Popularly known as Train Show Compny the original name of this show organizer was Great American Train Show. The Company was established in the year 1985. Shortly known as GATS this company was founded by David K. Swanson and the core business of this show organizer company was to organize different consumer shows focused on railroad models. The initial tradeshows run by GATS were Great Midwest Train Show and Great Western Train Show. Presently Train Show is owned by Randy Bachmann and he has purchased it from CIA Inc. Train Show Inc office is located in Elmhurst IL. Presently Randy Bachmann is the President of this company. Train show runs Greenberg Shows and Great Midwest Train Shows; Randy Bachman himself handles the Great Midwest Train Show. Great Midwest Shows is run by Frank Hicks the general manager of the company.
4 Daniel K Bertram Reviewed Great Train Show on 10 Feb 2020 Retired at None
Even though, the show was great, I didn’t like the parking situation at all! I paid the $8 fee and there were no shuttle busses around. So, since they moved it to the furthest west building at the State Fairgrounds, I ended up having to walk around a mile each way. And, the in field was extremely wet and muddy! Ridiculous!! So, next year, I may have second thoughts about going to it. First of all, they shouldn’t have 2, or 3 different shows going on all at the same time! Just sayin’!😖😮
Ten years ago we LOVED the LEGO display with the buildings of downtown Columbus. This year we did not like the Halloween display and were not as wowed by the entire display. It was more sets put together instead of the creativity and ingenuity we loved last time. There is definitely a decline in the quality of backdrops and landscaping that the other train displays had as well. Maybe our expectations were too high having gone Ten years ago. We still enjoyed it but were a little disappointed.
3 Jack Cherry Reviewed Great Train Expo Sacramento on 07 Jan 2020 Club Member at Tidewater Southern Railroad Club
I really enjoyed the show. I'm not rich. I cost me a lot of money to drive to the event. I live over an 1-1/2 away and I'm not rich. I brought 4 adults to the venue only to pay for parking on top of the tickets. Not everyone can afford this type of an event. The parking fee was a rip off. It cost more to park than attending the venue. $10.00, really. I won't be back because of the parking lot fee. Greedy bastards!!! Cal Expo
The train club people did a beautiful job first rate on all displays. They were friendly to the kids and available to answer questions. Disappointed no train to ride this year. But really enjoyed it and glad I could take my grandchildren .
The whole event was much smaller than the previous year. Not worth going to unless there’s more clubs and more things for children to be involved with. They eliminated the large strange ride the extensive food court and the size of the area significantly.