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Hobby Shopping Around Chicago (and Atlanta)

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  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, December 13, 2018 6:48 AM

Well, I broke free from the office and went to Riverdale Station just South of the loop in Atlanta.

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This is a great store that I get to visit fairly often because I have an office in Atlanta. The store is full of the goodies a builder needs, NWSL parts, Tichy Windows, Replacement Motors, Brass Details, and more. I love browsing around the small space.

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If you are ever near Atlanta, this is a great stop. The owner is an older lifetime model railroader that knows everything. Very friendly atmosphere.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 569 posts
Posted by drgwcs on Thursday, December 13, 2018 8:25 AM

"ahh, nothing better than going to the Museum of Science and Industry on a school day when all the little rugrats are let in for free...by the busload. I cannot recall, but I think that Tuesday is the free day. A few years ago, my wife went there on a weekday when there were no kids there and almost had the place to ourselves including a one-on-one tour of the submarine."

Understand that- going on a free day is a minefield and really isn't worth it. We homeschool and treated it like a fieldtrip but tried to plan when the school groups weren't there so we could get some teaching in- how's that for irony........

Jim

PS is anyone else having trouble with the quote function?

 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, December 13, 2018 8:43 PM

drgwcs
PS is anyone else having trouble with the quote function?

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I could not get it to work last night, but it seems to be OK now.

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Today I went about 60 miles East of Atlanta to Ian Henderson's Antique Mall. This is in Monroe, Georgia. If you ever get anywhere near Monroe, it is a great city for checking out antique stores.

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I an Henderson's has a huge dealer that sells olf trains. It is mostly Lionel, but I scored some good deals. I found an Athearn #1200 undecorated 40' boxcar for $3.00, an Athearn billboard for $5.00, a Hobbyline Berkshire kit for $4.00, and a resin retaining wall casting for $2.50.

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There was this neat steam power unit outside.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 1,498 posts
Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Thursday, December 13, 2018 10:07 PM

 

Hey Kevin-

While you're buzzing around Atlanta, why not head a little northeast of town to Buford? There's a hobby shop there called Trainmaster Models run by Mike Devaney, who used to be an N-Scaler, but the latest rumor I hear is that he is now doing O scale. He's pretty knowledgeable (world-renowned regarding C&O) and a really decent modeler.

Fully stocked brick-and-mortar LHS. Well worth the trip.

Robert 

LINK to SNSR Blog


  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 569 posts
Posted by drgwcs on Thursday, December 13, 2018 10:12 PM

SeeYou190

 

I an Henderson's has a huge dealer that sells olf trains. It is mostly Lionel, but I scored some good deals. I found an Athearn #1200 undecorated 40' boxcar for $3.00, an Athearn billboard for $5.00, a Hobbyline Berkshire kit for $4.00, and a resin retaining wall casting for $2.50.

 

That would be Lindy's trains right? Found some great deals at the one at Catawba River outside of Charlotte NC. Jim

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, December 14, 2018 3:20 PM

drgwcs
That would be Lindy's trains right? Found some great deals at the one at Catawba River outside of Charlotte NC.

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Yes, this is one of Lindy's remaining locations. My favorite one was in the Big Peach Antique Mall in Warner-Robbins, but he closed that location. He does have the treasures if you are willing to stop in and look around for them.

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ROBERT PETRICK
While you're buzzing around Atlanta, why not head a little northeast of town to Buford? There's a hobby shop there called Trainmaster Models run by Mike Devaney

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I have been to Trainmaster many times. I have found countless treasures in the "used items aisle", including two years ago when I bought this Bowser 16" turntable that made my dream layout plan possible. I love that store. I usually need to make a hard choice when I leave Atlanta whether or not to visit Trainmaster because they are in the wrong direction.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 16, 2018 2:07 PM

I went to the "Golden Spike" annual trains show yesterday at the Tampa Fairgrounds before heading home.

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I did not buy mkuch at the train show, I think I was all shopped-out!

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This morning I laid out everything I bought on the trip... what fun! I spent a little over $500.00, which is not bad for visiting 9 hobby shops and a train show.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

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