Train Show

It sounds like the show was worth attending  It would be nice to be able to shake hands and shoot the breeze with the fellows at the MRH table and I'm sure they were happy to be able to put a face with the name.

The slabside hoppers should be a nice compliment to your road.  Thanks for the first hand report on the show!

I have one word for this show - BIG

This show is downright huge. 5 times the floor space of the National Train Show makes it absolutely massive. You get the feeling you could easily have conversations with just a few of the over 500 firms present - and before you know it, the day would be shot.

We've made lots of good contacts on the content side of the MRH venture which will result in some very exciting articles to be coming up in the year ahead. On the readership site, we estimate we gave out nearly 1,000 free CDs to show goers who had never heard of us.

On the revenue side, we sold a bunch of videos and for MRH - we're likely to be adding some fantastic new sponsoring advertisers in the next couple of issues from conversations at this show.

I have one word for that news

WOO HOO!!  MRH is simply one of those products that people just have to know about and it "sells" itself.  Looking forward to the future!

And I wish I could go to one of these big train shows.  Our local train show next month is nice, but we only have a handful of people that would be sponsors, though a lot of readers.

That's awesome news for

That's awesome news for MRH!

I can't wait for the WGH show in Denver the end of next month.  We finally get a real show with manufacturers rather than the usual flea market, yard sale booths and hack modular clubs that seem to visit EVERY show for years.

Did you guys catch Big Al Mayo?  I tell you what, I cannot get enough of his videos on YouTube. Not only for the techniques, but the inspiration to get to work on your own stuff.

Josh

Show Impressions

I spent yesterday in Springfield as well.  While this was my first trip to the Big E show and my 2nd large show (the 1st being the NMRA in Hartford last July) there were a few things that jumped out at me:

• First and foremost, I was lucky enough to grab a couple of beers with ChrisNH who is one of the people who really added content on this site when MRH was still a quarterly magazine and user submitted content was cricital in bridging those longer gamps between issues.  It's always great to put a face with a name, swap experiences in the hobby, and "make a new friend" with shared interests.  If you're newer to the site his blog posts are well worth a read, even if he's a Red Sox fan!  He (along with Scarpia who started this thread) are the two people on this board who consistently put up informative posts that stay focused on their topics (which is something I wish I could do!) and are great examples for those who want to learn how to add compelling content to this community.
• The MRH booth was/is in a great spot.  The Mallory building is the first one you pass when you walk in from the parking lot and given how cold it was yesterday that's a BIG plus.  While they are set back a bit from the main thoroughfare in the building the booth is definitely eye-catching and attracts visitors.
• Scenic Express had some GREAT demonstrations of static grass application being done by Jeff Greene (don't hold me to that last name) who shared an interesting technique.  After his static grass is applied and the glue has dried, he then goes back and applies regular old non-sanded tile grout as an earth tone to the grass.  After a little wet water/dilute white glue you REALLY end up with a nicely blended ground texture.  I was impressed to see a vendor demo a relatively inexpensive product that you could buy at your own home store as opposed to a "hobby specific" product that is inevitably more expensive.  The grass applicator was also down to $129.99 but even when demonstrating it they were almost apologizing for the price.  I think in 18 months you will see it selling for under $100 as it can only get cheaper as they figure less expensive ways to source things.
• While EXPENSIVE Mianne benchwork was a very good looking product (a 16' x 16' walk-in layout would cost around $1,400) that was a constructed around MDF I-beams.  the benchwork was really solid and also came with parts to build a multi-deck layout which is something I am just plain scared of every doing because I know I just how bad a carpenter I am!
• Iawata airbrushes seemed very popular.  They organized two clinics yesterday (and one Friday if I remember) and they seemed to be flying off the shelves when I walked by.  However they aren't shy about their prices (they only had double action brushes for some reason) and I was able to pick up one of their single action brushes at another booth for about 50% of what they were selling theirs for.
• The best module in my mind was the Narragansett On30 that I also saw at Hartford.  It was on a level of it's own and I ended up spending almost 45 minutes just exploring that.  I could have spend more if I had the time.  It is really an impressive display and worth exploring in it's own right.  Also in the same room I though the Torrington club's module was impressive and of a consistent quality all around.
• In terms of deals by and large I didn't think there were a ton to be found if I'm honest.  Kadee was the best IMHO with ready to roll HO rolling stock going for $20 for box cars and hoppers going for $22 (cash only however) which was a steal for cars that ar normally $32.95 and are hard to find much under retail.  I'm sure that offer did not make many dealers happy!  Also right next to the MRH booth CMT is selling a ton of Walthers P1K and P2K rolling stock for $9.99 which I took advantage of to beef up my newsprint car fleet. 

I think those wer the major things i took from the show, but I'd be interested in other's impressions as well.  Also, when you get back I'd like to hear what the MRH staff  took from the show as "insider impressions".

Best,

~rb

Big, but lots of repetition

The show was definitely huge. I still enjoyed Hartford more though.. more concentrated and a nicer facility. At the end of the day there was a lot the same stuff.. I think if you cut out all the travelling hobby shops selling some variation of the same thing it would not be that much bigger. Just my humble opinion.

Of course, for me, its all about the Scenic Express booth:

I got some of that new closed cell ground cover material. I think it will look really nice in N scale.

I got some of their new ballast. it shouldn't darken like the stuff I got at Hartford did. They have a new process where they color a silicate that gets sealed. Apparently the dust generated in the previous stuff was the culprit in the darkening. The new stuff also has a less uniform and more realistic coloration.

I got some designer flock. They sold out of the bulk flock (I had browsed when I got there but didnt want to lug the stuff all day.. next time I will go there at 9AM and buy right away!). It was Silfor brand 2mm in a more brownish color.

I also noted they were selling  two kinds of flocking guns. Both were 129.99, cheaper then in the past. THere was a new Heki model that was recommended by the guy there. A friend of mine bought it.. its powered by a belt clipped battery pack. It looks nice.. I will report back when I learn more.

Other then that I got a kit from Creative Laser Design who makes Vermont prototype structures. The box will go nicely with all the other boxes of unbuilt kits I have.

Met rfbranch for beers. Talked to a lot of people but only saw Joe from a distance. Did get to chat with Charlie. Good time all around. Glad to be home though.

My kid wants help with his megablocks.. gotta go..

Chris

 Almost forgot.. got a poster on sale of baldwin steam locomotives for my kids room. I want him to grow up with steamers that don't have faces and bumpers..

Show Reports

Fantastic Joe!

I'm looking forward to promoting MRH at my local show in March.  I'll have wireless internet available and will take two laptops so I can let anyone who wants to try browsing the online edition, give it a whirl.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Yes, I would like to attend a big show too.  Have you ever been to the Calgary show?  Does it attract the big name firms in the hobby I wonder?

We have talked about taking a holiday in Alberta and checking out the show.  Maybe next year?

I'm hoping to introduce over 1000 people to MRH at the show in Moose Jaw in March.  I'm not sure about sponsors but I might be able to attract some more Canadian hobby shop listings to the site.

Absolutely!  Scarp's blogs are top shelf and Chris, while not as regular has a great blog going too.  I look forward to a time when I can attempt to contribute as much to the community.

Great information rb!  Thanks!  This technique made me think of Joe's zip? texturing from his videos...not sure if it is exactly the same.  I can't wait to try it out with the static grass!

Regarding Scenic Express.  What's up with them becoming an advertiser or sponsor.  They are such a great company and seem to be an exact fit for MRH.  I really hope to see them come on board soon.  Maybe Les can comment on this?

 Every time I see someone mention the Scenic Express booth, I turn green with envy.  I might have to attend a big show, just to be able to visit them... jealous in the frozen north [wink]

Well, not sure how much fun that poster will be to get down on the floor and play with but you're right, he should know that not all steamers have faces. [wink]

Thomas is great for developing the interest in trains and model railroading, IMO.  My little guy and I have a ball with his train table.  Our oldest, (12) likes to fool around with it too.  We went to the city recently to rail fan and take some pictures and took our 2-1/2 yr old with us.  He had a ball watching the trains.  e asks to look at trains on the laptop all the time and like Joe's dvds too.  I'll be amazed if he doesn't grow up to a model railroader.

Don't knock Thomas until you've tried him. [smile]

Can't wait to hear more about the show.  Guys.  Where are the pictures and videos?  Rich media please. :o)

Not this time

I brought my video camera but I really wasn't feeling it. I took very little. Still, I will take a look at what I did get and see what I have. It was VERY crowded. At Hartford they opened the show only to people attending the convention for the first 4 or so hours which game me time for leisurely photography.. the lighting was better too.

Chris

I still enjoyed Hartford

I have to agree - I did enjoy the Hartford show more. Part may be as you mentioned, it was just a much nicer facility.

I actualy like the traveling hobby shops, as it's a great chance to pick stuff up, but I really missed the "ask a MMR" booth.....

I know...

I hear you Chris.  I know myself that I often don't feel like taking in an event through a camera lens.  If you have any good stuff we all like to watch videos!

Reflections on the Big E show

Now that I've attended this show for the first time, my initial reaction is this show is BIG - almost too big.

In terms of going from one end to the other, it's pretty far flung - it can take you 10 minutes to work your way through the crowd to go from end to end walking as briskly as you can.

I was hoping this would be an opportunity for us to hook up with some vendors we've been courting for advertising, but we found that's just not possible. Most vendor booths are mobbed, and trying to get some "dead time" to talk about things like MRH is next to impossible.

Yes, there may be some dead time towards the end of Saturday, but the vendor has been mobbed all day and they're generally wiped and next-to-zombie in their frame of mind after going full speed all day long. And because of the wide-flung nature of this huge show, each vendor you may want to see could have a brisk 5-10 minute walk between them - not exactly the most convenient for hooking up with someone.

And then if you guess wrong and that vendor happens to still be getting a lot of traffic, you may have just burned up a 10-20 minute round trip for nothing.

We did hook up with a handful of vendors, but certainly didn't make the number of contacts I was hoping for, mostly for the reasons I mentioned above.

The crowds are certainly larger than any other model railroading event I've ever been to, and if exposure is your goal, this is a good show to attend. This show's also relatively inexpensive for a vendor given its off-season schedule.

Thanks to this show, I think there's a few thousand more model railroaders who now know MRH exists.

If you're looking for some great deals, however, my sense is this show isn't likely to have much. The sheer size of the show makes it difficult to carefully crawl through all the vendors looking for super deals. And most vendors don't have much in the way of "hot deals" they were pushing that I could see. As it turns out, CMT (right next to us, and an MRH sponsor) had some of the best deals on rolling stock I've seen in a while, so I picked up a stack of Proto 2000 cars at some great prices!

Wow

It sounds like a real mob scene, almost like Wally World before Christmas.  Trying to network under the circumstances your describing would be very daunting.  You needed a golf cart and an express lane! [grin]

The up side is the great exposure for MRH.  Every little bit counts.  If we all work to get the word out the growth of MRH could become exponential very soon.

I'd like to visit a bigger show but that's bigger than I had in mind I think.

Springfield

It was great seeing so many new faces at the show, this was my 22nd year at Springfield, and despite a slight change in location we had good traffic at the tables.  Business was down a bit, for almost every dealer I spoke to, (and some don't quite tell the truth about sales!!).  Total paid attendance was 21,400 not counting club members, dealers, vendors etc. 

    I was quite happy to meet the MRH staff, and admit I had not heard of them before, it seems to be a very well organized venture, and I wish them well.

   I didn't spend much at all, just a few needed tools and a gift for one for my table helpers, but there were certainly lots of things i could have taken home.  Built up models didn't sell well, but my kits did fairly good.  The thing about Springfield is that people know it's only once a year, this show is not held several times in the same venue like some other shows, so we know that if we don't buy it today, we may not see it for another year.  That may account for why sales are traditionally quite good at this show.  I do think the local and national economy have some bearing on how well these shows are attended and how well sales go.  Here in the Northeast, there are a lot of people losing jobs, or becoming underemployed, and I think that's taking a toll on the hobby.  The weather, although bitterly cold, was actually alright for this time of year, past Big E shows have faced snowstorms, rain and competition with the Superbowl.

   Someone pointed out that my table location, in the Better Living Center, used to be a prime location, but now with the Mallory building added to the show, we are actually the furthest location from the parking areas.  I may try to ask for another spot next year, as my tables, in section 7 BLC were just about as far from parking as one can get.

   Ok, enough blab for one night, be well, play safe and stay happy.

Jim Hodgdon Jr

Hodgdon Scale Models

I wouldn't move..

THe Better Living Center was the best building. I spent most of my time there. Mallory was dark, damp, and over-crowded. I didn't like to linger more then I had to. I am not sure you would really be better off moving to Mallory.

Chris

'Railroad Hobby Show' at the Big E

  What a great weekend for the Amherst Railway Society 'Railroad Hobby Show' at the Big E. I waited a long time for this show. The last time I was there was in 2002. It's a 2 hour drive each way from Nashua NH with good weather. 4 buildings  in 1 day really wasn't enough time. I will stay over next year! I was really happy to see my old friends, and met some new ones.

  I was most surpised about the new railroad magazine MODEL RAILROAD HOBBYIST. My 20 years of MR magazine are coming to a close next year, March, and I am really considering not renewing.

  I am a long time modeler and photographer of railroads. I am looking to seeing the next issue.

Neighbor!

Heya! I am from NH too (hence the name). Good to see another Granite Stater on the board.

Chris

About 3 dozen of us came down

About 3 dozen of us came down from Ottawa, Ontario to the Springfield show and made a whole 4-day weekend of it including railfanning down and back.  While it may seem repetitious to many, there were a number of one-off exhibitors. 

For example, I'm interested in signal systems and haven't quite decided which way to go - build my own signal control boards; go NCE signal or Digitrax SE8C; or go with a plug-n-play like Atlas.  Timothy Christopher of Custom Signals had a setup which clearly demonstrated the elements of the Atlas (and Custom Signals) systems and had two long conversations with him.  It helped me make up my mind.  I also got some inside info. 

While I wasn't interested in buying cars or locos, some of the guys in our crowd got deals on locos and cars that they had been looking for.  While the layouts may have seemed "old hat" to most of us who have been in the hobby for a long time, for the majority of the crowd it was an opportunity to see layouts that they would never otherwise get to see. 

It also helps to do a bit of research before one goes to a show.  Before leaving, I downloaded the alphabetical listing of exhibitors and sorted it in building locations.  Then I highlighted those exhbitors I was interested in seeing first.  I used that list right from the time I entered the door until the time I lost it on Sunday morning.  I added to the list as I wandered through the buildings.  Throughout the weekend, I revisted those that I was interested in.  For example, I visited Scenic Express and Jeff Ward's demos at least 6 times and was there when he closed down. 

Got a chance to to talk to some of the MRH guys - Les who I had last seen in 2007 in Quebec City; Fastracks across the aisle and the On30 layout (fantastic). 

So, while some of the stuff may have seemed boring, there was enough new stuff to keep me interested and another trip back next year. 

Bob M.

Visit "Railways of Eastern Ontario" at

http://www.railwaybob.com