VA Question

[bhewitt452]

I am taking a trip to the Williamsburg VA area next week and was wondering if anyone could recommend any hobby shops in the area or any train related attractions within an hours drive or so.

[mtm1site]

I live fairly close to Williamsburg Va. and cannot think of any sites other than a small hobby shop in Norge Va. They stock mostly New Lionel items with a few items (structures and rolling stock). Norge station is located Just North of the city on Richmond Rd.(rt.60)and there was another shop(Circus Trains) off Rt 199 at Rt 60 just north of Bush Gardens. Its been awhile since I,ve been to either place and I think Circus Trains may have closed. Other sites within and hours drive are either in Norfolk or Richmond Va. Also There is an old steam locomotive on display across from the Amtrak station in Newport News Va.(also Rt 60). Newport News is about 20 or so miles east of Williamsburg Va.

[tangerine-jack]

In Norfolk at Military circle mall is Dale's Train Station which has a large selection of Lionell and large scale trains, plus a toy museum upstairs. Norge station is pretty cool. Near Bush Gardens is a model RR museum. Pay dirt is in Portsmouth at the Children's Museum, it houses the Lancaster collection of lionell trains, a very, very impressive collection (about a few mil worth) and a must see attraction. Denbigh Hobby Center is close by in Newport News. Email me and I will give you a contact number for me when you get into town.[:D]


[oX)]

[Rene Schweitzer]

You could also visit hobbyretailer.com and type in a city name, state, or ZIP code of the area you'll be visiting for a list of hobby shops. You can do the advanced search to find stores that carry large scale.

[tangerine-jack]

Good call, Rene, but nothing beats local knowledge[swg] I've found out that "carrying" large scale equipment can be a far cry from having anything of interest to sell, or anything at all for that matter. Dale's has a fairly large selection of garden RR equipment, and the toy museum upstairs is free, plus it is only 6 minutes from my house.

I forgot to add, Dale's is not open on Mondays. Ft Eustis has a transportation museum with railroad related displays, and in Richmond near the stadium is a railroad museum, and also in Richmond, the Science Museum was built inside the old train station. You can still see the tracks, signs and other cool stuff.

[oX)]

[Rene Schweitzer]

You're right, Jack. Just like finding a doctor/dentist/etc., nothing beats a personal recommendation!

[Anonymous]

I have been to Danville Va, I think thats how you spell it. They reckon it was the last capital of the confederacy, is that true?

Rgds ian

[tangerine-jack]

Yes, Ian, it's quite true, Danville was the last official capitol of the Confederacy, if only for a very brief time after the fall of Richmond. That city has quite a bloody history even after the War of Northern Agression. During WWII the 116th Infantry (now the 1-246 Field Artillery) was involved in the spearhead of the Normandy invasion. Although the Danville boys fought well, most were killed within the first 15 minutes of the battle. Your welcome, France.

There used to be the "Norfolk, Franklin and Danville" RR, I guess it went under some time in the early 60's, but some of the equipment and trackage survives. I will post a photo soon! I dpn't know any more about the line at this time, but it seems to be a good one to model.