26th Annual Upper Valley Train Show

Update - Well this show was rather disappointing. It cost $11 to get in for the family and the only operating layouts was a local modular club layout that we've seen at least three times this year at other events, a coffee table layout under construction and a small n scale layout. The location was dark and dingy. There were about eight vendors (the website claimed 80!). Mostly HO stuff, books, DVDs, a laser cut model kit company and no sign of the local hobby store. How could the only hobby store in town, located about two minutes from the site, not participate?

There were door prices and food available but there wasn't much of a reason to stay very long. Here is what their web site said we'd see at the show:

"We will have:

Cash door prizes! (yes)
Model railroad layouts and displays in N, HO, O and large scales! (I didn't see low or large scale)
Various layouts in virtually every scale. (again no O or large scale)
'How To' workshops teaching scenery building skills (didn't see any)
Video hall with railroad themed videos playing all day (missed this?)
Over 80 dealer tables with a variety of items for sale including:
-railroad models
-railroadiana
-original artwork
-tools
-electronics (including the latest in train control and neat gadgets)
-detail parts
-consignment items for sale
-railroad-themed toys
-scales from the Z to G.

Unless we missed a whole other room of stuff we didn't more than eight vendors.


I did ended up buying an O Scale Flag Stop station, some apple trees and an HO 70 Ton GE switcher that I'm going to kitbash into On30. Decent prices. But overall a disappointing show especially when you consider it as an introduction to people wanting to get into the hobby. Except for one vendor the people at the show were rather zombie like and non-engaging. I felt bad for a family I knew coming into the show. I was just thinking how they'd pay their $12 and then wonder why they did.

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We'll be checking this out this weekend.

http://cvrr.railfan.net/cvmrr/shows/show2011.htm