slamminIf you have time to swing thru Dayton, Ohio
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Back in 1985, when I was in college, I worked at Aardvark's Model Trains in Nashville. One weekend I drove through model train shops in Ohio with the owner's son so we could see what other model train shops were doing. I seem to remember this shop.
That was my first train shop road trip. So many years ago.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
If you have time to swing thru Dayton, Ohio check out Dayton Model Railways (AKA Smitty's Hobby Shop) in Kettering, 3706 Wilmington Pike. I haven't been in since I moved to Colorado 20 years ago. It is still listed in the phone book and was the best full service model train store in the area.
The Shop in Louisville is Scale Reproductions which has a rather extensive tran dept
also in Louisville is Roundhouse Trains
Oh, I wish I would have known about Dan's when I drove through Knoxville, but even then I doubt I would have made it in time from Columbus, Ohio that morning. It sure looks like a great shoip from the pictures online.
Next trip!
Dan's Trains is on the I-75 exit. There's also a Hobbytown in the Turkey Creek area of Knoxville off of I-40/I-75 thats pretty good
The roundhouse museum at Savannah GA has a little critter right about this size that they use. Jim
Glad to see you got home safe and got what you needed in there. My wife had the same talent when we were traveling full time as home missionaries. It was amazing how she could interlock the suitcases. We would hit hobby shops on the road too. I would get a boxcar for a local railroad as a souvenir. Jim
We have safely made it home back to Florida.
My wife did a masterful job packing the Explorer. We did not need to leave anything behind. I think one of her hidden talents is a Tetris Master!
I now have enough Homasote 440 and 2 inch foam board to build my final lifetime dream layout! I thought this would be a massive hurdle to overcome. Thank heavens for Menard's and rented Explorers!
The Train Station is the best hobby store in central Ohio. Love going in there. I go in there, and the owner always recognizes me and helps me find anything if I'm looking for something specific.
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
drgwcsGlad we can help. Have fun in Columbus. I think you will enjoy the train station. and Robbies
You were right. I started the day at Robbie's. My wife actually enjoyed this store a lot more than I did. I found a few detail parts, my wife found a lot more stuff in there.
Then we went to the Trail Station, and I went nuts! Spent way too much money in this place, but I found a few things on my "must have" list. Mostly supplies and paint. Great stop.
Then we went to Tim's Trains in Latonia, Kentucky, right by Cincinatti. This is another great-fun train store that everyone should visit. I spent about an hour wandering through the store. I bought eight undecorated Athearn Blue Box two bay hopper cars and a bunch of miscellaneous stuff.
We will be home in Florida tomorrow.
Thank you for all the tips.
Glad we can help. Have fun in Columbus. I think you will enjoy the train station. and Robbies.
drgwcsHave fun at train central. Last time I was in there he was full- lots of stuff to look at. Make sure to hit the North Hobbytown in Indy
My "morning" meeting in Indianapolis ended today at about 2:00 in the afternoon. I knew I was in trouble when they came in at 10:00 and asked what we wanted catered in for lunch.
I made it to Train Central! I found two code 83 #3 Wye Walthers/Shinohara turnouts. Also picked up a couple packs of cows and some detail parts. I also finally found a tender ladder for a stalled project.
The Hobbytown on the North side of Indianapolis was the best Hobbytown I have ever been in. Thank you for the tip. I bought all kinds of stuff in there. They also have the full line of Vallejo Paints including the "Panzer Aces" line.
Just outside of Indianapolis in Lebanon, Indiana there is a hobby shop right off the Interstate called "Hobbies and History". Not a lot of trains, but it is so close to the Interstate that there is no reason not to stop. If there is an older plastic scale model kit on your want list, they might have it here.
Tomorrow morning I will be on my way to Columbus, Ohio, and then South to Georgia. Hopefully I can hit three more hobby shops tomorrow.
Time to go back to Menard's for a rooftop carrier!
Frank
SeeYou190 I will not be able to make it to Indianapolis and Train Central until tomorrow. It filled the explorer! I had to cut all the sheets into three pieces to get them in. I don't know how I will get the luggage back in.
I will not be able to make it to Indianapolis and Train Central until tomorrow.
It filled the explorer! I had to cut all the sheets into three pieces to get them in. I don't know how I will get the luggage back in.
Glad you have the priorities in order for space utilization- who needs clean clothes when you have stuff for the train!! Have fun at train central. Last time I was in there he was full- lots of stuff to look at. Make sure to hit the North Hobbytown in Indy too 8265 Center Run Dr.
Jim
Well... The meetings and work planning in Seymour has been absolutely stressful. I am behind, and I will not be able to make it to Indianapolis and Train Central until tomorrow.
On the plus side... I did go to Menard's and pull the trigger on 6 sheets of Homasote 440 and 2 sheets of two inch thick foam insulation board.
Tennessee (like nearly all of Georgia) seems like it is a desert for model train shops. There is the Dixie Flyer in Wartrace which is a neat little shop, but not worth a drive too far out of the way.
Speaking of hobby shops in TN- we are heading to Pigeon Forge in two weeks. Anybody know of any in the vicinity? I found one over in Powell Dan's trains that looked good about 30 min away. The one website didn't work though. Jim
Dannyboy6Mishawaka, In Len & Jay are my goto guys!
Looks like a great shop. Unfortunately I am not going that far North this time.
http://www.nyctrainstore.com/
Mishawaka, In
Len & Jay are my goto guys!
DanB
SeeYou190 I went to Menard's looking for trains, could not find any. I guess they don't sell the train stuff in the retail stores. I could not believe what all they had in this store. They had 2" foam board right on the shelf. They also had Homasote 440 wall board! I have never seen the stuff before on the shelf. I am thinking of buying a bunch and hauling it back to Florida. I have an Explorer. I think I could fit in a good sized load. . I had no idea all the cool stuff that home improvement stores have in the North. I think I will see what Home Depot has tomorrow. . -Kevin .
I went to Menard's looking for trains, could not find any. I guess they don't sell the train stuff in the retail stores. I could not believe what all they had in this store. They had 2" foam board right on the shelf. They also had Homasote 440 wall board! I have never seen the stuff before on the shelf. I am thinking of buying a bunch and hauling it back to Florida. I have an Explorer. I think I could fit in a good sized load.
I had no idea all the cool stuff that home improvement stores have in the North. I think I will see what Home Depot has tomorrow.
I think Menards only carries the trains in store as it approaches Christmas. They have added the HO since we moved away two years ago- they just had O scale then. They carry Woodland Scenics suff although limited. I miss Menards for home improvement. They had so much neat stuff compared to Lowes and Depot. I used to get prefinished 1x4 boards for example for the front of the layout that were perfect. Jim
Try Tim's Trains in Latonia, Ky, across the river from Cincinnati. Nice little hobby shop, with a decent blend of new and used model railroad stock. The parking lot is right next to CSX tracks. Chances are you'll see some traffic while you're there.
I went to Columbus, Indiana today for dinner. Ate a great burger at a restored garage coverted to a bar, and then had an awesome sundae at a 100 year old ice cream parlor... then... MENARD'S!
In between the train station and Robbies it is a great town for trains. There is an outlet mall inbetween Cincinnati and Columbus- perhaps a peace offering to the wife??
basementdwellerThe Train Station on Indianola Ave in Columbus hasn't changed a bit in those 10 years. Still my go to model train store. I never make it into Robbies Hobbies but maybe i should stop in there one of these days.
My plan was to go to Cincinatti, and then take I-75 South back to Florida.
It sound like I might need to find a way to get to Columbus, Ohio before I head for Florida.
Today we went and hit antique stores in Kentucky on our way to Indiana. Today was 100% my wife's day of this journey, but I had a great time too.
We started in Glendale, Kentucky which had three very good antique malls.
There was also a really cute restaurant there called "Whistle Stop", but it was closed.
We ate at a restaurant called "Tony York's On Main", and had one of the best meals I have ever had in a small town. What a surprise.
I saw this handsome pair of F units in Bardstown, Kentucky.
We ended the day in Louisville at this antique toy mall. They had a lot of toy trains, but nothing of real interest. There were a few operating layouts that were entertaining, but again, more of a toy variety.
Well, unfortunately I have a couple of days of work to do now.
The trip will continue.
SeeYou190 Heartland Division CB&Q There is a large selection of model trains in Paducah , KY at Classic Trains and Ferraris . Mostly HO scale. ... . I made it to Classic Trains & Ferraris yesterday. Picked up a book I had been hunting, and he even had some Rail Graphics decals for private roadnames! What a score for me! This was a great stop for a model railroader like me. Tons of the "treasures" that are hard to find. . . -Kevin .
Heartland Division CB&Q There is a large selection of model trains in Paducah , KY at Classic Trains and Ferraris . Mostly HO scale. ...
I made it to Classic Trains & Ferraris yesterday. Picked up a book I had been hunting, and he even had some Rail Graphics decals for private roadnames! What a score for me! This was a great stop for a model railroader like me. Tons of the "treasures" that are hard to find.
You were in my backyard. prob about 3 miles. But I don't have a layout that can be toured.
Heartland Division CB&QGee Kevin ..... You drove very close to my house to get there. I wish you could have stopped by for a model layout tour.
After we left Classic Trains, we drove to Saint Louis for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
I did not get back to the hotel until after midnight. Way too late for a tour!
Gee Kevin ..... You drove very close to my house to get there. I wish you could have stopped by for a model layout tour.
I have not been to Classic Trains recently. .... I like Bill, the owner, but my layout room is very full already. My last purchase from him was for my two Genesis CB&Q GP7's.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Heartland Division CB&QThere is a large selection of model trains in Paducah , KY at Classic Trains and Ferraris . Mostly HO scale. ...