vacation to chicago,illinois

[thatboy37]

i'm headed to chi town as we speak and was wondering if there are any hobbyshops worth traveling to besides chicagoland hobby which i have been to. also are there any forum members that are willing to let me come by and visit or take a look at there layout to get a few pointers from them and their layout, also let me run a few of my traains on their layout to. i will pay a fee if you have one and are willing to let me run my trains as i am still trying to get my layout up and running. please let me know as when i get to chi town i will check my email to see if i have any responses. as i will be bringing my accela and canadian pacific grain train with a few extra cars.

[dlagrua]

When we were in Chicago we ventured down old Route 66 going to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright House and stopped at Berwyns Toy Trains at 7025 Ogden Avenue in Berwin. IL. 708-484-4384 They have a large selection and even discount trains below MSRP. Berwyn is about 1/2 hour SW outside of downtown. 

[Anonymous]

It would be great if I could visit you, since I'm about 3 hours away from Chicago (pretty much a drive around the lake). Unfortunately all that construction and too-heavy traffic there is a big turnoff for me though. Ah, my time will come. I hope you enjoy your visit to the windy city though

[Demon09]

Berwyns Toy Trains is a great location to stop by.  They specialize in MTH and sell everything 10% below MSRP.... Another spot near Chicago is Hill's Hobby Shop in Park Ridge (just outside Chicago).  They have a great selection of new and used, and sometimes rare items.  They have always been a little bit on the expensive side for me (I run mostly lower end items due to cost, they have mostly mid-level and upper level items) but it is still a great place to stop in and look around.

Hope you enjoy your time here in Chicago.  We are in the midst of a heat wave too, so it will be mostly 90 degree days and up, and brutally humid.

Take care!

[Poppa_Zit]

i'm headed to chi town as we speak and was wondering if there are any hobbyshops worth traveling to besides chicagoland hobby which i have been to. also are there any forum members that are willing to let me come by and visit or take a look at there layout to get a few pointers from them and their layout, also let me run a few of my traains on their layout to. i will pay a fee if you have one and are willing to let me run my trains as i am still trying to get my layout up and running. please let me know as when i get to chi town i will check my email to see if i have any responses. as i will be bringing my accela and canadian pacific grain train with a few extra cars.

Hey Reggie --

A tryout with Da Bears? Hmmmmmmm