March Meet Chicago Update

Best of luck on the room numbers!  I'm sure that you'll get the tables sold.

I'd be going but the cost of attending outweighs benefits and costs of buying more stuff that I really don't need.

I wish I could get down there

We are going to do our best to make it this year.  My wife and I are planning to go.  Would be the first time attending.

@mwb posted:

Best of luck on the room numbers!  I'm sure that you'll get the tables sold.

I'd be going but the cost of attending outweighs benefits and costs of buying more stuff that I really don't need.

The social aspect is often of greater value than an additional purchase, although it's never a sad day when you find something you want and haven't seen in a long time.

@roll_the_dice posted:

We are going to do our best to make it this year.  My wife and I are planning to go.  Would be the first time attending.

Consider Ted Schnepf's Operating Session on Thursday.  New people are always welcome and he's actually prepared for it.  For the March Meet Op Sessions, since there are a lot of 1st time operators, he pairs people up on assignments.  He also has local club members around the layout for the purpose of helping everybody out.  There is never any pressure to get the work done or get out of the way, so most find it a lot of fun.  Ted's house is also configured with an entrance to the layout that's separate from the living area, so new people have no worries about opening the wrong door etc..  Ted's contact info is on the website: www.MarchMeet.net

@Brad Kowal posted:

The social aspect is often of greater value than an additional purchase, although it's never a sad day when you find something you want and haven't seen in a long time.

The social aspect is what it is and spending upwards of $600 just to be there is also painful.  Wants are also nice to fulfill, but mine generally center around liquidating my excess which to do so would only increase the cost to be there, e.g., tables, driving (gas & tolls), rooms, etc.  I could however make use of more time.

I an envious (sort of) of those that can just discount attendance costs from their minds and wallets.

@mwb posted:

The social aspect is what it is and spending upwards of $600 just to be there is also painful.  Wants are also nice to fulfill, but mine generally center around liquidating my excess which to do so would only increase the cost to be there, e.g., tables, driving (gas & tolls), rooms, etc.  I could however make use of more time.

I an envious (sort of) of those that can just discount attendance costs from their minds and wallets.

I totally understand your point of view and whether or not it's worth the expense simply comes down to point of view.  For many, the cost to attend the meet is still far less than other types of events and vacations. 

Unfortunately we don't have too many of these events left where we can get together.

@Brad Kowal posted:

I totally understand your point of view and whether or not it's worth the expense simply comes down to point of view.  For many, the cost to attend the meet is still far less than other types of events and vacations.

Rare that I have ever had a vacation until very late in my career and then again after retirement.....other events; other than day trip distance, also rare.

Unfortunately we don't have too many of these events left where we can get together.

Well, while we've managed to lose the Indy meet, but I still contend that what is really needed is a series of regional meets that are manageable in both size and venue cost.  And, we already have several that are quite healthy.  I would posit that this is something that O Scale Central should be pursuing.

It is a scale-show.

3 railers are just tolerated. Not in a bad way, they feel sad for us.

I have found nice scale items there.

Three rail may bring contempt, but 0 scale and three share the same condition of not being able to find everything wanted that can be found in HO, past and present.  That leads to the common borrowing of each from the other culture, structures, cars retrucked, etc.

@mwb posted:

Rare that I have ever had a vacation until very late in my career and then again after retirement.....other events; other than day trip distance, also rare.

Well, while we've managed to lose the Indy meet, but I still contend that what is really needed is a series of regional meets that are manageable in both size and venue cost.  And, we already have several that are quite healthy.  I would posit that this is something that O Scale Central should be pursuing.

I wish we could help you, however the March Meet is the best we can do.  It's very difficult to run a meet, large or small.  We considered fair ground space for the Indy Meet, however when you leave the larger, nicer venues, people reasonably expect the cost to be reduced.  The problem is, many of the fixed costs remain the same. We'll try again if something changes and we'll assist others whom also wish to try.  The best chance of obtaining the smaller more local meet you desire is to get a group of guys together and see if you can find some space to borrow.  A local group of guys will most likely have a better chance than a more national organization.

Today, I sent in my registration for attendance at the March O-Scale Meet.

Because I live in Chicagoland, I will drive in daily instead of staying at the hotel.

I attended last year on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.  

I am a 3-Rail O-gauge modeler.  

Last year, I bought several nice items at the swap meet & visited various layouts on all 3 days.

I also attended to OGR Meet last year at the Chicago March Meet.

Thanks to all for organization & participation in this Chicagoland Meet.

CB&Q Bill

@Brad Kowal posted:

I wish we could help you, however the March Meet is the best we can do.  It's very difficult to run a meet, large or small.  We considered fair ground space for the Indy Meet, however when you leave the larger, nicer venues, people reasonably expect the cost to be reduced.  The problem is, many of the fixed costs remain the same. We'll try again if something changes and we'll assist others whom also wish to try.

Oh, I have no expectations of your doing anything more than Chicago - that's a monster!

The best chance of obtaining the smaller more local meet you desire is to get a group of guys together and see if you can find some space to borrow.  A local group of guys will most likely have a better chance than a more national organization.

Completely agree.  I can probably get an entire gymnasium space for next to nothing, but the location is one that i have doubts about otherwise I'd seriously consider a show/meet there.  In fact, it has meeting rooms and more available.

@mwb posted:

Oh, I have no expectations of your doing anything more than Chicago - that's a monster!

Completely agree.  I can probably get an entire gymnasium space for next to nothing, but the location is one that i have doubts about otherwise I'd seriously consider a show/meet there.  In fact, it has meeting rooms and more available.

The March Meet is a large event that draws people from far away.  A ton of space is not required to have fun.  The St.Paul Club used to host an annual O Scale Meet.  I was 2 portable layouts set ups, a handful of tables for those who wanted to sell stuff and a few dozen people from one or two states away.  It was a lot of fun.

I did not say that they (0scalers) have "contempt" for 3-railers.

However, if you mention "Lionel" they think TOYs!

My wife and I just booked our stay in Lombard for the show.  This will be my first 2 rail meet in Chicago....I am excited to be going.  Flying in Friday evening and leaving Monday morning.  Will be buying tickets today or tomorrow.

@AlanRail posted:

I did not say that they (0scalers) have "contempt" for 3-railers.

However, if you mention "Lionel" they think TOYs!

It's funny...when I go to train shows that are 3 rail or multi scale whether it is scale or not, I am looked at as "are you crazy" being in 2 rail.  I still enjoy the shows, just not as much as I will being at a 2 rail show.   

Buildings and vehicles and freight cars that can be converted are still at 3 rail shows.  I just enjoy being around like minded people.

@CBQ_Bill posted:

I am a 3-Rail O-gauge modeler.

Me too.  I need to be in the Chicago area that weekend anyway.  So I booked the Westin Lombard for Wed.-Sun.  I hope that helps out @Brad Kowal

I'll definitely check out the show on Saturday.  Other than that, I'll have my wife and kid with me.  So I'll see what fits my schedule.

@roll_the_dice posted:

I just enjoy being around like minded people.

Yep.  And as a 3-railer, I suspect I can find some scenery items or something to pull out of there.  Looking forward to it.

@MikeH posted:

Yep.  And as a 3-railer, I suspect I can find some scenery items or something to pull out of there.  Looking forward to it.

Keep your eyes open, there will be a few engines and cars with 3 rail trucks around :-)