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Post by Traindiesel! on Feb 22, 2024 3:27:09 GMT
I sure do miss this event. I loved going into the farmers market across the parking lot after I leave the show for a relaxing lunch and a little bit of shopping.
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Post by dlagrua on Feb 22, 2024 20:15:07 GMT
X 2. Allentown offers something that few if any train shows offer, great train show with a separate Farmers Market on the same fairgrounds. If we don't find any trains that we want, we still go home with a trunk of food that will include, Amish, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Spanish f vegetables, cheese, meats, poultry, fresh made chicken pies at Dans and some gourmet coffee.
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Post by bluelinec4 on Feb 22, 2024 20:26:34 GMT
The Amish girls that sell the pretzel sandwiches are the best Ranked right up there is Mariannes donuts And Oh yeah there are trains too
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Post by Adam on Feb 22, 2024 20:34:15 GMT
The Amish girls that sell the pretzel sandwiches are the best Ranked right up there is Mariannes donuts And Oh yeah there are trains too Did you say pretzel sandwich? That might be the best thing I have ever heard. Through some semi-sour pickles into that and we have something. Making me hungry!! |
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Post by curtis on Feb 24, 2024 3:32:27 GMT
I will be there with my conductor (to keep me in check and not overspend) and I ALSO WILL HAVE MY OGF HAT ON PROUDLY!!!
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Post by ron045 on Feb 24, 2024 3:43:54 GMT
I will be there with my conductor (to keep me in check and not overspend) and I ALSO WILL HAVE MY OGF HAT ON PROUDLY!!! How does one obtain a hat? I just looked in the store and did not see one.
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Post by dlagrua on Feb 24, 2024 19:06:12 GMT
Just got back and here is the report.
The ATMA Spring Thaw Meet was absolutely jam packed full of folks. It was about 35* outside so the name "spring Thaw" hardly fit but it proved to be an excellent event. Some tables were packed 4' high with trains and there was much to see in parts. used trains, new and NOS. Good buys all over the place. The big dealers were represented by Joe Grzyboski, JusTrains and Nicholas Smith was back. TCA and Metro division were there too. Bumped into Dave, Rockymountaineer Dave, NJ HiRailers Ben and Vinny and said hello. Since we no longer attend York it is. always nice seeing some of the the dedicated O Gauge folks again.
Only purchased a few old train publications then went to the Farmers Market and came home with one of Dans famous Fresh Made Chicken Pies,two VietNamese entree dinners, some Mexican Empanadas, a pound of Colombian Supremo coffee beans and an Amish cherry crumb pie. Rt 78 traffic was heavy both ways but moving. It was an enjoyable day.
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Post by curtis on Feb 24, 2024 22:25:37 GMT
I will be there with my conductor (to keep me in check and not overspend) and I ALSO WILL HAVE MY OGF HAT ON PROUDLY!!! How does one obtain a hat? I just looked in the store and did not see one. It looks like they are out of them. They are a popular seller (at least the black ones were). Send a private message to thebigcrabcake as he handles the store I believe. Let me know how you make out. If there are not going to be any more I may have an extra that I will have to think about, to let you attain.
Curtis
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Post by curtis on Feb 24, 2024 22:37:19 GMT
Just got back and here is the report. The ATMA Spring Thaw Meet was absolutely jam packed full of folks. It was about 35* outside so the name "spring Thaw" hardly fit but it proved to be an excellent event. Some tables were packed 4' high with trains and there was much to see in parts. used trains, new and NOS. Good buys all over the place. The big dealers were represented by Joe Grzyboski, JusTrains and Nicholas Smith was back. TCA and Metro division were there too. Bumped into Dave, Rockymountaineer Dave, NJ HiRailers Ben and Vinny and said hello. Since we no longer attend York it is. always nice seeing some of the the dedicated O Gauge folks again. Only purchased a few old train publications then went to the Farmers Market and came home with one of Dans famous Fresh Made Chicken Pies,two VietNamese entree dinners, some Mexican Empanadas, a pound of Colombian Supremo coffee beans and an Amish cherry crumb pie. Rt 78 traffic was heavy both ways but moving. It was an enjoyable day. I did not get there till 10 am and it was super crowded. I kept looking at people with hats trying to find you. You must have zipped through and went to the market. I did see Rocky Mountaineer and had a nice talk with him. I had previously purchased an item from him but did not purchase anything today from him. First time I met him and am so glad I did. I also so David1 there and chatted with him. I did see Vinnie from NJ HighRailers but he was a busy man so I did not bother him. Probably should have. I did purchase some farm people and some accessory things (pop machine, Newspaper rack, etc) that Lionel had made at the same table. Main purchase was a Hess tank car for me and a RSD B&O Switcher from Metro Division (Stu Rankin). I was shocked he remembered my name. Said he remembered getting the OGF Picture taken at York with me. The RSD is for my boss as he could not make it. Also stopped at the TCA booth and expressed my satisfaction with them. I am very happy with my membership although I know some are not. So the only thing on my list that I did get to do was meet you. My leg was killing me so I did not make it to the farmers market.
Curtis
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Post by david1 on Feb 24, 2024 23:53:47 GMT
Got to the Allentown meet about 9am and stayed till 4 at closing. Saw many friends but getting around was much tougher from a personal stand point. My back and legs just cannot stand it but I persevered, it was just too much fun.
I got a scale Lionel flat car with a tractor/trailer lettered for the UP. It was a special run for the St Louis LRRC for their 20th anniversary. New in the box. Never saw this before but it was a nice find.
Also I saw a dept56 Empire state building for sale for 1/4 the price I Have seen on other venues. I hesitated a bit but went back and bought it. Box is a little rough but the building was like new. Also picked up a repair.
So all in all a nice time talking and picking up some great train items.
Dave
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Post by Adam on Feb 25, 2024 0:50:26 GMT
Got to the Allentown meet about 9am and stayed till 4 at closing. Saw many friends but getting around was much tougher from a personal stand point. My back and legs just cannot stand it but I persevered, it was just too much fun. I got a scale Lionel flat car with a tractor/trailer lettered for the UP. It was a special run for the St Louis LRRC for their 20th anniversary. New in the box. Never saw this before but it was a nice find. Also I saw a dept56 Empire state building for sale for 1/4 the price I Have seen on other venues. I hesitated a bit but went back and bought it. Box is a little rough but the building was like new. Also picked up a repair. So all in all a nice time talking and picking up some great train items. Dave Nice finds, especially the D56 Empire State Building.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Feb 25, 2024 1:07:47 GMT
The crowd was one of the largest I’ve seen at ATMA. Our booth was slammed from about 9:15AM to 1PM. So I apologize if I couldn’t talk to everyone as long as I would have liked.
After being on my feet all day in the same general area on a concrete floor, I’m now enjoying some relaxing moments in my recliner chair with my feet elevated. Tomorrow comes quickly, so the night will be a short one.
Sunday is usually a much lighter day, and the “peak” crowd typically doesn’t hit until after-Church hours… and then for a much shorter duration than Saturday’s crowd. The show ends at 3pm on Sunday, and then it’s time to chalk up another great ATMA show into the history books.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Feb 25, 2024 1:19:30 GMT
Well worth the trip and the overnight stay expense. My vehicle was already approaching capacity from dealer delivered to Allentown items. Return side trips to Hennings, and Nicholas Smith Trains (who BTW was selling at ATMA incognito) were icing on the cake.
However the top treat was to meet rockymountaineer and put a face to a name. A very enjoyable exchange of greetings and camaraderie.
And yes David1, I saw your purchase while it was still available. Nice score!
All in all Allentown strikes me as a mini (maybe not so mini) York members hall meet in the best sense.
Many exhibitors sporting dealer tags in TCA /York holders indicate heavy cost pollination.
A few retail dealers were in evidence including my personal favorite Joe Grzyboski.
They represent the best characteristics of a multigenerational family business in the model train trade other than perhaps the fine folks at Hennings who add exceptional repair and parts/paint for the standard gaugers amongst us.
What an abundance of blessings we have in this hobby despite those dearly departed pioneers.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Feb 25, 2024 1:26:05 GMT
The crowd was one of the largest I’ve seen at ATMA. Our booth was slammed from about 9:15AM to 1PM. So I apologize if I couldn’t talk to everyone as long as I would have liked. After being on my feet all day in the same general area on a concrete floor, I’m now enjoying some relaxing moments in my recliner chair with my feet elevated. Tomorrow comes quickly, so the night will be a short one. Sunday is usually a much lighter day, and the “peak” crowd typically doesn’t hit until after-Church hours… and then for a much shorter duration than Saturday’s crowd. The show ends at 3pm on Sunday, and then it’s time to chalk up another great ATMA show into the history books. Not so fast for a casual Sunday! Unlike First Frost, there is not football to distract in the afternoon. Better get those sore dogs of yours ready to stand at attention tomorrow! Hope you had a great sales show!
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Post by runamuckchuck on Feb 25, 2024 1:36:01 GMT
As I saw at First Frost 2023, I couldn't help but note the attendance of some of the Amish folk from the Farmer's Market next store who took the time to visit the show. They seem particularly interested in watching the trains layouts run and inspect some for sale offerings.
Does any one know if the Amish culture allows running of model trains as it does involve electricity?
It seems a shame to think that these Amish Farmer's Market vendors only enjoy model trains at train shows.
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