Barrie-Allandale Train Show Feb20-21 2010

[RobertInOntario]

My son & I actually went. Sorry that I missed you, Will. I was multi-tasking a lot (i.e. keeping an eye on my son while still trying to take in the layouts).

I took several pix and I'll try to post some later on. I have several observations of this show, based on my personal preferences:
-- I think this is one of the best shows in the GTA, almost as good (if not better?) than the Toronto Christmas Show
-- overall, this show is excellent in terms of size & variety of layouts
-- it was a very friendly show, lots of comradary, layout operators were friendly and helpful -- even allowing my son to operate a CN steam engine on an HO layout
-- I'm a huge steam fan so I was pleased to see more steam models on layouts, especially on one HO layout
-- there was also a good garden layout(s) set up there too, which were interesting
-- there were many interesting N and HO layouts
-- apart from a few British locos at the Richmond Hill Live Steamers both, there were no British layouts (which is what I'm into)
-- the show was set up inside a greenhouse -- at the Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery -- just west of Barrie. This is a great idea -- the wives can shop for flowers and plants, etc., while the husbands visit the train show! (However, this could backfire and be hard on the pocketbook! )
-- the size / set up of the venue was great too -- i.e. the aisles were not too wide or narrow so people could interact well (the Toronto Christmas Show venue is almost too large and spread out).

Rob