Anyone knows what is going on with Train Shows Inc? They are the 'umbrella group' for the large traveling train shows such as the Great Midwest Train Show, Greenberg Train Show and some others. Checking their website they show nothing scheduled after March, 2023.
http://greatmidwesttrainshow.com/ "We will be announcing the summer GTS/Greenberg schedule in April. The fall 2023/Winter 2024 schedule will be announced in late May or early June." 2023 Train Show Schedule April 2 Great Midwest Train Show - Wheaton, IL - DuPage County Fairgrounds May 7 Great Midwest Train Show - Wheaton, IL - DuPage County Fairgrounds June 4 Great Midwest Train Show - Wheaton, IL - DuPage County Fairgrounds August 6 Great Midwest Train Show - Wheaton, IL - DuPage County Fairgrounds September 10 Great Midwest Train Show - Wheaton, IL - DuPage County Fairgrounds October 1 Great Midwest Train Show - Wheaton, IL - DuPage County Fairgrounds November 5 Great Midwest Train Show - Wheaton, IL - DuPage County Fairgrounds December 3 Great Midwest Train Show - Wheaton, IL - DuPage County Fairgrounds
I thought there was a list in one of the print magazines that went past that. Now, where did I put that latest issue... And, yes, you're right. Page 15 of the April 2023 Model Railroader has just the Wheaton, Illinois show continuing through June 2023. Nothing else after March. How about that... It does say "More shows for Summer coming soon..." I can tell you that the one held here in Rochester was a complete waste of the $22 admission for myself and Colleen... There was a competing show out Buffalo way (Hamburg/Erie County Fairgrounds to be specific) but this one was quite bad. The one in Edison, New Jersey on the weekend after Thanksgiving was a lot better.
Here in Sacramento we get one train show a year...in clud the SF bay area and that number changes to three (if you want to do the 2-2.5 hour drive each way). What's so special about Wheaton IL. to where they get one a MONTH?!!
I am going to speculate that it is population density. Being a Chicago satellite community, there are millions of people within a few miles radius, from which to draw attendees.
The SF Bay Area has not had a show since the beginning of the pandemic. They did have one scheduled for April in San Mateo but that got canceled.
Lombard where Trainshow Inc. is based, and Wheaton are right next to each other so it's a local thing for them.
They had a show in Des Moines last month. It was kinda bad. That was the most I paid to get into a show and parking this season and it wasn't worth it. I've been to 6 shows so far and it's been awesome here in Iowa compared to Calif. Last show was 20,000 sqft with two layouts and tons of vendors, mostly just guys selling stuff. Got two more before a month break before it starts again..
In terms of train shows, I don't think we can leave out the N Scale Weekends. I am hoping for Altoona...finally... in September. Colleen and I went to the one outside of Columbus, Ohio in 2021 and it was great-- not a single non-N Scale item to be found anywhere! Shameless Plug Department: If you're within a convenient distance of UMTRR HQ (Rochester NY), the every other year Neighborhood Garage Sale is happening on June 3 and 4. Rumor has it that there may be trains available
