A Completely Unexpected Day-Trip to York... w/photos

So originally I mentioned I would not be able to attend York this week due to a scheduling collision on the home front.  But on Wednesday evening, things cleared up... so my wife and I -- along with our 15+ year-old black Lab who needs lots of TLC these days -- made an impromptu "day trip" out to York on Thursday.  We made a nice day of it by first visiting Browns Orchard in Loganville PA for an early lunch -- a few miles south of York.  It's a great country store atmosphere -- especially in October.  We always bring home some goodies from Browns Orchard, and today was no exception.  After having a nice lunch, we were off to the York Fairgrounds!

First stop was the Silver Hall though, since I first needed to register.  At 2PM there was still a small line at the registration desk (which surprised me), since they apparently had a computer glitch that queued up the registration line for quite a bit.  So I'm glad I didn't arrive at 12 Noon... when the line was apparently MUCH longer.  But I can't complain too much, 'cause I was registered and on my way in 20-30 minutes.

BTW, the Fairgrounds parking lot looked pretty "healthy" in terms of attendance.  Not packed... but better than last April for sure.  Still a long way to go from York's heydays of old though, as I don't think we'll ever see those crowds anymore.

I only spent a few hours at York itself on Thursday afternoon.  By 5PM, we were on the road back home.  But for me, the trip was well worth my time -- not to mention conjuring up a few moments of walking down memory lane, since I've been attending York quite regularly since 1991.

The Orange Hall is DEFINITELY different these days.  Gone were dealers I really missed seeing, including Nicholas Smith Trains, Charlie Ro, SideTrack Hobbies, Scenic Express, and Stockyard Express among others.  Dunham Studios is now retired, and TW Trainworx is busier than the proverbial one-armed wallpaper hanger... so they weren't their either -- despite their name being listed on the updated Orange Hall dealer listing.  Also not in attendance was Train Shelf, a company no longer in existence (based in Hershey PA) who had provided the nice aluminum shelving that graces the walls of my train room.  They too were in the Orange Hall dealer listing, but they were nowhere to be found.  However, I did stop in at Glenn Snyder Display Systems, and they took my name for O-Gauge Shelving... which is currently expected back in stock in June 2023.  Sigh.... but time rolls quickly when we're having fun.  And next June will be here before we know it!!!  It's just too bad we live in times, when supply chain issues and material shortages are now par for the course in so many corners of the world -- including toy trains and toy train cottage industries.

For some good news... I didn't see any empty tables or booths this time.  And the front section of the Orange Hall where tables are configured rather than large booths seemed more crowded than I recall in prior years on a Thursday afternoon.  But the big aisle that separated the tables from the larger dealer booths was MUCH SMALLER than prior years.  So there was no longer a wide separation between the tables and booth sections -- giving the impression of more vendors packed in the same area.  I preferred the old way better... but with the Purple Hall now history, more sellers are now in the Orange Hall.  So something had to give -- even with the rather large handful of former Orange Hall dealers and train shops no longer attending.

I did a quick walk around the perimeter of the Orange Hall... first stopping by the METCA tables near the front to speak with Stu.  Always nice to chat with Stu, and METCA had their new Norfolk Southern Lionel Legacy on display that looked really sweet... along with their recently delivered MTH flatcars with Lifesaver PUP's.

East Coast Enterprises had their usual impressive booth, as they are now the defacto, creme de-la-creme outfit for custom bridge structures, trestles, catenary systems, and huge O-Scale building structures.  If you need any of those jewels for your O-Gauge layout, you can't go wrong with East Coast Enterprises.

Trainworld and Mr. Muffins Trains were in the back corner of the Orange Hall.  But I managed to escape both booths with my wallet intact -- partly because I just took delivery of Trainworld's special-run Lionel Legacy ES44AC U.S. Army diesel last week.  And I have two pricey pre-orders with Steve of Mr. Muffins Trains that still might make delivery later this year yet which will need to be paid for:  a special-run Pennsylvania RR "what if" Class-A locomotive from Lionel in Brunswick Green, as well as a Lionel Legacy Boston & Albany Berk!

Next stop was the Atlas-O booth back along the rear wall of the Orange Hall, where MTH and Charles Ro Supply formerly held down some serious booth real-estate.  The Atlas booth was much smaller than in prior years.  BUT AT LEAST THEY WERE THERE!!!  And I also spoke with Andy Eddleman of MTH fame about a potential future special-run offering -- which in and of itself made the trip to York VERY worthwhile.

Bear in mind... I always attended York as more of an industry trade show rather than a big swap meet.  And that's still my primary focus, even though I believe York is transitioning back to its original roots as one huge toy train swap meet.  So it was nice to see -- in person -- some of the new arrivals AND due-to-arrive shortly arrivals from Atlas-O.  Some of the Gunderson Multimax Auto Carriers were on display, and they look absolutely FABULOUS.  Can't wait to grab a few.  And Atlas also had a new Fall 2022 catalog with some DYNAMITE offerings coming down the pike.  I don't buy as many "new trains" these days.  But I'll need to make some room for some of the new Atlas goodies being offered.  So be sure to check their website for the catalog and its cool offerings.

Pete Costa's Town & Country Hobbies and Just Trains of Delaware were also along the back wall of the Orange Hall.  And both had a healthy amount of new train products.  Bachmann and Lionel were nowhere to be found, but we knew that.  So other suppliers I didn't recognize filled their places on the floor.

Grzyboski Trains appeared to pick up some extra booth space.  So their booth seemed larger than usual.  And it was filled to the brim with product everywhere.  Sadly, I miss seeing Joe Sr (who passed away a couple of years ago).  But he would be very proud indeed with how his sons have carried on in his tradition, as they run a first-class operation.

Next stop was the LCCA booth that also seemed a bit larger than I recall.  Ironically, Sal told me they still had a few of the Lionel October 2022 York Boxcars still available -- even at 3PM Thursday afternoon!  So some of you folks heading to York on Friday might still be in luck!!!  I passed on the offering, so there's one more boxcar for somebody else to buy.  Perhaps Lionel NOT attending York this time made the boxcar "less desirable" this time around?  I don't know.  But I'd be curious if anyone here reports they're still available for purchase on Friday.

Rounding out my walk through the Orange Hall, I also ran into Harry Henning of Hennings Trains in Lansdale, PA.  Their booth is now located in the front right corner of the Orange Hall, but I ran into Harry helping out at the Millhouse River Studio location a few booths down.  Harry had a serious bout with cancer a few years ago.  So it's GREAT to see him doing so well now.

I missed seeing anyone from OGF in my travels on Thursday afternoon... but you'll have to take my word that I was actually there... albeit for just a few hours.  And to prove it, I'll post a few photos I grabbed at the Atlas-O booth.  Sorry I missed Emile too.  Otherwise he could have worked his magic and composited me into the OGF "group photo" on Friday afternoon!!!

Perhaps next time...

To all those attending York on Friday and/or Saturday... HAVE FUN!!!