Whats your LHS like?

[shawn-118]

I'm just wondering if my LHS is typical of the other LHS. The LHS in my town seems to be more of a craft store with a very limited slection and limited know how. One can order anything in, but it is twice as much becouse it's a special order and it's usualy the wrong thing anyways. The other hobby stores are at least an hour drive and they are only marginly better. To find a decent hobby store I have to drive at least 5 hours to Kamloops and 8 hours to the lower mainland( I live in the central inter of B.C.)

[Roadtrp]

I live in a major metro area, and my LHS (about 8 miles away) doesn't carry that great of a selection, and the staff doesn't seem all that knowledgeable either. There is another hobby store about 15 miles away that is considerably better on both selection and knowledge. Store #1 is a franchise; store #2 is strictly local, although I don't know if that really accounts for the difference.

The best selection I've seen is on the internet, and that is where I will do most of my business when purchasing the more costly items (locos, etc.).

[Hawks05]

the 2 LHS around here are about an hour away so if i really need something its almost like a special trip.

one is mainly the toy train stuff and O scale. there is like 2 shelf of HO stuff and barely if any N scale stuff. i'm in HO so this store pretty much is only good for the books and magazines. come to think of it the only stuff i've bought there has been rail joiners, like 3 or 4 books, and then Trains and MRR magazines.

the other one is a all around hobby store with model cars,planes, and boats and then trains. one whole section is all trains. a lot of it is HO. in one isle both sides are all HO kits and then a few RTR pieces on the top. then there is a cabinet of HO locomotives. i think this will be the place to go from now on if i really need something. it has a ton more buildings and scenic stuff like trees and ballast.

[CP5415]

My LHS, is good. I know him by his first name, Bob & he knows me.
He carries a lot of different railroad stuff. Mostly HO & N scale but does have some large scale in stock as well.
When I order stuff in, it's usually here in a couple of weeks. Never marked up beyond list. He hasn't let me down yet.
He allows layaway. Which is good for me with my railroad budget limited right now due to home renovations. (must keep wife happy to furthur my layout building) [:D]
He gets some great deals as well. [:)]
I've picked up a Proto 1000 RDC3 for $30 Canadian brand new. [:p] I've also picked up 3 Athearn 'C' series trucks for $20 Canadian. [:p]
Most of his prices are on par with other hobby shops around. Usually a bit cheaper.

Gordon

[dave9999]

I have two LHS and they are both great in their own way. One is Bobe's Hobby House. The staff is very freindly and helpful. And if they don't have what I need, they will promptly order it. The man that handles the train section, John, is very knowledgeable and always answers my questions. Sometimes I'll stop in just to shoot the ***.

The other is Trains by Johnson. They have a wider selection, but I don't get that " I want to go out of my way to help" feeling from them, except from Dave, who BTW just got a job with CSX so he's not around as much anymore. They also have an operating layout. Dave

[Anonymous]

My hobby shop is the best i think we both know each other very well and we hang out all the time working on his mustang in his garage. anything i want he gets or can get it to me. its the best Great Selection of HO and N some large scale and he has about everything thats about of production in his 48' trailer only I and a few others get to pick out of there!! i absolutely love it there!!

[Anonymous]

I have several in my neck of the woods. The one I frequent most is friendly, nice assortment of stock and knowledgeable staff, and the location is less than 15 minutes away from my home by car. I've never had to special-order anything I was searching for because they usually have it. Sometimes I drive a bit further out of my area to another hobby shop to get a desired engine or what have you but it's a hassle--too many teenagers who just want employment (not that thats a bad thing) but have no clue about anything train related.

[Anonymous]

What's my LHS like?

Caboose Hobbies.

It's the biggest train store in the US. Love it. (One of the reasons I moved to Denver. Honest.)

Also good, in my city, is Mizzell's, which isn't the biggest, but has a LOT of stock.

But no matter where I've lived, there's always been at least one good trains-only or mainly-trains stores somewhere within a maximum of 3 hours' drive, usually much closer. And that includes Montana.

And I don't give credence to the "I can order it for you" philosophy because, frankly, I can order it for myself, and usually faster and cheaper, too. So you'd better have what I want in stock.

[Jetrock]

I live in a medium-sized metropolitan area, and there are three local hobby shops that carry model railroad items that I frequent. One is near downtown (where I live) and is mostly car/military models with about 15% model railroad stuff, most of which is marked-down closeout stuff. I'm not sure if he's trying to get rid of model railroad items or is just trying to move old stock, but I go there for good deals tho the selection, like any place with a lot of discounts, isn't too great.

The next one out, in the suburbs but still technically in town, is Bruce's Trains, which is the descendant of a hobby shop I've been visiting for about 25 years. Wide selection of items, staff incredibly helpful and willing to have their brains picked, prices reasonable if not fabulous.

The third one is actually in a nearby city about 20 miles away, Riverside Hobbies in Roseville. It's not quite as big as Bruce's but the selection is quite good and the staff very friendly. Prices tend to be very good, a little lower than the prices I see for things in the Walthers catalog, although the extra drive makes up for the price difference--unless I'm out in that neck of the woods anyhow I usually won't make a special trip.

There is some R/C hobby shop nearby that has some G-scale stuff, but I don't do G scale--neither my wallet nor my garage (nor my backyard) has the capacity for those behemoths...

[EL PARRo]

My LHS is great. It's Rodger's Railroad Junction in Lodi, CA. About 80-90% of the stuff thye have in stock is train stuff, and they have a very good selection. All of the people who work there are very friendly and helpful and answer all of my questions. One of the ladies that work there (who is actually Rodger's wife) even knows me by name. They have a very nice N scale layout that's about 3'x15', and they have recently built a small On30 layout. They have good prices and can order stuff for me. On the other end of the building (they only rent part of it), there is a mural on the outside of the wall of an SP locomotive crashing through the brick wall. Across the street, there is a 1:1 scale UP layout, and a full scale "model" of an Amtrak station.

Also, if I want to see a nice collection of G scale trains while I eat, there is the Golden Ox (fast food restaraunt). The owner, who my dad knows, has a huge display of locomotives and rolling stock. I've seen a Shay, a 2-6-6-2, F7's, 2-6-0's, SD40-2's, 4-6-2's, and that's just the tip of the iceburg. [:)]

For prototype information, I live about 40-50 minutes away from the California State Railway Musuem. [:D]

[Anonymous]

My hobby shop? I wouldn't be caught dead within 100 feet of it, seriously, the place is that bad. It used to cater to the D&D Gamer crowd, then it got into RC stuff, soon they dropped that and started doing trains, but I won't step in the joint. It smells like a hundred Cats up and died in there, but not before releiving themselves on every little bit of the place. Still can't see how the place has stayed in business for over 20 years now.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Shawn:

I live in a large metropolitan area where there are 3 dedicated trains only hobby shops. Two are of the 'one man band' variety, the third is larger and though I try to spread around my purchases, for reasons of insufficient stockage, do virtually all my business with the third.

It is an 'all scale house' of about 1500 square feet and has a bit of everything, at least 50% HO, scale with three operating demonstration layouts, HO, O, and LBG. The majority of the stock is of the RTR or 'shake the box' modern era variety. The shop carries a good selection of scratchbuilding supplies and tools. They will gladly order anything you care to have from the Walthers catalog, at retail with no upfront cash and no shipping charges. The various staff members strike me as well qualified and reasonably approachable, with occasional bouts of gruffness. Which is only human at the end of the day. I don't take it personally. Were I an 'old boy' of one of the local clubs I suspect I'd get a bit more warmth.

One feature I like, and suggest to other hobby shop operators: a secure eye level case where recent work by local modelers is displayed with name credit. Some of it is clearly of the 'novice variety' which I think encourages younger and begining modelers. Some is by experienced modelers and serves to stimulate and educate me.

As I'm a scratch builder, I tend make a written materials list and shop from it with the Walthers stock numbers already written down as a courtesy to the staff. I have had no problems with orders nor a problem with defective merchandise. Were I to, I have no doubt it would be made good.

The only shortcomming I can think of is the lack of 'craftsman kits' in stock. As I model the 1900-1915 era, which is the venue of about 2% of HO scalers, I really couldn't expect the shop to stock them. Due to oddities in the ordering system of the kit makers, I can order direct at significantly less than I can get them from the hobby shop. Also, some manufacturers do not sell wholesale, thus there is a disincentive to order through a LHS. I really don't like doing it, I realize the shop has to make a profit, but there it is.

So far as I know none of the 3 LHSs have periodic sales of anything which would interest me. I have the impression that the internet and mass mail-order retailers have cut significantly into the business of the LHSs here.

In sum, I am well pleased with my LHS, It serves my needs as well as I can reasonably expect. I wi***hem well.

Randy

[tomwatkins]

I live in a very small town in northeast Georgia, up in the Blue Ridge mountains. There are no local hobby shops. The closest good hobby shop is about 90 miles away in Kennesaw, Ga. I also deal extensively with two shops that I frequented before I retired. One is in Charlotte, NC, approximately four hours away and one is in Spencer, NC, which is about five hours away. Fortunately, all three are glad to do mail order, have good stocks, and ship quickly. I've learned to anticipate my needs, so it works well.
Tom Watkins

[Anonymous]

I live on the west side of Metro Phoenix. I don't deal with any general hobbies, hobby shop. The only "LHS" that I've gone to is a dedicated trains only hobby shop, "An Affair With Trains", which is 20 miles away. No longer allowed to drive, I've only been there twice. I enjoyed both trips becuse the guys in there are friendly and very knowledgeable. I purchase 99.9% of my MRR stuff off the internet and my favorite IHS [:)] is www.InternetTrains.com.

[BentnoseWillie]

I work in Halifax, NS (Canada), and we have a hobby shop that's been around for nearly sixty years - Maritime Hobbies and Crafts. The founder still keeps the books, and the two current owners both started working for him nearly thirty years ago.

Great selection, fair pricing, incredible service. What else can I say? [:D]

There are other shops in the Maritimes that have great service and/or good selection, but after twenty-plus years, I keep coming back to MHC.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BentnoseWillie

I work in Halifax, NS (Canada), and we have a hobby shop that's been around for nearly sixty years - Maritime Hobbies and Crafts. The founder still keeps the books, and the two current owners both started working for him nearly thirty years ago.

Great selection, fair pricing, incredible service. What else can I say? [:D]

There are other shops in the Maritimes that have great service and/or good selection, but after twenty-plus years, I keep coming back to MHC.

You can't go wrong here! I've been a customer of theirs for 20 years. They are about a 30 minute drive for me. I also frequent George's Model Trains in Dartmouth which is just down the road. Life is good!

[Anonymous]

I am fortunate enough to be near several. About 10 miles east of me is Main Line Trains. The owner models in HO and knows what he is talking about. About 10 miles South of me is Show Me Model Railroads. Three guys in there, all are modelers and they know what they're talking about. I'm in HO, but Show Me has the largest selection of large scale stuff I've ever seen. There is another shop about 20 miles east in Buckner, MO. I've bought from the guy at train shows, but never been to his shop. He appears to be knowledgeable. There are a handful of shops on the Kansas side of the Kansas City Metro, but I seldom get over there.

Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ACL Fan

What's my LHS like?

Caboose Hobbies.

It's the biggest train store in the US. Love it. (One of the reasons I moved to Denver. Honest.)

ACL, you MOVED to Denver to be closer to Caboose Hobbies huh? Now that's what I call major enthusiasm. Cool, cool, cool.[bow] I would like to think that Denver has other pleasing qualities about it that you factored in when contemplating your move, however.

[vsmith]

Two in my neighborhood, One is Hobby People which is geared mostly towards RC. Very little trians, as bottom of the barrel stuff at that, but they do carry paints, wood stock, and model cars so I get a lot of collateral stuff there. The other is called the Whistle Stop and its been in Pasadena since at least the 1960's. Very good selection of HO and N, even O, but only some LGB in large scale which is what I do. So its mostly supplies, books (great selection) mostly. I have to go about 20 miles east or west to get to a good LS supplier, Train Stop in San Dimas, (east) or San-Val Hobbies in Van Nuys (west). So Its a lot of driving for me or its the internet or e-bay. I dont spend alot of time at any shop though, never felt too welcome at any place I've ever been too to develop any relationships, guess I've always been just a little too outside of the mainstream, LOL.

[Anonymous]

What's my LHS like.... Well it's run by an old man in his mid 90's that forgets who i am even though I come in about once or twice a month and have for years. He's really great to deal with and has more knowledge about airplanes than any other person i have met. His son is the train man and together they have a fine little shop. They have a 4x8 layout that has been covered with stuff for years they just keep piling it on to the point it's in layers. Rumor has it that Jimmy Hoffa is under there. Prices are a little high but there are some good bargains if you look around a bit.

Smash49

[CBQ_Guy]

I'm very lucky in this area -- small town, rural about 90 miles southwest of Chicago, BUT there are actually THREE shops within a max of a 12 minute drive from my house! The one I frequent almost exclusively is in Spring Valley, IL, The Valley Roundhouse - Home of the Rock Shop. The owner is single, a retired school teacher, former employee of Rock Island RR, a train nut most if not all of his life. He has a double deck HO layout in the basement of his home, and is building a 20 by 60 foot single deck layout in the basement of his store.

He sells maybe 90 + percent HO, the rest is N. He has multiple sources for stock, tons of knowledge and contacts, and sells everything at 20 percent off what Walthers is asking. He will custom order stuff for you and doesn't pass along the shipping charges, and still knocks of the 20 percent! If a company raises their prices, he keeps his existing stock at the price it was when he originally received it. That means he still has some Athearn blue box kits, for example, selling for under five bucks! This man is a gem and I support him as much as I can. He even gives his better customers Christmas gifts each year in apprecialtion for their patronage. This year I got a Burlington coffee mug and a Bowser kit for a 50', single door CB&Q boxcar. He's slowly getting up in years and last year he had a stroke, so he will be sorely missed once he is gone.

[Anonymous]

I am fortunate in that my LHS is only about 8 miles away and the owner is an avid HO railroader. What he sells, he sells at the Walthers price, to include anything that he might have to order for me. If I need it now and don't want to wait until he places a bulk order, I will use the internet, but generally only from manufacturers, since I'm still new at the whole internet and model RR combo.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:

ACL, you MOVED to Denver to be closer to Caboose Hobbies huh? Now that's what I call major enthusiasm. Cool, cool, cool.[bow] I would like to think that Denver has other pleasing qualities about it that you factored in when contemplating your move, however.

Well, there WAS a job involved, but I'd already told my wife that this particular job was more attarctive than others because of the LHS situation.

I have also lived in Phoenix and enjoyed "An Affair with Trains" as well as "Roy's Train World" a great deal.

Also great: "Little Choo-Choo Shop" in Spencer, NC; "Charlotte Electric Trains" in Cahrlotte, NC and "Creative Pastime Shop," in (a small town in) SC.

And years and years ago, I was introduced to Lionel in "Park Lane Hobbies" (the original) in suburban Chicago.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy

I'm very lucky in this area -- small town, rural about 90 miles southwest of Chicago, BUT there are actually THREE shops within a max of a 12 minute drive from my house! The one I frequent almost exclusively is in Spring Valley, IL, The Valley Roundhouse - Home of the Rock Shop. The owner is single, a retired school teacher, former employee of Rock Island RR, a train nut most if not all of his life. He has a double deck HO layout in the basement of his home, and is building a 20 by 60 foot single deck layout in the basement of his store.

He sells maybe 90 + percent HO, the rest is N. He has multiple sources for stock, tons of knowledge and contacts, and sells everything at 20 percent off what Walthers is asking. He will custom order stuff for you and doesn't pass along the shipping charges, and still knocks of the 20 percent! If a company raises their prices, he keeps his existing stock at the price it was when he originally received it. That means he still has some Athearn blue box kits, for example, selling for under five bucks! This man is a gem and I support him as much as I can. He even gives his better customers Christmas gifts each year in apprecialtion for their patronage. This year I got a Burlington coffee mug and a Bowser kit for a 50', single door CB&Q boxcar. He's slowly getting up in years and last year he had a stroke, so he will be sorely missed once he is gone.

This guy sounds like a great asset to the community as well as model railroading. I wish more hobby shops were operated in the same manner. Reading this post was good for the spirit; thanks for sharing it. You should print a copy of your post and give it to him, just to let him know how valued he is. Great job, CB&Q.[:D]

[on30francisco]

The LHS in this area has a separate train section but also caters to other hobbies. They carry a lot of HO supplies and some other supplies in the other scales. They charge list price for their merchandise. While the service is OK, the store can be a little cliquish at times. There is also a hobby shop in Santa Clara called The Train Shop. This shop is strictly model railroading and is very well-stocked with supplies for all scales and gauges. The clerks are courteous and very helpful and their prices are from 10% to 20% below list price. When I'm in the South Bay I usually stop in. Other than patronizing this shop, I usually buy my supplies online.

[rrinker]

My LHS? A complete JOKE. It's one of those chains, they have 2 or 3 stores in the area, ALL catering pretty much to the D&D crowd and RC Cars. Trains? Oh, they have a few Athearn pieces, some Atlas track, etc - all at full MSRP. No Kadee couplers, none of the useful things.
So I usually buy things at the various shows we have around here, or ebay.

[cwclark]

We have 3 really good hobby shops in the Houston area...Papa Ben's, The Houston Roundhouse, and there's one in Spring, Texas that isn't too shabby either...They have it all...I know what you mean about those arts and craft centers...they are good for paints, balsa wood, hobby knife blades, and card stock, but that's about it...Have you seen the train aisle at Hobby Lobby?...no wonder we can't get people involved in the hobby!...Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

I have 2 shops by me. One is Hobby Recycling, which I have only been to once and will never go back to. It was smokey inside and the people were quite rude. The LHS I do go to is Ryders Hobby Shop. It's part of a chain. They have locations all over Michigan. They've got an awesome selection of HO, a whole 2 isles to be exact. N and other scales share 1 isle. I've bought a lot of stuff from them, and will continue to buy. The prices are a bit high, but I don't really like hassling with on-line stores, so it doesn't bother me.
I hope to get a job there when I'm 14. [:)]

[Anonymous]

My LHS-The Green Caboose in Alton, is fairly small, but they discount a little bit and offer a good amount of GM&O, NKP, BNSF, KCS, and Wabash models as well as some CB&Q, UP, and TRRA of St. Louis. They also have a fair amount of scratchbuilding supplies. being on the outside of the St. Louis market, competing with the bigger St. Louis hobby shops they don't have a huge amount of business, but they're the closest hobby shop around.

[CP5415]

I went to my LHS to place another payment on a BB AMD103 today & I found out that he has set aside 4 Walthers Budd cars that he had in stock but is selling to me at Walthers sale price.
What www hobby shop would do that?

Gordon