Is it worth it to drive 450 mi to any train show? I don't think so. The money you spend on driving,eating and sleeping could be sprnt on train stuff. Yes there will deals at shows but when you could see what you want on the web and in print why not just get what you need or want with the money you would have spent to go to the show.
But , St Aubins just seems to look better everytime I go there. Who else has as much large scale in one place. You should go just to go. Other large scale guys will be there. Food. Yes they have food too! And IRM is a few miles away too. That is a great place to soak up railroading and trains. Take a train ride. What could be better.
You will notsave money by going but to have a great time.
Tom Thornton