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I came down with my 7 year old son and 77 year old Dad from western Canada. We had a fabulous time and are very thankful to the volunteers and organizers of the meet. People were so kind, in particular to my son. At least once a day someone offered him something for free which made him feel special.  He came home with a new found interest in prewar tinplate trains and has started his collection! 

I actually learned about York about 3 years ago watching a Mandy Pantinkin interview with Tom Snyder where he went on about this fabulous train show in York  I’m guessing the interview was late 90’s vintage.  After that I started seeing reference to it in the magazines and forums and now we have lived the dream!!

The Wyndham bandit meet, especially outside tables with that fabulous weather on Monday was definitely a highlight for me. Also, seeing so many trains in person for the first time, it was like being in a museum. We saw the 611 in person at Strasburg and went for a ride, TCA Museum and open house, Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, Gettysburg .....lots to do. 

My son actually found the Marx Diesel engine he was looking for at the third table we visited at Wyndham for $30 on the first day. I was blown away....lucky he bought it as everyone else wanted at least twice that for the remainder of the week.  It was a great way to start the week!  Tonight we oiled it up and put it on his little layout and it worked great!

At the York meet it was hard to know where to start. We ended up in blue first and then went to orange. I found prices were all over the map and found (and bought) items not on my list and less of what I had on my list (all modern stuff). Definitely there were a lot more vintage trains  than I expected and less modern although there was still a lot. The items I wanted were probably all there, it’s easy to miss things when you are “scanning”.

Unfortunately we were so tired that we never made the OGR forum events which is a shame but there’s always next time!

It was an amazing experience and so many kind and friendly people. Thanks to you all and we hope to make it back again!

To anyone who has not gone and likes trains, it is a must see!!!!  My little guy wants to come back tomorrow  ( and who’s kidding who, so do I!). 

If it were up to me and money were no object we would come every time. To those of you who live close, you are lucky!!!  

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Moonson posted:

Gerhardt, It would be wonderful to see some photos of you and him, either at the Meet or by his layout with his new treasures, if asking that isn't an intrusion.

FrankM, Moon Township, USA, layout (See OGR Runs: 163; 168; 221; 224; 285)

Hi Frank,

We have lots of pictures so here are a few. Thanks for asking!

86379974-6377-486F-A8DB-8548FC1C9983E75C8488-AB14-4A7E-8EB4-94A78959F4C659619D99-45FA-42BF-9DD0-5E6C3F7ED28D9EDE1C74-4910-4B1B-96F1-1BD9B25C2BA0A7094EF4-BD31-4CF1-AD2C-ECBB9C48FB47

Attachments

Images (5)
  • 86379974-6377-486F-A8DB-8548FC1C9983: Unpacking the treasures after the flight home
  • E75C8488-AB14-4A7E-8EB4-94A78959F4C6: First morning!
  • 59619D99-45FA-42BF-9DD0-5E6C3F7ED28D: Our favorite layout at TCA museum
  • 9EDE1C74-4910-4B1B-96F1-1BD9B25C2BA0: 611
  • A7094EF4-BD31-4CF1-AD2C-ECBB9C48FB47: Wyndham Parking Lot
Gerhardt posted:
Moonson posted:

Gerhardt, It would be wonderful to see some photos of you and him, either at the Meet or by his layout with his new treasures, if asking that isn't an intrusion.

FrankM, Moon Township, USA, layout (See OGR Runs: 163; 168; 221; 224; 285)

Hi Frank,

We have lots of pictures so here are a few. Thanks for asking!59619D99-45FA-42BF-9DD0-5E6C3F7ED28D

All great pictures; for whatever reason, this one is my favorite... 

Mark in Oregon

SGMA1 posted:

The one picture of your son in front of the Standard Gauge display at the National Toy train Museum made all the hours Chris, Charlie and I spent building it worthwhile!  Thanks!!

Kirk Lindvig

www.sgma.us

Kirk, that was our favorite display. Great work, it was awesome! I took that picture near the end of the day when we came back to the museum just to see the standard gauge layout again.  Matthias just kept going back to it and I knew why....

Here is a link of the video of that display for anyone who’s interested. https://youtu.be/P5tbUFMxTNk

 

Gerhardt,

  Glad you all had a good time. I've never been to York. Not sure if I will ever make it there, but I am always interested in seeing pictures from there. I seem to recall that for whatever reason, pictures were not allowed in some of the halls. How is someone supposed to know whether they would want to go without the help of pictures, maybe it's just me, though. 

Thanks for sharing. Looks like you picked up some nice prewar cars. 

Tom 

John is correct. The picture rule is only for member halls. For the dealer and layout halls pictures and video are now allowed. 

Gerhardt: I know how you felt. I felt the same way when I first attended some 18 years ago. I am happy to hear that you and your family had a great time. Your pictures are awesome! 

NJCJOE posted:

Gerhardt,

I believe you stayed at the Country Inn & Suites Hotel. When you were at breakfast on Saturday, I was the one who told you dropped your hotel key. I'm glad you guys had a great time. That's what it's all about. 

Hi Joe,

Yes that was us! Thanks for reaching out. Yes it was an amazing week. We are still riding the “wave”. It is truly a magical experience to see so many cool trains in one place. Take care and hope to see you again!

G

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think the picture prohibition is for the member halls, obviously someone was worried about privacy. Personally, I don't understand the rule....

Some might indeed be worried about privacy, GRJ  I say that because I'm aware that some who sell in those tca member halls are hobby / train store owners who bring and sell tax free, used items from their establishments . So possibly they're concerned to the point of paranoia that photos of them selling their store merchandise tax free in those member halls will "out" them to PA's revenue / tax department.

Last edited by ogaugeguy
ogaugeguy posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think the picture prohibition is for the member halls, obviously someone was worried about privacy. Personally, I don't understand the rule....

Some might indeed be worried about privacy, GRJ  I say that because I'm aware that some who sell in those tca member halls are hobby / train store owners who bring and sell tax free, used items from their establishments . So possibly they're concerned to the point of paranoia that photos of them selling their store merchandise tax free in those member halls will "out" them to PA's revenue / tax department.

Ogaugeguy, That rings-true, to me, because, back in the 90's, when I first entered our hobby, I witnessed a vendor I had begun patronizing, at a rather large model train show in Edison, NJ, actually have his entire table confiscated by tax agents, right there, on-the-spot, at the show, and held from his access, until he produced overdue tax payment(s) .

I don't know if they do that in Pennsylvania, but they sure seemed serious about it in New Jersey.

FrankM

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