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Post by dave on Jan 28, 2018 11:42:52 GMT -5
Yesterday I went to the big Amherst train show in Springfield MA. In 400,000 sf, there were 5 dealers that had anything Z related and I saw zero Z scale layouts. Very sad. I was really stoked about this show as it was the first time I hate attended.
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Post by notanothercamera on Jan 28, 2018 12:32:20 GMT -5
I know what you mean. I attended the World's Greatest Hobby show here in Charlotte, NC a couple of weekends ago. As big as that claims to be, I only came across one vendor that had any offerings in Z.....and it was rather meager. Some track, turnouts, buildings and freight cars. Oddly enough, this is a show that the big manufacturer's attend. Bachmann, Lionel, etc. Only Z layout I saw was a briefcase an individual was showing. Until the major suppliers of Z scale make the commitment to attend more shows, I think this is something we will be faced with.
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Post by markm on Jan 28, 2018 12:48:00 GMT -5
Shows vary from year to year. Last year GTE Sacramento had zero Z: no layouts, no vendors. This year was a whole different story: the BAZboys layout plus 6-8 dealers with Märklin, MTL and AZL rolling stock, locos and accessories. I left with my bag full and my wallet empty.
Other than NTS and the old Z scale conventions, I've rarely seen the major suppliers/manufacturers in any scale at these shows, unless the show is in there own backyard. The only exception has been Woodland Scenic, who seem to make every show.
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Post by neverland on Jan 28, 2018 13:00:21 GMT -5
West Coast may have embraced Z but East Coast is sorely lacking. Big train show in Richmond VA last weekend who advertised 500+ vendors had zero Z.
When I joined my local train club, many members hadn't ever seen a Z. With little to no show presence, Z will continue outside the mainstream.
Glad to see so many newbies here on the forum, but how many have drifted away, discouraged by lack of regional Z showings? Europe is totally different. They love their Zs.
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Post by shamoo737 on Jan 28, 2018 13:34:51 GMT -5
Ed Turner is in the Richmond area, and does some local show. His last show is in Ashland and he has 10 modules.
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Post by markm on Jan 28, 2018 13:43:39 GMT -5
I'm sorry but in my opinion, the success of Z is what we make it. If nobody asks for it, nobody has it. Four years ago I struck up a conversation with a local train store owner. At the time he had a couple of MTL cars mixed in with their N scale. I educated him in Z. I regularly buy through him. Today Roger's Railroad Junction in Lodi carries MTL, AZL and Rokuhan as well as stocking Atlas Z track. You can walk into his store and wall out with everything you need to get started in Z. And with his success with Z, several other train stores in the region are now carrying Z.
I'll be doing a presentation for the NMRA Sierra division on Feb 10 ( 1st Christian Church, Folsom Blvd. Sacramento, 1PM) to show them, anyone who comes by what Z scale is all about.
This is how build interest in Z.
Mark
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Post by tjdreams on Jan 28, 2018 16:48:15 GMT -5
Mark I agree we need to keep asking the vendor's at our local shows if they have any Z scale. I know i do and most of the time the answer is something along the lines of i didn't think there was much interest in Z scale. Its up to us to let them know their is a growing interest in Z scale. Now several of those vendors are bringing Z to the local show in my area especially when they see the DC_Z-Bend_group will be setting up at that show.
notanothercamera I to was disappointed in the lack of Z scale at the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour Show in Charlotte. And while the one dealer did have a nice selection of MTL and some Pennzee cars his prices were way too high. Infact the prices on most everything i saw at that show were rather High for every scale.
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Post by BAZman on Jan 29, 2018 16:46:10 GMT -5
I can feel for the East coast but there has to be someone to bring at least a mini layout (preferably scratch built, not the Kibri/Noch styles.) The Washington, DC group I thought had quite a few modules. ZoCal (the folks in Southern California) have 40+ module and about as many members. But thats a 20+ million people territory over about 250 miles. For us here in Northern Cal, it has pretty much come down to Matt and I. Robert Ray is tied up on weekends. Many with Z stop by but none have modules so can't bring anything nor, spend some hours running with us !!! I guess its our own little secret  More for us ! Here is a 100 car train, running all day Saturday and Sunday, with at least .5 to 1% grades do to the pavement surface. All day. ![GTS BAZ BoyZ 100 car F3 ABB]() |
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Post by zscalehobo on Jan 29, 2018 17:20:50 GMT -5
not the Kibri/Noch styles One of my customers in Wisconsin braved a nasty snowstorm and brought a Noch Cortina as well as his own scratch-built briefcase layout to the Red Cedar Train Show in Menomonie, WI on January 06, 2018. In addition, Liberty National, a well-known z scale layout was there in attendance. He had a lot of attention and people stopping and looking at his layouts. Some shots during setup:   I would say that we can't be everywhere, but it is nice when someone is representing our community. |
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Post by notanothercamera on Jan 29, 2018 17:44:43 GMT -5
tjdreams:
I agree. And when you factor in the $15.00 admission to the WGH show, you really expect a larger number of dealers, be they hobby shops or just guys trying to make a buck selling pre-owned stuff. Don't know about you, but I'm used to paying $5 to $7 to get into a show. Unless things change drastically, I've likely been to my first and last WGH show.
There is a show coming up I think around February 8 or 9 in Easley, SC. Attended that one about 3 years ago. It was a pretty good one....lots of dealers with fair prices. No idea what you might find in Z but just thought I'd throw it out there if you're interested.
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More for us !
