Hudson wrote: Dan is a class act. I've bought 8 brass locomotives from him and he's been nothing but a straight up and honest business man to deal with. A class act. I wish him all the best.
Dan is a class act. I've bought 8 brass locomotives from him and he's been nothing but a straight up and honest business man to deal with. A class act. I wish him all the best.
I have purchased many Brass items from Dan's and received everyone as advertised. The store probably did not make big money as many of the LHS are having the same problem. Their web site is active and they are selling collections that have been purchased from estates and anyone who is willing to sell their collection. "The Caboose" also buys collections but they have a store you can visit. We live in an era that does not cater to small businesses of any kind.
The internet and the discount stores have taken much of the business of the LHS, and the sales that are left over might be a few train sets and associated items. The small shops have a hard time since they have to stock a product that might not sell for months, and they need to make a living.
I am thankful my trips take me to Denver fairly regular and I can visit Caboose Hobbies several times a year. Last month, I got to visit Mitchell's in Delaware also. They still have a decent selection of brass and trains.
I just bought two Atlas cars from him the other day on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200183518137&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=010
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200183518140&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=010
Ted M.
got trains?™
See my photos at: http://tedmarshall.rrpicturearchives.net/
Final word? on Dan's Trains. I just bought 4 Katos at auction from him on Ebay and I asked the question. Below is the response.
BTW, what a great Ebay seller. He shipped me the 4 locos up to Canada USPS Priority International for the cost of just one loco (i.e half of the USPS listed cost for the weight of about 4 locos). He certainly lives up to the claim of saving on combined shipping...highly recommended.
"We are NOT going out of business, we have closed our retail Store location but we will continue to sell here on ebay and on our website: www.brasstrains.com
Thank You & Have a Great Day!
Doug
Dan's Train Depot, Inc.
www.DansTrainDepot.com
www.BrassTrains.com"
Total agreement with you, Cmarchand.
Schom,
it's becoming more rare nowadays to find a quality LHS that specifically specializes in model railroading. Add to that, the owner is a highly skilled modeler. Happy Hobo itself "a joke?" Sorry, but as a modeler that's been shopping there 25+ years, imho, that is insulting. But you are entitlled to your opinion. As for selection? Did you really take a good look? There are loads of freight cars, passenger cars, many detailing items parts from Details West, Details Assc, Cannon, etc. Quality brand locomotives, paint supplies, re-motoring units and electronic supplies, scratch building materials in wood, plastic, and brass. Loco and rolling stock repair parts, wheel sets/trucks, mini-hand tools, scale autos & tractor trailers, track supplies, quality books/magazines, and a very large amount of Microscale Decals.
It would take a lot of space for me to write from memory what he has in the store. Let's not forget the 2 co-joined layouts and the glass display case showing beautifully finished models from customers featuring realistic detailing and weathering. At this time of year, Kevin runs a very long 70+ car freight train on the layout with 3 to 4 units at the head. A joke?
I am so very glad that Kevin is at the throttle, especially considering that his new landlord is hardnosed and that so many LHS's in Florida have permanently closed their doors. Dan's Trains closing is a loss for us here in Florida which is makes for an even stronger incentive for me to continue to support my LHS.
Peace
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
cmarchan wrote: schom wrote:Yes I've been to happy hobos but that place is a joke... It looks dated from the 60's and 70's. Everything is so expensive, and the selection is poor. But what do your expect from a LHS they cant compete...... The Happy Hobo is true model railroad hobby shop. One of it's specialties is its large stock of detail parts and scratchbuilding supplies; the largest such stock in the state of Florida.
schom wrote:Yes I've been to happy hobos but that place is a joke... It looks dated from the 60's and 70's. Everything is so expensive, and the selection is poor. But what do your expect from a LHS they cant compete......
The Happy Hobo is true model railroad hobby shop. One of it's specialties is its large stock of detail parts and scratchbuilding supplies; the largest such stock in the state of Florida.
I believe that title actually goes to Ready to Roll in Miami, they have a mega room of detail parts and scratch building supplies, i have been to both, they are both good, but RTR has a much bigger selection of parts.
The Happy Hobo is true model railroad hobby shop. One of it's specialties is its large stock of detail parts and scratchbuilding supplies; the largest such stock in the state of Florida. There is something for everyone;beginners, experienced modelers, collectors, Xmas train buyers. Many of its patrons since day one are prototype modelers; many talented layout builders and scenery specialists shop there. The owner is quite knowledgeable about both model railroading and prototype railroading. If you are modeling a specific prototype, HH can provide assistance in choosing the proper parts, decals and paint.
The focus of the HS goes beyond selling locomotives and rolling stock. The modeling knowledge and experience (Kevin, the owner is also a fantastic modeler) is a great value-add. The Hobo has a watering hole atmosphere; many patrons congregate there, swapping modeling ideas and techniques.
Dan's Train Depot has a different focus; they specialize in purchasing estate collections and LHS liquidations; most of their findings are sold on Ebay. The products sold are typically hard-to find-plastic and brass models which have great appeal to certain modelers and collectors.
Carl in Florida - - - - - - - - - - We need an HO Amtrak SDP40F and GE U36B oh wait- We GOT THEM!
Dan has gone full time into brass sales and writing his about to be on the market book on brass models. He is working from different quarters and stilll listing general merchandise in addition to hundreds of brass models on Ebay.
I hate to see false rumors start. He did not go out of business, just changed location and operation. He is an extremely ethical and excellent person to do business with.
HZ
Bill Carl (modeling Chessie and predecessors from 1973-1983) Member of Four County Society of Model Engineers NCE DCC Master Visit the FCSME at www.FCSME.org Modular railroading at its best! If it has an X in it, it sucks! And yes, I just had my modeler's license renewed last week!
schom wrote:Does anyone know if dans train depot in ocala Fl closed?
Sad to say Dan's is closed. I regret I didn't visit that store. I see that you live in Tampa. Do you visit "Happy Hobo"? Kevin said that he's in it for the long haul and wants keep at it, even if he winds up being the last model railroad store in Florida!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
At the Ocala show in the fall I heard that it was closed. Just this weekend I was looking at their EBay page. The January MR shows that they have moved to Silver Springs, see page 124. I have not been down there to verify.
Jeff in Gainesville
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I believe the brick & mortar store closed. His E-Bay store is still going but it doesn't seem to have the selection it used to. Still had a bunch of brass.
I don't know about their retail store, but he is still selling on Ebay
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