I made numerous trips to Williamsport/Montoursville in the late 1960's early 1970's to visit English's model train store. But I never heard about John's Trainland.
When I was a kid, during the mid-1970',s there was a train store that was actually in the basement of a house right on US 15 South, in South Williamsport, PA, named John's Trainland? It was several blocks before the headquarters of Little League Baseball, as you headed south on 15, on the right hand side.
My recollection was that walking in there was like entering Heaven to me. I was fascinated with Mantua diesels at the time (this was just before the split where Tyco moved production to Hong Kong), and he had plenty of them displayed all around the room, which of course did have an HO layout in it as well. Particularly he had plenty of my favorite engine at the time, the C-430, in all the later paint schemes made in New Jersey: Illinois Central orange and white, Illinois Central Gulf same colors, Soo Line, Chessie, and they were everywhere...and the Super 630, etc.
The other recollections thread prompted me to reminisce fondly, and to wonder, if since it was right on a major north south US highway, if anybody else out there remembered this particular basement store? And does anybody know what became of it?
I have fond memories of other train stores too, as a few of you are well aware, but this one made an impression on me at a great time to be a kid. As I write this, I wish I could go back, visit and buy something again.
Best Regards to all--
John