October 3/4/5 H&R Train Show, Pinellas Park, Florida

[Mark B.]

H&R Trains hosts a show twice a year at their store location in Pinellas Park (St. Petersburg area). The show is free to enter and free to the public. This October's show will mark their 55th show!

I've attended/participated in these shows since I was in middle school, although I haven't been to one now in over 10 years. I'll be entering the upcoming show with some of my scratchbuilt structures.

Mark

[vato loco]

I did it twice both times got second place.............. I'll Never show a layout ever again outside in a tent! Both times the tent leaked on my friends and my layouts, the second show My lay out got a colony of carpenter ants move in.......Had to tent and fumeagate it before bringing it back in the house! Stuff turned up missing, The lighting under the tent consisted of 8 100 watt light bulbs and I won't bring up how Don and Alice treated My friends and I. Sorry Mark Never again for me.......JMO

[Mark B.]

Very interesting to hear your story. I wouldn't presume to argue your points at all- just because my experiences have been good ones, doesn't mean it's that way for everyone.

However, I am surprised to hear about some bad treatment by Don and Alice; I'm curious to know more, but I won't pry.

I suppose my attraction to the event has always been the positive interactions I've had with other modelers and spectators. The only negativity I've ever seen at the show has been the usual post-competition grumbling that you get at any model event.

Mark

[vato loco]

Very interesting to hear your story. I wouldn't presume to argue your points at all- just because my experiences have been good ones, doesn't mean it's that way for everyone.

However, I am surprised to hear about some bad treatment by Don and Alice; I'm curious to know more, but I won't pry.

I suppose my attraction to the event has always been the positive interactions I've had with other modelers and spectators. The only negativity I've ever seen at the show has been the usual post-competition grumbling that you get at any model event.

Mark


Mark,

Not everyone has a bad time your right! See when I showed there the first time was April 1991 at the old store across the street from the mall and the second time was october 1991 at the current store location. Having a Train show Outdoors is nuts, Hot, Humid, on and off rain leaky tent, no Fans going under the tent, not enough ligting, theft, and Then add Post competition grumblings to the mix Not good! I think that if they want to do show they need to take it back to the mall like in 1990! I'm Glad you had a great time but when your layout is sitting in the mud/water and you want to move and they don't let you! also won't get more mulch to build up the area to get you above the water....... you'll change your mind like I did! also The judging is riged! A friend of mine Terry who was there with me video taped the October event and caught the act in question! I haven't seen Terry in a long time but if he's still alive I bet the tape is a live and well:D LOL's I'm not going to get into Don and Alice but, let's just say,"If they were crossing the street, I wouldn't go out of my way to step on the brakes for them:mad: !" I visit the show once in a while stay a few minutes and leave.......Might see ya there:) !

got a question? do you get your RR supplys there all the time:confused: ?

[Mark B.]

I can agree on the outdoor thing- I would LOVE to see it in a mall again, when they had it at the old store in the adjoining building it was great! I think its an economic issue- the show supports the store and vice versa, so it probably wouldn't make sense to have the show away from the store.

I do recall a lot of logistical problems when the went to the new store and first started using the tents. The last show I participated in was around 1995, and they had improved the grounds at that time- I'm assuming (hoping!) they have done more in the past 13 years as well.

If you do attend, be sure to find me- I'll have scratch-built O scale structures (no actual layout) and I'll be demonstrating building at my table.

No, I don't actually buy much from them now-a-days as I live in Orlando. In fact, I don't store-shop most of my materials since the internet. What I'm looking for is usually so specific I wouldn't expect any retail location to carry much of it.

Mark

[vato loco]

If you remeber the old store then Did you do the 91 show's? You might remember seeing Terry, Frank, and my layouts! The October show our Three N scale layouts were side by side!

[Mark B.]

If you remeber the old store then Did you do the 91 show's? You might remember seeing Terry, Frank, and my layouts! The October show our Three N scale layouts were side by side!


I think I was still doing the shows around then- I'd probably recognize you guys if I saw your faces, but to be honest all the layouts run together in my memory.

Back around that time, if I was in the show, it was probably with some of my models representing the backlot sets of Universal Studios (in HO Scale).

Mark

[vato loco]

I think I remember your stuff? My layout was easy to remember 30"x60" layout with mountains and UP trains running, the facia around the layout was grey paneling............If that helps;-)

[Mark B.]

I think I remember your stuff? My layout was easy to remember 30"x60" layout with mountains and UP trains running, the facia around the layout was grey paneling............If that helps;-)

Sorry- its all a blur! I would remember faces though- hopefully I'll meet up with you this time around...

Its just nice to connect with some 'local' modelers here!

Mark