Clem's primer and bandit meets

There is a link to the updated Clem's Primer in the spring edition of TCA e*train (tcaetrain.org).

I attended the bandit meets for the first time last fall, on Tuesday - they made for about four hours worth of shopping (though I admit to being a little slow). If you are looking for something in particular, expanding the search always helps. Although I recognized some of the dealers from the fairgrounds, others I don't believe I had seen before.

If you are primarily interested in post-2000 production, I wouldn't make a special trip. I did not see very much of that. But there was a wide variety of things from the '90s on back to the early prewar period. Plenty to look at, some really, really nice things, and some good deals, too.

Depends on how much your wife drives you crazy. 3 Extra days at York may be worth the room and meals expense.

If you are looking for pre & postwar it is worth it.

Usually lots of unusual tinplate, including European, indoors at the Wyndham.  IMO, Wyndham is worth a look.  The firehouse by the fairgrounds is good if looking for Flyer, although it's been picked over quite a bit in the past few years. 

Aside from that, I think the time on one's feet is better spent in Strasburg - RR museum, TCA museum, Strasburg RR, Choo Choo Barn. 

Just be aware that they are a shell of their former selves. I used to attend them regularly, and even scheduled extra days in advance of York just to partake. In recent years I don't even bother to visit them on Wednesday (the day I arrive nowadays).

My advice would be to try 'em once--the few that remain--and see how they suit you. Could be a semi-tough decision if you will need to spend additional $ for an extra night in a hotel, additional meals, etc.

Come on Allan, Don't down grade the bandit meets. if the weather is good, The Wyndham will be rock-n.

Some of the bandit meet vendors don't have tables at the "official meet"  so spend some time look around and be glad you are able to!

Thanks to all for the details and views.  I figure why not try it once at least (as Allan says) a since it is a part of the ambiance (like Tom says). Thanks to Nick for the clem's primer link too.

The Bandit shows are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, they should be over run if people. The TCA meet is partly closed. That is the reason people don't attend. According  to some people.

ROGER TEB, sorry, but i don't understand what you are saying.

Eddie G, The many posts about TCA meet in York dying because it was not open to the public. The Bandits have always been open but they say they are dying too.

The bandit shows are not dying, and the York meet is also not dying because it is not open to the public. Do you go to the bandit show at the Wyndham, & the York meet? Just curious.

Maybe I am missing something - the York meet is now open to the public.  For the bandits, the Wyndham has always had a parking lot full of trains and good deals if you find something you like.  I think the Bandit meets have less variety but more deals if you are willing to haggle.

EmpireBuilderDave posted:

Maybe I am missing something - the York meet is now open to the public.  

Only 2 of the 6 halls. The "member" halls, consisting of most of the "vintage stuff", is not.

Most vendors only setup at the fairgrounds.   Some vendors setup at both.  But their stuff will be picked over at the bandit meets before they go to the fairgrounds.  They may have too much stuff to take into the fairgrounds,  so it may only be available at the bandit meets. 

 Several vendors at the bandit meets do not setup at the fairgrounds.   So the only way you will see their stuff is at the bandit meets.

If you want to have a shot at the best variety, you need to do both the bandit meets and the fairgrounds.   If you have to choose, then I would do the fairgrounds.  If I to choose one day it would be Thursday.   Sum cuique.