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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 2, 2024 18:03:42 GMT
Dates are today (Fri, 8/2) and tomorrow (Sat, 8/3). Not sure if I’ll make it this year. Expecting some heavy-hitters still due to arrive later this year. But we shall see. Today is a real scorcher here in southeastern PA!!! But I think the online store has sales too.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Aug 2, 2024 18:11:22 GMT
Can you imagine the heat coming off the parking lot?!
Anything not made of metal is liable to melt.
With the heat and the distance it will be another tent sale I miss unfortunately.
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Post by gpritch on Aug 2, 2024 23:35:52 GMT
Seems like the tent sale has been a bust the past couple of years. I don't recall ever getting much if anything from the sales.
Anyone have better luck?
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Post by desrailway on Aug 3, 2024 1:20:31 GMT
Had ok (not awesome, but ok) service from them recently, but stores with sale pricing that requires in-person shopping is kind of yesterday’s business model. Wish them well.
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Post by david1 on Aug 3, 2024 4:28:43 GMT
Will be going tomorrow, ill report when I get back,
Dave
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Post by trainman9 on Aug 3, 2024 14:29:24 GMT
The couple of times I did go most of the Lionel engines offered were over three catalog years old and no longer under warranty.
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Post by david1 on Aug 3, 2024 18:42:46 GMT
Went today, it was hot but lots of good stuff in all gauges. Went up stairs and lots of good stuff again. The guy I rode with picked up a few cars for good prices.
Btw for all those saying Nickalos Smith was sold is completely wrong!!!!
Chris Gans still owns the train store. He now lives at the Jersey shore and rarely get back to the store.
Dave
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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 3, 2024 22:15:26 GMT
Went today, it was hot but lots of good stuff in all gauges. Went up stairs and lots of good stuff again. The guy I rode with picked up a few cars for good prices. Btw for all those saying Nickalos Smith was sold is completely wrong!!!! Chris Gans still owns the train store. He now lives at the Jersey shore and rarely get back to the store. Dave Thanks for the report, Dave. Chris has been away from day-to-day operations for quite some time -- several years perhaps. A few familiar faces still work there. But the store managers calling the shots now are new.
As of the time of this post -- a bit after 6pm EDT on Saturday -- the webstore still has the 10% off everything sale going on (except new-arrivals and pre-orders) for those looking to save a few dollars.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Aug 3, 2024 22:27:10 GMT
When I lived in the area I enjoyed going to their tent sales. But I never found much of interest inside the tent. I had much better luck inside the store since the discount also applied there.
These days I shop there from the website but didn’t even look this time. I keep spending my York Meet and preorder money. I just ordered a bunch of O gauge Strasburg building kits from eBay on a whim.
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Post by david1 on Aug 3, 2024 23:16:08 GMT
Went today, it was hot but lots of good stuff in all gauges. Went up stairs and lots of good stuff again. The guy I rode with picked up a few cars for good prices. Btw for all those saying Nickalos Smith was sold is completely wrong!!!! Chris Gans still owns the train store. He now lives at the Jersey shore and rarely get back to the store. Dave Thanks for the report, Dave. Chris has been away from day-to-day operations for quite some time -- several years perhaps. A few familiar faces still work there. But the store managers calling the shots now are new.
As of the time of this post -- a bit after 6pm EDT on Saturday -- the webstore still has the 10% off everything sale going on (except new-arrivals and pre-orders) for those looking to save a few dollars.
Talked to Dave today and he confirmed what I learned. He also is doing the ordering. Beings Chris dont come around much anymore it seems his one daughter who lives in the area does. The other 3 live on the west coast. Chris sold his house in Havertown and his huge collection of std gauge to move to his shore mansion, nice place. I saw it when he combined the two homes into one many years ago. I got a tour, very nice!! I knew he didn't sell the train shop but could not confirm it beings I can't drive anymore. I use to stop by at the store almost every week and today's visit was my first in about 8 years, its not much different but they have way more Ho then ever before. It was nice to see the store and see so many friends. One thing I learned today don't believe in some people opinions and what they think they know! Dave
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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 4, 2024 0:26:14 GMT
... I use to stop by at the store almost every week and today's visit was my first in about 8 years, its not much different but they have way more Ho then ever before. It was nice to see the store and see so many friends. ... I lived in the Valley Forge PA area (Chesterbrook) back in the mid-1980's thru mid-1990's, and I traveled extensively for work. Literally anytime I flew out of Philly or traveled by train out of 30th St Station (often multiple times per week), I'd stop by the store in Broomall on my way home. It was EASY to do back in those days, because the store was open 'till 10PM Monday, Wednesday, Friday... and 'till 7PM Tuesday and Thursday. It's an entirely different world now though. Back in those days, Chris was there almost every time I stopped in. So we developed a great rapport. Much tougher to build strong relationships now. Doable, but not as straightforward as 25+ years ago.
BTW, I received an email tonight indicating the Tent Sale AND 10% discount sale has been extended thru Monday, August 5th. So shop away in case your wallet is burning a hole in your pocket. 
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Post by ron045 on Aug 4, 2024 13:24:57 GMT
... I use to stop by at the store almost every week and today's visit was my first in about 8 years, its not much different but they have way more Ho then ever before. It was nice to see the store and see so many friends. ... I lived in the Valley Forge PA area (Chesterbrook) back in the mid-1980's thru mid-1990's, and I traveled extensively for work. Literally anytime I flew out of Philly or traveled by train out of 30th St Station (often multiple times per week), I'd stop by the store in Broomall on my way home. It was EASY to do back in those days, because the store was open 'till 10PM Monday, Wednesday, Friday... and 'till 7PM Tuesday and Thursday. It's an entirely different world now though. Back in those days, Chris was there almost every time I stopped in. So we developed a great rapport. Much tougher to build strong relationships now. Doable, but not as straightforward as 25+ years ago.
BTW, I received an email tonight indicating the Tent Sale AND 10% discount sale has been extended thru Monday, August 5th. So shop away in case your wallet is burning a hole in your pocket.
My son and I got to know Dave really well as NS. Thanks for this thread, I told my son about it since he lives nearby. Quick Story... Some years ago, when my son was a boy, he saved and saved every dollar for an MTH Reading GP30. We went to NS once day and met Dave for the first time who was showing my son the engine. We got to talking and Dave asked if we were going to York. We said we were. Dave looked at my son and said, "if you don't need it today, I can make you a better deal at York" and told him the York price. Dave said, "I'll even put it away and save it just for you". Somewhat disappointed, my son decided to wait because he knew how hard he worked for that money and the discount was worth it. When we arrived at York we went to the Orange Hall. Back then NS had two booths. A Lionel booth and an MTH booth way in the back left corner near the MTH company booth. Not wanting to browse the aisles and work our way to the back, my son b-lined it straight to the NS booth right away. We got to the booth and he was all smiles and excited. Dave saw my son and said, "Ahh the man who wanted the New York Central GP30". My son's smile instantly turned to dread. Dave looked at him and said, "Just kidding, I have your Reading engine right here". So the transaction starts and my son pulls out his cash all neat and ready to go, the exact amount Dave said it would cost. $20, $40, $60, $80 then the $10's, the $5's, and a stack of singles. I'm not even sure what the final cost was, but at some point, during the count out, Dave stops my son and says, that's good enough, why don't you take the rest and buy Dad lunch. The two shook hands and were friends for life. We always stop by to see Dave at the shop, York or Allentown. He always has a deal on something.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Aug 7, 2024 2:51:53 GMT
I believe it's Dave Parker who is holding Nicholas Smith's together, as much as he's allowed to! I'm surprised he's still there, he's wanted to retire a few times. I'm glad they are back to attending the York Meet too. Whenever we get back East I make sure to visit the store and always come out with something. Dave is so gracious, when my wife doesn't feel like walking the store and stays in the car, Dave always comes out with me to say hello to her. Back when he worked at JusTrains I came in wanting a Weaver water tower. They were selling like hotcakes at the time so they didn't have any in stock. Kirk wasn't there that day, so he climbed into the store window display on his hands and knees and grabbed the display's water tower for me. I was amazed at his dexterity, like a cat he didn't disturb any of the other displays! We've been friends ever since.
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