I took my green twin steam engine to NAMES in 2019, and exactly two people looked at it.
One person said "pretty cool", but neither person gave it more than a glance.
I was very disappointed, since I thought there would be more interest in making one's own engine castings, especially in gray iron.
However, what made the NAMES show for me was meeting and greeting both the exhibitors and vendors.
I could discuss "how it was made" things with the builders, and talk about "how to cast engine parts" with many of the vendors.
I don't have anything to compare NAMES to because that is the only model engine show I have ever attended.
What luck I had attending the last NAMES in history !
I told my wife "I have to attend the NAMES show this year, because what if something happens, and NAMES goes away?".
Prophetic to say the least.
It was intimidating to bring my lowly little green engine to NAMES, and set it out on the table while being surrounded by an entire arena full of museum-quality engines. I considered not showing the green twin, but I am glad I did, since I can now say I displayed an engine at the last NAMES in history.
I am hoping that some show that is within driving distance of me can take the place of NAMES, as far as the variety and size of the show, but I am afraid the NAMES days are gone for good. Perhaps someone will prove me wrong.
I have attended Algonquin several times, and while it is a general show with tractors, full size engines, crafts, animals, etc., it also has a fair number of model engines displayed. Algonquin is outdoors, and so subject to the weather.
I really like the hills around Algonquin; they are very scenic, and the folks are very nice at that show.
Algonquin has a large campground, which is a real plus, but they don't allow dogs, which is a huge minus, since my wife won't travel without her beloved dog.
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Edit:
Perhaps the future of model engine shows will be virtual shows, where everyone displays their engines at the same time, perhaps also with live streaming from each exhibitor.
This would allow a worldwide show to be held, assuming the time zones could be worked out.
Exhibitors could live stream from their home, so no travel time or expenses.
Like a giant zoom meeting/gathering.