prh2j posted:
- Many will scoff at me I am sure, but, much like the Big E, I was able to walk through every part of all six Halls / buildings in 3 hours.
If you went through York in 3 hours and you go through the Big E in 3 hours, you approach the shows differently than I do.
I am able to fit the entire Big E show into one day, but it takes some effort for me to finish up on time. I do buzz past the N Gauge tables at the Big E, just as I buzz past the Flyer at York, so that helps.
At York, I find that it takes me all of Thursday afternoon and all of Friday to see it all. I reserve a few hours on Saturday morning to follow up on some items I thought were overpriced -- but within reach -- and return to see if I can strike a deal. I use an approach I learned way back when from Tony Lash himself of chatting up the guy, finding out where he's from, and making a "You don't really want to carry that all the way back to [city X], do you? Would you take [$Y]?"
So, for me Big E = 8 hours, York = 12-14 to see it all. I'm guessing you didn't slow down to look under anyone's tables at York or to stop and read a vintage New Haven "Conductors' Operating Guidelines" Manual at the Big E.
My advice to you and everyone would be to slow down and enjoy the trains. YMMV.
Steven J. Serenska
Bristol, Rhode Island
