O-Scale National Convention

If you are in driving distance, defined by your own comfort sense, I would show up, if

you do modeling, build structures, and use other than tinplate out of the box items and details on your layout.  While they discourage three rail, I have bought short run Atlas reefers at these shows in the past.  I try to show up for accessible O scale shows, but that is way too far east for me at today's fuel prices.  Given a choice of one of these and your usual same old same old local show of tinplate and HO, I'd be at that one.  Interesting old O scale stuff tends to show up.

 I've attended 3 that have been in the NE area. Everything you'll see is O Scale. But there's not a lot to see. If your into craftsmen type structure kits, built kits from scratch, and detail items you'll find some. Not a lot of 3 scale rolling stock. You can find some that can be converted. Theres a few operating layouts.

 $20.00 to get in. You can cover the trade show at a slow pace in about 2 hours.

One of the secrets of any 0 scale swap meets are the unique structures you will find.  Some kitbashed, many one of a kind.  Yes, every now and then a piece of junk pops up on a table but by and large the buildings are neat finds.

Some of the items are from modelers who are no longer with us and bring a special memory value to anyone's layout.  My favorite is the Bucket-a-Day coal mine I got from Joe G a few years ago.

If you are into any form of 0 scale  or O gauge whatever you will find something of interest.  Plus at the larger shows there are demo classes on different aspects of modeling.

Additionally, at any show at this level you will be invited to well more than a  "few operating layouts".  Most comment there just is not enough time to see all the open house layouts.

Make it a vacation, come and be suprised.

I went to a few as a 3 rail guy.  I always find something.  If nothing else, it is a day out.  If anyone is going to attend, I am only a 40 minute drive if you want to see some toy trains.