The countdown has started. 28 days till Menards International Toy train Expo

Looking forward to another good time dad. Are you working the Menards booth again??? See you there...Paul 2

paul 2 posted:

Looking forward to another good time dad. Are you working the Menards booth again??? See you there...Paul 2

Son # ..... yes, I'll be at the booth waiting with open arms to see my son I haven't  seen for a year...Lol

Sounds like another great show, Bob!!  Paul, I'm glad you are going to be able to make the trek to Eau Claire again this year!  Maybe next year for me!!  

Take pictures.

Sold Out??

ogaugenut posted:

Sold Out??

vendor tables is what I read

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Take pictures.

John: Like last year, I'll take as many as I can. Thanks for asking.

Should I be jealous? Of course not! But I am!!! LOL

Play trains, don't be jealous. Dad said he would greet me with open arms not open arms bearing gifts. I still don't have a number so I have no son standing yet but am trying hard to change that LOL........Paul 2

Sure you do! 2 LOL

That is strange. I don't know where it is. i went to google and put in Menards train expo and all I get is a picture of a ticket. I doesn't say on it where it is.

jim sutter posted:

Thanks Jim !

In case Eddie needs it spelled out Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

For anyone who is planning to go to the show, I'll be hosting a picnic Saturday evening. The house is just an hour from Eau Claire. Paul and his wife are coming for the second year. We had a good time last year. The more the merrier. Just drop me an email to RSVP.

Are you in Bob?

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

In case Eddie needs it spelled out Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

For anyone who is planning to go to the show, I'll be hosting a picnic Saturday evening. The house is just an hour from Eau Claire. Paul and his wife are coming for the second year. We had a good time last year. The more the merrier. Just drop me an email to RSVP.

Are you in Bob?

Elliot: thanks for the invite ! But my Sat. Night is already  filled up. But I will take a rain check.  I really look forward  to seeing your layout. 

You'll miss the food and the guests, but you're welcome to stop by on your way home on Sunday. If you're taking the freeway, you have to drive right past the house within a mile. Are you coming up on Thursday for Friday setup? Swing by then, either works.

Hope to see some product that may be coming this coming year. Maybe some new freight cars, buildings etc. 

Dave

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

In case Eddie needs it spelled out Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

 

Eddie and I BOTH needed it "spelled out", as we are not in the "in group".

Joe Hohmann posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

In case Eddie needs it spelled out Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

 

Eddie and I BOTH needed it "spelled out", as we are not in the "in group".

Joe, I wouldn't really call it the "in group", it's more of an upper midwest regional phenomenon, that only started last year. Eau Claire is Menard's HQ, and they own the building where the show is. I always sort of feel left out when everyone here talks about the plethora of shows east of say Ohio. This is our small bit of payback, I guess.

I would love to attend!  Even my local Menard's is advertising tickets for sale to the event.  Almost could be able to attend if I jumped through some hoops, but a 560 mile drive one way - ouch!  Maybe next year?!?!?!? 

We talk about York to ad nauseam so for the people close to Eau Claire and the surrounding area this is a real treat of a show.

Wish I could attend but it is just a little too far from the east coast ( 1,045 miles and 15 plus hours drive time) but I am excided for those that can  and to hear what is announced and what may be coming from Menards and others. 

Btw Joe, there is no "in group" where in the heck did you get that?

Dave

Come to think of it, this is more of the "out group", west of Chicago and north of St Louis. For me, the biggest shows are Trainfest in Milwaukee, about 300 miles and the DuPage County Fairgrounds about 400 miles. This is only 60 miles, but it's also maybe half the size of Trainfest.

Again, for any forum members willing to make the trip to the show, just an hour away, I'm offering a picnic dinner and a tour of my layout.

Yes Elliot, I'll tell you, Paul 2 is the only one of us who has his priorities straight!  He drives right past where I live to get to York every spring and fall and then he drives the other way to Eau Claire and Stillwater!  Oh that we all would follow his example!!  

Thanks guy's for clearing that up. A little too far from Maine.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

You'll miss the food and the guests, but you're welcome to stop by on your way home on Sunday. If you're taking the freeway, you have to drive right past the house within a mile. Are you coming up on Thursday for Friday setup? Swing by then, either works.

Thank's, I'll  be at the show Friday morning  helping set up and other duties. Monday morning I'll be on the way back home.

I would love to go but its 1,828 miles from my house! I am working on the wife for a train trip. Maybe next year!

cabinet Bob posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

You'll miss the food and the guests, but you're welcome to stop by on your way home on Sunday. If you're taking the freeway, you have to drive right past the house within a mile. Are you coming up on Thursday for Friday setup? Swing by then, either works.

Thank's, I'll  be at the show Friday morning  helping set up and other duties. Monday morning I'll be on the way back home.

Bummer Bob, those times don't fit my schedule. I have dialysis both days. Out of the house at 10:30 and home at 4:00.

Going back to my original thread,,,, what do you think we might see for new products at the show ? 

Bob, We did get off topic a bit!  I contributed to the chance of geese!  LOL  

Here is a point I haven’t seen commented on before.  The first Menards boxcars I got are dated 2014.  They were nice cars then and still are.  The latest cars I got have better detail, and I think the trucks and couplers are better.  I wonder if there would be a market for some of the most popular first paint schemes on today’s cars.  $20 then for the first cars and $20 now for the better new cars.  You still can’t beat either deal with a stick!!

My take on what may be new products unveiled at the show. 

Older style single dome flat cars.

A number of new freight cars not done by Menards yet.

Instead of full size buildings a line of industrial building flats, lighted or unlit. 

And for myself older style trucks and cars maybe the trucks that were done lighted could be done without lights........ Paul 2

Those are all great ideas, Paul!  The older style vehicles would be a welcome addition for me too!

A modern diesel, Dash 8,9 or es44 would be great.  A 5th or 6th generation camaro with lights.

Marty

paul 2 posted:

My take on what may be new products unveiled at the show. 

Older style single dome flat cars.

A number of new freight cars not done by Menards yet.

Instead of full size buildings a line of industrial building flats, lighted or unlit. 

And for myself older style trucks and cars maybe the trucks that were done lighted could be done without lights........ Paul 2

Older single dome flat car Paul 2? 

Myself I would like to see, 

PS 2 hoppers

PS1 box cars

flat cars with bulk heads

Industrial flats would be great

Dave

DAVID1, I meant to type in tank car. I appoligize. Here is the car I was thinking of........Paul 2

Great ideas guys !!! I'm sure everyone will be happy what's going to be shown at the show....you  know I can't give out hints..... lol

paul 2 posted:

DAVID1, I meant to type in tank car. I appoligize. Here is the car I was thinking of........Paul 2

I was just joking with you, no big deal,

Btw I really like that tank car, let's hope that Menards may do it. 

Dave

Jeepers dad, so early to start the suspense with the hints of what will be there. And so many days to go before the show. I can see myself having many sleepless nights wondering what the surprises are going to be now......Paul 2

paul 2 posted:

Jeepers dad, so early to start the suspense with the hints of what will be there. And so many days to go before the show. I can see myself having many sleepless nights wondering what the surprises are going to be now......Paul 2

Ah.... the fun begins.....