The price of York

York. A train related social event occurring twice yearly for the purpose of fun, and emptying my wallet, maxing out the old plastic. Yes, come and spend without a care.

Think not of the cost, but the enjoyment you will experience. But more than anything, spend, buy trains, after all you can't take it with you. Give your money to the dealers in the halls before you go, for they will enjoy it long, long after you have gone.....

I go every year, and run myself ragged. I can't wait to get there, and then I can't wait to leave. I always go with my wife, as she is a great supporter of my hobby. We live about 2 hours away by car, or 25 minutes if we fly in to York airport, and get the loaner car. The trains are great, the food is terrible, the traffic tough, but York is York and nothing else compares.

Lou

My way of justifying the cost is to skip the feeding frenzy during the convention sales and make the TCA Museum, SRR and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania a off season vacation destination as many have noted going there solely for buying trains is hard to equate with my common sense and available discretionary money. Take the wife and add the other areas attractions and it's a good fit, from my location in North Carolina. I really don't need more trains unless a had a twenty track mainline or whatever. I think it's still a great destination but more relaxed in the off season.

York is an experience. The cost of what I purchase is fairly irrelevant. I want to get good deals, but the cost of airfare, gasoline and lodging negate them. If I just want good deals, I can go to DuPage, which is only 30 miles away. Between gas, admission, and the obligatory hot dog, it costs me 25 bucks or so to have a pleasant day at DuPage. The same goes for the local TCA meet.

However, train people should try to experience York occasionally, provided they have the means, time and ability do so. There's nothing else like it on this continent.

Let's not forget the tmcc and dcs clinics, the OGR grandstand meeting, the layouts,the ice cream social, free coffee and doughnuts  and all the other extras of York which add to the experience.

It is a three day vacation away from all the problems at home. I look for old tinplate that I can't find locally. Rest and recharge oneself. It ia something to look forward to.

The hobby purchases are fine, seeing new items on display is fun too, but really, it's all about the people. Thursdays at Fridays is the main reason I go to York. I could skip the fairgrounds and still have a great trip as long as I get to meet up with my friends.

Jack

I'm still thinking of going, but probably leaning towards not.

I just started getting into standard guage and have bought way too much stuff off ebay recently.

Would love to go, but I also think that it cost's me $100 in diesel just to get there.

Didn't order my ticket, but still thinking about it.

The relationships are worth it. Then there's 4000 tables of trains.  

Not sure where you're planning to fly in, but last time I researched this flying into BWI via SWA was very reasonable.

We will be driving the 575 miles from Indianapolis. 

york is really worth the cost!  wonderful experience!

York is Railroad Retreat Week and worth every Penny, I go home reenergized, glad to see folks I gladly call Friends, enjoy the ride, gather new ideas and oh yeah buy a few things that leap off the tables and say "Love Me".

That pretty much sums it up Don!

Steve Tapper

My father started me on York in 89.  We went every year, some with my young son.  He passed in 97 and it wasn't the same but the last few years I hear him telling me what he likes....  

I usually just do Thursday for a few hours.  Just like the new stuff now.  Last Oct I found myself wanting to do more so maybe I'll be adding Friday.  

Always enjoy the Museum open house and seeing dad's memorial bricks in the entrance.

Looking forward to the Gilbert display (only have a few Flyer items but love Erector).

Funny thing about making a list of things to buy, I have none.  Changed my mind so many times but I'm sure I'll be bringing home a Legacy steamer that'll fit on less than 054.  And probably one or two of those neat electric signs...

Hope the weather's okay, have fun, John

Chris,
I've thought and thought about that question. The price of York?
How do you put a price on happiness?
Would you spend the same for a trip to the beach?
So it's an individual thing after all.
Believe me if I could go, I'd do it in a heartbeat
Maybe this fall

David

I have always felt that even if I only had enough money to get to York, to eat and pay for the hotel, I would still go anyway. Even a bad day at York is better than a good day at work!

Where else can you go where you can see so many things you have never seen before, and hang out with a whole bunch of like minded people.

For me the major attraction of York is the fellowship. I see a lot of people there that I only see twice a year.

The fairgrounds are sort of the coda to the week. I typically walk them Thursday and leave for home first thing Friday morning, having been there since Monday afternoon.

The real fun is getting a group of York buddies together for a dinner and showing the treasures we have found.

Roland

This $4.00 gas isn't making me happy--it takes a chunk out of the York budget.

Scott Smith

I'm sorry to say that I won't be joining you all in the fun this time around. Please tip a cold one for me at Fridays. I'll be watching for your reports. Have a safe trip and a great week at York.

Jack

I'm surprised no one has started a York-Board a Forum Friend list.  For people that live close by if they have an extra room they could let someone use it for the 3 days of York saving on hotel costs.  If I didn't live 3 hrs north(or I lived near a larger airport) I would certainly offer boarding to anyone on the forum, especially if you are coming from Utah or Maine!  

Another note:  If you stay at Gov Pinchot State Park it is like $35 a night in the cabins.  Of course you have to bring sheets and the bathrooms are about 100 ft away and community type.  But it is just up the road about 10 mi.  You do have to get reservations way early though.  This is where I have stayed to save money.

See you on Wed at the DCS users meeting or Thurs!  Gosh, this is better than Christmas!

In the scheme of things, it is only money.

We lived for many years near a funeral home and I never once saw a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer to the cemetery.