I'll leave for York on Monday but I have to take the better 1/2 down to VA for a week with her daughter. Getting back to York on Mon nite gives me all day Tuesday for the bandit meets. I still really enjoy them, and as one of you mentioned, there's a more relaxed atmosphere. Of course, they're dependant upon the weather for their success, but I generally pick up a few things that I might not at the official meet. Sometimes you can pick up non-train items, which aren't allowed at the TCA meets. I picked up a really neat, commercial voltmeter, about 8" in diameter which is going into the hall leading to the basement. A year or so ago, I bought an old fire call box, made of cast iron, which now adorns my cousin's man-cave/shop.
But I found some nice train items, like a little Hornby 0-4-0 tank engine, in "0" gauge which I never would have looked for at the main meet. Cute little guy which I'm still getting ready for minimal operation.
It's stuff like these that makes the bandit shows all worthwhile for me. Maybe I'm a bit weird, but I guess I enjoy the weird stuff, too. And then, Wednesday is the manufacturer's day at the NTTM. Always look forward to that session each spring and fall.
Paul Fischer
