2023 N Scale Weekend - Altoona, PA

[Shaggy170]

Come join us in just over two months in Altoona, PA for the 2023 N Scale Weekend! There are more layouts and vendors than ever! We have expanded this year, spread out over the two floors at the Blair County Convention Center.

Register at www.theAAMR.org. Register ASAP to be eligible for door prizes and a goodie bag and order a t-shirt for this year's show.

[Chris333]

In 2023 $7 bucks to get in sounds like the deal of the century.

[dem34]

Its a great show, especially if you don't have annoying hitchhikers bugging you to move on to the next attraction every 5 mins.

[mu26aeh]

Once again falling on the same weekend as the Mainline Hobby Supply Open House and Layout Tours.  I've been a host in the past but layout is still not back to a presentable form, I also work for MHS, and we're down staff (owner also opens his home layout) so it's a tough spot for me to go to Altoona, help out at the shop, or even go visit layouts I haven't seen in years due to hosting duties.

[MK]

In 2023 $7 bucks to get in sounds like the deal of the century.

Better deal is $10 for the entire weekend. 

[eja]

Absolutely great marketing strategy.  Who knows how many folks the low prices will attract that have never been to a train show.  I'll bet some who do attend for the first time will become hooked (as will the kids) and they now have a life-long customer.

Often wonder why many other organizations do not attempt a similar approach.  I would speculate that they are wondering why their membership or audience  seems to be declining and they don't see many younger folks in attendance. 

Too far for me to attend, but at that price, I certainly would if it were in my area.

Edit:  Just hope they don't charge $40.00 for parking to recapture the "lost" revenue !

[MK]

Parking is free at the Blair County Convention Center.  There's a Courtyard Marriott butt up next to it and shares the same giant parking lot.

It's a real first class facility.

[bman]

Absolutely great marketing strategy.  Who knows how many folks the low prices will attract that have never been to a train show.  I'll bet some who do attend for the first time will become hooked (as will the kids) and they now have a life-long customer.

Often wonder why many other organizations do not attempt a similar approach.  I would speculate that they are wondering why their membership or audience  seems to be declining and they don't see many younger folks in attendance. 

Too far for me to attend, but at that price, I certainly would if it were in my area.

Edit:  Just hope they don't charge $40.00 for parking to recapture the "lost" revenue !

Members from our club have been attending since it was held at the sports complex in Bedford. We approached Mike with trying to hold a weekend in Ohio and he graciously helped us get our show started. The hard part for us is finding a venue that is affordable to keep the cost down and free parking. It is beyond awesome watching folks from all over great each other, hang out, run trains each year. Here's to many more years of shows for them and us. See you there this year as I am finally able to make it back!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

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.

[mu26aeh]

Well #%&$

I also keep forgetting, that is same weekend as Mid Atlantic RPM meet as well in Baltimore

[lock4244]

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.

There's always the Station Inn 

[dem34]

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.

The Wingate Downtown across from the Memorial Museum was very good. On one hand its a 10m drive to the center. On the other Altoona is pretty walkable if thats your thing. Pedestrian bridge is also a very premo railfanning spot.

[pjm20]

Well #%&$

I also keep forgetting, that is same weekend as Mid Atlantic RPM meet as well in Baltimore

And the same weekend as the Anthracite Modelers Meet. These guys are killing me.

[R L Smith]

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.).

[mu26aeh]

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.