Saturday, October 09, 2004

Best Train Show?

What's the best train show you have ever been to? York? Cal Stewart? A local LCCA or TCA meet?

I remember the show that introduced me to Standard Gauge.

My Dad took me to a huge show when I was a kid. It was in Michigan at the Fairlane Town Center (I think it was in the hotel). I remember my Dad saying it only happened every 30 years or so and that it was just just gigantic. It was sponsored by the NMRA I think. I remember seeing a huge standard gauge set at the show and that's when I caught the bug. I can't remember when I saw more trains at one time.

But then again, when I was a kid in the late 60's and early 70's, I can remember seeing a ton of great Lionel gear at flea markets. Even some garage sales. The postwar and prewar trains seemed expensive at the time but now they look very reasonable (hindsight is 20/20). Just seeing them was kind of a treat.

I also liked some of the people that remembered what it was like to be a kid in the 30's and 40's and seeing some of these things when they were knew. Honestly, I am as glad I got to meet the people as much as I was happy to see the trains. Some of the guys I met (that were friends of my father) actually were in the Battle of the Bulge and landed at the beach in Normandy. Guess that's why quite a few folks seem to think they were one of Americas greatest generations. I know, I am rambling a little.

I kind of miss those days.

Marc

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The two shows a year in Allentown, PA (the Fall "First Frost" and the "Spring Thaw") are my favorite train shows. They are like mini-Yorks...more enjoyable because the size is easier to deal with yet the selection of tinplate is usually quite good. I also enjoy the small but interesting TCA local division shows in NE Philly.

Jim Kelly