Good afternoon, I saw on the web an advertisement for the Rocky Mountain Toy Train show coming up this weekend. It is a 7 hour drive for me each way and I am wondering if it is worth the trip for an N-scale modeller. I am primarily looking for vendors and private persons selling trains but am interested in the layouts as well. To anyone with experience with this show, please chime in. Thanks in advance.
I can give a solid 'maybe'. This show has squeezed out the Great Train Expo from coming to Denver and I'm still seeing how that effects things. NOne of the bigger N scale venders has made an appearance yet. This show is mostly toys but there are a some private N scale tables. The problem for me is that they're all the same tables I see every time, but for a first time visit, it might be better. There's also a few N scale layouts that display. This show is supposed to have some Manufacturers there like Wathers, Bachmann and Intermountain which could be worth going to talk with them. For nothing else, it's a busy show with lots of tables and wide range of things to see. Parking is free but a mess. I would say if you can plan on going to Caboose Hobbies, I think I would make the trip. Jason
Jason, that is kind of a bummer. I have been to Caboose Hobbies a few times and the 'wow' factor is gone for me. Their prices are kind of high and they don't really have anything that I can't get elsewhere, cheaper. It still might be worth the trip to get out of the deep freeze Lincoln is going to experience this weekend.
You could also visit the large N scale layout at the Forney Museum. It's not far from the Toy Train show.
FWIW, Caboose's stock was way down the last few years with all of the manufacturing issues. The N scale case was downright sad. But the last time I was there, they had a lot more on hand. As for finding stuff, I guess it depends on what you're looking for. For example, not too many places have Athearn Milk cars on the rack, and the book selection is unmatched. But obviously if you're not finding what you need, it's a different story. Jason
That's a good idea, but you might want to make sure it's operating. Of the times I've been there, the layout's only been operating once when there was a train show at the museum. But regardless of that, go for the 1:1 trains and see the Volkswagon Exhibit. Jason
Allow for extra time and take in the Colorado Railroad Museum, and maybe even railfan a bit. UP is actually pretty busy for this time of year. I haven't been furloughed all winter!
Operating sessions appear to be very limited. Here is their calendar: http://www.moffatmodelers.org/calendar/schedule.html#. They appear to have work sessions every Tuesday evening and the second Saturday of each month, but only operate on the first Saturday, and then "Big Boy Days", the 4th weekend of July . More of a typical club layout situation than a museum layout. FWIW.
It is a club layout. I don't know the situation, but I think they are just renting space. It's not really in what I would call the main part of the museum, but located back where they store cars. I don't think that area is normally accessible to the public. Jason
I happen to be in Denver this weekend visiting family and will take my two grandsons to the show, more for them then for me.... Other than what's already been mentioned, any other layouts, in any scale, worth visiting in the Denver area? Suggestions appreciated, Otto K.
The Union depot downtown has an O scale layout in the basement. Depending on how someone's getting to Denver, there's a huge HO layout in Greeley. Jason
Will agree with the Maybe. Tends to lean more towards the Tinplate folks. Some other scales there, books etc.....And a small number of layouts in all scales! I'll be with the Rio Grande Historical Society over the weekend. Otherwise, limping around looking at stuff or talking with a friend, if there. Planning on setting out my Rio Grande notebook, with all sorts of paperwork!! As well as a STILL unpainted Shapeways Krauss Maffei shell on KAto SD45 chassis. If you see me, somewhere, give a shout!! One of the few activities I deal with anymore these days!! But, beats working!! :teeth:
The one issue is that currently, there is a good amount of construction being done in and around Union Station, and for the time being I believe that the O Scale layout is closed to the public. Well, I do know that I will be there, so maybe I will bump into you Keith! (And maybe the others that decide to go too.) May I also suggest, if time allows, stopping in Colorado Springs at the Pikes Peak Historical Streetcar Museum. It's not too big, but it is a neat museum.
Forgot about that. I went after they had already moved to the temporary digs, but they hadn't really started anything. edit: Turns out they're out of the depot and looking for a new home. Jason
That's exactly the same thing I noticed. I only get there a couple of times a year, eventhough I'm only 2 hours away. It's a tank of gas. Just looked at Spring Creek Models website and it shows them at the Toy Train Show, so all is not lost. They usually have a large booth area and lots of N.
Had a good time at the show today. It was nice to meet you Otto. Sorry if I was a bit preoccupied, hope you enjoyed your trip to Denver. Jason
I was surprised to see as many people there, despite the bad weather!! They said they had 5100 people through the door. About 200 less than the last show. Gonna be interesting to see what happens Sunday.
Same here Jason, good to meet you, even though it looked like you were "working" and my little grandsons had had enough trains by then so I couldn't hang out. The IM war emergency box car pre-production sample looked really good, and I need a bunch. Didn't see the flat car. It was good to see the interest in trains, no place to park and lots of families with kids, and a lot of kid-friendly layouts, including the on-the-floor ones which I would normally ignore. Only thing I bought was a copy of MRC, with Mark Dance's amazing layout on the cover. Just happy to have missed the 104-car pileup on the 25, and not by much... Otto K.
I just got home from the Denver show (500+ miles each way). There as very little N-scale there but enough to make the trip worth it. I doubt I would make the trip for that show again but I am glad I went. We were very fortunate with the weather coming home; roads were mostly dry. I saw that accident on I-25 as I was driving back to the hotel; it did not look good at all.
That is a long way to go for a train show! Glad it was worth it for you. My limit, except for big shows like Amherst (Springfield) is about 100 miles, and that limit is shrinking every year. The shows that I think are worth a longer drive have conflicted with other plans nearly 100 percent of the time in the last few years.
