Best Train Stores in Pittsburgh?

[Anonymous]

Would any of you in Pittsburgh metro area be able to recommend the best train stores in the area, and all else being equal, those nearest to downtown? I'm looking for maximum product selection or best inventory.

I've got to make a trip tomorrow very early. I've checked the web and it's hard to tell what's worth the drive. It seems everything is in the outlying areas, e.g. Iron Horse Hobbies? If need be, I'll rent a car for the day and drive out from downtown.

Any recommendations tonight or before 5:00 a.m. CDT Thursday morning would be most appreciated, since I may not have web access while there thru Sunday a.m.

Thanks. And if you're coming to Houston I'd gladly reciprocate, though I'm inclined to think your offerings are probably a tad better than ours.

Bob W.
Houston, TX

[MartyE]

Bob

The Iron Horse has PW, MTH and modern Lionel plus a good selection of train related items. At this point though when I was down there last inventory was thin due to the up coming summer. The place rocks towards the fall and winter time.

AB Charles just closed up.

Jim's Train shop is close to 2 hours outside of town and has a huge selection of MTH and one of the nicest owners around.

Close to town is tough as you said most are out in the suburbs. Here is a quick list of stores in the area but not really any close to town...

http://www.martye.com/localjunction.htm

I believe Hobby Masters that was on Smithfield is now closed. If you are downtown it maybe worth walking over or perhaps someone else knows for sure. Last time I was there, well over 3 years ago there was very little there.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Marty, your message was a huge help. It's amazing to me that the web info is so out of date. I'll plan a route accordingly.

I know it's pretty slim pickings this time of year, but y'all HAVE to have more than we do here (HO is dominant in this part of the world).

Thanks again.

Bob

[warner brook]

good morning
go to jim`s train shop in homer city ,great guy great shop.he went way out of his way to help me out and it was at his busiest time of year.he also has a web site i believe you can acess it at www.jimstrainshop.com

[Anonymous]

The trip to Homer City is well worth the drive. One of the finest train stores in the nation.

[1688torpedo]

The Underground Railroad Shop in New Castle,Pa is another place that is worthwhile to visit & it is about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. They have a website also & you should be able to get directions to there from Pittsburgh. Take Care.

[spankybird]

If you have time you should also visit the ‘Carnegie Science Center’ and see their ‘O’ gauge layout.

http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/default.aspx?pageId=35

[waltrapp]

Bob,

I live North of PGH and a hobby shop on Rte 19 N in Cranberry is the best stocked place around for NEW stuff. Don't see PW there.

They carry it all and the shelves have just about anything you might be looking for.

So you might want to consider it too. Extremely easy drive from downtown.

- walt

[dwiemer]

I went to college in PGH, good city, nice people. While you are there, look up the special Pittsburgh Cars, lots of neat local items are represented. Not sure if it is still there, but a great restaurant overlooking 3 rivers is Christopher's, get a window seat. Good luck and please let us know how it goes.
Dennis