Train Fest 2004 - Tacoma, WA

[FoamersNW]

ALL ABOARD!
Sunday, December 26, 2004, (including Monday) to Sunday, January 2, 2005, 10 to 5 daily, including New Year's Day
Ninth Annual Model Train Festival
Bring your family and friends to the 2004 Model Train Festival for a fun holiday treat. This popular annual event, now in its ninth year, features model trains on every floor of the History Museum. There's sure to be something of interest for model train enthusiasts of any age.

[JeffShultz]

Oh dear... I wish you'd advertised this earlier!

[modelbob]

Sounds interesting maybe I'll try and stop by. I drive by there just about every weekday on the way to the office, but I'll have to find some time to get down there.

Anyone been to the show yet? If so, tell us what we can expect to see. Any really neat layouts or new items that you found interesting?

[abcraghead]

It looks like I am going to be there sunday, sometime.

[abcraghead]

BTW there is a $7 admission.

[modelbob]

> BTW there is a $7 admission.

Yes and you will also most likely have to pay for parking, since there isn't a lot of free parking in the area. One option is to park at the garage at Freighthouse Square (I think that one is free, right?) and take the streetcar. Not sure how much the fare is though.

As for the admission, the museum is quite nice, especially if you bring along some kids. Considering some of the trash they pass off for movies at the local gigaplex these days, in my opinion this is a lot better investment of your entertainment dollars.

[modelbob]

On a related note, what ever happened to the free model railroad shows that the malls used to put on? They were great and introduced a lot of people to model trains. I recall the first time they did a show at a local mall, I think it was Tacoma mall. The local modular clubs begged them to let us give it a try. Come the end of the weekend the mall was begging us to come back next year, as they had attracted huge crowds.

Guess the beancounters figured out they'd make more money if they filled the walkways up with knick-knacks vendors and espresso stands. There are some local malls where the halls are so cluttered I won't shop there, the worst being South Hill Mall in Puyallup. They make it so crowded feeling I'd just rather not bother...

[abcraghead]

Yes and you will also most likely have to pay for parking, since there isn't a lot of free parking in the area. One option is to park at the garage at Freighthouse Square (I think that one is free, right?) and take the streetcar. Not sure how much the fare is though.

Not sure if the structure there is free or not. As for the streetcar... umm... I honestly don't know, all I do know is last time I rode it I didn't *notice* fareboxes, and I didn't buy a ticket anywhere....

I did however have a valid Sounder ticket in my pocket so maybe that was good enough.

[modelbob]

Not sure if the structure there is free or not. As for the streetcar... umm... I honestly don't know, all I do know is last time I rode it I didn't *notice* fareboxes, and I didn't buy a ticket anywhere...

Will Alex soon be writing to us from bighouse@statepen.com?

NO! Quoting the Sound Transit website:
Link trains run every 10 minutes, Monday through Saturday, and every 10 to 20 minutes on Sunday. Best of all Tacoma Link is FREE!

I also verified online that the parking garage is also free, and has something like 2400 spaces.

So, there's a fun way to get the train show, park at Freighthouse Square and take the streetcar. There's a stop right at the parking garage and another at the entrance to the museum.

[abcraghead]

Weeee! Cool. Now I know where we'll park. And a bonus streetcar ride. Cool! :D

[FoamersNW]

> BTW there is a $7 admission.



Actually the museum is FREE between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday's. And tomorrow (Thursday) we will be having an abbreviated Operations session between 4 and 8pm Stop by and say Howdy! Ill give you a tour of the layout. Heres the link for the hours State History Museum Info (http://www.wshs.org/wshm/index.htm)