Allentown (PA) First Frost Meet and OGR Breakfast

Joe Hohmann posted:

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

 

Excuse me but ISn't the guy on the left an NS engineer? doesn't he show up for breakfast from time to time?

 

I didn't know Amtrak had a observation car. Details?

Not to hijack this thread but that is the presidents car in the photo. Amtrak runs cars called sightseer lounges, the modern version of the old dome cars.  They also have dining cars, sleepers and coaches. We travel exclusively by train in a sleeper/bedroom and probably have over 70,000 miles on Amtrak on trips as far as  Seattle.

Getting back to the subject of this thread, I would say that a number of the York dealers set up at Allentown, but most do not go to York. The meet is way different and the variety is too. I've always found less state-of -the-art high end stuff there and more affordable trains including some great buys on overstock, overun and surplus trains. Its really more of a mixed bag of stuff than at York, a bit of everything; trains, books, parts dealers, even a guy who rebuilds ZW's.  You never know what you are going to find there.

Pat Marinari posted:

GRJ:

Picking you up might be a little awkward.  Jean & I go up to Allentown on Friday night, have a nice dinner and stay at the Holiday Inn across from Dorney Park. 

No problem Pat, that was really tongue-in-cheek.  I'd like to get Bobbi up early enough to go to the breakfast.

Can't make it till sunday this year, have a safety meeting in scranton at the Lackawanna station hotel at 7:30 am saturday. Breakfast on the company, then the meeting, then off to steamtown for the day. 

First frost may be right on time. Friday night low expected to be 18 degrees. 

I'm going to have the full winter coat for standing out there waiting to get in at 8:00 AM, it's gonna' be pretty COLD!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'm going to have the full winter coat for standing out there waiting to get in at 8:00 AM, it's gonna' be pretty COLD!

Looks like I'll have to read a book or listen to music in my car until there's no line and I can make a run directly into the show from my car!

-Greg

I don’t mind the cold, but my back no longer approves of standing in line. I’ll get there early, find a nice parking spot, then sit in the minivan watching “Wild, Wild West” on the DVD player. Once the line starts moving, I’ll jump in.

Greg Houser posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'm going to have the full winter coat for standing out there waiting to get in at 8:00 AM, it's gonna' be pretty COLD!

Looks like I'll have to read a book or listen to music in my car until there's no line and I can make a run directly into the show from my car!

-Greg

That' what I usually do. The line is usually looooong, and what's 15 minutes, anyway. This show I'll be reading a history "By Streamliner, New York to Florida" (since that's what I'm doing in March). Or, you can wait in the farmers market and watch everyone freezing their **** off.

Alentown posted:

Just confirmed the luxurious OGR Forum Room at the HamFam!

See you guys there!

• Alentown (Chuck)
• RockyMountaineer (David)
• Tuscan Jim (Jim)
• Kenn [ogaugeguy]
• Mark [PRRHORSESHOECURVE]
• John (gunrunnerjohn)
• Greg Houser
• Chris Read
• Steve (Corsair29)
• Joe Hohmann (whatdidyousay)
• LionelBill
• Pat & Jean Marinari
• bluelinec4 + 1
• John & Christine D
• Lehighline (Chris)

 

I'll be there with advance tickets.   I had to dig a bit to find this post! 

Make sure you unpack your long underwear, looks like it's going to be a chilly morning!

Alentown posted:

Just confirmed the luxurious OGR Forum Room at the HamFam!

 

We're not getting the room with the bar and the pole?

Man, I was really looking forward to this since I missed the last two Allentown Meets.  Then we moved across the country.

I'll miss seeing you guys, but I'll be putting the funds towards our new layout building and for April's York Meet.  Have a great time guys!!

Bummer you won't be able to make these anymore Brian, look forward to seeing you at York next spring!

Joe Hohmann posted:

Alentown posted:

Just confirmed the luxurious OGR Forum Room at the HamFam!

 

We're not getting the room with the bar and the pole?

What do you expect from someone who eats foo-foo pancakes?? 

-Greg

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Bummer you won't be able to make these anymore Brian, look forward to seeing you at York next spring!

Ditto here!! I'm looking forward to seeing you and your better half at York in April as well.

-Greg

Greg Houser posted:

Joe Hohmann posted:

Alentown posted:

Just confirmed the luxurious OGR Forum Room at the HamFam!

 

We're not getting the room with the bar and the pole?

What do you expect from someone who eats foo-foo pancakes?? 

-Greg

Yes, the bar and pole, however, are in the bathroom.

Hi Chuck,

If it's not too late please put me down for attending - Michael Breen 

thank you sir! 

PS - I'll be bringing the trains I just posted on the For Sale/Trade board too! 

Thanks for organizing this event again, Chuck! Looking forward to it.

Jim

Too bad it's not today since the forecast temps for 7:30 - 8 am tomorrow are in the bone-chilling teens and certainly not what we've had a chance to become acclimated to yet this fall!

Ed Boyle posted:

Don't forget,  At 11:00 AM we will have the OGR/Allentown Group Photo at the OGR booth.  This time it is going up on the Forum!!!

We might even do a retrospective of the last two or so shots we did at previous Allentown Meets. Clean T shirtrs and other "formal" gear suggested for this important  cultural event 

Ed Boyle

Clean T-shirts? Its going to be 20 degrees. I guess if you have enough anti-freeze in you, it won't matter.

Gerry

gmorlitz posted:

Its going to be 20 degrees. I guess if you have enough anti-freeze in you, it won't matter.

 

New Allentown forecast is 16 degrees. So much for me wearing shorts. Remember, when ordering your coffee to say, "With a shot, please".

Joe Hohmann posted:

gmorlitz posted:

Its going to be 20 degrees. I guess if you have enough anti-freeze in you, it won't matter.

 

New Allentown forecast is 16 degrees. So much for me wearing shorts. Remember, when ordering your coffee to say, "With a shot, please".

I was joking with my wife that I'm gonna need to bring my flask for some of mama's secret recipe to add to my tea. 

-Greg

I will be there .

• Alentown (Chuck)
• RockyMountaineer (David)
• Tuscan Jim (Jim)
• Kenn [ogaugeguy]
• Mark [PRRHORSESHOECURVE]
• John (gunrunnerjohn)
• Greg Houser
• Chris Read
• Steve (Corsair29)
• Joe Hohmann (whatdidyousay)
• LionelBill
• Pat & Jean Marinari
• bluelinec4 + 1
• John & Christine D
• Lehighline (Chris)
• Mike Breen
• BLT

I won't be able to attend the breakfast... but by all means stop by the back of the hall and say Hi at the Independent hi railers layout 

Wish I could join you........looking forward to the group picture!

Peter

Drats! Can't make it today after all. A relative's major medical appliance scheduled for her home delivery late yesterday was delayed and won't come until sometime today so have to stay put awaiting its arrival. Hopefully, there'll be no snafu's for the Spring Thaw meet. Have fun everyone and stay warm waiting in that early morning opening line.

Just returned from the breakfast and show. Both were great fun. I walked into the OGR Room at the diner, and was surprised to find 8 guys already there at 6:20. Since it was about 18 degrees at 7:45, I decided to read in my car until everyone was inside. The only problem was that everyone else had the same idea. There seemed to be more people than usual before the "9 O'clock Rush". While I needed nothing, I bought 3 items, anyway (total about $59.). Thank you Chuck, for arranging this twice a year.

I had a great time today as well at both breakfast and the show.  It was great to see and talk with everyone again!

Can't wait for Trainstock!

-Greg 

Got started a little later than I like, but it worked out well. Had a nice breakfast, then got a great parking spot and threw in a DVD. My episode of Wild, Wild West ended around 8:15, and by then the line was completely gone, so I walked right in. I was mostly buying odds and ends, like some die cast, but on the way out I offered a real low bid for a Thomas starter set, and it was accepted. Don’t know why, but I still get a kick out of Thomas, so why not?

Good breakfast with friends, and a lot of folks at the show.  Since I'm moving, I wasn't really doing buying unless some real bargain jumped out at me, but I enjoyed the show just the same.

Just got back--like most, only positives to report. The show seemed to be more well-attended than the previous few, lots of foot traffic as well as what seemed to be very strong seller representation, so a good blend for all (I hope). My big pick was one of the last two special run Strasburg Paradise observation cars by Nicholas Smith. I had been mulling over that purchase decision for quite some time, and when they got down to the final two that seemed to do the trick and push me over the ledge of indecision ridge.  Beautiful car!

Always good food, company and conversation at the HamFam breakfast.  Thanks to Chuck for organizing and Ted for bringing the early entry tkts.  I walked the show with Greg, kept my eyes peeled for an illusive something, fortunately I didn't find it :-)

Great day with great people and chuck learned to eat real food instead of foo foo pancakes

I had a good time talking with everyone at the breakfast! Thanks to everyone who stopped by later on to chat at the modules. It was good to reconnect as well as find new friends.

Here are some breakfast shots as well as the 11:00AM photo. Ok, where do I start????

Chris

LVHR

On of the dealers brought this little critter over. Very cool! It's On30, and battery powered with remote control.

Chris

LVHR

Now that is cool! A great stocking stuffer!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

... and a lot of folks at the show.  ...

Here's how things looked around 11AM. 

The main building...

The "annex" building...

It was a good show, I was in by 8am out by 945am. Picked up a few refurbished ZW and Z transformers and a mint set of Lionel MPC Brunswick Green F3's.