[seayakbill]

One thing for sure is that the WGH train shows are geared towards the family and especially kids. The longest lines were for the two kids rides. Children under 16 were admitted without charge, looked like some families brought the entire neighborhood. Very few of these parents were packing any train stuff. Certainly is good exposure for the hobby.

Bill

 

[Spence]

I think having all those kids there is a good thing.

 

[Severn]

The local to me hobby store seems to have struck on a formula for attracting at least some kids: stock more than model trains. It's not packed but there are kids there now on any given Saturday it seems that I go...

 

[Maxum]

Honestly, I hate Thomas the Tank Engine. But I know it's responsible for bringing a lot of kids into the hobby. We have one of the top model railroad museums and layouts in the country where I live. They get tons of kids and families, especially during Thomas events.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

When the WGH comes to town, we have our club modular display there, there are tons of kids, and I enjoy that outing.

 

[seayakbill]

When the WGH comes to town, we have our club modular display there, there are tons of kids, and I enjoy that outing.

Yep, seems to be a magnet for young parents to bring their kids.

Bill

 

[beachhead2]

One negative about WGH: The show promoters charge $10 for kids 12 and up. That's really annoying. Now that my kids are in that group, it guarantees I won't be bringing them. :thumbsdown:

 

[Dennis461]

Oaks PA is next week!

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

We'll be there. Pretty small layout, they couldn't fit us in with the large one. However, we'll run small trains.

 

[ogaugeguy]

We'll be there. Pretty small layout, they couldn't fit us in with the large one. However, we'll run small trains.

This might e the ideal setting to run your PRR Aerotrain, John. Short cars, unique looking engine and trailing end car with station sound announcements tnat most folks who hear them will likely enjoy.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

The Aerotrain is one of the things I'm packing for the show. I'm also bringing the Reading Crusader, and I'm figuring on maybe bringing a Freight consist.

 

[ogaugeguy]

So, John, will you be running your basic Aerotrain set or will the layout there be large enough to run your entire eight car Aerotrain consist?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I am bringing all ten cars and two engines. The extra engine is just in case I have an issue with one of them.

 

[ogaugeguy]

I am bringing all ten cars and two engines. The extra engine is just in case I have an issue with one of them.

John, I'll be getting a previously owned ps 3.0 Aerotrain set plus 5 additional cars tomorrow. In other posts here and on OGR you've mentioned the engine's anemic pulling power caused by its odd trailing truck design but by adjusting that truck the engine will pull more robustly. What specifically is involved in doing that adjustment and is that adjustment permanent or must you occasionally redo it? Also, did you need to add weight to your Aerotrain engines to get them to effortlessly pull those ten cars?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Well, the "adjustment" is probably going to vary. I actually tinkered around with it until I got decent operation. My PS/2 engine still pulls better than the PS/3 one, and there's no obvious reason why. I'm thinking of buying a new rear truck assembly and starting from scratch on the PS/3 unit.

 

[ogaugeguy]

John, directing back to the topic of this thread - the Greenberg Show - a model railroader posted on another forum that as an attendee, he viewed this show as disappointing with "not a lot of O gauge," and "NO deals."
From your perspective, John, as an exhibitor there and an attendee of numerous other model railroading meets, how did you view it?
Btw, which did the show's attendees seem more curious or fascinated with, the AeroTrain or Reading Crusader you ran?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

There was actually quite a lot of O-gauge stuff at the sow, I don't know what show he went to. There was also a lot of over-priced O-gauge stuff at the show, but a couple of people got bargains, one guy scored an MTH GP9 with PS/2 for $100, ran like a champ. I walked around, but nothing called my name. I did buy a spring assortment from one of the parts vendors, it has a bunch of the size springs I use in upgrades, so that was a good find.