So now that Caboose Hobbies has closed, which store will take the mantle? There are some big ships like Hiawatha Hobbies, Des Plaines Hobbies and Mohawk Valley but I'm not sure they're big enough to take the crown!
Hi kbaker329:
I think Walthers might be at the top of the (seriously dwindling) pile, but the perceived number of 'out of stock's on their site is a bit concerning.
I will give them a lot of credit for recognising that their shipping prices to Canada had gotten completely out of hand. I had stopped ordering from them because their shipping costs were so expensive. Their current shipping costs are quite competive.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I hear Scale Model Supplies in Minnesota is pretty big, but I have not been there yet.
http://www.scalemodelsupplies.com/map-directions.html
Tom
My vote would go to MB Klein in Maryland.....though not the 11,000 sq. feet, I'd guess their inventory and what they do in mail order each day would have rivaled Caboose Hobbies if not exceeded.
Then again, often the mega shows like Big E and Timonium have more inventory than both Klein and Caboose combined.
MY two bucks,
Hz
Howard ZaneThen again, often the mega shows like Big E and Timonium have more inventory than both Klein and Caboose combined.
Doesn't matter since they are limited to local area modelers and not a hobby shop that can be ordered from by everybody.Nice plug for the shows though.
I suspect Trainland or TrainWorld may be the biggest.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
LION uses Trainworld.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
While Timonium has a lot, there is quite a bit of duplication between dealers.
Also, the train shows' focus tends to be on rolling stock, engines, and structures.
I think that most of the larger online operations like MB Klein (modeltrainstuff) have as much or more variety as most train shows except for older stuff. Older stuff whether Old New in Box or used is where train shows are good.
Paul
I don't think we are going to find out in this topic which was biggest. Some official organization like Book of Guiness or something is going to have to make that determination. But y'all can jaw on it for a few days.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
IRONROOSTER Howard Zane Then again, often the mega shows like Big E and Timonium have more inventory than both Klein and Caboose combined. While Timonium has a lot, there is quite a bit of duplication between dealers. Also, the train shows' focus tends to be on rolling stock, engines, and structures. I think that most of the larger online operations like MB Klein (modeltrainstuff) have as much or more variety as most train shows except for older stuff. Older stuff whether Old New in Box or used is where train shows are good. Paul
Howard Zane Then again, often the mega shows like Big E and Timonium have more inventory than both Klein and Caboose combined.
I would love to go to one of the big shows on the East Coast but just don't know when that will happen. I think the only comparative event in the Midwest is Trainfest.
I would like to visit M.B. Klein & Trainworld, I've purchased from them online over the years.
I agree that this discussion is a matter of opinion, but it's good keep some places in mind when traveling. Though size and quality don't always mix...
Wholesale Trains closed recently, too.
I'm not sure which shops are truly "big"?
Is it store floor space devoted to retail customers or combined sales volume of the store and internet/mail order operations? For some retailers the internet/mail order volume factually outpaces the retail store by 6 to 1. Beyond that, the real numbers will be closely held secrets.
English's Model RR Supply in Montoursville, PA moved a few years ago and now occupies a larger building that once housed the Bowser Factory so they have a relatively spacious floor area available for retail sales. Since they also own Toy Train Heaven, their total sales volume would likely rival some of the other places named above.
I do not know the square footage of the retail store.
Although they might be considered "off the beaten path" for some US retail customers because they located are in rural northcentral Pennsylvania, their close proximity to I-180 and US-15 has made them a destination for Canadian retail train buyers for many years, as well as customers from all over the world (and in the past Frank Sinatra phone ordered from them).
Customers have come from as far away as Germany, New Zealand, and Australia to shop there. Some of the Germans even brought their VW's across the pond to drive around in the US...
John
BRAKIEHoward ZaneThen again, often the mega shows like Big E and Timonium have more inventory than both Klein and Caboose combined. Doesn't matter since they are limited to local area modelers and not a hobby shop that can be ordered from by everybody.Nice plug for the shows though.
Actually Klein and Caboose take orders from not only the U. S. and Canada, but worldwide. I would say that Caboose did most of its business online and out of state
As a guess, largest in the World is probably in Japan.
herrinchoker
E-L man tom BRAKE Howard Zane Then again, often the mega shows like Big E and Timonium have more inventory than both Klein and Caboose combined. Doesn't matter since they are limited to local area modelers and not a hobby shop that can be ordered from by everybody.Nice plug for the shows though. Actually Klein and Caboose take orders from not only the U. S. and Canada, but worldwide. I would say that Caboose did most of its business on line and out of state
BRAKE Howard Zane Then again, often the mega shows like Big E and Timonium have more inventory than both Klein and Caboose combined. Doesn't matter since they are limited to local area modelers and not a hobby shop that can be ordered from by everybody.Nice plug for the shows though.
Actually Klein and Caboose take orders from not only the U. S. and Canada, but worldwide. I would say that Caboose did most of its business on line and out of state
Tom,Actually I was talking about the shows.A show can cover several buildings and thousands of square feet but,unless a modeler attends these shows he can not buy or order from any of the dealers.A show is not a hobby shop by any measure since they last a day or two once or twice a year..
Our biggest show here is Berea and its a two day affair that covers four buildings then its gone until next year.Big E and Timonium shows is no different.
For me to attend Timonium I would need to drive from Ohio to Maryland just to attend a show..Why do that when I can shop from comfort from my computer chair -a deep cushion executive office chair picked up at auction when a manufacturing plant closed.
I would rather make a trip to MBK or Trainworld with credit card in hand instead.
Well, since MB Klein is about a ten minute drive from the fairgrounds in Timonium, you could attend the show and make it a twofer!
http://mprailway.blogspot.com
"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
MidlandPacific Well, since MB Klein is about a ten minute drive from the fairgrounds in Timonium, you could attend the show and make it a twofer!
There's an idea!
kbaker329 MidlandPacific Well, since MB Klein is about a ten minute drive from the fairgrounds in Timonium, you could attend the show and make it a twofer! There's an idea!
While they have a front store, most of their operation is mail/internet order and the stock is in the back room. Since they have an excellent online system with up to date inventory, there isn't any real advantage to going there over shopping online.
While I have occaisionally stopped by after a show, I usually don't bother. The savings on shipping is offset by the sales tax.
True but,the sad part is my hobby allowance would be depleted before I get to Timonium.
Just going there and buying a bunch of goodies would make my trip worthwhile.
At 5,000 square feet, Credit Valley in Toronto might be one of the largest Canadian hobby shops left standing.
John Longhurst, Winnipeg
not the largest, but perhaps the oldest: The Model Railroad Shop in Piscatways, NJ
is the longevity of such shops due to their size, service, convenience for modelers or size of the clientele it serves?
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
I thought I read that Caboose was going to relocate and reopen. Maybe not, huh?
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
I have been to Walthers and Trainworld. As retail stores neither is hugh but as warehouses that could be different. Also I have not been to Trainland yet.
Joe Staten Island West
gregc not the largest, but perhaps the oldest: The Model Railroad Shop in Piscatways, NJ is the longevity of such shops due to their size, service, convenience for modelers or size of the clientele it serves?
All three of course, but more importantly a willingness for someone to take over the business, assuming it's a strong business, when the original owners retire or pass away. (Sorry to be grim here.)
Read the Model Railroad Shop story for an example of a place that was lucky enough to have someone waiting in the wings, and who understood the business, to step in when the time came.
The late, great Hiway Hobby House in Ramsey NJ where I spent a lot of time years ago went out of existance when the owner retired and none of his adult children were interested in carrying on. We lost two hobby shops here in the Richmond VA area due to retirements. I'm sure other posters cross-country have their own examples.
HaroldA I thought I read that Caboose was going to relocate and reopen. Maybe not, huh?
By the end of the thread with that same name, they decided not to relocate.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
As others have noted the Walthers showroom -- what you the customer see -- is nothing special in terms of size, although it is neater and less cluttered than most shops. Much of it is taken up with display layouts and some historical display cases. There are walk up terminals connected to their website which also have paper catalogs and the latest sales flyers. You order your stuff and the staff goes back to the Warehouse to get it for you, unless of course it happened to be stuff you found on the shelves in the display room. They will give tours of the warehouse but do NOT permit videography. At least not any longer. But some people did get videos of the big back room and here they are. Judge for yourselves whether this makes Walthers the biggest
The first video shows what is really a fairly tiny portion of the warehouse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erbwJ5DWVeA
This video ranges a bit further and also shows the showroom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NbVIpkM-dc
Dave Nelson
dknelson The first video shows what is really a fairly tiny portion of the warehouse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erbwJ5DWVeA
For those who might not have noticed, the above video was done by Tim Warris of FastTracks fame.