My local hobby shop is about a two hour drive, but its well worth it, it's like a model railroad mini-market, fantastic amount of stock including detail bits 'n' pieces, knowledgeable husband and wife team that go out of their way to help and all round friendly atmosphere, very easy to empty the wallet with the vast selection of Z, N, HO, OO, O, G.
You should drop in some time, oh, did I mention that I live in Toowoomba in Queensland Australia and the hobby shop 'Austral Modelcraft' is in an outer suburb of the capital City of Brisbane.
Teditor
Well, I have two. One store is 15 minutes away and the other is about 45 minutes away.
The big trip is the one to Pine Bluff each April for the Train Show. I run about 190 miles round trip for that one. It is a pretty good show and Im happy even if I bought nothing down there.
Greg H. wrote: I lucked out the first time or two I went in, and the one guy that appeared like he wasn't inconvenanced was working the counter, and was happy to talk about the hobby, and help get me started - since then I ended up with everyone else. Had I started with the others, I might not have actualy entered the hobby.I was looking around for the cheaper stuff that usualy get's people started in the hobby, but, later get rid of, to do some potentualy distructive experaments on - that way I not shelling out money for something that might not make it through the testing.Did that make sense?
I lucked out the first time or two I went in, and the one guy that appeared like he wasn't inconvenanced was working the counter, and was happy to talk about the hobby, and help get me started - since then I ended up with everyone else. Had I started with the others, I might not have actualy entered the hobby.
I was looking around for the cheaper stuff that usualy get's people started in the hobby, but, later get rid of, to do some potentualy distructive experaments on - that way I not shelling out money for something that might not make it through the testing.
Did that make sense?
I gotcha. Some of that Tyco and Bachmann type stuff can come pretty cheap on eBay, but I am sure you are aware of that. Also, I forgot, but Mike has a table where you might just find what you are looking for. I have seen the Tyco and Bachmann type rolling stock on the table pretty cheap, as well as some nicer stuff that wasn't that expensive either. Next time I am in there, I will see what he has on the table.
csmith9474 wrote:We have been here since '04, and I have only been in there twice, and had the same experience both times. When I asked for help, it was almost like I was inconveniencing them or something.Anyhow, the only club that I know of is the Pike's Peak division of the NMRA. I am not much of one for clubs, so I am not sure of what exactly is around here.As far as used equipment goes, Custom has a case of brass consignment, and I believe he sometimes gets used plastic models in. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of used equipment around though. Are you looking for something in particular?
We have been here since '04, and I have only been in there twice, and had the same experience both times. When I asked for help, it was almost like I was inconveniencing them or something.
Anyhow, the only club that I know of is the Pike's Peak division of the NMRA. I am not much of one for clubs, so I am not sure of what exactly is around here.
As far as used equipment goes, Custom has a case of brass consignment, and I believe he sometimes gets used plastic models in. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of used equipment around though. Are you looking for something in particular?
When I was going to grad school in Boulder, I would make the trek down to Caboose Hobbies once in a while, but not too often.
Now, the nearest "L"HS is 45 minutes away, and has minimal train stuff. They cater more to the r/c car and plane crowds. And the prices they have for train stuff is a little steep for my taste. So I guess I can say that I never really buy anything from them because of their prices and selection (or lack thereof). There are some better hobby shops further away (2+ hrs), but I would never make a special trip. Plus, with the cost of gas these days... So I guess the bottom line is I rely on the Internet for most of my hobby needs.
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
I live just outside the capital of Alabama, Montgomery. Total population in the are is probably about 300,000. Total number of hobby shops -zero. Pretty sad. I'd have to go to Birmingham, about 100 miles, or Atlanta, about 200 miles, to find a decent hobby shop that has a good selection of HO products and decent prices. consequently, almost all my ordering is on the net. Hobbylinc has done a good job for me also.
However, if you are a Lionel fan, you've got to come to Prattville. We have a guy on Main Street who operates what's nominally a hobby shop but it's really a train museum. He's only open on Thursday and Friday afternoons but his stock of Lionel is amazing. He literally has millions of dollars in Lionel stock, everything from old standard gauge stuff to the newest Lionel offerings. He travels to trains shows and swap meets all over the country and buys tons of stuff. He has a huge layout and loves to show it to people. He does sell his Lionel stock and his prices seem very fair, given the little I know of what Lionel things are worth. He sometimes gets HO things mixed with the O gauge he buys so I stop in and see him every few months just to see what he's come up with. I got an original 1956 Marx UP 40 foot boxcar still in the box for a buck!
locoworks wrote:surely if you have to travel any great distance it is not really a LHS ( local hobby store )?? it is just a hobby store as it's not local???? perhaps its an american expression regardless of 'locallity'??
That is why I asked the question. A "local hobby shop" may not be that local, or it could be just 30 miles on the other side of the same city from someone. They just may not want to travel to that side of the city.
For those who say they don't have one near them, I was wondering just how far they would go to get to one they might consider to be their "LHS".
I appear to be fortunate. I consider anything 1 hour away to be local. Soon I will be moving further into upstate NY "in the middle of nowhere, 1700's-1800's farmsteads as far as your eyes can see". It will a bit longer trip to get to the one 15 mins away now.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Greg H. wrote: Sounds like your expereance with Sunbird is much like mine. Any places around town to keep and eye out for used equipment or local MR clubs?
Sounds like your expereance with Sunbird is much like mine.
Any places around town to keep and eye out for used equipment or local MR clubs?
csmith9474 wrote: ] I didn't want to say anything one way or another about Sunbird because I wasn't sure what your opinion was, but I have no use for that shop. The last time I went in there, they seemed more interested in "playing trains" than helping the customer. They didn't offer me any assistance whatsoever. The cusotmer service at Custom Railway Supply is great, so that is one of the big reasons I shop there.
I didn't want to say anything one way or another about Sunbird because I wasn't sure what your opinion was, but I have no use for that shop. The last time I went in there, they seemed more interested in "playing trains" than helping the customer. They didn't offer me any assistance whatsoever.
The cusotmer service at Custom Railway Supply is great, so that is one of the big reasons I shop there.
Depends on the selection and prices. Being in the western 'burbs of Chicago, I have Crest Hill, Elmhurst, LaGrange, New Lenox or Des Plaines to choose from. I can drive to Crest Hill in about 30 minutes and taker METRA to LaGrange. Anything else can be an hour or longer drive one-way with traffic.
Franklin Park and Downers Grove both closed which is too bad b/c they had really good selections. Any of the chain stores around here basically sell bits and pieces or crap.
I do try to visit at least one store per city when I'm traveling. Found a really good deal on a UP engine in Orlando once. Guess everybody wanted NS, CSX or FEC...
I have one about 30 minutes away. He has a very small selection on N-scale items. I mostly purchase scernery items from him. I buy rolling, stock buildings, and DCC items for a store just over 2 hours away one way. They have the best selection on N-scale products in about 300 mile radius.
Craig
Greg H. wrote: I was a little afraid that you would say that, I've been there a few times, and wasn't impressed - got the feeling that they were in business to support their own hobby, with only one person that realy wanted to help people get started - HO or N scale, about all they carry is EZ-track or Atlas code 80. Sunbird is no longer at the Shops at the Bluffs, they are now further south on Academy, at the Safeway shoping center, just off of Carefree - Mall of the Bluffs was bought out a year or so ago, and about the only bussiness left in the actual mall is King Soopers and Handcock fabrics ( perhaps one or two others ), the new owners are the type that buy smaller malls then start making outragious demands of smaller business, to force them out - then renovate to bring in biger businesses - but, alot of bussinesses are moving out to the Powers area - so the Austin Bluffs Academy area has been going into a slump for the past year or two, despite being a major intersection. I've been in this area of the Springs since '88.
I was a little afraid that you would say that, I've been there a few times, and wasn't impressed - got the feeling that they were in business to support their own hobby, with only one person that realy wanted to help people get started - HO or N scale, about all they carry is EZ-track or Atlas code 80.
Sunbird is no longer at the Shops at the Bluffs, they are now further south on Academy, at the Safeway shoping center, just off of Carefree - Mall of the Bluffs was bought out a year or so ago, and about the only bussiness left in the actual mall is King Soopers and Handcock fabrics ( perhaps one or two others ), the new owners are the type that buy smaller malls then start making outragious demands of smaller business, to force them out - then renovate to bring in biger businesses - but, alot of bussinesses are moving out to the Powers area - so the Austin Bluffs Academy area has been going into a slump for the past year or two, despite being a major intersection.
I've been in this area of the Springs since '88.
csmith9474 wrote: There is Sunbird Train Mart right there near where you live, but that is the only other one I know of. I am sure you know that one is there. It is in the old mall at Academy and Austin Bluffs.I am glad I don't have to deal with that mess at Union and Austin Bluffs. It will be great once it is finished, though.Did you move here recently?
There is Sunbird Train Mart right there near where you live, but that is the only other one I know of. I am sure you know that one is there. It is in the old mall at Academy and Austin Bluffs.
I am glad I don't have to deal with that mess at Union and Austin Bluffs. It will be great once it is finished, though.
Did you move here recently?
I have one LHS about 10 minutes away. Unfortunately, they carry a very poor selection of model trains and equipment. The owner has a "care less" attitude which doesn't help, and they sell at full retail which makes purchasing online much more appealing.
There is also two other hobby shops in the area.
One is about 25 miles away but they only sell toy train sets. No separate engines, cars or any other equipment. They are into radio control cars and planes mostly.
The third is about 55 miles away. They have a good selection of O, and HO. They discount at 10% on most things. The big drawback is, to get there I have to travel I95. That is the corridor between Fredericksburg, VA and Washington, DC. Traffic jams of 1-2 hours are common on weekends just as they are on weekdays. I travel the route every day to and from work so it is plainly out of the question on weekends. I also carpool to work so I don't think my riders, one being my wife, would care much for me detouring to the LHS on my way home.
I do 99.9% of my purchases online and get 40% or better off list most of the time.
If there was a LHS that catered to model railroading within 30 minutes that was stocked and gave at least 20% discount on their stuff I'd shop there in a heartbeat. Maybe that will happen some day. Until then I'll continue to shop online.
Bill
Greg H. wrote: csmith9474 wrote: I live in the 30th and Garden of the God's area. As I posted above, I frequent Custom Railway. Mike treats me really well there. That is one of the best train stores I have ever been to.I've heard of them, but, since it means getting past the mess at Union and Austin Bluffs - that adds another 10 min to the trip.Know of any others in town?
csmith9474 wrote: I live in the 30th and Garden of the God's area. As I posted above, I frequent Custom Railway. Mike treats me really well there. That is one of the best train stores I have ever been to.
I live in the 30th and Garden of the God's area. As I posted above, I frequent Custom Railway. Mike treats me really well there. That is one of the best train stores I have ever been to.
I've heard of them, but, since it means getting past the mess at Union and Austin Bluffs - that adds another 10 min to the trip.
Know of any others in town?
The only MRR hobby shop in town is only about 15 minutes away, but I don't shop there. Philosophical differences with the owner, plus I don't appreciate the fact that items are regularly marked ABOVE the MSRP.
There are, I think, at least two or three hobby stores next town (about 45 minutes each way), but with a two-year old in the house, it's remarkably difficult to get away on something discretionary like a hobby shop outing. So 100% of my MRR purchases are via mail order. I've found two stores that I like a lot (Hobbylinc.com and MBKlein).
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Greg H. wrote: csmith9474 wrote: I get cluster headaches, so I understand what you mean about having a co-driver. Where at in Colorado are you?Over towards Austin Bluffs and Academy. You?
csmith9474 wrote: I get cluster headaches, so I understand what you mean about having a co-driver. Where at in Colorado are you?
I get cluster headaches, so I understand what you mean about having a co-driver. Where at in Colorado are you?
Over towards Austin Bluffs and Academy. You?
Greg H. wrote:Due to migraines and the medication for them, I can't get more than 20-30 minutes from home without a co-driver.
Denver.
Of course Custom Railway Supply is about 5 minutes from my house, so I don't really ever have a need to go up to Denver. I occasionally like to go to Caboose if I am looking for a specific detail part that may be hard to find.
No. Nick's is just outside North Canton. He carries a good selection of DA, DW, Cannon, Overland and other detail parts. Also lots of building details.
GAPPLEG wrote:Tom where do you go ? I live in Erie PA. , not far from you. I go to Buffalo most of the time for a shop. Don't go west in your direction very often. I have been to Wings on Detroit avenue in the past. Are there others in your area or around the area that are any good. I'm planning on going to Cleveland in a couple weeks.
GAPPLEG,
I responded to your PM. Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.