Great Train Show — Collinsville, Illinois

The Great Train Show describes itself as the nation's largest traveling train show, with events each year in dozens of major cities. Its Collinsville stop is held at the Gateway Convention Center, near St. Louis, in late November.

The organizer says each show has hundreds of tables of trains, accessories, scale models and collectible toys for sale, huge operating exhibits, activities for kids, free seminars and workshops, and dealers from across the country. All of its shows admit children for free.

Anyone is welcome to sell old trains at the show, by renting a booth or by selling to the dealers.

Dealers with trains, accessories and collectibles; operating model railroad exhibits; free workshops and seminars; activities for kids. The organizer posts tickets and show details about 30 days before each show.

Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Dr, Collinsville, Illinois. The organizer says tickets and specific show information are posted about 30 days before the event, and that all of its shows admit children for free.