Anybody know if there are N gauge sellers at the Allentown Pa sprig thaw,like ive stated earlier I have only ever focused on O and never noticed other dealers
For those that might not be aware of this show. More details can be found here https://allentowntrainmeet.com/ They do have a listing of dealers that have signed up to show up (state it is updated monthly). I am hoping this show will have great turn out, never been before, the wife wants to take me, so we will be there.
I attended the Allentown Spring Thaw meet numerous times forty years ago as an N Scaler and still have fond memories of friends and good times there. From what I gather, it's as good as ever. I envy y'all that can attend.
I have not been there in years... it's possible my last visit to one of their shows was in the Previous Century. We have "weather dependent" plans to go this year though, a brief whirlwind stop on the way to see Mom in NJ. Hurray! We're a little stir crazy here at UMTRR HQ. A quick look at the dealer list shows at least one mostly N Scale dealer who travels quite extensively (he was here in Rochester for a show in December) but I can't name names here given TB policy, which is only fair. Trainworx is showing as an attendee. Most of the tables are sold to "private citizens" so I can't determine any affiliation or scale.
Well, we made it to Allentown and were there for the early open at 8AM. (Advance tickets were all that was required, it wasn't any more money.) As the show officially opened at 9AM, the place was packed. Or as my wife would say, "too peopley." There was the one largely N-scale dealer right at the main entrance. Other than that, the N Scale presence was rather limited; I would say it was less than five percent of the total merchandise available for sale. And there was a LOT of merchandise: the 600 table claim was certainly valid. This was mostly Lionel and American Flyer trains-- and of those two, mostly Lionel-- but there was also a fair amount of HO as well. The N Scale available ranged from early items, for example Arnold trains, Atlas First Generation, and other items that have been around since the 1960s; to some of the latest releases from Kato and Atlas. There wasn't a dominant brand although I did observe plenty of Micro-Trains items. Prices ranged from "very reasonable" to "not so much." Some of us who frequent the "More eBay Humor" thread here on TB will be pleased to know that I did not see a single Reader's Digest Southern Pacific "locomotive." Because we had a full schedule for the day, we were out of the show by 9:30. I stayed well under my allocated budget for the event... and 75% of my modest spend was for my HO Scale (!!!) switching layout. I will note that directly across from the show venue is a "farmers market" that is open on Saturdays, which has a wide variety of groceries and at least four places to sit down and eat. So no need to move the car to replenish before heading back into the show. Just be sure to have your hand stamped before leaving the show so you can get back in. "Will I be back" is I suppose the key question. Well, I wouldn't make a special trip from UMTRR HQ to be there, but if it fits into another scheduled trip to the area, I'd consider it.
I haven't been in years, but as you described it is just about how I remember it. After the show we'd go down to Canal Park for some railfanning.
George had a great description of the show. I will add that the gentleman who was selling the N scale was also at Timonium. Other than that, the selection for N scale was limited.
If anyone needs this gentleman name, please PM, I do not want to breach any rules here and post someone that is not a authorized dealer on this forum He is a good guy and will do what he can to find what you are looking for.
I'm curious...was Trainworx there? If so, anything retail for sale or anything shown as incoming? Thanks!!
They fooled me, it was not the Trainworx of Colorado fame, but a company Train Worxs with tons of parts for large scale. Wife and I looked around and around, I even went and asked at the info desk. It was one of the reasons I went to the show…
