IRONROOSTER SeeYou190 Antique malls are about the hunt and the find. You might need to look through sixteen trays of junk at a Lindy's booth to find an intact Laserkit of the mill that would be perfect. This is not for everyone. If you just want to buy something, go to Model Train Stuff and spend your money. If you enjoy looking for nuggets of treasure, Antique Malls are a blast, and a great way I can spend time with my wife just wandering about. Like you said, it is whatever floats your boat. -Kevin I agree. Over the years my wife and I have been to many antique malls, mostly in Virginia, Maryland, and South Central Pennsylvania. Most have some kind of trains, none of them are worth going to just for trains. But I enjoy looking at other things, so the trains are a nice plus. Over the years I have bought a few trains and some railroad books, model train books, and model train magazines. Even the ones I don't buy are fun to look at. Enjoy Paul
SeeYou190 Antique malls are about the hunt and the find. You might need to look through sixteen trays of junk at a Lindy's booth to find an intact Laserkit of the mill that would be perfect. This is not for everyone. If you just want to buy something, go to Model Train Stuff and spend your money. If you enjoy looking for nuggets of treasure, Antique Malls are a blast, and a great way I can spend time with my wife just wandering about. Like you said, it is whatever floats your boat. -Kevin
Antique malls are about the hunt and the find. You might need to look through sixteen trays of junk at a Lindy's booth to find an intact Laserkit of the mill that would be perfect. This is not for everyone.
If you just want to buy something, go to Model Train Stuff and spend your money.
If you enjoy looking for nuggets of treasure, Antique Malls are a blast, and a great way I can spend time with my wife just wandering about.
Like you said, it is whatever floats your boat.
-Kevin
I agree.
Over the years my wife and I have been to many antique malls, mostly in Virginia, Maryland, and South Central Pennsylvania. Most have some kind of trains, none of them are worth going to just for trains.
But I enjoy looking at other things, so the trains are a nice plus.
Over the years I have bought a few trains and some railroad books, model train books, and model train magazines. Even the ones I don't buy are fun to look at.
Enjoy
Paul
These things are a bit of a treasure hunt. There is generally a random train in every antique mall but you do not go for the random train you will get frustrated for that..... Some of the better deals I have found though are that random train. For example I once found at one in Indiana several proto tank cars and a precision scale tank for six dollars each- never saw any more trains in that case. Lindy's is a bit odd in this as it is an outlet for a larger operation Trainz- they do not mess with individual older cars except in a bundle online or they send them here- including some of the dreggs. I compare it to the boxes under the table at a MRR swap meet- might find something neat maybe not.
I guess what I was trying to accomplish was listing those that had more than a random train but a booth of them. Seen a couple that were mini train stores- there used to be one guy in Indy that had three booths- unfortunately that whole mall closed. Never heard what happened after that. Another crazy oddball that isn't around anymore was one of the two buildings at the Springfiend Antique Center (OH) was a few years back called Grandpa's garage- all mantiques and transportation related. (GUY STUFF YEA!!) That was so cool- had lots of trains and car stuff too. This has since reverted to a normal antique mall.
We love to go through antique malls so the trains are a bonus (a big one)- it is all about the thrill of the hunt.
Jim
riogrande5761Antique malls are generally not places I would expect to find model trains of note, and those found would be old and not of interest. But I guess it depends on what floats your boat.
Living the dream.
I've been to a number of antique malls including Owego NY and Culpeper VA and didn't see any trains worth noting and those places were really big. Antique malls are generally not places I would expect to find model trains of note, and those found would be old and not of interest. But I guess it depends on what floats your boat.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
The best train selection I have seen in an Antique Mall was Blue Ox, North of Atlanta, Georgia.
It has been a couple of years. I cannot confirm they are still there.
Pickers Paradise in Niles, Michigan has a booth that has a lot of model railroad and toy train equipment. Mostly New Old Stock type stuff with some frequent good deals. If the booth's 'owner' is there, he'll make you a deal better than the sale prices.
csxns drgwcs Looks like they restocked it on the 19th. Went their saturday Lindy's had stuff in the wrong boxs lots were broken their is another booth called Rusty Rails they had the best trains they were clean in the right boxs and a 20% discount,the Spencer show I hope I can make it.
drgwcs Looks like they restocked it on the 19th.
Went their saturday Lindy's had stuff in the wrong boxs lots were broken their is another booth called Rusty Rails they had the best trains they were clean in the right boxs and a 20% discount,the Spencer show I hope I can make it.
Since this an "outlet" store I saw that too. They purge out the stuff that they do not see as selling as well on ebay here. Saw a little of that at a show they were at too.looking forward to Spencer this will be the first time I make it to the show there. Planned several times and things happened.
drgwcsLooks like they restocked it on the 19th.
Russell
Kevin-
Yep that's the place. The dirt road that lead into the place had a warehouse that looked alot like the Tom Yorke warehouse from long ago. I would have never noticed but my eagle eyed wife said something about a model railroad on the antique mall billboard at the next exit. Gotta love a woman like that.
Mark B.
Mark BWhatever happened to the train layouts in the big red antique mall at Micanopy. I visited once and saw the HO layout.
Mark, that muist have been a long time ago.
The place is actually in Reddick, Florida, a little South of Micanopy. It used to be three businesses, Wayside Antiques (the antique mall), Wayside Hobbies (mostly R/C planes), and Wayside Engine Company (live steam locomotive construction). All three businesses were owned by the Braunum family, often mispelled as Barnum.
In the late 1980s, the family were brutally murdered in the Antique Store. Following this tragedy, the place remained closed for a few years. It reopened in the 1990s as the Antique Emporium.
The Florida Live Steamers bought the machine shop. The O scale layout was donated, but was in terrible shape. The smaller buildings that housed the O scale layout, machines shop, and hobby shop were all razed.
There was an HO scale layout on the second floor in the Northeast corner of the store that was on display, but was falling into disrepair. It was dismantled in the early 2000s. I tried to get a structure from it, but could not find out what exactly happened to it. None of the model railroad clubs seem to have ended up with it. It might have just gone to a landfill.
Noted crime author Anna Flowers wrote a book about the Wayside Antiques murders.
Whatever happened to the train layouts in the big red antique mall at Micanopy. I visited once and saw the HO layout. On my second visit my guide asked if I wanted to see the other layout. It was an O scale, maybe narrow gauge, in a room adjacent to the HO layout. I stopped again about 15 years ago and the lady at the desk said she thought they were sold or donated to a local model railroad club. Just curious.
csxns drgwcs,I am going tomorow hope they have something I want it is a great place too look around.
drgwcs,I am going tomorow hope they have something I want it is a great place too look around.
Looks like they restocked it on the 19th. Not sure where you are at but there is a train show (Neuse River Spring show) in Raleigh Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds. Spencer is coming up on the 14th and 15th too.
drgwcsKnow of any down your way that do have a train booth?
There was one in an Antique Mall in Oviedo, but I went to their website to verify it, and they do not mention the model trains anymore. That does not mean they are not still there, but it has been 3 years since I was in there, so I do not know.
There used to be some in Gannon's Antiques in Fort Myers, but they were gone last time I was in there.
Lindy's had a booth in an Antique Mall in Micanopy, but it was destroyed by fire, and Lindy's did not come back once they re-opened.
So, no, I do not know of any in Florida for certain.
SeeYou190 drgwcs FLORIDA Lake City????- Webbs Antique Mall- It has been a while but I recall several dealers that had trains. No more model trains in Webbs, except maybe a one-off item here or there. There is only one spot that has some railroad memorabilia, mostly old tickets, passes, and stock certificates in a glass case. -Kevin
drgwcs FLORIDA Lake City????- Webbs Antique Mall- It has been a while but I recall several dealers that had trains.
No more model trains in Webbs, except maybe a one-off item here or there.
There is only one spot that has some railroad memorabilia, mostly old tickets, passes, and stock certificates in a glass case.
Thanks Kevin- it had been a while since we had been there. I will delete that- know of any down your way that do have a train booth? Interestingly Webb's did own an antique mall up in Indiana in Centerville too. They sold that off several years back. (now the Centerville Antique Mall) Been in that many times as we used to live 20 miles away. They used to have a booth that had trains but that was gone the last time were through last year.
drgwcsFLORIDA Lake City????- Webbs Antique Mall- It has been a while but I recall several dealers that had trains.
csxns Last time I went to the Belmont NC location they had nothing but the old stuff.
Last time I went to the Belmont NC location they had nothing but the old stuff.
Most of the time you will find the older stuff at antique malls. I have only seen a very few DCC engines and that was at only a couple of places one of which is gone. As for Trainz/ Lindys- Trainz generally runs the better stuff online. They will send the Blue Box Athearn, Roundhouse and similar to the Lindy's locations. (or bundle them online) I have struck out at Belmont and I have found neat stuff but I have always done far better the week of a restock. Comparing pics I see the other Lindy's locations seem to have more than Belmont probably because it is furthest out. I have seen Lindy's at a couple of shows and picked up some great bargains too.
Inspired by emdmike’s post on Antique malls- I thought we might perhaps compile a list of Antique malls that have train booths- to start here are several that have one. A few thoughts first. There are not destinations- most booths are small-this attempts to compile train booths not the antique mall that might have a stray train in the corner right next to a random Garfield. Sometimes you might find a treasure in those you never know. (Found two 1936 model railroaders in mint condition for 2 dollars each in one of those and a 6 dollar brass tank car in another- neither had a train booth) Lionel is also outside the scope of this post- most antique stores will have one somewhere. My wife and I like to antique so we like to look in all the malls. Prices vary- some are higher some lower- most is older stock but you can often find a diamond in the rough. Sometimes dealers really overprice or underprice- look at it as a treasure hunt. If there is another train store or railroad destination nearby I will mention it as this makes a trip a little more worthwhile.
A couple of notes:
HONORABLE MENTION: These are antique malls that have perhaps several shelves and these seem consistent. If you are in the area they are worth a stop but not a long drive. Anything will be noted.
???? is one that I am not sure on- either it has been a while or I had seen something on it online.
LINDY’S TRAINS- before I get into specific malls- Trainz.com operates booths in several antique malls as outlets named Lindy’s Trains. Sometimes these are a gold mine sometimes a dud. For best results follow them on Facebook and go right after they do a restock- then is when the picking is good. They have locations at Braselton Georgia (A Flea Antique) Marietta Georgia (Cobb Antique Mall) Lavonia GA (Lavonia Antique Mall) Buford GA (Buford Queen of Hearts) Monroe, GA (Vintage Revival Antiques) Belmont NC (Catawba River Antique Mall) and Pickens SC (Remember When Antiques and Gifts) I have personally been in the Belmont Store and I remember seeing a pretty well stocked train booth in Lavonia GA when we were there quite a while back.
NORTH CAROLINA
Belmont- Catawba River antique mall- one of the aforementioned Lindy’s trains locations. This is their farthest out booth and shows less in pics than the other malls. I have found some really good deals here and I have gone away empty. This is not too far outside Charlotte. It is a nice antique mall though.
Mooresville- Burks Vintage Train Depot in the Main Street Antiques and Design Gallery. This is a really large booth that has quite a bit of stuff in it. Primarily HO but there is quite a bit of N and Lionel. (As a bonus if you are into Nascar Mooresville is worth a stop lots of team headquarters there)
Thomasville- Antique Emporium- They have a booth here that is the size of a walk in closet that is completely filled with trains. The booth is tucked in the side and you need to look for it. This mall is actually in two buildings connected by a tunnel. If you go in the Main street entrance (across from the municipal parking lot) it will be to the right on the side wall. Across the railroad tracks (Main runs on both sides) is a small train store called Mikes Trains- If you walk over make sure to get your picture by the giant chair. Thomasville is exactly a half an hour from the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer an absolute must stop- across the street from the museum is the Little Choo Choo shop- don’t let the name fool you this is the best train shop in North Carolina.
Asheboro- HONORABLE MENTION- Collectors Antique Mall- not a full booth but several shelves of varying quality including some Blue Box and Roundhouse. This is a nice large mall to look through. There is also another one next door that is a bit of a geeks paradise- no trains in that one though. There are some other antique stores along that same street.
Burlington- HONORABLE MENTIONS Granddaddy’s Antique Mall and Treasures on the Lane Antique mall. These are a bit sparse but I thought I might mention if you are in the area. Granddaddy’s has a booth in the back with camera’s and a shelf or two with trains. Lately their selection has been pretty sparse with just a few. He does generally have some train magazines for 50 cents though. There is another booth with books that generally has some railroad books. This however is a large antique mall that is the size of a former K-mart- if you like antique malls it is worth a stop. Treasures on the lane is a couple of exits down and has a booth in the back that has some trains in it- just two or three shelves. Neither of these are worth a special trip just for the trains but both are right off I-40 so if you are passing through.
Mount Pleasant-???? I have been in this antique mall before- it is a large nice one but a bit out of the way. I had seen a couple of posts that it now has a train booth. This was after we had been there last- I can not tell you the quality or quantity.
VIRGINIA
Verona (just north of Staunton) The Factory Antique Mall- Um wow just huge- this is the biggest antique mall in America- allow plenty of time to look through this. Just off I-81 not too far from I-64. There is a train dealer in the back that has about 8 or so showcases of trains mostly HO but with N too. Does have some really nice stuff there. There is another that has a couple of smaller booths on 9th street and 11th street (talk about a big mall when you have to name them streets….) that has a mix of scales. There is also a book dealer that has some railroad titles.
Roanoke- HONORABLE MENTION- The Roanoke antique mall- This mall does not have any booth that is dedicated to trains just an occasional random one- I am including it however because of where it is. Roanoke was such a railroad town that you will find quite a bit of Railroadiana scattered around here with an occasional train. This stuff rotates around and changes frequently but it always seems like there are items all around the mall. There is a good hobby shop up on the north side of town too- The Railyard. Roanoke is also the home of 611 at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (a must stop) as well as the O Winson Link Museum.
????????????- The rest of these were ones that I had run across in time past in travel- It had been about 6 years since we were really out on the road so I do not know if these malls still have them or not. Maybe somebody nearby would know or check out.
OHIO
Springfield-???? Heart of Ohio Antique Center and Springfield Antique Center. Springfield is one of the bigest antique centers in the US with three huge antique malls as well as an annual show. It has been a while since we have been there so I do not know how much is there now. Springfield antique Center has two separate buildings. The smaller one at the front had at least a couple of booths with trains but that has been a while. There are 750 booths between the two so I would imagine that there are some. I had also found trains in the Heart of Ohio Antique Center which is an exit down and another huge mall.
Findlay???? Jeffrey’s Antique Gallery- This one I am a little sketchy on- I believe it was here that had a train booth? It has been a while and I am not sure this is right.
INDIANA
Edinburgh- Exit 76 Antique Mall?? I feel a little more confident in saying that this has a train booth still since emdmike had mentioned it. I have bought things here before but it has been a while. Very nice large mall. Bonus a block away- Indiana Premium Outlet mall to keep the wife happy.
I know we saw some more but for the life of me I can not remember where. Please add ones that you have run into Conditions pricing and dealers may change- your mileage will vary- Please keep hands and legs inside the car at all times…….