Anyone heading Dupage County for the show this weekend? We have not been to a show for a year or so because the last time there were many empty tables and not much for us. This is the next to last show before Christmas. Those who attend regularly can you tell me whether the November or December show would be better?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
My son and I missed last month due to being volunteered for octoberfest set up...missed the train show and iron invasion, dang it.
Jim, from memories of years past, December "might" be alittle better filled, but I've also seen the prices inflated for the season too...but that's not surprising since everyone should know item prices when going anytime of year.
The last two prior months we attended there wasn't as much O gauge there as I would've liked, but it's far from gone...we hunt old oddball pieces, repaintable/kitbash cars and repair parts.
As we all know that show has deteriorated over the years.
Why not head to Trainfest in Milw??
As we all know that show has deteriorated over the years.
Why not head to Trainfest in Milw??
Hmmm, that's an idea but that's also a decent drive too from where I'm at...got any highlights/bargin stories?...not trying to be a smarta__, just curious.
As we all know that show has deteriorated over the years.
Why not head to Trainfest in Milw??
Hmmm, that's an idea but that's also a decent drive too from where I'm at...got any highlights/bargin stories?...not trying to be a smarta__, just curious.
I haven't been in years, but I do remember bringing plenty home! It's Milw, it's right in our back yard!
One of these days we'll have to try that...problem is that's packer country-bah!
....or not spent on others.
John
Oooh, I see a new found angle here!
problem is that's packer country-bah!
Let me see, Bears won Monday night, knocked out Rogers. Looks like a perfect time to wear Bears on a Sat in WI!
I am going to the DuPage County fairgrounds for the swap meet. I will admit Train Fest may impact attendance there. But I'd rather drive 14 miles than 100.
I am going to the DuPage County fairgrounds for the swap meet. I will admit Train Fest may impact attendance there. But I'd rather drive 14 miles than 100.
You can go to DuPage anytime, Trainfest is once a year! Consider it a little quiet time in the car!
problem is that's packer country-bah!
Let me see, Bears won Monday night, knocked out Rogers. Looks like a perfect time to wear Bears on a Sat in WI!
Get him!!!...I can see my obit now....
....wheaton will be less crowded and most likely more friendly.
Dupage is 3 hour round trip for us.
1/2hr for us one way- 45min if we catch the train crossing 38 and all the lights.
In past years, December and January are the ones with the most vendors.
One theory is looking for Christmas gifts and January for spending the money
that was either received or not spent on others.
John
Thats been my experience but I thought last December it was a bust. Years before there were alot of deals on new lionel. Last year was none. I should be up there in Dec.
I made the mistake of going. I paid my fee at the door and entered the hall well in advance of it's closing hour, only to find tables being broken down, items being packed away..This after a two hour drive...
My problem with Wheaton, when I lived closer, was that, to get in when it opened, meant both a long drive, AND a motel bill for Sat. night. Over time less and less of interest seemed to show up there, and gas prices kept escalating. Early opening shows, as the recent O scale one in Cleveland, discourage long distance attendees. However,they are great if you live in the area.....here, two major shows open late, 11 AM, so you have your morning shot waiting, if you are nearby. (can't have it both ways) I used to anticipate the Wheaton show and was dying to get there.
Been a while, now....I miss it...but not the long drive.
I never go to Wheaton when its on the same weekend as Trainfest. I also don't go if its within a week of York. However, I only go to Wheaton once or twice a year anyway , as opposed to the 90's, when I wouldn't miss a month (except July, of course).
I have a few items which I'll have on a shared table at the December 8 Show.
If you send me your email address, I'll send my list with table prices.
Thank you,
John in Lansing, Ill
Email sent...as I said, call it insatiable curiousity...
One of these days I need to go as a seller and see if I can unload the last of my G scale stuff since I'm sticking with 0/0n30.
Was a decent showing today and we walked away with a few lovely parting gifts - scored a new lionel rail truck for $25{son's}, a nice K-line square end observation for $18{me} and a nice shape non animated lionel freight station for $15{to be my daughters station}..my son only made it thru buildings 1&2 and wanted to leave.......still a good day but no CB&Q passenger car decals to be found.
OK, I'll go next month! Need to have a breakfast get together somewhere!!
Dupage show was very crowded today. I got the Woodland Scenic's Department Store just as I was leaving. I like this one better than the Menards version. But I do have 6 of the other Menards buildings. My carpet central town will now need some minor rearranging.
Went and paid for early entry and most of the tables were bare.
Monon Jim, You must be arriving too early, I got there at 8:50 and I didn't see any empty tables.
was there around 8:30
Tinplate Bob: Were all four buildings filled plus outside setups?
There were many outside vendors, that's where I bought the Woodland building.
I went to Dupage today. I attended in the 80s and 90s, not much in the 20s. I don't see that the show has declined. There were no empty tables and building 5 which was often not full in the past, was full today and even had a layout. There were venders outside. The whole thing seemed as big or bigger than the 90s. Good mix of trains and gauges.
I also went to Trainfest Saturday, spent time checking out Ross switches. Both places were well attended. The isles at Dupage were jammed by 10. Trainfest had a lot of families and a lot of kids. Lots of good layouts.
Bill
Went and paid for early entry and most of the tables were bare.
Last time, two months ago, we were in early{9:05am} and we got 3/4 thru building 1 before everyone started showing....it was 95% ready when we got in....maybe 8:30 is too early.
I went to Dupage today. I attended in the 80s and 90s, not much in the 20s. I don't see that the show has declined. There were no empty tables and building 5 which was often not full in the past, was full today and even had a layout. There were venders outside. The whole thing seemed as big or bigger than the 90s. Good mix of trains and gauges.
I also went to Trainfest Saturday, spent time checking out Ross switches. Both places were well attended. The isles at Dupage were jammed by 10. Trainfest had a lot of families and a lot of kids. Lots of good layouts.
Bill
10am is right about the time we got there...my son was dragging his feet- new DS game download the night before.
OK, I'll go next month! Need to have a breakfast get together somewhere!!
Either that or a meet up time/place at the show....
I went in for early entry about 8:00, I was the second car in the lot. Dealers were busily unpacking and setting up. Perhaps about 1/2 unpacked by then. They gradually set up over the next two hours. The early entry was worth it to me to avoid the crowds.
Bill
Monon Jim, You must be arriving too early, I got there at 8:50 and I didn't see any empty tables.
If they are not going to have the tables set up by 8:30, which is an hour before general admission....why have early entry, what is the benefit for attendees? I see the benefit for the show and extra $6.00 for 2. The whole point of early entry is you pay extra to puruse the tables before the crowds....used to be a monthly attendee now down to one time a year.
After I quit settng up in Wheaton, I still went very early and often got in with nobody
staffng the gate (show has changed mgt. since then). The reason to go early is to
get "first grabs", and at least be on the same level playing field as dealers who are walking around looking for bargains to later put on their tables with a price increase. This is why I always want in as soon as possible, why York has some of its rules, and why there are some shows I really dislike and quit going to, as they catered to the
dealers at the expense of the shoppers.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
