York train shows, never been to one

Everything you wanted to know about York

Eastern Division TCA York meet

York FAQ

Clem's Famous Primer

October 2017 York Meet Notice

thank you so very much Chris!...it will be my first time!

harmonyards posted:

............. if we are gonna be up there for a week, is places like Strausburg and steamtown that far away? ............

Strasburg is close to York (approximately one hour, maybe more in rush hour).  Many people going to York visit the Toy Train Museum and/or the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania during York Week.

Stroudsburg is closer to Scranton (where Steamtown is).  These are (according to Google maps) around another 140 miles or so away from Strasburg (in the opposite direction of York from Strasburg).  Here is a link showing York to Steamtown(~150 miles).

-Dave

If you have the time take the whole week off. Both Steamtown in Scranton and all the sites in Strasburg are worth checking out. Read Clem's primer for info about the bandit meets. They actually start the preceding Sunday though one day now is plenty to see them all. Plenty of other sites to see in PA including Gettysburg, Hershey, and the Lancaster area.

Pete

Steamtown is just under 3 hours north. I have been in the York area 30+ times and never tire of train stuff to do. My brother lives 7 miles from the meet.

Here are some of my typical activities:

Miller's Smorgasbord

Strasburg RR

New Oxford Train Station

Lincoln Train Museum

New Freedom Train ride & cool civil war layout

Choo Choo barn

PA Railroad museum

Trains stores in Gettysburg (!!!) (on route 30 in town), Hanover, York (downtown)

Visit the Enola yard & Rockville Bridge

TCA Toy Train Museum

Roadside America

GG1 at Harrisburg Amtrak station

Walk around the town square in Gettysburg - lots of train items in the antique shops! Good food too!

And there is more... some of these require a little travel. look them up and plan your itinerary well. Have fun!

Strasburg is an hour or less away, as mentioned, Steamtown is several hours to the north. You could replace that with the "Steam Into History" train (check the dates, the steam engine doesn't run every weekend so some weekends it is "Diesel into History", if motive power matters to you). To carefully "see it all" in Strasburg, you really need two days. The TCA museum has a open house on Wednesday where the big manufacturers give demos and lectures on new products and "happenings" - certainly worth the time. The Strasburg Railroad is running their rare wooden "doodlebug" as shuttle trips from town to the Red Caboose motel, next to the TCA museum. Not sure what the details are with this but I'm sure it will be popular.  

Bring cash, and lot's of it. Bring a lot more than you think you'll need. You can re-deposit it when you get home (and that is exactly what I do just about every Saturday morning following York). DO NOT rely on the ATM's on the fairgrounds. I have always seen them drained by closing Thursday and never re-loaded the rest of the weekend.

You MUST be a TCA member, or guest of a TCA member, to get in all of the halls. Friday and Saturday will get you into the "dealer halls" where most of the modern products are. If you are in to the older stuff, you'll want to visit the "member halls". Of course, good deals on modern stuff can also be found in the member halls (don't ask how I know....)

Read Clem's Primer. I'm sure the Fall 2017 version will be available soon.

Have fun!

SJC posted:

You MUST be a TCA member, or guest of a TCA member, to get in all of the halls. Friday and Saturday will get you into the "dealer halls" where most of the modern products are. If you are in to the older stuff, you'll want to visit the "member halls". Of course, good deals on modern stuff can also be found in the member halls (don't ask how I know....)

 

Read Clem's Primer. I'm sure the Fall 2017 version will be available soon.

Have fun!

 

Just a reminder now you will be a guest of those at the registration desk. Just show up at the Silver Hall Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning and register. No need to collar an existing TCA member. You will then be able to visit all of the Halls.

Pete

thanks sooo much for all your replies! sounds like there is a lot to do and see!

Strasburg is 45 minutes from York. If you drive the long distance to Steamtown, there is not much else to do up there.

Strasburg offers the Strasburg steam RR, PRR Museum, Choo-choo Barn huge layout, Toy Train Museum, and Amish attractions.

HARMONYARDS,

You will have the greatest time of your life relating to toy trains. Your time there you will never forget. When you return home, you will think about York and how much fun you had. Everyday, you think April can't come soon enough.

I think so too Jim, been absent from trains for a long time......all my equipment was in storage bins in 4 closets for 20+ years. work, kids, kids in college, all kept postponing their return. Just this spring I got my new addition to the house just for my trains (gift from my wife) ....getting all those trains out was like Christmas for a week straight!.....Ive been working 12-14 hour days for as long as I can remember.....now its time to slow it down a bit and enjoy these trains!

Wow....12 posts...and the TCA PC gendarmes haven't reminded us that...

It's a meet.....not a show.

Arby's has 'the meats'.   

TCA has the meets. 

Seriously, though, you're in for an eye-popping, awe-inspiring, mind-blowing great experience....I predict. 

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

"Meet" me at York and I'll "show" you what I have for sale.

Bob

thank you all, I will definitely let you guys know how my first experience at the meet goes....I'm pretty pumped....always heard about it, never had the chance to experience it.... 

HARMONYARDS I would suggest that if you really want to attend a York Meet that you should plan now for the April/Spring Show as there is limited lodging and it fills up very fast folks will be making their spring reservations as they check out from their stay for the fall meet. Also check out the Gettysburg area and since you are coming up from NC give yourself some extra time and stop at the B&O Railroad museum in Balitimore.

Harmonyards... If you have  week to spend in the York area there are tons of things to do and see. As suggested reading Clems's Famous primer is a must and gives you a better understanding of what goes on.  One of the non train things to see is to take the factory tour of the Harley Davidson plant in York. It's free and you'll be amazed how they build a Harley. Tons of places to eat in the area and I would suggest to try "round the clock diner" for breakfast and Coombs Tavern for some awesome prime rib.  Take your time and enjoy....

LV601, that's a real good idea, my wife likes Harleys, so that will be a must stop.......gonna take a whole week off, and enjoy and unwind.....its been a roller coaster year, so I'm really looking forward to it!

Yes Rick, I forgot about the B&O museum......can check that out right out the gate!.............thanks!

HARMONYARDS .... Just a fyi on the Harley-Davidson factory tour . When you and your wife go , be sure to wear regular style shoes . They will not let anyone take the tour in sandals or open style of shoes . These are safety rules of the factory . 

                                You are in for a fantastic week in York . Please keep us posted as to how your trip went .  Jim