Large Scale Central

Amherst Large Scale Show 2023

OK, Bob, remember the Timesaver Jr. I had at the last York Show? I used a HLW engine and all 2 axle cars. At home it is on an leftover door.
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Thank you Larry
Rich

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What ever happened to Ric Golding’'s Time Saver Railroad ? It used to draw great attention to the LSC presence at the Shows in York…but then there was more social activities there it seems.
Having the “Arrival Party” in the bar at central hotel where a lot of LSC members stayed, on the Friday evening, then the Drag & Brag in a separate room in the same hotel, on the Saturday evening, made for great friendships to be made…it really made LSC a FUN, and Friendly place for the rest of the year.
“The Alcove” at the show, with seating, and Ric’s Time Saver, made it the “Resting Place” and good will CENTRE at the show, for new members to learn of LSC.
A dedicated, willing two-three person crew, might be able to get the LSC presence, it once had in York, back on track…
I wish I could be part of the team, but my Long Distance travelling days are over.
If nothing else…please, please…at least have table coverings on the tables, and try to get a CENTRAL Hotel, where the after hour SOCIALIZING can take place.
(Just my observations, and suggestions…others, I’m sure will find fault, or…have better ideas…hopefully)
FJM

That is a neat time saver setup. I’m kicking my self for not trying the one at the show. I agree that it should have been more centered because it looked a bit forgotten over against the wall and not that inviting.

I wonder if next year a track could be setup for train racing? I remember there used to be a hobby shop that had an open house every year and they had racing. It would be fun to build a racer and compete with a timed event like drag racing. There could be a trophy as well.

Yea, next year the plan is to have the timesaver more centralized. We didnt really know what kind of space we were going to be working with or how busy it would be. The timesaver needs to be lower, too, for kids.

We might be using the same one if the club brings it back down, or I’ll be building one that fits in the back of my Jeep.

Lou did a great job that year (2019), putting together his timesaver on short notice. Here’s a pic of his track:

lou timesaver

The layout visibility problem that year was of a different sort:

Sometimes you could see it though.

Good times!

But then thanks to the York Fairgrounds organization, the “York to Timonium Special” move came…

…along with the Covid shutdown (which the MD governor announced the night before that show opened). Some of us showed up, here’s Hollywood, Ken and Maynard.

Star and the other vendors took a huge hit then, yet in '21 and '22 Star fought on bravely.

It was great to see the ECLSTS '23 do so much better this year, and Star being at NELSTS '23 as well.

Two large scale train shows in one spring? With two friendly organizations behind them? I can’t complain!!

Especially in view of what we’ve come through, I think the future looks quite bright for both shows.

Cliff

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…I’m glad “The future looks bright”…sadly, with that last picture, our real “Bright Star”, KEN, will not be there, but the memory of his Friendship, Friendly Smile, and good will, can help us all to remember him, at the next occasion, when we meet, and promote FRIENDSHIP, and our Great Hobby.
Remember, PLEASE; The shows give us the opportunity to purchase “Stuff”, but we need to look beyond the purchasing, and promote the FRIENDSHIP, and Socializing, that is so important, in our crazy divisive World these days.
LSC can be a leader in bringing people together, to share all the good things in OUR Great hobby.
FJM

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I’d like just for one large scale show on the west coast… yah I know USAT is headquartered over on that side so it kinda makes sense. But dang I’m always drooling with the deals I see at those shows. I’m lucky to find 1 vendor selling an over priced NOS POS in “G” at any train show here in Washington. And then seeing that same piece of NOS come back the next year with a even higher price tag… :roll_eyes::man_facepalming:

Craig looking at the NGRC convention in San Francisco Bay Area , USA trains is sadly missing from that big show, which I think really is sad. I prefer their cars and locomotives over just about anything else . AML, Bachmann and Piko are there, USA is sponsoring the fireworks show that is free to view, that is the only mention of them.

Sorry to hear USAT won’t be there.

Interesting that Reindeer Pass will be, I’ve sure missed them a lot! And I thought the Kidman’s were retiring? I’ve missed Train Li too, ever since they moved out west.

Also interesting that Star Hobby will be there, that’s a long haul from Annapolis, especially for a local hobby store! They have lots of USAT, maybe call them and ask that they bring a bunch, since Charlie Ro won’t be there.

Cliff

Craig,
Al Kramer (West coast) sells ALL USAT at 45% off Retail. https://roll-ez.com/

Dan,
Your right. I was thinking more about the scrap piles that get sold at those types of events. I know just call USAT direct (and I have).

Craig, that’s happened a few times for me, but I think the norm is often the opposite, at least at ECLSTS: many tables of slightly to (very very) heavily used stuff, being sold for top dollar. Pola buildings, especially, seem to retain their sell-price no matter how broken or muddy!

I’ve seen the same “collections” being hauled in at each show, and hauled out quite intact, only to show up next year to repeat the cycle — with zero price drop. Oh well, I guess that’s their hobby.

Of course, there are those vendors that want to go home with less than they came with. They’re willing to deal, and that’s great!

That’s just my experience though, with the used stock. I expect others to have had different.

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I understand great deals were found at the White Elephant table. I know someone who got a set of 5 USAT intermodals (missing a few end steps) for $50 - Yes $10 a car and a box of 7 shipping containers for $100.

Oh yeah, the NELSTS Table was great!!

Yeah, I’ll miss USA too… I talked with them and I was told that all of their people are on vacation that week. They were the only manufacturer to make it to our large convention in 2016 so I’ll give 'em a pass this year. They did make our Convention Cars… Limited to 200 units. USA Trains also gave me some sponsorship support for the Welcoming Reception and Fireworks viewing around the pool at the Hyatt Hotel. They also donated flat cars for the interactive children’s layout where we are going to have children build loads for the flat cars and run them on a layout and then take them home… all for free.

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Well that’s good, but being a favorite of mine I’m still sad they will not be there. But plenty of USA stuff will come from Gold Coast and others. Thanks for the explanation, Russ.!

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Lou,
Is there a thread on how you built these buildings?

They were purchased. will have to find the labels.