My family and I just got back from the second day of Trainfest in Mikwaukee. My oldest boy (7 years of age) and I went yesterday to be able to really spend some time at the different layouts and vendor booths. Then today the whole family (wife plus a 3 year old and 2 year old) went for the chaos that ensues with little kids. We all had a good time.
While there I made some observations of what S presence there was. The Badgerland S gauge club along with the Chicagoland association of S gaugers had a large combined modular layout that was running. Badgerland also had a smaller Gilbert-esk layout as well. It was well run and was a good presentation of S to the public.
Lionel was there with one of their half wall displays with a selection of S. It’s note worthy that it seemed that the S display was encroached on a bit by the HO polar express display. But maybe that’s just my biase. I found the new Santa Fe docksider set on display to be rather good looking. I really like the road map reefer. Once again, Lionel had about 11 trains running, NONE being S gauge. 
The HO Polar set...
I also spotted Dave Olsen of Lionel behind the Badgerland layout talking and tinkering on a S gauge locomotive.
I noticed Des Plaines Hobbies had a booth with the well cars on display, along with some of his other products for S.
MTH had what seemed a smaller selection of S on display that what I remember in the past. On their layout there was an F3, but it was not running. It is quite possible that this is because so many people were running the trains with the phone app that the F3 was stopped by someone when I went by. I don’t have any pictures of MTHs booth, but if you have seen the S gauge display at their booth in the past 4 years, then you have seen it today. I briefly talked with someone from MTH, the switchers are still a go and I was told 2019 they will be produced. I was also told that MTH IS planning to use the switcher in a RTR set. I am to say...pessimistic, about MTH and S. But time will tell.
Fox Valley models was there and had their S track.
I think that is about it for S at this show.
Here are just some random pictures from the show, not “S” related. I will try for a few videos too.
On somewhat of a disappointing note, the train that you can ride on with your kids that had been at the show for years was restricted to a straight run of about 300’ of track or so. It used to be a full circle that took you over a large portion of the trainfest floor plan. I wonder what happened, my son was disappointed to see the change.
Anyway, as usual, trainfest was really good time.
Ben
