As I travel the country I make it a point to seek out local hobby shops (LHS) wherever I land my feet. Today I have the pleasure of announcing that I found a truly great model train store, the PF&S Railway Supply in Pasco WA. It is easily the most nondescript, remotest store on the face of the earth.
My GPS was unable to locate the address so a quick phone call got me to the store, down a dirt road 20 miles from nowhere. The shop is simple cinder block, attached to a mobile home on a farm, look closely for the RR memorabilia or you will miss it. So I figured I drove all this way might as well go in and look, and WOW! Simply put, if this store does not have it, it does not exist, period. I have been looking for detail parts for Horst air filters for a GP 10 for 3 years, they had it. The store is big, much bigger than the outside looks, and stocked floor to ceiling with obscure, out of production items as well as the latest “hot” market items. I think there were a thousand or more Details West type of items available in stock, and thousands of rolling stock from every manufacturer over the last 40 years, as well as everything you may need for whatever building project you have.
I did not notice any “blow out” prices on anything, but every item was priced accordingly, and I did not feel I was paying too much. Besides, the owner and his wife know all, and are willing to share this knowledge freely, so “customer service” gets an A+.
If you are within 500 miles of the store, located at 560 Lone rd, Pasco WA 509-266-4384, stop in and spend your money here. I give the store a 5 star rating for inventory, knowledge and customer service.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
Sounds like the place we went just after getting married 37 years ago. If it is the same place I'm supprised it is still there. If it is the same place, they must have built a new building as I remember a mostly wooden "shed/(?)". Is the old "soda shope" still there in town? Used to be an old time soda fountain in Pasco, every thing (including) the counter) was built in 1902.
Tom Trigg
T-J, I have a younger brother in Kennewick, next door to Pasco, who might be interested in some HO stuff. Does this hinter-land hobby shop cater to more than large scale?
Thanks for your military service. Good to see you back, hopefully none the worse for wear!
Art
Yes Art, in fact this store is probably 95% small scale. Your younger brother should bring a large check book and a wish list. Chances are he probably already knows about this place, if not, he is in for a surprise.....(BTW I'm staying in Kennewick!) He should look for Sedgewick Rd off the interstate, then look for a tiny, tiny faded plywood sign on the corner of Lone rd. The shop is pretty much the only thing out there.
Trigg, I don't think it's the same place. The owner is a retired railroader and he's had the store for maybe 20 years at most. The store is a sort of a cinderblock barn with a box car cobbled on one side of it. I took some photos, but my PC is having a problem recognizing USB devices. I'll post a photo if I can get the 'puter working correctly.
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