I just wanted to mention that I have been into model railroading since the 1960's and have had both good and bad experiences with mail ordering model railroad equipment and even collectibles. Even with some of the major distributors I have had to wait for weeks or get an order that is incomplete, sometimes missing THE ONE THING I REALLY WANTED.
I have been dealing with Trainworld now for about 3 years and I must say...They have treated me very well. They have NEVER been sold out of an item I ordered and the service has been fast and professional every step of the way. The packages are properly packed and best of all, if My payment is a little short for postage I am not called on the phone and told my order is being held until I send two or three bucks! And I think they have the best selection and prices in the industry!---You have a customer for life! Keep up the good work guys!-Your efforts are noticed and appreciated!-Keith
I too discovered Trainworld some time ago, think they are great too! Usually its their prices that attracted me, but I also like their prompt service. I have their order form in my computer, just fill it out and send it off to them by e-mail with no problems. They don't always have the particular item I'm looking for, but do have most of what I've ordered. Due to the relatively high shipping cost to me in Canada (minimum $25.00), I usually combine my order with severa friends to share the costs.
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
I too am a very satisfied customer. I wish everyone did business in this manner.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Keith,
It's actually nice to see a thread that compliments a company for their service for a change. Although ordering from Trainworld does have it's unique challenges, as long as you know what and how to order from them, they are a good establishment and reputable. The two or three times that I've ordered something from them, I've had the item in hand in 3-4 days.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Although I try to support my LHS whenever possible, I've ordered things online a number of times simply because my LHS can't always get things, and sometimes because the online prices are just way too attractive.
I'll second what was said about fast shipping. Trainworld is in New York City, and I live in the Burbs of Boston. My first order with them was placed about dinnertime on Wednesday, and it showed up Friday afternoon. I thought that was pretty amazing, since I only paid for the cheapest shipping - UPS generic. I tried it again on my next order, and that one showed up on Thursday - less than 24 hours from phone call to delivery.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Tom Curtin wrote:Fortunately, living in NYC I can go there in person --- I guess they are my LHS! Strangely, it is about the same length trip via subway to the Brooklyn store or via LIRR to the Nassau County location!
I am curious to know if both stores are stocked fully with the sale items. I have ordered from Trainworld in the past and wanted to visit them when I was in the area.
Thanks
CAZEPHYR
Trainworld is one of the better online stores. Not the cheapest, but they keep track of their stock. Nice thing is that they have a lot of out-of-stock stuff, especially Walthers building kits. Picked up "Superior Paper Co"there, and it was nowhere to be found elsewhere, it was retired from Walthers.
Only problem I had is that the packages are a little beaten-up and roughed-up, in tough shape sometimes. But everything seems to be in there.
And you get the pleasure of dealing with folks from Brooklyn, "Hun".
While I normally shop at my LHS, I have ordered from Trainworld once in a while. I've found that the people answering the phones don't know anything about trains, but they do know part numbers and how to process orders quickly. I place an order and within a couple of days it's on my doorstep. Also, one locomotive I ordered was missing a whistle. I called them about it and they put on a manager. He said to just send it back and they'd send me a replacement right away. I found a whistle in my parts box so I never sent it back, but I thought that it was very cool of them to just take my word for it and offer to stand behind the product.
Will I shop there again?
You bet!
I love trainworld i have been getting stuff there for 5 years. There prices are awsome and i get the delivery in about 4 days! Sometimes they have things i cant find anywhere else, thats not really saying alot because my LHS sucks(Hobbytown). Its strange i've only had one problem with them i ordered a spectrum CSX 8-40CW in HO but when it came it was N-SCALE imagine how good i felt. I sent it back and i got an atlas SD24 in exchange, they didnt have anymore Dash-8's. All in all Trainworld is the best train store out there. But im wondering for all the folks who have actually been there, how big is it??
I grew up on Long Island, a couple of stops further out on the LIRR. I remember always begging my Dad to stop at Mulraney's Trainland on the way to visit the family in Brooklyn. Trainland is now part of Trainworld, and I think it's still the same store. That was a half-century ago, and the place is still making me smile.
hmm... maybe i will try them for my next order...
do they ship to Vancouver (BC)?
CPRail modeler wrote: hmm... maybe i will try them for my next order...do they ship to Vancouver (BC)?
They ship worldwide, several friends in my local club shop there frequently (sometimes we combine purchases to save shipping) and have always had great service.
shawnee wrote:Not the cheapest, but they keep track of their stock.
Not the cheapest, but they keep track of their stock.
If you think Trainworld aren't the cheapest I want to know where you shop!!!??? Their sale prices put everyone else in the shade.
One niggle with their site is the lack of a proper on-line ordering system. From this side of the pond we have always found it best to phone.
i just checked out the site and unfortunately they don't have what i'm looking for. their prices are amazing yet i like to combine my orders into one large order, as a way to save shipping (depending on where i purchase from). another thing is i perfer online-ordering because i don't have to get up and get the phone LOL.
i was looking for an Athearn BB SD40-2 at discount prices...
i'm also wondering if there is a store that is cheaper than Trainworld. it would be great if i could find some P2K for $50, but we all know that is near impossible...
I've dealt with M.B. Klein (www.modeltrainstuff.com) which has similar prices on "blowout" items. Note that these are generally discontinued models, both at M.B. Klein and at Trainworld. They are, however, still new-in-the-box and in perfect condition. When I was Geep-shopping, I found the same prices at the two e-tailers, but Klein's had the road names I wanted, so I went there. They have an online "shopping cart" system, so you don't have to talk to a human being if you don't want to. They don't have the same lightspeed shipping as Trainworld, though.
In the closeout and discontinued models business, different merchants will always have different stock, so it pays to shop around.
As for ordering from Trainworld, I'd recommend knowing the stock numbers of whatever you're ordering when you call. I've called with road-name inquiries, and I was treated in a friendly and professional manner, even though I didn't end up ordering anything.
CPRail modeler wrote: i just checked out the site and unfortunately they don't have what i'm looking for. their prices are amazing yet i like to combine my orders into one large order, as a way to save shipping (depending on where i purchase from). another thing is i perfer online-ordering because i don't have to get up and get the phone LOL.i was looking for an Athearn BB SD40-2 at discount prices...i'm also wondering if there is a store that is cheaper than Trainworld. it would be great if i could find some P2K for $50, but we all know that is near impossible...
Note in my previous post that their shipping charges to Canada by US Mail is US$25.00, so you have to factor that into your order. I think in my last order I got two On30 Bachmann cabeese for US$9.95 each. They normally sell for around US$23.00. Check out their website, which is kind of difficult to use at times, but it can pay off!
Boxcar Jim...I order quite a bit from Blue Ridge Hobbies, whom I have found to have the best prices, even better than Trainworld (albeit a buck or two less). Nice people to deal with too, usually are on top of things, and I think they're trying to improve their site with a better search capability. Has one of the largest inventories too, though on occasion things are "backordered".
However, I do shop Trainworld for their closeout selections, for their good prices and their prompt service. It's a great store too. One of my faves.
metalfrog wrote:evertime i order from them i get exactly what i ordered and it is shipped very fast.the last two orders(each order was for just one loco) ....well the shipping charges imo are a tad to high.one loco in one very large box(4lbs) was $14.22.the other box was (2lbs) and had one loco in it and the charge was $11.93.these were shipped by ups.already sent them a check for what i owe them.from brooklyn to kansas that is pretty high shipping rate.i initally sent $8.95 for shipping on each order but found out that wasnt enough.they were nice enough however to go on and ship it without holding up my order till i sent them more money.terry........
Yea, the one order I've made, as I recall, the shipping was a bit stiff, but it was an order for small items. One other thing, which maybe I notice here in the near midwest, but has been talked about on other threads, is don't expect a friendly conversation when you call. Also, do not ask about stock questions on the order line. The bottom line is that the people who take your order are generally curt. Last example, I called the info number (yes, I was a good boy and didn't call the order line to ask the question) to ask whether an Atlas GP-7 was available in my road name (it wasn't), I then said thank you and the woman hung up--click, no you're welcome, have a nice day, etc. Probably just a New York vs. midwest thing. I only mention it here just as a warning if you're not aware of it. They still have great prices and service as discussed.
Jim
i was at Trainworld today. Seems they did a good job of cleaning up all the blood.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
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