contemplations.....

[Lackawannae8]

so I see Altoona is coming up then Springfield in Jan..... I can only choose one.. what should I do????

[C855B]

Since I live in the Midwest and attending either is not in the cards, and knowing neither show... it would be Altoona. For one, more railfanning opportunities proximate to Altoona. But the bigger deal is weather. Higher probability of being snowed out of any northeastern event in January. Just sayin'.

[peteski]

Yes, the weather can be problematic, but the Springfield show is huge!

[POVC]

so I see Altoona is coming up then Springfield in Jan..... I can only choose one.. what should I do????

In my opinion, it really depends on what you want to get out of it.
Altoona is N-scale only; all the layouts are N-scale (Ntrak, Ttrak, & FreemoN) and the vendors bring almost exclusively N-scale merchandise.  Weather tends to be better, and there are numerous railfanning options.  Plus entry price is cheaper ($10 for the whole weekend).
Springfield is huge and has all scales.  Many more vendors, but not all carry N-scale stuff.  Biggest difference is most of the major manufacturers attend Springfield, so if you want to talk directly to them this is the show.  Plus weather can be problematic.

I've only been to Springfield once, but have gone to Bedford/Altoona every year they've had it (and have the T-shirts to prove it!)

Tim

[wm3798]

I'll recommend Altoona.
Exclusively N scale, a great deal of camaraderie, many, many really good modelers.  Modular layouts and table top layouts that inspire, amuse and and engage.


Great vendors large and small, deals to be had on everything from vintage parts to the latest releases.  Definitely worth the trip.

I've not made it to a Springfield show yet, but I want to try.  The manufacturers are usually well represented, and you can see what's happening in all the other scales.

Lee

[Dwight in Toronto]

I’m kinda excited about Altoona - my first American train show! 

Springfield looks/sounds enticing, but weather, distance etc in January … not so much. 
It looks like Altoona is roughly a 6 hour drive straight south from Toronto, and I’ve enjoyed touring PA on other road trips, so looking forward to it!

[MK]

Altoona is N-Scale only and you get the "everybody knows everybody" kind of feeling and camaraderie.  The weather is certainly nicer and so is the facility and lodging (right next door if you are staying at the Marriott).  You can literally go to the show in your pajamas!   

Springfield is HUGE as Peteski said.  I don't know the attendance in Altoona (have they every announced it?) but Springfield typically pulls in 20,000+ visitors over the Saturday and Sunday weekend.  Springfield is also all scale, including 1:1 so it's really an "all things railroad" kind of show.

@Dwight in Toronto stop by the Combined T-Trak layout and say hello.  I'm usually the guy drawing the short stick and get stuck with doing the electrical for the layout.   

[x600]

Last year I drove 2853 miles to Altoona and I would do it again this year if my grand daughter wasn't
getting married on the same weekend. ( stupid priorities. )
 I've been to 5 NMRA national train shows, several NSC/NSE conventions, a goat ropin', and two county fairs and I ain't never had such a grand time! Louisville in 2008 was close but no cigar.
Imagine if you were at a large convention center train show looking for some N-Scale deals and all you had to do was look anywhere. You didn't have to push and shove past all those HOers and the piles of Lionel boxcars because every table had      N-Scale stuff on it! (There was a bit of Z but that's OK, it's small and doesn't take up much space.)
 
Talk about layouts!! Layouts? LAYOUTS????  T-Trak for days, N-Trak with a scale Horseshoe Curve, and A whole room full of some of the coolest FreeMo modules on the planet. I even got to see some of the engines I  sold running around. (Thanks @EL3632 )

 Not only that, I met a plethora (that's alot) of Asshats    in real life and most of them smelled better than I thought they would!  I had lunch with @Philip H , @wm3798 showed me his Cumberland Station T-Trak modules, seen Ed K. running  a goonery train, and bought some cars from @Rasputen.

 The best part was that everyone, including the Altoona Club show staff treated me like a Rock Star!

Oh, that was just my experience, your milage may vary.

Not that I wouldn't love to make it to Springfield, but Altoona was just a blast.
 Heck, I sold out two 8ft tables by 1:00 on Sunday!!

I'm planning on going back next year, just to hang out.

Greg O.

Did I mention what a great time I had there? 

[Dwight in Toronto]

@Dwight in Toronto stop by the Combined T-Trak layout and say hello.  I'm usually the guy drawing the short stick and get stuck with doing the electrical for the layout.   

Absolutely … and I’m hoping to maybe bump into some of the good peeps that frequent TRW!

One question - are attendees required to pay & register in advance, or can one simply pay at the door Saturday morning?

[MK]

I've seen people pay at the door but I've always register in advance so they can have my badge printed up.  At the door is the same price I believe, $10.

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

[Philip H]

As an Altoona veteran I'd say start there.  All the reasons why are listed in others posts.  Sadly I'm out this year as I have to travel for work the Sunday of . . . but I believe @MK @Ed Kapuscinski @wm3798 and OG Ed will be holding down the fort.

[MK]

Sadly I'm out this year as I have to travel for work the Sunday of . . . but I believe @MK @Ed Kapuscinski @wm3798 and OG Ed will be holding down the fort.

WHAT???  We will have give you a demerit on your Plaid membership!   

Geez, I thought you were going to come and see my Japanese train chasing its American counterpart.   

I'll take a lot of photos for you. 

[Philip H]

WHAT???  We will have give you a demerit on your Plaid membership!   

Geez, I thought you were going to come and see my Japanese train chasing its American counterpart.   

I'll take a lot of photos for you. 

Demerits noted.   

[Doc Frankenfield]

springfield is a multi scale show and totally immersed in railroadiana.
 Altoona is a large N Scale show, the venue is welcoming and  food services in site are affordable and tasty..
 I you are a multi scaler or more interested in prototype history, merc etc, Springfield is a good option.
two N Scale groups operate and set up N trak and there is FreemoN as well

[bman]

Altoona gets my vote. We get reservations at the Station Inn and get there the Wednesday before the show to railfan the area and visit CP Vito's. And at times we even may responsibly?enjoy some adult beverages with whomever stops by. The only downside is I only get to go every 3rd or 4th year.