WNYRHS 38th Annual GREATER BUFFALO TRAIN AND TOY SHOW 2019

38th Annual WNYRHS Greater Buffalo Train & Toy Show
Review November 23rd & 24th, 2019
by Art Toale

On Saturday and Sunday November 23rd and 24th the Society held its 38th Greater Buffalo Train and Toy Show. We are happy to report that the show was very successful and well attended. This years show featured nearly 400 table filled with model trains, toy trains, collectible toys, dolls, from over 80 individual dealers. The Lego layouts and activities were very popular and will be back in February. These shows are large undertakings and I would not even think of doing them without the help I get. Adam Puchalski is my main trouble shooter before, during and after the show. Mike Grabecki plans and puts together the floor plan. (every show is different). Caryl Youngers takes care of the North end of the hall including directing vendors and as to where to set up. Bob Snyder, Dave Mallory and Amy take care of registration of vendors. Luke Topolski, Dave Frey, Victor Phillips, Kieth Michael, Bob Kleinmann, Ted Patricola, George Specht, Al Olmstead, Chuck Janiga and Paul Vester set up the tables and take them down. For door help/ticket collecting I have Don and Barb Owens, Doug Carstens, Paul Dingman and Cindy Timmel. While this sounds like a lot of people I still could use more help, such as setting up/breaking down tables and at the admissions door. That way people could take breaks and or work shorter shifts.

Due to popular demand, we brought back more layouts to the Train Show this year. We had the two Niagara Orleans Model Railroad Engineers, Inc. HO & N gauge layouts, The Gowanda & Buffalo Model Railroad Club HO gauge layout, The Flower City Tin Trackers "O" gauge layout, two Joy of Trains layouts that the kids could play with, plus a great "HO" gauge layout from the Salamanca Rail Museum and two new "S" Gauge layouts. Nine great train layouts in all that you and the kids could enjoy. We also had an expanded Thomas the Tank Engine© play area for the younger kids courtesy of the Gowanda & Buffalo Model Railroad Club.

Also new to the show were two operating Lego train layouts and Jenny, "The Lego Lady", who hosted two special Lego building events at 11:00am and 1:00pm each day.

In addition, we had a working model of an amusement park for your enjoyment. Several groups including the Niagara Frontier Chapter - National Railway Historical Society, Buffalo Harbor Museum, Salamanca Rail Museum and others had displays and nine guest speakers gave talks throughout the day.

The "Gowanda and Buffalo Model Railroad Club" again sponsored the "Thomas & Friends" free kids play area which was loaded with future "engineers" all day. Two new "S" guage layouts were a great addition.

DEALERS

The WNYRHS is proud to host a show that has dealers which offer something for everyone in the family. Over 80% of our dealers offer prototype or model railroad products for the serious railfan. Other dealers have products that appeal to women and children that may not have railroad interests but love toys, dolls, crafts or food. Below are some of the many different products the dealers had to offer.

Thanks again to all our dealers and friends who came to the show. And a hearty Thank You to all our Society Members who volunteered their time to help set up and take down tables, take tickets, man tables and answer questions. We couldn't have done it without all of you! We hope you enjoyed yourself and that we will see you for our wonderful "29th WNYRHS Winter Train & Toy Show" February 15th and 16th, 2020!

Thank you all, Sincerely, Art (Train Show Chairman)

For More Information to Train Show at - wnytrainshow@hotmail.com
Or call (716) 821-9360 and leave a message.