Well- yesterday I went to my first train show with my daughter. Even though she wouldn't let me stop to really look at anything, I had a blast. I am more inspired than ever to get working on my layout. We stopped at one of the tables that had a kid powered train on the wooden tracks. After putting the train on the tracks and together, my daughter looks up at me and says "Turn it on Daddy". Made my day. I know now that next time, I'm either going alone or taking some adult help so that I can actually get a chance to look at some of the layouts. The detail on what little I got to see was amazing. My daughter had to have "an orange train". We found a booth that the guy had a bargain bin- old Bachman cars- so she picked out her orange Shell tank car, and a yellow hopper and a blue box car. I took a look at my train when I got home and decided it is now the "rainbow express". What a mix of roads and types of cars. Oh well- she's happy. I can't wait for the next show to come through town.
GAT Shows are a blast, As long as you can find one were they don't charge you to park AND a gate fee! It's the only thing I don't like about the Peoria GAT Show. Other wise, it's a good show. I've been to four different cities for GAT Shows and all have been well run operations. My club will probably attend one, maybe two GAT shows as a display/contest layout in 2001. We took First Place at Peoria, IL. and Fourth Place at Springfield, IL. 2000 shows ------------------ Brent Tidaback, Member #234 BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot! Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners! The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF
Glad to hear you enjoyed the show, too. Did you get a chance to look at the Galveston County Model RR Club layout? WOW! The animation was just incredible! That was my favorite part of the show, followed by the Jurassic Park module at Grimey Gulch and the Miller Engineering Star Lite Drive In. As for future shows, the San Jacinto Model Railroad Show is at the Humble Civic Center April 28 & 29. And of course GATS will be back in October. Dwight
The Galveston County one was incredible. I will be visiting them very soon to look at that layout again. And possibly seeing about joining them- they could definately teach me a lot! The other one that thrilled me was the HO that they had the 30 foot long train running. I'm not real sure about the modeling, but the length of that train looked good. The long bridge on the far right end of Grimey Gulch was something to see. I definately want to try my hand at doing some scratchbuilding bridges. That old, rickety look just does something for me.
I finally live near a place that has a GATS show so I think I might have to go to one. ------------------ NARA member #20
Hey All,If anyone lives within 4-5 hrs of memphis,tn. G.A.T.S. is having a show this weekend,(2/3/01 & 2/4/01) @ the fairgrounds in the shelby building. rrman48 RUSTY B. FRISCO4EVER
I always enjoy train shows even if I don't buy any thing. I compare the gate fee to going to the movies, it's entertainment. GATS is getting kind of expensive, but I found that if you fill out the form for the reminder, the mailer usually has a dollar discount. I know you can't buy much for a buck now days, but you can get a your long distance calls...oops, I watch too much T.V. Brent I've been parking for free across the street in the parking deck when I go to Peoria.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chessie_SD50_8563: I finally live near a place that has a GATS show so I think I might have to go to one. ------------------ NARA member #20<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> SD50 The GATS show will be in North Carolina next Saturday (2/10) Are you going to be there? I am planning on driving over from Raleigh... it is not always the best show, but it is usually the ONLY show in this area in the spring Harold
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by william: I always enjoy train shows even if I don't buy any thing. I compare the gate fee to going to the movies, it's entertainment. GATS is getting kind of expensive, but I found that if you fill out the form for the reminder, the mailer usually has a dollar discount <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Go to their website at http://www.gats.com and you can usually download some sort of discount coupon. Harold
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by william: I always enjoy train shows even if I don't buy any thing. I compare the gate fee to going to the movies, it's entertainment. GATS is getting kind of expensive. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I agree The GATS shows are not always the best ( in fact, they skipped our town/state altogether in 1999 ) but they are a show. Our club co-hosts a fairly decent show each year, which is probably perceived as competition WARNING: shamless plug: http://www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/southern.html We have been fortunate enough to draw big name vendors to our own show ( such as TexNRails, MBKleins, etc.) that may not follow the GATS tour. Still, a show is a show with the perceived opportunity to meet other modelers/vendors and pick up something that you need Harold
I have occasionally exhibited at shows and have talked to vendors there. They all uniformly badmouth GATS as being the most excpensive and least supportive. The last time they had one in Tallahassee (Jan 30, 2000) there were plenty of model railroads exhibited by there were hardly any vendors. Great for the kiddies, but not so good for those of us looking for goodies.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by william: Brent I've been parking for free across the street in the parking deck when I go to Peoria.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I am aware of the parking deck, but when you set up a display, it's kind of hard not to park at the Center's lot. If I go without setting up, I will park over there. Thanks for the reminder. Oh, by the way, we usally go to the Peoria Hoffbraugh after the show on Saturday, great German food and Beir!
