KB02
Well-Known Member
The local model railroading club held their annual show yesterday. It is sad to see this show declining every year. Fewer vendors, fewer layouts, fewer people... Granted the later is what drives the formers in that statement, but still, Tony's Train Exchange is located less than half an hour away from where the show is held, and even they don't show up (and... um... yeah... are literally a next door neighbor to the club that hosted the event... so...?).
There was one vendor selling NEW merchandise, and that was the rock mold guy. Had a bunch of 3D printed items as well. There were a hand full of yard salers and a couple of layouts that we see every year. And lots of empty tables and open space.
I told my wife that I felt compelled to buy something from some of the few vendors who did show up just to support their being there. I flirted with the idea of a couple new-in-box Athearn BB locos, but while I was thinking it about, someone snatched up the pair of the BNSF Dash 9's I was thinking about. That's when I switched my thoughts to the Demonstrator Dash 9... which I watched someone buy.
I didn't feel too bad. Any loco I bought would have needed more money put into it with op system conversion and what not, plus this guy seemed to be doing pretty well.
I did walk away with one gem. Someone was selling flatcar loads with tractors on them. Sitting at the front of the table was a pair of John Deere 420C Crawlers on a flat car. My Dad had one of these that he inherited from his father. My Grand Father and his bother-in-law, my Uncle Bob, had matching 420C's. Great units around the farm and up logging in the woods. There's no real reason for this load to be being pulled around on my layout, but it was kind of a sentimental thing. And at $20, I wasn't going to leave that there.
This could have been Gramp and Uncle Bob's tractors, especially on a Rutland flatcar. I'll find somewhere for it to be.
There was one vendor selling NEW merchandise, and that was the rock mold guy. Had a bunch of 3D printed items as well. There were a hand full of yard salers and a couple of layouts that we see every year. And lots of empty tables and open space.
I told my wife that I felt compelled to buy something from some of the few vendors who did show up just to support their being there. I flirted with the idea of a couple new-in-box Athearn BB locos, but while I was thinking it about, someone snatched up the pair of the BNSF Dash 9's I was thinking about. That's when I switched my thoughts to the Demonstrator Dash 9... which I watched someone buy.
I didn't feel too bad. Any loco I bought would have needed more money put into it with op system conversion and what not, plus this guy seemed to be doing pretty well.I did walk away with one gem. Someone was selling flatcar loads with tractors on them. Sitting at the front of the table was a pair of John Deere 420C Crawlers on a flat car. My Dad had one of these that he inherited from his father. My Grand Father and his bother-in-law, my Uncle Bob, had matching 420C's. Great units around the farm and up logging in the woods. There's no real reason for this load to be being pulled around on my layout, but it was kind of a sentimental thing. And at $20, I wasn't going to leave that there.
This could have been Gramp and Uncle Bob's tractors, especially on a Rutland flatcar. I'll find somewhere for it to be.
