MisterBeasley wrote:Maine Trains in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.www.mainetrains.com if you're interested.It's a small shop with narrow aisles, full of HO and some N. There's an 8x8 foot in-store layout, too. Gerry knows all the regulars, and gives us discounts. He'll order anything he can, and gives the sale price on Walthers flyer items.Gerry and his son Mike also do repairs, upgrades and custom painting work. Sometimes I walk in and they're "testing" their work. We all know they're just playing with trains at that point.
Maine Trains in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
www.mainetrains.com if you're interested.
It's a small shop with narrow aisles, full of HO and some N. There's an 8x8 foot in-store layout, too. Gerry knows all the regulars, and gives us discounts. He'll order anything he can, and gives the sale price on Walthers flyer items.
Gerry and his son Mike also do repairs, upgrades and custom painting work. Sometimes I walk in and they're "testing" their work. We all know they're just playing with trains at that point.
ericboone wrote:Since I just moved to Minneapolis, I've been checking out the local establishments.The largest model train selection in the area is at Scale Model Supply in St. Paul. I think they have about everything.A close runner up would be either of the Hub Hobby stores in Little Canada and Richfield.The best trains only store would have to be Becker's Model Railroad Supply in New Brighton.The other shops I've been to are pretty small and/or have a pretty small train selection.
Both great shops.
Becker's is a must-stop on our yearly trips to the Twin Cities.
Maine trains...is there really anything more that needs to be said?
Both have pretty much everything you need. Some of it is tucked away in really odd places, so expect to ask where things are more than once.
Atomic wrote: if you are looking for more hobbies than just trains
if you are looking for more hobbies than just trains
There are other hobbies?
The most local HS around here concentrates on Lionel, I think that is the owner's favorite. The HO section is rather small and the N "section" is a rotary rack with stuff hanging on it. All at full price of course. Better option would be Gilbert's in Gettysburg, only about a 45 minute drive.
When in Wake Forest, NC or in the Raleigh - Durham area you have to visit Train Buddy train shop, which is just off of Jenkins Road in Wake Forest, NC.
Kim is very knowledgable and if you are lucky enough to be there when some of the old guard are hanging around you might pick up a few modeling tips too!
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Well, Sedalia Hobby is the one. Not exactly a "must," more like the ONLY hobby shop of any type within 50 miles of here. It handles model RR stuff (mostly HO, some O, very little N, but he will order whatever you want at a good discount off of MSRP) as well at RC, ships, and some other related hobbies. Kevin, the owner, is a good guy, easy to work with, knowledgable, and takes good care of his customers, especially the regulars like myself.
Ron
Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado.
Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy
Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings
if you are looking for more hobbies than just trains, then Hobby Hut in Metairie is an excellent place to be. good people, excellent selection, and the prices are good too.
as far as for just trains though, without a doubt Kenner Train Shop is the place to be. its been there since.. well .. probably since trains were invented. :P its so legendary that people from Hobby Hut send customers to KTS when they are looking for lots of train selection. they are only open 2 days a week now unfortunately.. but 9-10 times you will find me in there both days. :P hahaha
K-10 Trains Maryville IL 62062 618-288-9720. Boy I m a lucky man to live with in 2 miles of K-10 trains! Bench is a Mer 60' X 80' foot!
About the only thing I can buy cheaper on the internet is Disco Engine stuff that Ken (owner is all so named Ken) cannot get. Shop is well stocked from decoders to Blue Box Athearn engines and rolling stock kits.
I am trying to get Ken to sell on the internet, I offred to do the packing and shipping for free. Got to support my LHS.
Few PIC.
Soory there are so many PIC, well just want you folks to know the MRR heaven I get to vist 2 times a week. If you live with in 4 hours of St Louis MO it is well worth the trip! Down side? You might meet me there. Do a Keyword search for K-10 train and you will find his site.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.
Nicholas Smith Trains in Broomwall Pa
nstrains.com
vsmith wrote:In Los Angeles, I would say Whistle Stop in Pasadena, and Allied Trains in West L.A.
Well scratch Allied off your list for the LA area, they sold out and closed down.
Add:
all scales
Whistle Stop again
Train Shack in Burbank
Train Stop in San Dimas
Arnies Trains in Westminster
for large scale:
San Val in Van Nuys
Upland Trains in Upland (of course)
Gold Coast Station in Ventura
Morgans Big Train Emporioum in Westminster
For a metro area the size of LA, theres actually very few good hobby shops.
Have fun with your trains
Lin's Junction in Lansdale, PA. Helpful staff, good prices, and if you need it great DCC support.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
R. T. POTEET wrote: frisco kid wrote:. . . . . . . . . . We are extremely fortunate to have four great model railroad shops within one hour driving time. . . . . . . . . . One hour? I thought you could drive across three states in one hour back in that part of the world!!!
frisco kid wrote:. . . . . . . . . . We are extremely fortunate to have four great model railroad shops within one hour driving time. . . . . . . . . .
No, actually, that's my part of the world, where even the simple "learn your states" jigsaw puzzles combine our tiny kingdoms into one piece. Of course, you have to do this at 3 in the morning. Pick the wrong time of the morning and you'll spend an hour driving 15 miles downtown.
Texan: Why, my ranch is so big that I can drive all day and still be on it.
Maine Yankee: A-yuh. Had a cah like that myself, once.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
When in Fort Lauderdale-Miami, go to:
Warrick Custom Hobbies aka Hobby Superstore. 7676 Peters Rd. Plantation 1 blk. N. of I-595(SR84)/W. side of University Drive(SR 817). Ask for Carmine, Andy or Ron. If none are available then you'll have to talk to John, but, Beware! He can come across a little brash at times. But then again...So can I.
Discount Trains 211 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Oakland Park(Ft. Ldle.) 1 blk. E. of Andrews Ave./N. side of Oakland Park Blvd.(SR816). Rick is the man here. He's not the friendliest guy and doesn't smile much if at all but, he knows trains and his prices are decent.
Ted M.
got trains?™
See my photos at: http://tedmarshall.rrpicturearchives.net/
jbloch wrote: BRAKIE wrote: Railfan Alex wrote: Hobby Junction Express in Montréal, Québec!The best prices around! All english speaking! There isn't a hobby shop in town and the closest is 26 miles away at full price.If you don't mind paying full price then John's Hobby Shop or the Model Railroad Scene in Mansfield (Oh) are fairly good shops.Brakie, then you might want to drive another hour south and try The Train Station on Indianola Ave. in Columbus, as discussed in a reply above. They're around 10-20% off on higher ticket items (locos, etc.)--significantly higher than I've done on the internet. but that's not a complaint, just a statement. They have a fair selection in HO, less in other scales as one would expect. The guys there are fairly helpful--though I get more info. from this forum and the guys at my club. You might also try Robbie's Hobbies, though I've never been there.Jim
BRAKIE wrote: Railfan Alex wrote: Hobby Junction Express in Montréal, Québec!The best prices around! All english speaking! There isn't a hobby shop in town and the closest is 26 miles away at full price.If you don't mind paying full price then John's Hobby Shop or the Model Railroad Scene in Mansfield (Oh) are fairly good shops.
Railfan Alex wrote: Hobby Junction Express in Montréal, Québec!The best prices around! All english speaking!
Hobby Junction Express in Montréal, Québec!
The best prices around! All english speaking!
There isn't a hobby shop in town and the closest is 26 miles away at full price.
If you don't mind paying full price then John's Hobby Shop or the Model Railroad Scene in Mansfield (Oh) are fairly good shops.
Brakie, then you might want to drive another hour south and try The Train Station on Indianola Ave. in Columbus, as discussed in a reply above. They're around 10-20% off on higher ticket items (locos, etc.)--significantly higher than I've done on the internet. but that's not a complaint, just a statement. They have a fair selection in HO, less in other scales as one would expect. The guys there are fairly helpful--though I get more info. from this forum and the guys at my club. You might also try Robbie's Hobbies, though I've never been there.
Jim
Jim,I been to the Train Station many times..I still go there but,not as often as I use to or as often as I would like to.I been to the Blue Caboose as well before it closed.Been to Nworbs and Stretes as well..
Robbie's Hobbies..Isn't that the "new" shop on North High Street?
What club are you a member of?
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
In Vancouver, it has to be Central Hobbies on Grandview. No discounting, but terrific selection and excellent service.
David
Chicago - Far northwest suburbs
B & G Train World - Elgin, IL - A little hard to find but great LHS - The staff there are very knowledgeable.
Woodstock Hobbies - Woodstock, IL - Pretty good selection. Hard to talk to the staff, too busy.
BRAKIE:
Are you quoting the right person? If you are, I am confused~!
Alex
on30francisco wrote:In the San Francisco Bay Area I'd say visit The Train Shop in Santa Clara which is south of SF. They are a dedicated model railroading shop, carry all scales, and are priced from 10% to 20% below MSRP.
I would recommend that they get back on the freeway, unless they wanted to laugh at the pathetic selections at the local hobby shops.
There's only one LHS near my home (5 miles away) and their selection sucks. Actually they don't have much at all to choose from. Im not just talking locos and rolling stock but hardly any paints, scenic supplies, track etc.
The next closest LHS is 55-60 miles away. The last time I was there they had a large selection of everything. However, I've noticed in the last two issues of MR their listing is no longer there. I don't know if they are still in business or just didn't renew their listing.
There are a couple of other LHS's a little further away but I haven't checked them out. Maybe this summer.
Bill