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After passing on the December 5th open air train meet (yes it was under pavilions, but not that great weather that day), I asked Renninger's in Kutztown, PA if they were going to do some more meets: Here's the answer
Yes , we will be having three in 2021. May 15, July 17 and August  28.
I attended the 'York Replacement' meet in October, was great to see many train friends, some good deals to be had, they had one super wide aisle down the middle of each pavilion, folks were wearing masks, so I felt very safe being there.
So now we need a true Spring York replacement meet in April to keep the 'no York blues' from setting in.
Jim
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... folks were wearing masks, so I felt very safe being there.
Jim

A lot more complicated than just wearing masks. The crud could be on the train boxes or the trains themselves. And what about the dealers and people? Anyone testing beforehand?

Latex gloves, masks, and lots of sanitizer—not just for hands, but for other things—required.

I would be unhappy attending anything in person until there is much more widespread innoculation.

The meet I went to in Oct was 'just right', good number of tables, spread way apart, huge center aisle, maybe 40 feet across, easy to stay 6 or more feet away from others, open on all sides. Crowd was not huge, so never felt close to others. The stuff doesn't live well on hard surfaces, so I do not believe the risk is high from picking it up from trains. I wasn't touching anything at any rate, unless I was serious about it. Can always run and wash your hands. Depends on how much you like train meets, I miss them greatly, and this was a nice event given that two Yorks were already cancelled, the height of my train year.

Jim

The New England Division of TCA is having some informal social gatherings (not official meets) in parking lots at various places.  We did three in the fall.  One was at a national park, one at a fair grounds parking lot and the third in the parking lot of the Elks where we would had an regular outdoor meet in September but the governor changed the rules.

The last one had about 25 SUV's and pickups three parking spaces apart so we didn't have safety worries with only two or three at a time together outdoors and six to ten feet apart.  We pray (it's sunday) for a light breeze which keeps aerosols from gathering.

Look at our web site netca.org.

If you are going to be in eastern MA on any of these dates (always Sunday morning) contact me directly.  I'm the Meet Coordinator.

Malcolm Laughlin

mlaughlinnyc@yahoo.com

After passing on the December 5th open air train meet (yes it was under pavilions, but not that great weather that day), I asked Renninger's in Kutztown, PA if they were going to do some more meets: Here's the answer
Yes , we will be having three in 2021. May 15, July 17 and August  28.
I attended the 'York Replacement' meet in October, was great to see many train friends, some good deals to be had, they had one super wide aisle down the middle of each pavilion, folks were wearing masks, so I felt very safe being there.
So now we need a true Spring York replacement meet in April to keep the 'no York blues' from setting in.
Jim



I was at Renningers train meet back then.  Bought a pw 404 w/box, 275 ZW, and exchanged two 1033 for rebuilt ones.

Felt good to get to a train meet.  I plan on going back in May.

Last edited by Trussman
After passing on the December 5th open air train meet (yes it was under pavilions, but not that great weather that day), I asked Renninger's in Kutztown, PA if they were going to do some more meets: Here's the answer
Yes , we will be having three in 2021. May 15, July 17 and August  28.
I attended the 'York Replacement' meet in October, was great to see many train friends, some good deals to be had, they had one super wide aisle down the middle of each pavilion, folks were wearing masks, so I felt very safe being there.
So now we need a true Spring York replacement meet in April to keep the 'no York blues' from setting in.
Jim

Anything on the Hamburg, PA meets?

The Hamburg Dutch Train Meet at the Field House is kind of the opposite to an open-air meet.  While I liked going to the less crowded summer meet and to the nearby Reading RR Museum, it’s the most congested meet I have even been to.

I went to the October meet at Renninger’s.  I wouldn’t call it a replacement for York, but it’s about the best we can hope for in these times.  I’m looking forward to the 2021 meets.

Last edited by Lehigh74

Flash meet at Renningers in Kutztown this Saturday, March 27. I haven't been there but I understand it is outdoors with ample space. Should be in the 50s. I'm mostly vaccinated and will be going. I think some other forum members will be there, including @John H. Shetler.

Here's a link:  https://renningers.net/events/...-model-train-meet-5/

Last edited by Will
@Will posted:

Flash meet at Renningers in Kutztown this Saturday, March 27. I haven't been there but I understand it is outdoors with ample space. Should be in the 50s. I'm mostly vaccinated and will be going. I think some other forum members will be there, including @John H. Shetler.

Here's a link:  https://renningers.net/events/...-model-train-meet-5/

As it stands now, I plan on going to Renningers this Saturday.

Renningers show in Kutztown, PA report:

This is a great show for prewar and postwar. Quite a few vendors with quirkier antique train items as well. Lots of affordable things in both O and Standard gauge and lots of postwar. Less modern and new stuff. The big dealers weren't there, possibly because of the location, but this gives it a less frenetic air than the biggest shows.

At least 100 vendors in two open pavilions with their vehicles pulled up right to their spots. A large space between the pavilions and a large aisle in the center of each pavilion. This means dealers are more spaced out and tables were not crowded. A few small parts dealers plus Trainworx (not the Texas company) that always has a great selection and is well organized. ( The owner's name is eluding me at the moment)

The big bonus was meeting @John H. Shetler, from whom I bought quite a few prewar O items. John is knowledgable, honest in his descriptions, and his inventory is very nice and well-priced. I'll post some photos on the Tinplate thread,

I recommend this show. There are more coming up. Here is a link to their calendar:

https://renningers.net/event-category/kutz-events/

@Will posted:

Renningers show in Kutztown, PA report:

This is a great show for prewar and postwar. Quite a few vendors with quirkier antique train items as well. Lots of affordable things in both O and Standard gauge and lots of postwar. Less modern and new stuff. The big dealers weren't there, possibly because of the location, but this gives it a less frenetic air than the biggest shows.

At least 100 vendors in two open pavilions with their vehicles pulled up right to their spots. A large space between the pavilions and a large aisle in the center of each pavilion. This means dealers are more spaced out and tables were not crowded. A few small parts dealers plus Trainworx (not the Texas company) that always has a great selection and is well organized. ( The owner's name is eluding me at the moment)

The big bonus was meeting @John H. Shetler, from whom I bought quite a few prewar O items. John is knowledgable, honest in his descriptions, and his inventory is very nice and well-priced. I'll post some photos on the Tinplate thread,

I recommend this show. There are more coming up. Here is a link to their calendar:

https://renningers.net/event-category/kutz-events/

Will, I attended this meet as well and agree wholeheartedly with your assessment.  Additionally, I would like to point out that in my opinion this meet was very well attended.  I arrived shortly before 8:00 AM and the parking area was already filled.  When I left at noon time there was overflow traffic coming into the lots.   I thought the selling moved at a good brisk pace and a lot of customers were carrying some very large packages and multiple bags.  It was good to see.   No question in my mind but that there was a lot of pent up demand at work.  The weather could not have been better.  Not a cloud in the sky and a nice comfortable 68 degrees at noon.   I'm glad the meet was held outside not because of any health issues but because the surrounding rolling hills and mountain chain looked particularly picturesque with the crystal clear blue sky as a backdrop.  A great setting for an outdoor meet.  Well, as Douglas MacArthur once said, "I shall return."

A nice thing about train meets is that you sometimes see stuff that you have never seen before.  The other day at Kutztown I saw these fantastic bridges and bridge components made by Clouse Services in Newville, PA.  The truss bridges are made of sheet metal.  The suspension bridges are made of sheet metal, steel tubing and steel rod.  If my layout wasn’t complete, I would have gone home with one.  Instead, I got a business card in case I want one in the future.

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@Lehigh74 posted:

A nice thing about train meets is that you sometimes see stuff that you have never seen before.  The other day at Kutztown I saw these fantastic bridges and bridge components made by Clouse Services in Newville, PA.  The truss bridges are made of sheet metal.  The suspension bridges are made of sheet metal, steel tubing and steel rod.  If my layout wasn’t complete, I would have gone home with one.  Instead, I got a business card in case I want one in the future.

Yes, very cool bridges. i had a nice chat with the owner.

Last edited by Will

The Desert Division is having another outdoor meet this month.  The last 2 I attended were well supported by sellers and buyers.   Lots of neat stuff.  I bought a display case for my Williams Master Series Dreyfus ( my favorite steam engine.)

I have no qualms about touching stuff since the CDC has shown transmission from surfaces is highly unlikely,

Rolland

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