Robby P. wrote:I am sure there are some BIG one's in Pttsburgh, but I don't know my way around there since I have only lived in PA a year, and my whole life in NC before the move. That's what I have for LHS....
Let's see, we have A.B. Charles in Dormont (big red barn, near the pool), Esther's Hobby in Millvale (just off Route 28), Iron Horse in Upper St. Clair/Scott Twp (Painters Run Rd, just off Bower Hill Rd), and Toby Tyler's in Pleasant Hills (Lebanon Church Rd., not far from Route 51 cloverleaf). I tend to head over to A.B. Charles quite a bit, even though they're across town from me. You name it, they probably have it somewhere. Iron Horse and Toby's are mostly O scale. Since I'm not into O or Lionel, I don't go there as much. Esther's is nearly all N scale. I drop in there from time to time after work.
There's also The Silver Mine near Washington, PA on Route 19. I haven't been in there for months :)
jktrains wrote: tstage wrote:All four of mine are all about 30 minutes away in different directions. I'll be going to one on Saturday that is an hour and 15 minutes away. They have an excellent assortment of Details West parts so that I can buy what I need to finish detailing my Norfolk Southern GP38-2. TomSounds like Nick's. Say hello to Doug.jktrains
tstage wrote:All four of mine are all about 30 minutes away in different directions. I'll be going to one on Saturday that is an hour and 15 minutes away. They have an excellent assortment of Details West parts so that I can buy what I need to finish detailing my Norfolk Southern GP38-2. Tom
Tom
Sounds like Nick's. Say hello to Doug.
jktrains
JK,
I was referring to Rob's Trains in Alliance, OH. I think it's Nils (father) and Rob. Nice folks. Is that the one you were thinking of?
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I do most of my shopping at a train store (Show Me Lines) in Grandview, MO, that's about an hour away. It's not the distance, it's the camaraderie that's the great thing. If they don't have what you're looking for, they'll get it for you. Their prices are comparable with most internet sites. Another choice is the Train Haus in Warrenton, MO, but they're about 3 hours away. Both have mail order and once you develop a relationship with them, they'll get it for you, ship it to you and bill your credit card. If you're ever in Grandview, stop in and say hi. They have more stuff crammed into their little store than any of your major hobby centers. AND they're helpful and friendly. Tell 'em Marlon sent ya!
PS Cwclark, at the Show Me Lines store, when you forget something, call Charlie, and he'll send it to you!
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
It's not a matter of choice, in my case...the last LHS where I live closed down almost 2 years ago, so now the only places I can get supplies are either online or a 1.5 - 2 hour drive away.
Heck, I'd open a shop myself if I had the money, and owned a building to set up shop in.
Robert Beaty
The Laughing Hippie
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The CF-7...a waste of a perfectly good F-unit!
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the
end of your tunnel, Was just a freight train coming
your way. -Metallica, No Leaf Clover
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.
Jerry SP FOREVER http://photobucket.com/albums/f317/GAPPLEG/
Well,I love to hobby shop hop and have driven many miles(up to 100) to visit various stores.I have become friends with some of the owners.The longest was 270 mile round trip several years ago.It was well worth the trip in many ways then just spending money in a hobby shop.
After all I saw several trains,visited a small yard and had a great home cooked meal in a Mom & Pop restaurant that faced the yard.
The down side is I no longer do this because of health restrictions on driving and of course the escalating hobby and gas prices.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Driline wrote: I would not drive more than an hour one way. And if I did, it better be a good LHS with discount prices. No MSRP crap!Fortunatley I have 2 LHS that have excellent stock and sell 20% off MSRP and both are only 20 minutes away.Do I still buy online? Heck yea! Price rules my wallet. I buy all my engines online because I can get close to 40% off or more! Most everything else I buy at the hobby store.Our metro area is 5 small cities with a combined population of about 250,000.
I would not drive more than an hour one way. And if I did, it better be a good LHS with discount prices. No MSRP crap!
Fortunatley I have 2 LHS that have excellent stock and sell 20% off MSRP and both are only 20 minutes away.
Do I still buy online? Heck yea! Price rules my wallet. I buy all my engines online because I can get close to 40% off or more! Most everything else I buy at the hobby store.
Our metro area is 5 small cities with a combined population of about 250,000.
The store an hour away is a wholesaler online, so I can do either. If I order online at 2 pm one day, it can be as soon as on my step the next by 4pm. Some items online they really don't stock, so order only. SOme items will be in the store on their way out. Their time given for fullfillment is remarkably accurate. I am on a disability budget so my $$ count.
I still sometimes like to see it in person before I buy though. The 15 min away is the reliable for small things, or save gas and/or S&H.
-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.
ARTHILL wrote:The best HO shop in town is 2 minutes away. That may be too close. I drove to Mesa once, but not just for the LHS. I drive 15 miles on occassion just to see what the other big store has.
LOL that would be a train trip to Mesa only to see the shop??? Some railroaders wives think they have it difficult....
"Rust, whats not to love?"
I have only one choice, an Ace Hardware store in Tucson, Arizona, 70 miles away, but their selection of HO scale products has diminished significantly in the past year.
Beyond them, the next is An Affair With Trains in Phoenix, a five or six hour drive one way, depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.
Many of you have mentioned (complained) that there is no LHS close (or close enough to you) to shop at. So...how far would you go to get to one?
I have one 15 mins away, small, ok selection, order any Walthers items 20% discount.
I have another about 1 hour away. Super Big discounts, large selection, mostly internet sales-so not every item in stock in the store.
About 3 1/2-4 hours (including slower Amish roads) is Strasburg, the Railroad and 2 LHS there. nice stores, discounted prices.
I am lucky, apparently. I don't have to only order online.Because I like to sometimes go to a store and see, taste, smell, feel, chew, and study items and their parts. Web sites sometimes don't give me adequate descriptions, or don't list what I want to know about an item. Shipping problems and handling have been discussed here in threads numerous times.
SO how far (time to get there) would you go to get to a LHS??