Springfield Train Show, 2010

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!

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.

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 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

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

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..

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.

Joe Fugate
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

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.

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.

Dave

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.

He, (ChrisNH) 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.

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.

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.

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?

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

 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]

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..

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)

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 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.

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 brought my video camera but I really wasn't feeling it. I took very little.

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!