This is the big Amherst Railway Society show, generally thought of as the biggest train show in the US, or perhaps the world. It's held in West Springfield, Massachusetts, Saturday and Sunday. I'm not associated with the show or anyone else, for that matter, but it's a great time for anyone interested in the hobby. If anyone would like to meet face-to-face, send me a PM and we can swap cell phone numbers and get together at the show. If anyone is manning a booth or layout, let us all know so we can drop by. I met a couple of online friends last year, and it was nice to put a face to the names.
I had plans to go, but with my hip, I'd be in a wheel chair by Sunday. Maybe next year after surgery.hboy:
I was going to go but a delicate time at work prevented that. Next year <<sigh>> ----------------------------------------------- It's never too late to have a happy childhood ! http://mikesshopping.com
Wish my brother and could be there, but sadly.... We were there in '04, had a great time, and I over spent $. Tell us all about it with photos so we can enjoy the show vicariously through your experiences.
Heading out to Troy, NY Friday to stay with my daughter and family. Then early Saturday morning barreling out to Springfield. I only do one day but I get there early and stay right til closing. This will be my third time there. Great show. Dave
I don't like big crowds so i'll be going on Sunday. I worked there for a vendor about seven years ago. I couldn't believe how much money was being spent there at just his booth. A word to the wise: Do not take purchases out to your vehicle and then go back inside. Two years ago I was there with a friend and instead of carrying our around stuff we went out and stored it in his van. When we left to go home we found one of his vehicles door cylinders was punched in. Someone had seen us return to the show and tried to break in. Thankfully nothing was missing.
My son and I are going, both days again this year. Too much fun to try and fit in just one day. I've got a set of photos on Flickr from last year's show: Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show 2012 Cheers!
My father-in-law had a hip replacement at 86. Why? Well, because he wanted to get back out on the tennis court, of course. And, yes, he did play again. "No cane, no pain," he was fond of saying. That was 10 years ago, and he's still going, although tennis is now a spectator sport for him. Having had rotator cuff surgery myself, I'm a big fan of body repairs. At 65, I'm still playing hockey and skiing black diamonds. Hey, it's just another challenge, right?
I had a great time at the show on Sunday. I actually got there before the doors opened, and spent over 5 hours wandering the aisles. I had no particular plans, other than some of the City Classics window awnings that they just came out with. (I've tried to make my own awnings, and I didn't like the results.) I also wanted the Miller Engineering electric sign featuring the Coppertone Girl, one of those classic ads that sets the time frame of a layout as well as any locomotive. Mission accomplished, as they say, and I picked up a CMW ice truck, some detail part for the carfloat terminal and yet another Milwaukee Road boxcar kit. I had a happy day. I got to put faces to the names of a few on-line friends. While not tropical, the weather was fine and clear and actually pleasant for a January day in Massachusetts. The Walthers Pere Marquette passenger cars and some of their new "skyscraper" structures were on display. Neither fits my layout, but I would recommend either to those who are interested. The most interesting vendor, to me, at least, was TCS, the decoder people. They are coming out with a sound decoder this summer, with CD quality sound. They also had a small Thomas engine running a loop. He took the engine off the track, put it down on the table and it continued to run for several seconds. I thought it was a pretty impressive demonstration of their "Keep Alive" decoders. I love going to a place with thousands of happy people, and all the vendors selling nothing but fun.
Just posted: Amherst Train Show 2013 480 full-size photos of the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show 2013. And that isn't even half of what was there. Full-res versions are posted as well. Click on 'Actions: View all sizes' to see the full 14MP version - there's amazing detail in these models. Tags, captions and titles to come. Enjoy.
Mr. Beasley, this hip will hopefully be the last piece of the puzzle to get me back to life & back to work. If all goes well, I'll be back on the golf course again too. mrnosal, great pictures!