YOUR LHS

[ac4400fan]

Hey Guys.
I love a old fashioned hobby shop,like the one i go to ,from time to time ,not all the time cause its far,but ,everytime i go there it's worth it! stuff is always there,not ,im sorry were all out! how many of you run into that??, i do from time to time ,but ,whats hot is hot ,at times, any way how do you rate your loco hobby shop?? i rate mine to anywhare from a 8 to a ten,,rating an affar with trains in phx az. to #1
carl,[:)]

[Anonymous]

You could have made this a poll!

As for the Train Sections i would rate

Hobbyone - 6.5/10

J&J Hobbies 7.8/10

Austral ModelCraft 9.9/10 (The only LHS that get 10/10 is one that pays ME to take their trains)!

These are a few Hobbyshops in Brisbane but there are many more.

Hope this helps in your quest for the perfect hobby shop!

Pavariangoo

P.S - There was also a hobbyshop i visited when i was about 7 (A very long time ago)! .It was in Berema NSW

Pavariangoo

[steveblackledge]

there are only a couple near me, both are overpriced so i tend to buy on the net. Service consists of selling you anything they have in stock, they never ask what era you model or surgest an alternative, infact they never ask you anything. they are just happy to get your money and wave goodbye, so i rate them 2 out of 10. if i could afford to start my own hobby shop i would put customer service right at the top, every customer would get a drink, then i would ask them what they model and what they want out of the hobby, i could then offer assistance in selecting suitable items to suit there wishes

[ac4400fan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by steveblackledge

there are only a couple near me, both are overpriced so i tend to buy on the net. Service consists of selling you anything they have in stock, they never ask what era you model or surgest an alternative, infact they never ask you anything. they are just happy to get your money and wave goodbye, so i rate them 2 out of 10. if i could afford to start my own hobby shop i would put customer service right at the top, every customer would get a drink, then i would ask them what they model and what they want out of the hobby, i could then offer assistance in selecting suitable items to suit there wishes

I agree steve , Im Thinking of doing that ,JUST dont Know Where to start ,But I want to!

[steveblackledge]

ac4400fan, i know where to start but can't afford to,

[ac4400fan]

well thats were guys like you and me ,,need the start ,,and be the best!!!
more guys like you and i would make the diffance!
well talk more on this,,
carl ,take care off to bed for now night guys

btw steve ,,NICE PIC!

[Anonymous]

We are fortunate to have in Grand Rapids Mi, a 7,500 sq. ft. an all scale shop that offers
planes, trains, cars & boats too. Train dept has experienced modelers behind the counter.
It's a 10, www.riders.com

[CP5415]

I'm not going to complain about my LHS.
Sure the prices are a bit more expensive but not that much where I'm going to start buying from the WWW.
As I've said before, I like to see what I'm buying before I pay for it, especially locomotives.
My LHS has layaway & I've got 5 locomotives put aside waiting for me.
I like my LHS. I'm not going to stop buying from him.

Gordon

[CP5415]

Horizon Hobbies Dave. [:D]

Gordon

[on30francisco]

There are two in San Francisco but both sell at MSRP which is way too high for me. Their stock is also skimpy. There is a great hobby shop down The Peninsula in Santa Clara called The Train Shop. They are strictly model railroading, cater to all scales and gauges, are very well stocked, and sell at 10% to 20% below MSRP.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomotive3

We are fortunate to have in Grand Rapids Mi, a 7,500 sq. ft. an all scale shop that offers
planes, trains, cars & boats too. Train dept has experienced modelers behind the counter.
It's a 10, www.riders.com

Definantly. I live in locomotive3s area and Rider's is by far the best. Trains and Things Hobbys in Traverse City, MI is also a solid 10.

[Grubby]

QUOTE: Hobbyone - 6.5/10
J&J Hobbies 7.8/10
Austral ModelCraft 9.9/10 (The only LHS that get 10/10 is one that pays ME to take their trains)!
These are a few Hobbyshops in Brisbane but there are many more.

Seeing how I attend at least two out of these three every week on Thursday nights, I would have to disagree on the high rating for Austral.... until you are part of the "club" is it difficult to get a word in edgeways, let alone ask a question... and the shop isnt really very child friendly...my son and I go out every Thursday to J&J but I usually buy what I need from Austral and leave because I am not a member of the UP Club [:P] and I find it difficult when the oldtimers are talking about their issues to ask my silly questions. The inquisitive nature of my son doesn't really fit into the Austral stocking arrangements...J&J on the other hand has answered more silly questions than I can actually remember, gets my money first if he has what I want or need....and his rapport with my son makes our visit literally one of the highlights of his week, which is why I got back into this addiction again....

[M636C]

Wow, a discussion about Australian Hobby Shops! - well more than one poster!
I'm in Canberra, and of course Fisher Discounts is my Local Hobby Shop. These guys buy a lot of stock of much of what is available. You can get items before the copy of Model Railroader hits tje local news stands (say one to two months after the magazine appears in the USA. Sometimes new items are available at a price less than USA MSRP. Now this doesn't sound like much to people who can buy from the net with no tax and low shipping costs, but here, that's good! The other shop I get to is Hobbyco in Sydney, which again has a good selection of stock. and often good prices. By the way, the shop in Berrima is still there, but has the more usual modest stock and higher than USA MSRP prices.

Peter

[AntonioFP45]

As I stated before if you visit Tampa, Florida........Happy Hobo Trains is a MUST VISIT store.

Attractive store. Oodles and oodles of detailing parts from Cannon, Details West, DA, etc. Glass cases displaying quality locomotives from Stewart, Atlas, P2K, Genesis, etc.
Sells all scales.

There is also an HO store layout. One end is approximately a 4x7 that connects to a leg about 30 feet long! On certain days, Kevin will run the MONSTER TRAIN. A freight train with 4 or 5 units on the head, pulling 60 to 70 cars!

The manager (Kevin Ptylak) and assistant (*** Christian) are both modelers. Exceptionally knowledgeable and also give great conversations. Trains, politics, MTH, UP licensing, or music. Any topic goes! *** is a fun, "diehard" Santa Fe man..........and many of us enjoy ragging on him because of it! To ***, Santa Fe is "the only railroad that was a real railroad!!" Flaming time for me!

For info on railroads of the U.S South, Kevin is the man! There is also a group of "regulars" that hang out, but visitors will never be slighted! Jump in any time!

O.K, I'm through with my shameless plug!

Cheers!

[Anonymous]

Davis Trains in Milford, Ohio (Cincinnati) is awesome. Great selection, great prices, and employees who are courteous and know their stuff.

And, yes, they have all my money. And dad's, too.

[Anonymous]

Two excellent LHS in my region:
MB Klein - 8.8/10
Peach Creek Shops - 9/10

There is another hobby shop 10 minutes from my house, but I only buy 'generic' supplies there since it is more of a military models shop that "also happens" to have some train stuff.

QUOTE: Originally posted by pavariangoo
You could have made this a poll!

Quite true! But I'm glad that didn't happen - I've had my 'fill' of polls around here...[:D]

[Anonymous]

Hurricane Hobbies 7/10 Modest selection of train stuff, a haven for old bluebox kits, prices are a tad out there but its the shortest drive.

3-guys Hobbies 7/10 not far from hurricane, smaller selection of train stuff, prices are a tad out there as well.

Trainland 9/10- Good prices, good store format, the only reason it gets a 9 is because its lacking in the Detail part selection and its a good hour's drive.

[Anonymous]

Mine are variable. I have one that is excellent for old out of production Hornby equipment - they have stock dating back to the late 1980s. Another that is good for most things, including some G scale, though not much in the way of US equipment. The one that is supposed to be a specialist in US-outline modelling is the worst of the three - shortage of stock, high prices, and it's tricky to get to. Best I've found within a day's drive is down in Cardiff - they have masses of sensibly priced used equipment in assorted scales, including some very unusual kit.

[Todd McWilliam]

Tractive effort hobbies in Fayettville arkansas is the best train store I have ever seen. Wall to wall trains, great friendly service, check them out.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

I'm not going to complain about my LHS.
Sure the prices are a bit more expensive but not that much where I'm going to start buying from the WWW.
As I've said before, I like to see what I'm buying before I pay for it, especially locomotives.
My LHS has layaway & I've got 5 locomotives put aside waiting for me.
I like my LHS. I'm not going to stop buying from him.

Gordon

I'm fortunate to have one very good LHS and one great LHS in my area. Both treat me very well.

Fergie

[trainboyH16-44]

Trains and Such is my LHS, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It has a large selection of what I want, the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, and it is cozy, and an altogether nice place to visit. They have given me many discounts over time, [:D][:D]which were quite undeserved on my part.The only time they didn't have what I really wanted was January 2003, when I really wanted a Kato SD90, but they were all sold out because it was so popular. So I went up the street to my Local Pet Store, and I bought a cat with the money I had for the SD90. I think that turned out well. He is now big, warm, friendly, and cuddly. I eventually got an SD90 from an independant dealer at my club.
I would rate T&S at 9.8, because they won't let me stay at night when there's noone else there. http://www.trainsandsuch.com/
If you're ever in calgary, go there. it's at 2604 4th street NW. It's on the east side of the road, and it has 2D boxcar on the front.
Matthew Hicks

[BRVRR]

There are about a dozen Hobby Shops in the area where trains are featured. I shop regularly at four of them. Two will give discounts of 10-20% off MRP and order anything you want from Walther's at the sale price. One of these has a Lionel Veranda Turbine for $189. Another has just started stocking DCC decoders from the major manufactures at about $1.00 over internet prices. The last one I frequent, has a huge stock, but no discounts! If I'm looking for something unusual this is where I go.
How do I rate them. The discounters 9/10. The new DCC source, 8/10. The last 5/10.
I spend hours just browsing through these establlishments. I have yet to leave any of them without buying something.
There are others in the area, but generally too far to travel.
I also buy on the internet. Primarily DCC equipment and some locos.

NOTE: My website was recently updated.

[jxtrrx]

My LHS isn't local -- an hour's drive... but they still see alot of me. Discount Trains; Colorado Springs. Great store, great inventory, great prices, very knowledgable folks (all modelers), four operating layouts in the store... I'm lucky to have such a good one close by (especially after hearing some of the comments from you guys about what you've run into). I'm fairly new at all this, so the crew there has kept me steered in the right direction. By the way, the shop has a little website at www.sunbirdtrainmart.com. Worth a look.

[Bullitt406]

Caboose Hobbies in Denver by far beats all.

Mizell trains is a 5/10

Hobby Town near me is much like what has been described above. Don't know anything, don't care to know and have a slacker selection of rolling stock and locos. Scenery, however, they have an excellent supply and selection.

Josh

[MisterBeasley]

Maine Trains in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, gets a visit from me about twice a week. It's just a few miles from home, and has a good selection of everything. Gerry is very knowledgeable about scenery, trackwork, DCC, etc., and always has time for everyone. He orders things for people, too. And, he has a working layout which is a delight to just look at. Mostly HO, some N, and a touch of O.

[twhite]

Bruce's Trains in Sacramento, and Railroad Hobbies in Roseville. Both are equidistant from me (about 7 miles) and both are just super! Since I'm a used brass fanatic, I'm in hog heaven, because both shops usually have a fine selection of consignment locos. I very seldom have to special order anything I need, because both stores are well stocked in HO inventory, everything from freight cars to detail parts to scenery to structures. If one's out of something, the chances are that the other will have it in stock. And the guys at BOTH stores are friendly, helpful and very knowledgable. And both are generally under MSRP. They both carry most everything from G to Z. I'm a very happy camper out here in this area of NorthernCal.
Tom[^][:P]

[ac4400fan]

im glad to here that from everyone!! ,my L.H.S is lacking ..alest 1 of them ,mostlikey to do with the summer months ,,Anyone elses??????

carl...

[Anonymous]

We have a lhs here in Holmes,Pa., I give it a 5 because of the personnel are not friendly

[Anonymous]

The LHS I go to has been around since 1933, and it called the Model Railroad Shop and has what I usually need. There are other shops but I always come back to this one.