Hey all; Any tips welcome on attending the Springfield MA show this weekend - First time Roadtrip from Canada leaving Friday morning. Thanks in advance
Glad to hear you are making the trip! Here's my tips for visitors: Wear comfortable shoes - it is a large show, in four separate buildings. I've walked over 6mi in a day at the show. It can get warm inside the show, especially walking around. Leave your heavy coats in the car, and dress in layers so you can be comfortable inside. All the buildings have snackbars, but it helps to bring a water bottle and a snack. The exposition center is near a shopping mall and restaurants, and downtown Springfield is a short drive away, but you'll have to re-pay to park if you leave during the show. Do your shopping in the afternoon, when the crowds have thinned a bit. That way you don't have to carry your purchases the entire show. Sometimes a dealer is willing to hold a purchase for you to pick up at the end of the show - it depends. Buying a $1200 brass loco? They'll likely be willing to hold it for you. A $5 cap/book? Probably not. You will have much better luck haggling over prices at 3:00pm Sunday than 11:00am Saturday. TALK to the exhibitors! You're surrounded by folks who genuinely love the hobby and are eager to share their interest. There is something for *everyone* at the show - from Z to G (to live steam, and prototype) You will find someone who shares your passion, guaranteed. If you have a question, ask! I've had great conversations with folks because I asked things like how they join their modules together, what brand of glue they use, what's their favorite railroad, etc. If you're bringing kids, they will tire out much faster than you will, so take frequent breaks. Maggie the Clown is a must see if you have young children. Maggie the Clown with sticker Favorites from past years: The Chester and Becket: Locomotive No 2 The Central New York Modelers of Distinction HO layout: Loading dock The NELUG Lego layout: Town Hall The Dry Hill Modular HO-scale layout: Dry Hill Amtrak Station The Naragansett Bay Railway and Navigation Company: So many more things to see! Hope you have a safe drive and enjoy the show. Cheers, Mike
Ahh, the big one as we North Easterners say it. I took my good friend to it last year and was in awe. I love this show. Unfortunately I will not be making it this year but since I'm down to 5 more months of a 20 year sentence in Illinois, I'll be back next year as this will be local for me then. Everything Mike said is 100% spot on, except for the Maggie the Clown part for me....clowns are nightmare fuel for me lol. Bring a camera, smart phone or tablet to take pictures. There are some great layouts and modeling at this show and great finds if you model North East and Canadian roads. Have fun!
If you are bringing kids and small ones at that, bring a 5 gallon Home Depot type bucket. They can then stand on it to look at the layouts. Otherwise they will be too short to see anything and I doubt you will want to pick them up, put them down, pick them up, put them down... Unless of course you want to build big biceps.
