Preparation... Another one of my weaker points.
So every year when the time draws near for one of the biggest model train shows in the United States, I make a conscious effort to go against my ways and be prepared. Since this show is for TCA (Train collectors Association) members and their invited guest only, I always pre-register to avoid the long lines on registration day at the fairgrounds. This year was no exception. After receiving my badge needed for entrance in the buildings I placed it in a safe place as to not get it lost before the trip. So safe in fact that to this day I can't recall where it is... but rest assured .. wherever it is ..It's safe.
Fast forward to the registration line at the fairgrounds..not as bad as expected so had time to check off other needed items....Brinks truck full of cash.. check... Credit cards with unlimited credit limits... check.. Newspaper bag to carry all the goodies.. check.... List of needed restoration parts.. check..
rain gear or umbrella... 'opps' Oh well it's all inside anyway.
After registering, Wednesday is spent running around town to visit every hotel parking lot and fire station as quite a few have train 'flea markets' set up. Some better deals are found out here since not all the local vendors are willing to spend the money for inside tables at the show. No real bargains for me this year though since my main objective this year is parts for a 1948 magnetic crane I'm restoring. Still fun to look though.
Thursday starts with a steady rain, not a soaking rain but a nuisance rain. A rain that will carry on non stop for the next three days .. but that's ok were surrounded by old trains and makes everything better.
Long story short, next three days are as expected.. running in the rain from building to building sorting through everything from prewar tin plate trains to the newest, most modern , electronics laden trains imaginable. And yes I did find all the parts to finish the restoration of my crane although I cringed at the price of a small plastic control button I needed... I bit the bullet and paid the mans price.. after all they're fifty years old and been out of production forever so there getting scarce. I also managed to get a great deal on a 1948-49 Steam engine that runs perfectly at a bargain price so I guess it all works out. A couple more bargain cars I couldn't pass up and a bunch of 'scratch building' supplies and I'm all done..except of course for the window shopping. I did find a really nice American Flyer standard gauge tin plate pre war set that I loved .. but the $27,000.00 price tag told me .. this set was meant for some 'other'collector. All in all a good three days of fun, fellowship and trains.
Oh yea.. back to that lost badge. After getting a replacement badge on Wednesday I managed to find a way to lose that one Thursday night in the muddy parking lot. But with my keen nite vision (not) I managed to find it and clean the mud away to make it presentable. First order of business Friday ..buy one of the idiot proof necklaces that hold the badge securely around your neck. Worked very well....UNTIL I got home and couldn't find it. Seems I left it in my buddies van when he dropped me off. Well he returned it yesterday and now it's safe and sound and ready for next years show . Now if I can just think of someplace safe to store it till then........
No comments:
Post a Comment