I have departed on the adventure of my lifetime!
.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
First stop: Miami, Florida.
To make this truly a Coast-To-Coast adventure, I had to start at the Atlantic Ocean, and where better than Miami?
I drove across the state and the first stop was Discount Trains in Fort Lauderdale. This store is a cram-packed treasure trove of hobby shopping adventure. It is getting so you can hardly move around.
I found a rack of Floquil Railroad colors on the bottom shelf in the back and bought four bottles of Primer Gray!
Next stop is the best hobby shop in Florida... Ready to Roll Trains in Miami! This store is huge! so much to see and so much inventory. It is a treasure.
Then off the the Zona Blu Sardinian Italian Restaurant in Weston, Florida. I had a Caesar Salad and Linguine with Clams in White Wine Sauce. There were a bit too few anchovies on the Caesar salad, but still very good.
My wife and I checked into the hotel and then went to the Crossroads in Miami Lakes for a bit of the fun nightlife, but not too much fun tonight.
Now we are back at the hotel, and tomorrow we head for Tallahassee.
Stay tuned!
Keep your right foot on that pedal, Kevin, just to make sure you get there before some of those hobby shops close. Looks like a fun trip, though!I had hoped to make a perimeter trip of the U.S., visiting on-line friends and fellow model railroaders, but I think it's probably beyond my budget (unless I sleep in my car every night).
Wayne
Looks like lots of fun is in store for you!
Those aren't very big bags you are leaving with. C'mon, let's get that credit card warmed up
Cheers, Ed
It looks to me like just before you cross from Illinois into Iowa you will be close to Highway 6, which is right along the old Rock Island main, now Iowa Interstate. Let me recommend Green River Hobbies in Geseseo Illinois. A nice little train shop.
https://grhobbies.com/
And the Quad Cities have many fine railfanning opportunities. Can't say the same about the dining but I doubt if you'd be complaining about too many anchovies in the fare.
Dave Nelson
You NEED to stop in Deshler Nebraska. Spring Creek Model Trains. It looks like your planned route on I-80 will take you close enough to it to not throw you off schedule.
In fact, you could get off of I-29 in NW Missouri and head west on US 136. Shouldn't be a big diversion at all considering you're not stopping in Omaha anyway.
Or US 36 west out of St Joe MO across Kansas to US 81 North.
http://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/
And while in Nebraska, your I-80 route pretty much parallels US 30 west of Grand Island. The double tracked UP mainline runs right along side US 30 for at least 150 miles. Plenty of action along the mainline at any time, so you could railfan while still driving 60mph west along your route, if you took US 30 for those miles. Kearney (Odessa) to North Platte. And N Platte has one of the the largest railroad hump yards in the world.
https://goldenspiketower.com/
(of course, stops cost time, so weigh these stops with the knowledge that the posted speed limit on I-80 in Nebraska is 75 mph!.......but traffic probably goes faster....)
- Douglas
It's surprising how much Floquil is still on the shelves at various places.
Looks like you are driving by the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Be sure to stop there.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddyIt's surprising how much Floquil is still on the shelves at various places.
I seen a rack of it at my LHS on Wed. I didn't stop and pay attention if it was all Floquil paint or not, I'll have to take a closer look next week.
It looks like he his going through Billings, where my wifey is from. We stopped at the Custer site. I love history, and the story behind the whole event always intrigued me.
Kevin, are you after any thing special? or what ever catches your interest?
Definetly a man on a mission! Don't forget to be scooping up on all those NWSL parts! .
Goog luck, and wishing you and the wifey a safe trip!
Mike.
PS. You do have a trailer with you, right? or at least taking a van?
My You Tube
Well, that's interesting, have a fun trip.
But I can think of a list of great shops your route does not even get close to.
While not like years ago, the Northeast is still full of great train stores.
Mainline Hobby - Blue Ridge Summit, PA
Tommy Gilberts - Gettysburg, PA
Star Hobby - Annapolis, MD
English's Model Railroad Supply (Bowser) - Montoursville, PA
Strasburg Train Shop (and a great steam ride right down the street, a great museum, and a motel of real cabooses to sleep in) - Strasburg PA
Nicholas Smith Trains - Broomall, PA
Pro Custom Hobbies - Sykesville, MD
Trainworld - Brooklyn, NY
and many more........
Sheldon
I highly recommend you take a short detour when your in Washington, and stop at PF&S railway supply just north of Pasco Wa. It’s the largest hobby shop I know with a great selection. I’ve spent hours there!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Kevin - looks like it's going to be a nice trip. Where are you stopping in Los Angeles? It's been a few years since I been there, but the Original Whistle Stop in Pasadena, CA was worth the trip. Also, what you planning on seeing in Las Vegas, NV?
Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
Kevin,
If you stop in Portland, OR there are two quality "all-trains" shops. The Hobby Smith is just off I-80 at the Cesar Chavez (39th Ave.) exit. Whistle Stop Trains is 12 minutes away, a mile east of I-205 on Division. Don't forget to hit the cast-off/consignment closet at the latter. Tammie's is on the West Side, easily accessible off the OR-217 freeway in suburban Beaverton. It's a full hobby shop but has a great selection, just a bit more spread out.
For such a long trip, I'd have a hard time with the self-discipline. I'd end up as a combination of jaded, overloaded, tired of browsing, or broke - before I got to the Continental Divide!
Don't know who'll need more endurance in this adventure, you or your sweetie!
John
Attuvian Kevin, If you stop in Portland, OR there are two quality "all-trains" shops. The Hobby Smith is just off I-80 at the Cesar Chavez (39th Ave.) exit. Whistle Stop Trains is 12 minutes away, a mile east of I-205 on Division.
If you stop in Portland, OR there are two quality "all-trains" shops. The Hobby Smith is just off I-80 at the Cesar Chavez (39th Ave.) exit. Whistle Stop Trains is 12 minutes away, a mile east of I-205 on Division.
I can second that, I‘ve never visited these shops but I’ve heard they’re very good!
If you have time stop by Chuck's Depot in Marion, IL. Based on your map you will be driving past it. You can see the store from I-57. Take exit 54. Take Illinois 13 east, turn south on Carbon St, turn west on Rendleman St and he is at the end of the street. It sits behind the Ford dealership. The store building is designed to look like a 2 story SP depot. He has a layout in the basement that is the size of the store. He has a huge stock of HO and N.
SeeYou190 I have departed on the adventure of my lifetime! . . -Kevin .
I'm surprise you are skipping Colorado. Such a mecca of trains. There is the Durango & Silverton, Cumbres and Toltec, Georgetown Loop, Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado Railroad museum, Caboose Hobbies (now just Caboose), The Colorado Model Railroad Museum, Coors brewing Co. Railroad and the list goes on.
Even it you aren't about seeing the big trains checking out the Colorado Railroad musuem and the Colorado model railroad musuem are both worth the detour, especially since you are so close (Cheyenne is 3 hours from Denver, and the CMRM is in Greeley (1.5 hours at most) from Cheyenne. They both have very nice train layouts.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
doctorwayne I think it's probably beyond my budget (unless I sleep in my car every night).
All of these hotels are FREE. I had over 400,000 points saved in my Hilton Honors Account. The car rental is also only costing $400.00 because of so many earned free days.
gmpullmanThose aren't very big bags you are leaving with. C'mon, let's get that credit card warmed up
I am trying to pace myself. Can't blow the whole budget on day 1 of a 24 day trip!
dknelsonLet me recommend Green River Hobbies in Geseseo Illinois. A nice little train shop.
Thank you, I will be stopping there.
DoughlessYou NEED to stop in Deshler Nebraska. Spring Creek Model Trains.
Yes Yes Yes. Most definitely a stop!
BigDaddyLooks like you are driving by the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Be sure to stop there.
My wife will do hobby shops, but she will not do battlefields. I got her to stop a Shiloh several years ago, and she still is not happy about it.
mbinsewiKevin, are you after any thing special? or what ever catches your interest? Definetly a man on a mission! Don't forget to be scooping up on all those NWSL parts!
I am looking for small parts needed for the future layout. Preferably things that I havennot seen before. I will certainly be snapping up NWSL parts as they are found.
ATLANTIC CENTRALWell, that's interesting, have a fun trip. But I can think of a list of great shops your route does not even get close to. While not like years ago, the Northeast is still full of great train stores.
Stay tuned Sheldon... that is the plan for vacation 2020... To Maine, and I will finally clear all 48 states.
SPSOT fantake a short detour when your in Washington, and stop at PF&S railway supply just north of Pasco Wa.
While I am in Washington I will be visiting my middle daughter, so hobby shop time in that state will be diminished. My wife would be very mad if I ditch our baby to go hobby shopping up there.
JDCoopstop by Chuck's Depot in Marion, IL. Based on your map you will be driving past it. You can see the store from I-57.
Thank you... that one is added to the list.
PennCentral99Where are you stopping in Los Angeles? It's been a few years since I been there, but the Original Whistle Stop in Pasadena, CA was worth the trip. Also, what you planning on seeing in Las Vegas, NV?
I am 100% going to the Original Whistle Stop! I wrote down a couple shops to stop at when we leave Las Vegas, if we still have any money left. We are spending three nights in the Excalibur.
Attuvian in Portland, OR there are two quality "all-trains" shops. The Hobby Smith is just off I-80 at the Cesar Chavez (39th Ave.) exit. Whistle Stop Trains is 12 minutes away,
If I get to Portland during business hours I will stop in both. That day of the trip is not cemented into the schedule yet.
Renegade1cI'm surprise you are skipping Colorado. Such a mecca of trains.
I did Colorado years ago. Yes, it was great!
Day #2:
Another successful day, but I think we might have made a big error. At home in South Florida it is in the 80s. We are in North Florida tonight, and it is in the 60s! I brought no long pants, all shorts. I hope we don't freeze in the North!
We started out in Miami with an early start. We drove all the way across the state heading Northwest. We made it to Saint Petersburg for a small train show. All I found here were a couple of cast resin telephone shelters.
Then I took US19 North to Dana's Model Railroad Supply in Spring Hill, Florida. This was a great treasure hunt of a store. over 50% of the stock is used items. This is another store I have never been to before. It is not on the way to anywhere I normally travel, so I made a special trip over today.
Then we headed to Tallahassee on US19. I have never driven this road before. There is lots of empty wilderness in this part of the state.
I stumbled upon this old Consolidation and took a few pictures.
I saw this beautiful church as I drove past and had to stop and take a picture.
For dinner, since we are leaving Florida tomorrow, we decided we had to have Publix Sub Sandwiches. PubSubs have a fanatic following here in Florida, and it is going to be hard to live three weeks without one.
I also scored some fresh Honeybell Oranges from a roadside stand today. If you have never experienced the delight of a fresh Honeybell, you really owe it yourself to get one at some point. They are amazing.
Into Mississippi tomorrow. Since tomorrow is Sunday, I doubt there will be any hobby shopping to report.
SeeYou190 I am 100% going to the Original Whistle Stop! I wrote down a couple shops to stop at when we leave Las Vegas, if we still have any money left. We are spending three nights in the Excalibur. -Kevin
Let me know when you hit Las Vegas. Also, I recommend the Nevada Southern Railway Museum in Boulder City, NV. Which includes the vital role the railroad played in the building of the Hoover Dam
Man, you are my kind of a guy. I have often dreamed of doing this, but Sandy my wife would have other ideas. How did you convince your significant other to go along?
I worked for many years as a corporate pilot and often during layovers at many towns and cities, I'd hail a taxi or borrow a car from the FBO and head for the nearest hobby shop. During this period in my life (late 60's to late 70's), I must have visited several hundred shops in the US. I used both good and bad ideas to start my own shop, and what I learned from these forays proved quite useful, indeed. And then I was able to fill in voids such as close out table, table for new items, clinics on items sold in store, specal sales, beautiful display railroad featuring items carried in inventory, used trains with emphasis on brass and craftsman kits, very attractive and friendly sales staff, and most of all.....follow up! I still miss this store and retail sales, but when an offer comes in paying almost 6 times what the store is paying coupled with a ready buyer at my heels, it became time to sell. the good news is that the Great Scale Model Train Show (Timonium show) grew from this store. My train show partner Ken Young had been my best customer.
Sadly, most of these shops I have visited most likely have closed their doors.
HZ
SeeYou190 Day #2: . Another successful day, but I think we might have made a big error. At home in South Florida it is in the 80s. We are in North Florida tonight, and it is in the 60s! I brought no long pants, all shorts. I hope we don't freeze in the North!
60's is quite warm up here, short weather.
I'll say one thing, it isn't gonna get much warmer.
If you ever get to ME, York Village Marketplace is a good shop.
Have fun!
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
Howard ZaneI have often dreamed of doing this, but Sandy my wife would have other ideas. How did you convince your significant other to go along?
Lots and lots of stops at antique stores for her.
Day #3:
No hobby shops. In fact, since it was Easter Sunday, no antique stores were open in Alabama or Mississippi either. Double bummer.
We stopped for the night in Wiggins, Mississippi, and the only restaurants that were open were Popeye's and McDonald's. We ate at Popeye's. This was a diappointment. There was a catfish and steak place in this town that I really wanted to try.
I started the day by driving through the path of devastation from Hurricane Michael six months ago. Things are getting much better, but there is still a good way to go.
One interesting thing I found was this "train" on display. It is in front of the entrance to a Federal Prison for some reason.
The boxcar in the train was blown over on its side. This gave me a usually unseen point of view for the details of AB brake rigging.
The caboose had all the siding taken off by the Hurricane. This gives a unique opportunity the see the contruction techniques of a prototype caboose. It looks like some repair work has started in the second picture.
There were a few cabooses on display in towns we passed through.
This depot was seen in a small town in Alabama.
How cute is the little train out fron carved from logs? It is in the lower left of the picture above.
Tomorrow we will resume the shopping.
BigDaddyIt's surprising how much Floquil is still on the shelves at various places....
I wish that I could find some of their grey primer - it's the only one of the Floquil paints that I really miss. I do have a fair number (17 or 18) of other Floquil colours left, and many more of the Pollyscale colours, too, the latter being my preferred ones.
Make sure while in Cheyenne WY to go by the depot museum- it is the home of Harry Brunks Union Central and Northern that was imortalized in the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette.
I couldn't tell for sure but if you are going through Springfield MO It might be worth a stop into Trainland Hobbies on South Campbell Ave. Been a while since I was through there last but they often had some neat used (and new) stuff. There is another hobby shop in Branson (actually Hollister) Branson Hobby Center that was very good. There is some good shopping for your wife in Branson too.
Howard Zaneoften during layovers at many towns and cities, I'd hail a taxi or borrow a car from the FBO and head for the nearest hobby shop.
I got the "hobby shop adventure" out of my system some years back when I used to visit shops when traveling around the country for work. Traveling across the country to visit hobby shops and see escoterica doesn't have much appeal to me. I've seen plenty of rusting old train diplays during years of working for Shell Oil Company in NY, PA, WV and other locations. Kinda depressing.
Back when I did that hobby shop adventure gig, many of the shops were disappointing so I'd hate to spend my own money doing that now; at least before the travel was paid for by the company and I'd do my hobby shop "adventures" when off-duty.
My idea of a fun road trip would be to fly to Denver and by-pass the BORING mid-west and east coast (which I have traveled ad-nauseum already) and start my drive where the scenery is IMO the best, west of Denver (or north or south of Denver). West of Denver is a treat! And given limited time off from work, it would be the best bang for my buck.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761My idea of a fun road trip would be to fly to Denver and by-pass the BORING mid-west and east coast (which I have traveled to-death already) and start my drive where the scenery is IMO the best, west of Denver (or north or south of Denver). West of Denver is a treat! And given limited time off from work, it would be the best bang for my buck.
The main event of this vacation is the opporunity to spend over THREE WEEKS with my wife, enjoying each other, and not working.
Hobby shops, antique stores, and rusty trains are just added fun. Three days in... and we are having so much fun together.
SeeYou190Three days in... and we are having so much fun together.
That's great Kevin! That's what is important. Dianne and I always have a really good time together when we are travelling (actually we always have a really good time together regardless of what we are doing). Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
JDCoop If you have time stop by Chuck's Depot in Marion, IL. Based on your map you will be driving past it. You can see the store from I-57. Take exit 54. Take Illinois 13 east, turn south on Carbon St, turn west on Rendleman St and he is at the end of the street. It sits behind the Ford dealership. The store building is designed to look like a 2 story SP depot. He has a layout in the basement that is the size of the store. He has a huge stock of HO and N.
We drove through Marion countless times on our trips from Texas to Purdue; never knew that Chuck's Depot existed. Then again, most times we were on a strict schedule, with no time to stop. Another place to add to the bucket list.
You are missing something by going down the middle of California instead of the coast. There are countless live trains there the most famous being the Skunk Train and roaring camp railroads plus a few train shops like Just Trains and The Train Shop in the bay area, also you can catch the veiws on the coast and hit San Francisco for the day if you like.