I am on the hunt for 1990's to early 2000's 3R Scale (semi-scale) Items. Weaver, Williams and K-Line Steam Locos. K-Line Aluminum Passenger cars (mainly 15 and 18 inch). Weaver/CMP and Intermountain Freight Cars.
The explanation of the halls and advice on cash helps greatly thanks!
I will follow the floor arrows (or walk backwards when needed to not make it so obvious). I will try not to wake anyone when looking under the tables. I would hate to be escorted out of my first York by Security. LOL
@MainLine Steam posted:I am on the hunt for 1990's to early 2000's 3R Scale (semi-scale) Items. Weaver, Williams and K-Line Steam Locos. K-Line Aluminum Passenger cars (mainly 15 and 18 inch). Weaver/CMP and Intermountain Freight Cars.
The explanation of the halls and advice on cash helps greatly thanks!
I will follow the floor arrows (or walk backwards when needed to not make it so obvious). I will try not to wake anyone when looking under the tables. I would hate to be escorted out of my first York by Security. LOL
Last year in the Orange Hall there were a couple of folks that had some Weaver items. Of course, that can be said about any hall really. When looking for what is on your list(make a list of things that are most important to find), keep in mind that a few things do happen at York. Deals can be made, and sometimes more than one item(s) could be tossed in or discounted.
I found that my first York in October 2017 I was ready but the major items on my list were just not there. I used note cards which I kept in my badge holder along with a pen. I had my list, wrote or checked what items were bought from it, added things that weren't.
I still have that original list, plus some empty note cards just in case I make more purchases I have to add. If you know what you have, that's good. However, if you are buying stuff that is sort of in the same line of things, say like Lionel's 6464 Boxcars, note what one's you have so you don't purchase them again. I did that with some of the old Milk Cars I have(from before 2017 I think). I have a good number of them now, some great couplers, some the new design.
One last thing, chat with your fellow York forumites. It is always great to stop and talk, even ask in person if anyone has seen something on your list. Gladly I don't have to ask for the elusive Lionel Dreyfuss Hudson(the 28084 stolen tooling).
It has been my experience from 2015 to 2022 that EDTCA does check the parked vehicles for the appropriate yellow EDTCA RV sign with the current York RV badge attached. Usually each evening late and around 5.30 to 6.00am. They will pound on the door until you respond. I don't know what the penalty is. In my case a brochure had slid over and covered a crucial piece of information on the York RV badge.
I would try to park in a location centrally located amongst the halls that interest you the most. You can stop by your vehicle and drop off packages on your way to the next hall. If you bring a cooler and snacks you can eat a snack while walking to the next hall. Doing this you can easily get thru the day without a food "break ". Eat a big breakfast helps as well.
Figure out the most money you could possibly spend , then double it. Bring cash.
Bring a bed sheet to cover the contents in your car. It's supposed to be sunny and I have seen the sun melt boxed items through the clear film window box.
Categorize your wants into gotta haves, maybes, sort ofs etc. Research the eBay "completed sales" on the stuff you really want. Remember at York you get to see and handle the exact item you are buying. Not just some sellers description. Also no tax (usually) and no shipping. Don't be bashful about verifying what the seller has told you about the item.
Check for condition, repaired areas, or replaced parts. I've seen a ton of "mint" "brand new" trains with noticeable wear on the wheels or pick up rollers.
I quickly check the prices on a few items on a table and make a decision on whether to shop further or walk on by (like Dionne).
The tables are numbered by aisle. If you see something you might be interested in and want to look at it closer later, write down the table number and keep moving.
As always, if it's something you want then negotiate and buy it then. Don't set it down on the table until you're sure you don't want it
The trip back home is much nicer and happier after you've bought something you wanted, at maybe not the exact best price, as opposed to missing out on something because you over shopped for it. For you a 5 hour disappointment. For me I get to regret it for 27hours over 1744 miles.
If you miss out on something, don't sweat it. In todays market the supply is growing much faster than the buyers demand.
Time is your enemy. You can talk at a restaurant or bar or orange hall foyer after the halls close. Shop till you drop, especially if it's first trip.
Mike, the data is in the pdf file.
@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:You could also have a look in the York TCA Meet Forum as well beside quite a bit of what has been said here. There are a number of topics that have been posted within a week or more ago(if you haven't already).
That said, one thing that I forgot to mention on one of the other topics is be sure to bring a good variety of breakdown bills. You want to have $10, $5, and $1 in a good abundance. The bathroom attendants at the meet are volunteers, and work really hard to keep the bathrooms clean. Though folks are not obligated to give money, it is a good thing to do. Also, interact with these folks, make them feel like they are invisible. I always seem to say a few things like ask how they are doing, sports talk, or just anything. Makes you feel good.
Definitely agree - be generous, show appreciation, and treat them nicely.
Just to clarify - they aren't exactly volunteers - they are workers who are paid only by the tips they collect.
"I once found someone sleeping...no joke."
I wasn't sleeping...I was thinking with my eyes closed.
@Arthur P. Bloom posted:"I once found someone sleeping...no joke."
I wasn't sleeping...I was thinking with my eyes closed.
But you weren't under the table! 
-Greg
One more question (just keep thinking of more). Are all the Halls Heated? Maybe a stupid question but...back in Wisconsin at most fairgrounds, all the buildings aren't. Some are "Livestock Barns", called into action only for major events. Remember thinking "I should have dressed warmer" a few times. BTW that sometimes is the cause of odor, not the guy standing next to you. LOL
Aussteve - Great advice! I have a couple of similar incidents (I am also a car guy) I still regret 40 years later (don't ask)!
Thanks again to all.
@MainLine Steam posted:One more question (just keep thinking of more). Are all the Halls Heated? Maybe a stupid question but...back in Wisconsin at most fairgrounds, all the buildings aren't. Some are "Livestock Barns", called into action only for major events. Remember thinking "I should have dressed warmer" a few times. BTW that sometimes is the cause of odor, not the guy standing next to you. LOL
Aussteve - Great advice! I have a couple of similar incidents (I am also a car guy) I still regret 40 years later (don't ask)!
Thanks again to all.
I believe that they are. I think Lou had commented about when they were livestock pens, cold it was then he said.
Or something like it.
They're heated.....Greg
Go to the entrance to the Orange Hall, stop by the TCA booth, and buy one of everything they are selling!
It is heated , was cold last October and they were warm.
most important,bring money BUT only what you can afford to spend.Also treat sellers as people,don't check EBAY while standing in front of the table....don't be afraid to deal...you should have no problem ....joe
Thanks - Glad to hear buildings are heated. 
I'll be there at this time tomorrow, can't wait! Probably out of cash though. If any of you see me trying to sell my car to get money (to buy more trains) PLEASE remind me I need it to get the trains and myself back home!
@MainLine Steam posted:If any of you see me trying to sell my car to get money (to buy more trains) PLEASE remind me I need it to get the trains and myself back home!
There are a number of companies that will pack and ship! How long can you sit in a box? Probably cheaper than gas...
Go and have fun. The days, I spent at York were some of the greatest days of my life.
The average human loses 90 Watts of heat through the cranium, while at rest or doing moderate exercise. 12,000 people @ 90 Watts per person = 1,800,000 Watts = 6,142,000 Btu. Water vapor through exhalation also contributes to the overall effect.
Conclusion: It will be warm and clammy in the halls. But bring a hoody anyway.
There are lots of good food vendors at the fairgrounds. The homemade French-fried potatoes are outstanding. Although homemade lemonade from a food truck is a real treat, beware of drinking lemonade that has set in a jug in the sun, waiting to be served. Don't ask me how I know. The reaction can take up to a few hours for maximum effect. And what an effect it is!
@Arthur P. Bloom posted:The average human loses 90 Watts of heat through the cranium, while at rest or doing moderate exercise. 12,000 people @ 90 Watts per person = 1,800,000 Watts = 6,142,000 Btu. Water vapor through exhalation also contributes to the overall effect.
Conclusion: It will be warm and clammy in the halls. But bring a hoody anyway.
Arthur - I see you are a man of science...
Can we see a calculation for number of calories burned if one was to traverse every isle in every hall?! 
Better yet - can you draw a Euler Circuit for the show such that every booth is visited??? 
The caloric output is dependent upon several factors:
Height, weight, age, gender, recent ingestion and peristalsis, involuntary muscle movement when confronted by a table containing that certain train item that has been the subject of the victim's decades-long quest, subliminal guilt as a result of nagging from Uxor Horribilis, aka "The Treasurer" (Motto: "Don't you already have some trains that look like that, Dear?") with attendant sudden onset of perspiration, and glee-cackling as the seemingly best-of-show deal is consummated.
The Euler diagram is almost impossible to predict, due to the arrows on the floors, which often operate counter-intuitively to the seemingly random fits and starts of the frantic and bewildered masses of collectors. Added to this difficulty is the lack of fundamental understanding, or general apathy, of what the fat end of the arrow actually means. Attempts to override the arrow system by walking backwards, avoiding eye contact with the normally-traveling crowd, and feigning a sudden attack of lemonade-itis add to the uncertainty of the diagram.
Have fun guys.
@Arthur P. Bloom posted:The caloric output is dependent upon several factors:
Height, weight, age, gender, recent ingestion and peristalsis, involuntary muscle movement when confronted by a table containing that certain train item that has been the subject of the victim's decades-long quest, subliminal guilt as a result of nagging from Uxor Horribilis, aka "The Treasurer" (Motto: "Don't you already have some trains that look like that, Dear?") with attendant sudden onset of perspiration, and glee-cackling as the seemingly best-of-show deal is consummated.
The Euler diagram is almost impossible to predict, due to the arrows on the floors, which often operate counter-intuitively to the seemingly random fits and starts of the frantic and bewildered masses of collectors. Added to this difficulty is the lack of fundamental understanding, or general apathy, of what the fat end of the arrow actually means. Attempts to override the arrow system by walking backwards, avoiding eye contact with the normally-traveling crowd, and feigning a sudden attack of lemonade-itis add to the uncertainty of the diagram.
I nominate this as OGR's post of the day.
How does flatulence and the absence of a daily shower affect the calculation?
A bit late for this year, but I take advantage of the noon start on Thursday by using the fitness center at the hotel. Despite the large number of meet attendees staying here, I had the fitness center entirely to myself this morning. Go figure...
@Mallard4468 posted:I nominate this as OGR's post of the day.
How does flatulence and the absence of a daily shower affect the calculation?
Correct - Arthur forgot to factor in the cropdusting effect.
I have posted a recap of my experience at the show under a separate posting, in case anyone is wondering how things worked out. Thanks again to all.
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