I came down with my 7 year old son and 77 year old Dad from western Canada. We had a fabulous time and are very thankful to the volunteers and organizers of the meet. People were so kind, in particular to my son. At least once a day someone offered him something for free which made him feel special. He came home with a new found interest in prewar tinplate trains and has started his collection!
I actually learned about York about 3 years ago watching a Mandy Pantinkin interview with Tom Snyder where he went on about this fabulous train show in York I’m guessing the interview was late 90’s vintage. After that I started seeing reference to it in the magazines and forums and now we have lived the dream!!
The Wyndham bandit meet, especially outside tables with that fabulous weather on Monday was definitely a highlight for me. Also, seeing so many trains in person for the first time, it was like being in a museum. We saw the 611 in person at Strasburg and went for a ride, TCA Museum and open house, Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, Gettysburg .....lots to do.
My son actually found the Marx Diesel engine he was looking for at the third table we visited at Wyndham for $30 on the first day. I was blown away....lucky he bought it as everyone else wanted at least twice that for the remainder of the week. It was a great way to start the week! Tonight we oiled it up and put it on his little layout and it worked great!
At the York meet it was hard to know where to start. We ended up in blue first and then went to orange. I found prices were all over the map and found (and bought) items not on my list and less of what I had on my list (all modern stuff). Definitely there were a lot more vintage trains than I expected and less modern although there was still a lot. The items I wanted were probably all there, it’s easy to miss things when you are “scanning”.
Unfortunately we were so tired that we never made the OGR forum events which is a shame but there’s always next time!
It was an amazing experience and so many kind and friendly people. Thanks to you all and we hope to make it back again!
To anyone who has not gone and likes trains, it is a must see!!!! My little guy wants to come back tomorrow ( and who’s kidding who, so do I!).
If it were up to me and money were no object we would come every time. To those of you who live close, you are lucky!!!
