I love York. There is Hobbytown five minutes away. Rob
My local train store "Allied Model Trains" closed 3 years ago. I went down there one day after work, the lights were off, the door was locked, and a note posted on the door.
They were the ones. They were responsible !
An innocent G gauge modeler, minding his own business, picked up a postwar 2020, and things haven't been the same ever since.
Paul
Isn't S&W going/gone out of business?Bill has expressed an interest in retiring, but I don't think that has happened yet. He has quite a stock of parts, including items that are rather difficult to come by.
Isn't S&W going/gone out of business?
I can think of three hobby shops specializing in Model Railroading that are within 45 minutes of my home. I don't frequent any of them because I have little need to purchase any new merchandise. I visit one of them once in a great while to buy materials such as CA glue and to see what they have in their used inventory. I think their prices are reasonable, but so far, nothing that I want to add to my stuff. Usually I buy a magazine.S&W is also within that 45 minutes. I go to see Bill for parts.
Another place I purchase trains from on line is www.trainmarket.com He lives in Vienna, Virginia and has a hugh assortment of Lionel, Marx, American Flyer, O, S and Standard gauges. His prices are the best I have seen and shipping is very resonable. Only once did I go to his home because I purchased an American Flyer All Aboard set and it was cheaper for me to go get it than for him to ship it. He ships out to you quickly. Never had any problems.
The Brick and mortar is ON the endangerd list Though not gone it is not getting better
Went To TRU (Remember when they sold trains in the store I did as far back as 1989) Only 10 to 30% and one quarter the inventory was gone and went to hobby shop near by only to see a for sale sign in the window the shop was for sale Gotta go out of state OR really far away to Lord knows where to find the good ole shop otherwise gotta go on line trainshow or and odd ball flea market or church sale
And as others posted prices nothing is cheap when you have to decide whats more important the train set or food for a week.
Was at the Edison Train show and had some joy seeing all (children especially) enjoying it The line for the Ride on Thomas Train was well LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG for a shortride but the four year olds loved it so there is hope for the future as long as it does not destroy the family's economy
I have three stores within a hours drive. Mike's Trains they get alot of consignment items in,Little Choo Choo Shop which is a repair station and that's a good thing cause I have no problem breaking trains. (NCTM across the street, home of the Streamliners event and the N&W J611 rebuild) The last and my favorite is Bobby's Hobbies, great store for all gauges and lots of train talk!! I like to support my local stores,train shows and even a auction if they have something I'm interested in. And friends always add to all this no matter where I am!!
Sadly I am updating this comment to say the owner of Bobby's Hobbies has passed away and the store is now closed. He will be missed.
There's a couple of good old fashion hobby shops still left in my area. Unfortunately I can't really buy much there. In today's economy I have to use my dollars wisely, and unfortunately mail order is my venue. I would love nothing more than to shop at a local hobby store, but it just doesn't make economic sense for bigger items.
You're welcome! And I don't know about you, but I'd sure love to hear from others out there.
Come on folks, don't be shy!
And I doubt CTT will mind if you "plug" your favorites.
Thanks to all for your replies.
DJSpanky Firelock76 Here in the Richmond VA area I shop at "Tiny Tim's Trains And Toys" in Ashland VA, right off Route 95. Every time I'm there I always leave with something I didn't know I needed. Know what I mean? When we were in Charlottesville (Lake Monticello to be exact), we used to go to the Toy Center over on Patterson Ave - they had a selection of Lionel trains. Sadly, they closed last summer. Also, when Linda used to go back up to NJ with her mom on a weekend, I'd take the kids on 64 over the mountain to Staunton and go to Staunton Trains & Hobbies.
Firelock76 Here in the Richmond VA area I shop at "Tiny Tim's Trains And Toys" in Ashland VA, right off Route 95. Every time I'm there I always leave with something I didn't know I needed. Know what I mean?
Here in the Richmond VA area I shop at "Tiny Tim's Trains And Toys" in Ashland VA, right off Route 95. Every time I'm there I always leave with something I didn't know I needed. Know what I mean?
When we were in Charlottesville (Lake Monticello to be exact), we used to go to the Toy Center over on Patterson Ave - they had a selection of Lionel trains. Sadly, they closed last summer.
Also, when Linda used to go back up to NJ with her mom on a weekend, I'd take the kids on 64 over the mountain to Staunton and go to Staunton Trains & Hobbies.
Staunton Trains and Hobbies is a new one on me, I've never heard of that one, but then I don't get out there very often.
ebay... Menards... HobbyTown USA...
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Well we lost the best repairman around these parts with his passing. But we do have several hobby shops, one does discount's but has no repairman. On line for me is Pat's trains in Wheeling WV. He matches prices and when you call there you talk to him.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Closest train store is 45 miles away in Oswego IL. and I think he wants to go out of bisiness, His prices are nuts. SO for me it is on-line or,,,, MENARDS in store and on line.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
I use hobbylinc for basic supplies, Ebay for anything that isn't. If I'm lucky I can attend one show a year.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
I fortunately have a variety of hobby shops to go to. Toy Trains Unlimited in Hanover PA, Mainline Hobbies Blue Ridge Summit PA, Tommy Gilberts in Gettysburg, MD Kline in Timonium MD, Strassburg Train Shop, Strassburg PA, Train Depot, Mt Airy MD, The Train Room in Hagerstown MD, Forrest Hill station, Forrest Hill MD. I get around to everyone about every three months, some more often than others.
www.trainandtoystore.com
Wonderful place with great people, well worth a stop if you're traveling North or South!
When I'm visiting up in New Jersey I visit (or try to) The Train Station in Mountain Lakes, already mentioned by Spanky. Neat place, and I just love the "Grandpa's basement" ambiance!
Also, there's Ridgefield Hobby in Ridgefield NJ. www.ridgefieldhobby.com
Here's a video of the store, it's several years old but the place still looks the same. Trains start at 6:00. Quite honestly I find this place amazing, full-line hobby shops like this one are getting hard to find in that area, so if you find yourself around there, GO!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_6ChZ3iwao
Just over the NJ/NY border in Tappan New York is the Old and Weary Car Shop at 25 Old Tappan Road. They don't seem to have an active website at this time but here's a video shot by a local hobbyist and railfan. (It's the old location, though.) It's a cool place to visit, and I'll be checking occasionally to see if the website comes back to life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9pJhxx4nKg
When I'm visiting the folks in Florida I also visit Metro Trains and Hobbies in Fort Meyers.
www.metrotrainsandhobbies.com Metro Trains and Hobbies is also full-line, not just trains, well worth a visit if you're in the area.
I'm always on the lookout for hobby shops in my travels.
I also hit the trains shows that are within a two hour drive from home. You never know, do you? I've gotten lucky quite a few times.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
robmcc It's getting harder and harder to buy anything locally anymore. Most just "dabble" in O. Even HO and N is slim pickin's. RC seems to be taking over. Unfortunately, it's mostly online for me now.
It's getting harder and harder to buy anything locally anymore. Most just "dabble" in O. Even HO and N is slim pickin's. RC seems to be taking over. Unfortunately, it's mostly online for me now.
Trains and Things in Ewing, NJ - Tony is the Best!
Holly Beach Trains in Wildwood, NJ - Larry is a retired Firefighter and I see him a few times a year.
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Hobbytown is about my only option as far as brick-n-mortar stores goes. Train Central is available but I can't get there very often with my work schedule. Mr Muffin's Trains is about an hours drive from where I live and again, my work schedule precludes frequent visits. EBay and online shopping are my best resources but I like to view the products in my hands. That's another reason why I still buy Comic Books!!
With the demise of the local Hobby Shops and the lack of train inventory (except at holiday time) in those that may still exist, where do you shop for train stuff?
(Please don't offer any opinions of any particular venue such as Ebay etc. That would be for another discussion.)
As always, many thanks.
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