders. I enjoyed seeing him again.

Atlas was a no show.

Here is a picture of the trading hall.

Thanks,

Richard

Did Golden Gate Depot have the Harriman samples on display?  If so, photos please?

86TA355SR posted:

Did Golden Gate Depot have the Harriman samples on display?  If so, photos please?

No. They are not shipped yet.

Saw two Duluth and Missabe Range brass cabooses there but neither were the desired version with side door.  Hard to tell looking down from the top at the roof, but l got snarled at for tipping one over to see the side, and missing door. Person may not be aware that there are two versions. Didn't see any old kits of interest, such as Train Craft, or ??? Another show like York that occurs too few times a year.

I had a great time, even though my left leg gave me heck walking. Found a US Hobbies SD9 custom paint CB&Q in excellent condition for $265.00. Always wanted this loco. If I could walk I would be back on Sunday morning.

Darn, all the smart phone photo functions were disabled at the show; i.e. NO PHOTOS!!!

Lame.

Pingman posted:

Darn, all the smart phone photo functions were disabled at the show; i.e. NO PHOTOS!!!

Lame.

Not true. Saw all sorts of folks taking photos, especially of the Sunset/3rd Rail advanced sample of the CB&Q E8A, which Scott Mann brought with him from China.

Hot Water posted:

Not true. Saw all sorts of folks taking photos, especially of the Sunset/3rd Rail advanced sample of the CB&Q E8A, which Scott Mann brought with him from China.

That E8A looked amazing.

Would love to see those Q late E's if anyone has pics. 

Did Key have any CZ pilot cars? 

Key did have a CZ car on display.  IMO the plated finish on the pilot model had a slight brass tinge. Within several feet of the Key booth was the Union Station Products table with a plastic ATSF Pullman Standard sleeper built from one of their kits.  It was spray painted with a metallic silver finish that in my opinion looked more like stainless steel than the finish on Key, AtlasO, or Sunset passenger cars.  If I were in the market for a stainless steel car I'd contact Union Station Products and find out what brand spray paint they used on their display model.

I should add that the show was fantastic - well run, well attended , lots of full tables with great deals - my thanks to Mike Hill and his family for putting on the show.     

Thanks Ed, I'm sure Key will get it right. Just wanted to see if they improved the prvious pilots. Any pics would be appreciated. 

Like to try different restaurants in area of attended shows. Heard about but didn't get to a breakfast place called Blueberry Hill? that l passed leaving,  a couple of blocks east of the hotel on Butterfield Rd. Anybody try that?

I took my son (6 1/2) with me. We were a little disappointed that there weren't more layouts on-site. We enjoyed the On30 in the front entrance and the operator "whistled" at him as we walked around the layout. There was a "John Allen timesaver" but no-one was operating it and another small shunting display with someone on their cell phone as we walked buy. Didn't buy anything other than a die-cast car.

AtoZ Lewis posted:

I took my son (6 1/2) with me. We were a little disappointed that there weren't more layouts on-site. We enjoyed the On30 in the front entrance and the operator "whistled" at him as we walked around the layout. There was a "John Allen timesaver" but no-one was operating it and another small shunting display with someone on their cell phone as we walked buy. Didn't buy anything other than a die-cast car.

As information, the March Meet is NOT an actual "Train Show", like those "World's Greatest Hobby Shows". Thus, there are no operating layouts for "show". The layout tours, i.e. open houses for the attendees, is how the folks attending this big O Scale sale, see operating layouts.

I had a great time meeting some of my nefarious fellow posters to this site.

Dick

Any pictures from 3rd Rail display of E-8 locomotives 

N&W Class J posted:

No way is the hobby dieing, I couldn't believe the crowd that was there at the opening...the room was packed.  It was a great day there!

Once again, another really GREAT meet.  Thanks to the Hill family and everyone who put hard work and sweat into it. 

Whether the March Meet, OSW, the Indy meet, the Strasburg shows, the roving National or any of the other fine shows there is no way this hobby is dying.  

As always, there were plenty of bargains to be had for buyers and as a seller it was a great meet for selling.  Much of our hobby is a niche market AND by the nature of it some of our toys are expensive.  It takes shows like this one to connect buyers and sellers.

AND shooting the bull with folks you see only once or twice a year makes it all worthwhile.  The best part.   A GREAT, GREAT meet and I can't wait for the next Strasburg show on April the 22nd which for me will be the next fun O scale meet.

Great show !!!  The "York"  of "O scale"  .   Wonderful selection of a wide variety of items ....found a hopper from the Delta Lines RR .   Looking forward to next year . The layout open houses in Rockford were  both outstanding ...wonderful hosts and beautiful layouts .   O scale seems alive and well .

Cheers Carey

Hot Water posted:

Pingman posted:

Darn, all the smart phone photo functions were disabled at the show; i.e. NO PHOTOS!!!

Lame.

Not true. Saw all sorts of folks taking photos, especially of the Sunset/3rd Rail advanced sample of the CB&Q E8A, which Scott Mann brought with him from China.

HW, just venting as we wait to see the photos from the show.

I'm hoping for some photos it's the only way I can get to these shows. I've got my fingers crossed someone will post something.

Thanks in advance.

Roo.

MR-150 posted:

Any pictures from 3rd Rail display of E-8 locomotives 

Probably not going to be many pics shown.  Scott does not like all the complaints that result from showing a sample.  Mostly about the paint, complaints about which, are carp, given the lighting and other factors of a well handled sample.

I'd be willing to bet the complainers are the ones who don't even buy models. I thought the E8 was beautiful and now I really want 2 so I'm trying very hard to get some. 

Don't feel bad,  I reserved 2 CB&Q E8s....in 3 rail....and then decided to tear down my old layout and switch to 2 rail.  Yep, I'm a genius.  Too bad I had forgotten about them until about a week ago.

N&W Class J posted:

Don't feel bad,  I reserved 2 CB&Q E8s....in 3 rail....and then decided to tear down my old layout and switch to 2 rail.  Yep, I'm a genius.  Too bad I had forgotten about them until about a week ago.

Shouldn't be a problem, Chris. I'm pretty sure that Scott has a "waiting list" of folks wanting to purchase the sold out E8 and E9 units (by the way, the CB&Q E9 units will have the correct plated stainless steel side panels), especially the CB&Q versions. I know I asked him for a CB&Q E8A model in 3-Rail after discussing the "sample". Scott was on his smart phone Friday evening and Saturday morning with his builder in China, discussing the "changes/improvements" I pointed out.

Chris, I'll take em off your hands if you're looking to get out of your reservation. 

Thanks for everyone stopping by to visit, and an extra special thanks to those that purchased stuff from me!

Hot Water posted:

Shouldn't be a problem, Chris. I'm pretty sure that Scott has a "waiting list" of folks wanting to purchase the sold out E8 and E9 units (by the way, the CB&Q E9 units will have the correct plated stainless steel side panels), especially the CB&Q versions. I know I asked him for a CB&Q E8A model in 3-Rail after discussing the "sample". Scott was on his smart phone Friday evening and Saturday morning with his builder in China, discussing the "changes/improvements" I pointed out.

Thanks for the info HW.  Updates and improvements being made right up to the end is what makes them a great company and highlights Scott's desire to put out the best product possible to his customers. 

Matt-Email sent.

Mike DeBerg posted:

Thanks for everyone stopping by to visit, and an extra special thanks to those that purchased stuff from me!

It was fun Mike and always a pleasure to talk with you....and thank you.

My grandson and I went yesterday to the meet, and drove over to three layout tours. Nice show, and incredible layouts. It was a completely new experience for him to see someone else's train layouts. Everyone was fantastic, and the little guy had a BALL running trains in "Hershey".

Chris, sold!!!!!

Matt Makens posted:

Chris, sold!!!!!

Sounds good.  Maybe someday I can find some 2 rail CB&Q E8's or E9's...doubtful.....but maybe someday.  I was eyeing this J from OMI at the show....another one that I let get away.  Yep...batting a thousand here.

     As usual the weekend went by too quickly.  The show was a good one, lots of nice stuff to drool over.   Bill Davis and his new lattice truss bridges were extremely tempting.....may consider one down the road.....  

      Yes, it was great to see old and familiar faces, including many from this forum!   There were many I probably missed as I was buzzing around there on both days trying to see as much as possible.  Did get to talk to a few folks (some of which knew me, and yet I didn't have a clue as to who they were...LOL),  from either this forum, or elsewhere......    picked up a few things from Mike at the show, and even lightened his load with one less Overland CN SD70M-2 to take home!    Thanks for the great deal Mike!   Brian Huang from Bloomington bought my two Atlas NS MP-15s I brought to sell.....Thank you Brian!       Looking forward to next year, already!

Don't worry about the J.  It found a good home in Rockford.

That's good, glad it did.  Enjoy it...

Some guys had so much fun at the March Meet they were still running trains when I got home from work.

I'm sure an upcoming issue of O Scale Resource Magazine will cover the show and have lots of photos!  

Yes we will along with the contest winners.

great show. well attended and lots of brass to be had.  i managed to pick up a couple items from bill davis' import line. (loco wash station and express erie box car).  also picked up a kohs caboose as well as my diesel/car shop kit from altoona model works.  i just started putting that together today. other than that i picked up some figures, several tractors and a bulldozer and some yoder trucks.  always a fun show.

here is quick pic of the altoona building under construction.

I love the kits from Altoona, I was looking at the roundhouse he had on display...what a beauty.

they are really nice kits.  go together well and it is pretty obvious how they get assembled.  bob is a nice guy to deal with and looking forward to this one!  the little 3 stall i have from altoona builds up super as well!

Good meet for O Scale Trains!  Maybe the best in the past 4 years.  Thanks to all that came by the tables; we appreciate your support!