Official York Attendance in Oct. now up.

More than 1 and less than 100,000. 

I was wondering the same thing. I wanted to post the question yesterday, but couldn't remember what it was when the time! Usually, this information is released a few weeks after the meet. I wonder if it's listed on the website?

Don

My only comment is that it was a great York Meet regardless of how many attended.

Certifiably more than two. I saw you there

Gilly

It felt a bit more than April, less than the previous October

Is that more or less than last October?

I've been going since late 80's and wondering where a record of attendance might be found?  

Why are you happy about that when 10 years ago the attendance was much higher?

So since 10 years ago has the attendance diminished due to a lack of interest or online buying?

quote:

So since 10 years ago has the attendance diminished due to a lack of interest or online buying?

Any answer would be conjecture.

I say its the bad economy.

I visited our local aquarium store yesterday. The owner pointed out some spots that used to hold tanks full of fish. Instead he had just a few decorations in each spot. He said his business has been off for years, and he hasn't seen any of the "recovery".

"So since 10 years ago has the attendance diminished due to a lack of interest or online buying?"

I would think that since it is a TCA event, it is a direct reflection of the TCA membership totals that have been dropping for several years. Despite the lower attendance, this meet provides the best opportunity to renew friendships and find product at one place that is not always available on the on-line auction sites or for that matter, anywhere else.

Because I was in attendance at the most recent York Meet, I found very rare K-Line passenger sets that have not been available through any other source. 

So long as there are sufficient sellers and buyers attending this meet to warrant it's continuance, just because there were 1,000, 1,500, etc. less members in attendance, I really will not lose any sleep over the exact number.  

It's just my opinion, but I think it's neither.  Attendance had diminished due to the aging of the collector demographic:

• Someone in his 70's goes to train shows and enjoys it
  
• Someone in his 80's goes to train shows when he feels up to it
• Someone in his 90's doesn't go to train shows.

Anyone who's been in the hobby more than 20 years has seen the above progression.  We're just not putting kids in the pipeline as fast at the other end, so the trend will continue to be down.

My $0.02 .... worth precisely that.

SJS

I am 62 years old. I am changing what I run and Buy. I am now back in a buy mode.

After being in the Hobby for 20 years, I have more than enough stuff. I buy only selected items, Not deals because I have enough stuff. Most of the people I know that have been in the hobby 20 years are selective in purchases. They are also selling off excess stuff. I am too. Factor some of this into York attendance and purchases.

And the world turns. 

It doesn't help that the TCA raised the membership dues 43% last year. I know several people including myself that found this an exorbitant price increase to pay for York attendance and dropped out of the Train Collectors Antique Society.

The highpoint of attendance at York was IIRC about 15,000. IMO, it will be on a steady decline until the meet can be opened up to everyone and despite what the ED says it can be. Just ask Greenberg Shows how they do it and follow that formula to a T. Attendance will go back up and revenue will increase. Nothing is impossible!

I wouldn't drive two hours to a Greenberg show, let alone six.

Let's not make York into a Greenberg show.

This is why York should be only once a year. The TCA membership is declining and putting on two shows a year is very expensive not only for the TCA but for the vendors and mfgs. as well. 

Once a year show in October, now that is something to look forward to IMO. 

Not this again...

Factoring in gas, food, and lodging, and not counting my train purchases, I spend about $1000 each year attending York.  I drive farther than most, but don't stay all week, so I'm guessing that my cost is fairly typical.  The $15 dues increase equates to about 1.5% of what it costs to attend York, which makes it inconsequential.  

Let's be positive about York.  If a few negative folks choose not to go, I think it improves the show.  Considering the demographics of our hobby, the numbers don't disappoint me.  

I think it would be beneficial if it could be open to the public on Saturday, but we all know why it can't be a public meet thanks to the state revenue folks.

If the only reason to join TCA is to go to York twice a year for Thursday and Friday of each meet, the $15 TCA dues increase is $3.75 per day.  That's less than a bottle of smoke fluid or about one gallon of gas.

You call that "exorbitant"?  You are entitled to do whatever you want but for me York is the greatest train show / meet and I will continue to go until I can no longer physically attend.

For reasons explained previously by the EDTCA the York Meet will NEVER be opened to the public due to agreements with the PA Dept of Revenue and sales tax for members.