2023 N Scale Weekend - Altoona, PA

[MK]

And for the second year in a row, I will not be able to attend because of a previously-planned vacation.  Sure wish they'd move this event back to the mid-August timeframe.  Waaay too many competing activities at this time of year, both for model railroading and otherwise (craft fairs, car shows, etc.).

IIRC, it was originally the week before but Penn State changed their schedule and that weekend is now a home game.

Actually the original original date was early August...back in the day.  This also gives more daylight after the show to railfan.

[mu26aeh]

Actually the original original date was early August...back in the day.  This also gives more daylight after the show to railfan.

I meast this year's date, I thought it was a week earlier when first announced.

[Shaggy170]

Bad news guys. Well, kinda.

The hotel block at the attached hotel is SOLD OUT.

So... Congrats to the Altoona Club! But if you're like me and hadn't booked yet, you've snost and lost.

If you go to our website (or follow the link below), there are 7 other hotels in the area that we have blocks booked. We got 155 rooms over the 8 hotels.

https://www.theaamr.org/n-scale-weekend/hotellodging-information

If anyone has any questions regarding the show or hotels, feel free to PM me or tag me in a post. I am a member of AAMR and a show committee member.

[POVC]

Actually the original original date was early August...back in the day.  This also gives more daylight after the show to railfan.

Original date of the first show in 2005 at the Fairgrounds in Altoona was the weekend after Labor Day.  Mike Phillips asked all the local hotels which weekend had the most openings and that weekend won.  It got moved to the end of August when it relocated to the Sports Complex the following year.

Tim

[mu26aeh]

Booked for the full weekend of fun !  Arrive Friday, leave Sunday.  Now to tell the boss I'm taking a few days off

If you go to our website (or follow the link below), there are 7 other hotels in the area that we have blocks booked. We got 155 rooms over the 8 hotels.

https://www.theaamr.org/n-scale-weekend/hotellodging-information

If anyone has any questions regarding the show or hotels, feel free to PM me or tag me in a post. I am a member of AAMR and a show committee member.

@Shaggy170  When you go to schedule for the 2024 show, please note the Mainline Open House and Layout Tours will be Sept 21 and 22, 2024 (always 3rd full weekend in Sept) .  Please schedule show any other weekend. I'm hoping to have my layout up and running by then and can't be in 2 places at once Thanks

 

[bman]

Bad news guys. Well, kinda.

The hotel block at the attached hotel is SOLD OUT.

So... Congrats to the Altoona Club! But if you're like me and hadn't booked yet, you've snost and lost.

Not a problem. We're booked at The Station Inn in Cresson. We're combining our fall Horseshoe Curve railfan trip and the N Scale Weekend into one trip this year. We'll be there Saturday hanging around the Fre-moN layout. Have to make a point to search you out. It's been since the great Hardhat parking lot smokeout when we were in the same zip code.

[Blazeman]

I can personally recommend the Altoona Grand Hotel.  Stayed there pre-Covid for a modelers' event.  Used to be a Sheraton.

[central.vermont]

I'm not going to make it this year but last year I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Duncansville and was very pleased with price and accommodations!!

[wm3798]

Is it too late to book a table?

[mu26aeh]

Is it too late to book a table?

Think there is a waiting list according to the club page

[btrain]

I’ll vouch for the Altoona Super 8. There’s still space available and it’s been a solid place when I’m doing super happy fun time activities in the area. For those on the fence about going to the show, please do, I had a blast last year and the amount of space available truly did justice for the growing interest in N scale. Wish I could make it out this year, but I’ve had to be more judicious with my vacation days with a new policy at work.

[ridinshotgun]

I can personally recommend the Altoona Grand Hotel.  Stayed there pre-Covid for a modelers' event.  Used to be a Sheraton.

I used to be a fan of them and always tried to stay there but won't any longer after last year.  Had to change rooms twice over the course of a weekend due to malfunctioning AC units. The place was also very dirty with trash in the halls and construction debris laying about.  They also had a bang up breakfast buffet pre-covid.  Last year it was box cereal, bagged cinnamon buns and bagels.  Yuck.

Going downtown this year to the Wingate to make it easier to watch trains.  And there is a great diner within walking distance for breakfast.

[mu26aeh]

Speaking of breakfast, I'm sad that the little greek ( ? ) bistro closed up not long after the show last year.  @wm3798 and @Philip H offered photos of the 3 egg omelette they had and that was all @GM50 4164 and I needed to see to decide that's where we were having breakfast also.  Was hoping to try to finish breakfast this year, omelette was so big I couldn't eat all of it

[ridinshotgun]

I hit up Tom an Joe's downtown for breakfast.  Old style diner.  Straight up eggs, potatoes, flapjacks and coffee place that is priced great.  You gotta get there early though since they fill up quick.

[wm3798]

Welp, I'm all booked up.  Renting an AirBnB over by Lakemont park.  6 mins away, and a whole house for less than a hotel room.

Bringing the Cumberland Modules, sorry, nothing new and improved. Probably won't even get around to fixing the lighting circuit...


Was contemplating bringing the DKS Newport and Rock Falls, but the logistics just aren't there.  I'll try to plan ahead better next year.  Maybe the Hi Rail layout will be portable (and complete) enough to put on display.

Looking forward to the usual goonery.

Lee