Tin Can II There was a Hobby Hub in Arlington, TX near our house; close enough to ride a bicycle. Unfortunately, I didn't yet have any HO trains, but it was fun to look and dream.
There was a Hobby Hub in Arlington, TX near our house; close enough to ride a bicycle. Unfortunately, I didn't yet have any HO trains, but it was fun to look and dream.
Hobby Hub moved from Seminary South mall to New York Avenue in Arlington in the late 70's. In the 80's, they moved off 303 and Cooper St. They were then purchased by Whistle Stop Hobbies in the early 90's and closed a few years later. Whistle Stop also purchased A&A, and they also closed around the same time.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
trwroute Bill Tolson was a bit of a strange guy, but he had a bunch of Lionel, brass, and narrow gauge stuff.
Bill Tolson was a bit of a strange guy, but he had a bunch of Lionel, brass, and narrow gauge stuff.
I took an out of town friend to Tolson's in the early 80's. In addition to being a very skilled HO modeler, he also built model airplane models. Tolson's had a wall of plastic model airplane kits. My friend picked out several that he wanted to buy, but Mr. Tolson would not sell them because they were rare and he could not restock them. That was my last time to visit Tolson's.
Tin Can II Sometime after my experience with Tolson's and Hallmark, I discovered Bobbye Hall's in Dallas. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. That shop had everything. I eventually moved to the DFW area, and had monthly meetings in downtown Dallas. I would make a trip to Bobbye Hall's part of the itinerary.
Sometime after my experience with Tolson's and Hallmark, I discovered Bobbye Hall's in Dallas. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. That shop had everything. I eventually moved to the DFW area, and had monthly meetings in downtown Dallas. I would make a trip to Bobbye Hall's part of the itinerary.
My dad and I would frequent Tolson's, Whistle Stop Hobbies, A&A Hobbies, and several others in Fort Worth back in the 70's. Bill Tolson was a bit of a strange guy, but he had a bunch of Lionel, brass, and narrow gauge stuff.
There was also a small shop in Everman, Smitty's, that did some locomotive kit building and painting for my dad.
Hobby Hub in Seminary South was probably my first hobby shop I ever went to. I loved that place and will never forget their neat layout in the center of the store with plexiglass panels all around it. I could watch it for hours!
Bobbye Hall's (Hallmark Models) was in a class all by itself. Went there a bunch for close to 30 years until it closed in 2000.
Since we are going down memory lane - my first recollection of a hobby shop was as a 4 year old, my dad visited a hobby shop while working on my (I didn't know it at the time) Christmas present from Santa. It turned out to be a 4x6 plywood board painted and laid with Lionel Track and a Hudson Steam engine and cars. After that I don't remember visiting a hobby shop until I was a teen and found a shop in the Alpha Beta strip mall in east Davis CA. There I bought some SP dayight Athearn shorty passenger cars.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Back in the 1960s, before I was a model railroader, I used to go to Hub Hobby Shop in Richfield MN to buy plastic model kits (airplanes and ships mostly). This was the "old" Hub Hobby when it was still in the Hub Shopping Center (strip mall) at 66th and Nicollet. I started buying train stuff there when I started model railroading in 1971. However, there was also a bike shop on Lyndale Ave. that sold train stuff too that I frequented, and my dad was the mailman for Woodcraft Hobby, "the old reliable" on Lake and Bryant in south Minneapolis, so we went there sometimes too.
A little later in life, we were living in Arlington, TX. My Dad was an intern at John Peter Smith hospital in Ft. Worth, so we did lots of things in Ft. Worth. My Lionel engine quit working, and Dad took it to a hobby shop in Ft. Worth called Tolson's. It seemed like forever for them to fix it, but when it was finally ready, he let me go with him to pick it up. It was an interesting shop, with lots of Lionel, but also lots of HO and brass. Fast forward to 1981; I am working and have some disposable income. I was living in Abilene, TX, but I went to a train show in DFW and dropped by Tolson's. They had a Hallmark CF7 model for sale. I had to have it; but as it was unpainted, I paid them to paint it and install constant/directional lighting and a flashing beacon. That took another 3 months. I loved that engine, but it would not negotiate less than perfect track without shorting. The constant lighting unit quit working. It has been boxed for over 35 years because I have moved on to RPP and now Athearn CF7 models.
I later found out that the repair that Tolson's did was to re-solder one of the motor leads. It didn't take, and I had to resolder it myself.
tloc52 I spent much time in Trost as a kid. Biking from 68th and Hamlin to 63rd and over. I loved the HO brass engines in the glass counter as you walked in on your left. Lionel in the back corner straight in was my hang out. They were good folks till Betty took over. Every Christmas for years I added on to my Santa Fe Super Chief passenger train. Found HO senior year in college, 1973-74. But then it was the suburban shops I hit up. good memories
I spent much time in Trost as a kid. Biking from 68th and Hamlin to 63rd and over. I loved the HO brass engines in the glass counter as you walked in on your left. Lionel in the back corner straight in was my hang out. They were good folks till Betty took over. Every Christmas for years I added on to my Santa Fe Super Chief passenger train. Found HO senior year in college, 1973-74.
But then it was the suburban shops I hit up.
good memories
That is quite a bike ride from 68th and Hamlin. I rode my bike from 60th and Artesian. Spent most of my grammar school years at Trost except for dinner and bedtime.
Betty does not stand out in my mind.
Rich
Alton Junction
SeeYou190 n012944 I don't really miss having a local hobby shop at all (there are none in the Jacksonville FL area anyway). Is Hurricane Hobbies still there? I know they did not have any trains, but they had a massive selection of paints, tools, and supplies. -Kevin
n012944 I don't really miss having a local hobby shop at all (there are none in the Jacksonville FL area anyway).
Is Hurricane Hobbies still there?
I know they did not have any trains, but they had a massive selection of paints, tools, and supplies.
-Kevin
Yes, they are still there. Since they don't bother stocking model railroad stuff, I don't bother them with my money.
An "expensive model collector"
n012944I don't really miss having a local hobby shop at all (there are none in the Jacksonville FL area anyway).
Living the dream.
I went to the Hobby Lobby on East Colonial Drive in Orlando today.
Two aisles of "hobbys", but an amazingly diverse selection.
Model trains, military models, coin & stamp collecting, woodburning, airbrushes, miniature rocketry, hobby paints, anime models, foam cutters, and on & on & on.
I don't remember that many different sub-sections in the hobby aisles.
AEP528But go ahead, continue to shop at Hobby Lobby, Ebay, and Amazon and whine on these forums that all the local stores have closed.
Perhaps you missed the part where I said that I've been going to Hobby Lobby after my local hobby shop closed. I use eBay after I can't find what I'm looking for at out-of-town hobby stores or train shows.
AEP528 I drive the extra distance, and yes, pay the higher (non-corporate subsidized) prices to buy from local hobby, craft and art supply stores instead of Hobby Lobby. But go ahead, continue to shop at Hobby Lobby, Ebay, and Amazon and whine on these forums that all the local stores have closed.
I drive the extra distance, and yes, pay the higher (non-corporate subsidized) prices to buy from local hobby, craft and art supply stores instead of Hobby Lobby.
But go ahead, continue to shop at Hobby Lobby, Ebay, and Amazon and whine on these forums that all the local stores have closed.
I do patronize my "local" hobby shops but they are an hour and 15 to 30 away. For most of us that is a reality. Going to shop one Saturday. But if I need a bottle of paint or glue etc I do buy at Hobby Lobby rather than make the drive. That being said there are some things that you wind up having to buy on ebay. I'm a narrow gauger on the VA/ NC border and it's rare here.
AEP528 But go ahead, continue to shop at Hobby Lobby, Ebay, and Amazon and whine on these forums that all the local stores have closed.
I don't go to Hobby Lobby, but I love eBay and Amazon. I don't really miss having a local hobby shop at all (there are none in the Jacksonville FL area anyway).
MidlandMike Speaking of combination hobby shops, I don't recall Hobby Lobby being brought up. Our town lost its last hobby shop, and I have drifted into Hobby Lobby when my wife was going there, and I actually picked up some useful hobby tools. They also have things like Woodland Scenics which are used in a number of hobbies.
Speaking of combination hobby shops, I don't recall Hobby Lobby being brought up. Our town lost its last hobby shop, and I have drifted into Hobby Lobby when my wife was going there, and I actually picked up some useful hobby tools. They also have things like Woodland Scenics which are used in a number of hobbies.
When Lady Firestorm goes on one of her what I call "yarn raids" (her hobby's knitting) to places like Michaels or Hobby Lobby sometimes I'll tag along. First, she's fun to watch! Second, I might just find something useful myself and frequently do.
The Hobby Lobby that I use (50 miles away) is not exactly the same as Ebay and Amazon. At Hobby Lobby, I can actually pick up and look at the items. They also employ local people.
There is a 'local' hobby shop about 55 miles away which I use. They often don't have the same types of things that I want from Hobby Lobby.
York1 John
My first hobby shop was Weaver's Bikes and Hobbies in Greenville Ohio. Dan Weaver became a very close friend of mine. Sadly he passed away a few years ago.
Joe
Went to Hobby Lobby more frquently when they had the coupons.
Our Hobby Lobby has a limited amount of model railroad merchandise, but they have a terrific paint, magic marker and tool section.
I find myself using our local hobby shop mostly, Great service, can order almost anythig, and when you add shipping to on line items, they are very reasonble. And a great place for asking questions!
SeeYou190 drgwcs Hobby Lobby used to have a very great hobby and train selection. I have noticed that not all Hobby Lobbys have the same sized hobby section. Here in Fort Myers ours has two aisles of hobby stuff, but the Hobby Lobby in Lakeland only has half an aisle. -Kevin
drgwcs Hobby Lobby used to have a very great hobby and train selection.
I have noticed that not all Hobby Lobbys have the same sized hobby section. Here in Fort Myers ours has two aisles of hobby stuff, but the Hobby Lobby in Lakeland only has half an aisle.
May vary according to store size. They used to have class A,B&C stores. Not sure if they do that anymore as most are the size of what used to be an A store. The ones nearest us are roughly the same size and have the same amount of hobbies.
drgwcsHobby Lobby used to have a very great hobby and train selection.
I'm actually working on a clinic on things that can be used from the craft store. Hobby Lobby used to have a very great hobby and train selection. My first job was running the hobby dept in store 5 when there were only 13 stores. We had quite a bit of train stuff probably the equivalent of one of their modern aisles although ours were shorter. We had Athearn Roundhouse and Atlas plus a bunch of woodland scenics. Even had a good selection of radio control. Quite a change from today but they still have a bunch that is usable.
Jim
MidlandMikeI have drifted into Hobby Lobby when my wife was going there, and I actually picked up some useful hobby tools. They also have things like Woodland Scenics which are used in a number of hobbies.
The Hobby Lobby here in town has Vallejo Model Colour paints at a good price with a pretty good selection.
I bought some stuff from Long's Drug Store in CA; they partnered with Intermountain on several special runs. I bought 24 Santa Fe reefer kits from them; still haven't built them 30 something years later.
drgwcs The most intriguing one though had to be "Classic Trains and Ferarris" although I would hate to see their pricing! What a way to subsidize a hobby shop.
Been there, in Paducah, Kentucky.
Their prices are high, but the Farrari selection is very limited. The owner drives an older Ferrari to work, but none were for sale!
Flintlock76 SeeYou190 For decades, the Ace Hardware store in Bonita Springs, Florida had an amazing display of Lionel Trains. Maybe they still do, but it is not on their website. -Kevin The next time I'm down that way I'll take a look, but honestly I don't expect to find any trains for sale. Unless it's a Menards I suspect the days of hardware stores selling trains around Christmas or any other time of year are pretty much over. The last hardware store where I saw trains for sale was Walker's Hardware in Totowa NJ several years ago, but they closed not long afterward. Too bad, they were a great old-time hardware store, more stuff in there than you could imagine. A friend who came along just to watch me train shop found something for his bathroom he'd been looking for and couldn't find anywhere!
SeeYou190 For decades, the Ace Hardware store in Bonita Springs, Florida had an amazing display of Lionel Trains. Maybe they still do, but it is not on their website. -Kevin
For decades, the Ace Hardware store in Bonita Springs, Florida had an amazing display of Lionel Trains.
Maybe they still do, but it is not on their website.
The next time I'm down that way I'll take a look, but honestly I don't expect to find any trains for sale. Unless it's a Menards I suspect the days of hardware stores selling trains around Christmas or any other time of year are pretty much over. The last hardware store where I saw trains for sale was Walker's Hardware in Totowa NJ several years ago, but they closed not long afterward. Too bad, they were a great old-time hardware store, more stuff in there than you could imagine. A friend who came along just to watch me train shop found something for his bathroom he'd been looking for and couldn't find anywhere!
At one time Ace Hardware had a partnership with United Model Distributors out of Chicagoland that they called "Ace the Hobby Place." That was roughly 20 years ago and United is long out of business. Out of curiosity I googled up that and there are a few left. That led me to Lionel of what combinations are still out there. They showed a little over 20 hardware stores as dealers. A combination store used to be pretty common to do hobbies too. I remember a drug store in Enid,OK that carried trains and believe it or not Lionel still listed a couple of drug/ hobby shop combos. Still a couple of camera/ hobbies stores on there too (of course including Colonial in Orlando.) Most of the camera stores and a whole lot of the independent drug stores are gone though taking out a lot of that possibility. There were still a lot of combinations with gift and craft stores. The most intriguing one though had to be "Classic Trains and Ferarris" although I would hate to see their pricing! What a way to subsidize a hobby shop.
First hobby shop. It was located in a small steel town of Phoenixville , Pa. "Bills Hobby Shop" it had plastic models and HO trains, just a hole in the wall hobby shop. That was in the late 60s' early 70s'. Loved that shop they even had a peanut roster in there.
I grew up in a small town, and in the 1950s this building was the drug store. In the back aisle of the store, there was a wall of trains and model cars and model planes.
Seeing the building now on Google, it sure seemed like it was a lot bigger back then. I'm sure the number of models was small, but to a kid, it was like a wonderland. I remember standing for a long time dreaming of buying a bunch of stuff.
Somewhere along the line, I changed from model trains (too expensive) to model cars. I remember that AMT was a favorite model company.