YOUR L.H.S RATING ??????

[Ibflattop]

Hey the best around my parts of the woods would be Hobbyland in Ft. Wayne. I want to get to the Train Exchange in Kokomo and check it out. The best when we were on Vacation would be out in Denver Caboose Hobbies! I was in there with my wife and we were checking out. The owner was at the register, and he offered me a job on the spot. I said, "That I was on Vacation and from Indiana." He said that would be a long Drive just to come to work!!!! I said, "Yeah" with glassey eyes, Wife said, "No!!!!!"
The Second best on Vacation would be down at Mickeyville;The Train Depot.
When we are in Orlando we alway make a stop there! Have always found a good deal with them.
The 3rd best place was the Oaks Hobby shop in Jasper, Fl. A humongus H.O. scale layout and a great place to get H.O. trains. I dont think its in business anymore cause the last time we stopped by it was closeed and I hear that the owner had passed on. A sad day when a HS closes that had a huge layout in it!!!!!!!! Anyone from Florida remembers Oaks Hobbyshop??????????? Kevin

[twhite]

BRUCE'S TRAINS in Sacramento, and about fifteen miles east in Roseville, RAILROAD HOBBIES. Terrific stores, both of them!! We're really lucky here in the Central Valley, both stores carry a large selection of motive power and rolling stock for all scales, scratch-building supplies, scenery, track, etc.--oh, and yes--BRIDGES!! They carry lots of BRIDGES!! (Yummy!!) The people are helpful, friendly--they even both have on-site repair services. What more could you ask for?
Tom[:P][:P][:P]

[ereimer]

here's a vote for George's Trains in Toronto . nice store and the people seem to know their stuff and are always helpful . my only problem with them is they carry mostly canadian prototype and i'm modeling copper hauling railroads in 1900's arizona :)

[Anonymous]

My LHS is 100 miles to his driveway from my driveway. Papa Ben's in Houston. His staff is out of this world, they will help you in any way. Ben is on the board of the NMRA and is very knowledgeable. I feel fortunate to have this good staff at my fingertips. Their are about ten of us over here and if one of us is going we call around and see if anyone else needs anything or wants to go. They will order anything that I need or want with no questions ask. They usually order every week so their's no delay unlesss the distrubutor is out of the item.

Bob

[dave9999]

I would also add that Bobe"s Hobby House (the one I visit most often) just celebrated their
50th year in business... pretty good for a small business. Here's to fifty more! [bday] Dave

[Anonymous]

The only local hobby shop near Oxford would be Hobby Lobby about 20 minutes away. At best it rates poor, overpriced scenery materal and some paint is about all it is good for.

Davis Electronics (Davis Trains on the internet) is an hour away but it is worth the drive. They have had everything I have looked or asked for. The staff has been friendly and helpful. They definatly rate #1.

Another Cincinnati hobby shop that deserves an honorabe mention is Boardwalk. No trains but they have any modeling supplies you could ask for.

[jrbernier]

You did not have an option for NO LHS! We lost our LHS this month. The owner passed away, and his wife could not find a buyer. The shop did not have everything in stock, but he ordered every week and we got a basic 20% discount. The nearest LHS is 45 miles away and is a combination ACE Hardware/ATV Dealer/LHS. The closest 'big' LHS's are 75 miles away and full MSRP. I suspect most of my purchasing will be via Internet/mail order or local train shows in the future.

Jim Bernier

[Anonymous]

Define "L". My hobby shop is 50 miles away, so it isn't exactly local, but nothing is really except for Evan's Grocery, Cafe, Cattle Company, Guided fishing, etc. Anyway, Woodward's Hobby is an excellent HS with good stock and good guys working there

[dave9999]

I'm five minutes from one and ten from the other. Both are great in their own way. They both have "hobby shop prices", but they're hobby shops [:)].

They both have helpful people and know trains. The closest one is always
finding me deals. He is getting me a Walthers 130' Turntable at cost. (I assume
it is at cost... $200, the retail is $299.)

He also always has time to just "talk trains". Dave

[Anonymous]

We have a "LHS" that's a laugh. He carries nothing for the modeler and will not listen to people who have been in the hobby for 50 years. Our closest HS is 35 miles away so it is hard to get there when you need something in a hurry.

[CP5415]

I have several hobby shops near me.
Only one is genuinely into model railroading. That's the one I've been frequenting for the past 5 years.

The other two are expensive & have little or no interest in model railroading. I can't remember the last time I was in either of those two.

Gordon

[rogerhensley]

$300 loco? No problem.
Scratchbuilding/kitbash parts like doors, windows, roof vents, drive line repair parts, etc, etc. Forget it.

[Anonymous]

I have two pretty well stocked LHS in my area. One which is the closest to my house does a good buiness and when the owner is present, help is available. However, if only the "counter person" is present, you are "on your own." The other shop is a 20 minute drive and also has a good inventory. The repairman is very helpful and is generous with his information and time. I feel fortunate to have these two alternatives and the only criticism I have is that too often the "counter people" aren't very knowledgeable on the most rudimental points of the Hobby. The two shops of which I speak are Frank's Trains and Hobbies and H & R Trains in Oldsmar, Fl and Pinellas Park, Fl respectively. Now, I must explore Happy Hobo Trains in Tampa after reading Antonio's review. Happy rails to you. T.D.K.

[Anonymous]

We have a hobby shop here in Holmes,Pa. called Loco Lewe.It is not a friendly shop to me at all. I went there many times and asks if they had this or that. No said the salesman and there it is right under his nose.

[soumodeler]

There is a Hobbytown USA in town, but there is a member of my model railroad club that owns a small "hobby shop" in a corner of a antique mall. He always gives discounts up to 20% off and knows a lot about model railroading. I almost always buy from him.

soumodeler
-----------------
The Southern Serves the South!
http://www.trainweb.org/mgr

[Anonymous]

The ones round these parts are pretty poor. You really have to search out the folks that you can work with and get the information that you need. There is one store locally that has two shops. One of them is Dark, Cramped, and has so much clutter in it that I can never seem to find anything I want. The other store has much more freindly folks working there, willing to talk and show you things. Much better arrangement of their stock. Most of the times I go there.

[AntonioFP45]

I've heard some nightmare stories about hobby shops on this forum, and I've visited a few shops that weren't hot on the friendly side.

I'm very fortunate that my LHS is "Top Notch". Happy Hobo Trains. The owner and his assistant are both modelers, give great customer service and conversation too. Can even get wild and wacky at times when politics are thrown in the mix. All fun. The shop is packed with detailing items and stock. If Kevin doesn't have it, he'll do what he can to get it for you.

While I admit to buy from Ebay, I also buy many items this business. I hope it will be around for decades to come!

[ac4400fan]

Hey Guys.
I love a old fashioned hobby shop,like the one i go to ,from time to time ,not all the time cause its far,but ,everytime i go there it's worth it! stuff is always there,not ,im sorry were all out! how many of you run into that??, i do from time to time ,but ,whats hot is hot ,at times, any way how do you rate your loco hobby shop?? i rate mine to anywhare from a 8 to a ten,,rating an affar with trains in phx az. to #1
carl,