I don't know, personally, I see those Walthers Centerbeams everywhere around here, so I would have haggled given the damage.
I think I'd like to go to this year's N-Scale convention in Louisville. I've never been to a national show, and would like to meet the manufacturers and some fellow N-Scalers. And I'd like to spend some time around Louisville, as it's in an area of the country where I haven't explored. Those are the extent of my expectations. I don't expect an overload of information, or to be dazzled by the booths. But then, I'm the guy who planned and set up a 44,000 square foot booth (yes, that's a tad more than an acre, and part of it was two stories) in the computer industry's heyday. Since coming to Albuquerque in 1991, I've been to three regional shows. Each one has been more disappointing--fewer vendors, less quality stuff, and certainly no bargains.
I feel very lucky: between October '07 and March '08 Kansas City will see three big train shows -- the annual local show that takes up the entire main floor of Union Station; The Great Train Expo; and WGH. Each of them will be at a different venue in town. When I put them on my calendar, I put a big reminder to upload my latest rolling stock inventory to my PDA so I don't buy something I already have!
Empty-handed again!!! I just came back from a large local show this morning. I didn't buy a thing not that there wasn't anything to buy it's just nothing there I really needed, OHhhhhh... I looked!!!!! but still came out empty handed, I ran into some other RR buddies and spoke with some of the vendors I have met over the years There was 2 good sized N scale layouts,2 small "o" traction ,2 HO and the LGB garden floor layout all were very nice and sceniced no bare plywood. Anyhow I enjoyed the outing now I will fill that empty-handed void by shopping with my favorite n scale e-tailer.. all is not lost! Now on to a Question about national conventions. Q: Are the dealers tables aways manned, or are they(dealers/manufacturers) absent after opening nite most of the time due to heavy partying that it's treated more of a paid vacation for them and the booth is left empty most of the convention?.
they are staffed, and usally at least one bigwig is there all the time, and more than willing to talk to you.
YoHo- Point well made. I decided last year to start going to swap meets only, I can afford the entrance fee and get pretty good deals on both new and used equipment. The last WGH show I attended in Indianapolis cost about 80$ for gas, food, parking and entrance fee. I spent 20$ at the show itself, on one Athearn engine. It dawned on me that this was not a good use of my traincash! The swap meet I went to last month in Ft Wayne cost around 60$, but that included 9-count 'em-9 trains cars, a door prize, and lots of good talk. Oh, and food, but I was lucky enough to already have a tank of gas.
Interestingly, I went to the WGH show last saturday and was reasonably impressed. Though I still thought it not good enough it was much better then previous shows. Part of that though was the ridiculous deals Woodland Scenics has on their little show only starter kits. 25 trees for $10 is a little too good to pass up. Anyway, I have more to say on it later I've been working up a long post.
