Hello
I recently moved, to Southern Ontario. Im wondering if anyone knows any good Shops in the London area. My companies head office transferred to me to the London branch to run it. Im new to the area, and could use some help
Thanks
Caso
Caso,
There are a few in the area. Two are worth mentioning Broughdale Hobby on Glenora and then there is Doug's Trains. I am partial to Broughdale. They are quite friendly and have always been helpfull when I've been in their store.
I also shop in Hamilton at Modeler's Choice and two in the GTA - Credit Valley and George's Trains. These are good stores as well if you don't mind the drive.
GUB
Thanks for Info Gob
Know anything about Otter Valley Railroad?
I contacted them, and they seem pretty good.
Have you heard anything about them?
I'd second the choices of Modellers Choice and Credit Valley Ry Co.
They both have toll free numbers and pretty decent websites when you want to order something. Can't complain about the service from either one.
GUB wrote: Caso,There are a few in the area. Two are worth mentioning Broughdale Hobby on Glenora and then there is Doug's Trains. I am partial to Broughdale. They are quite friendly and have always been helpfull when I've been in their store. I also shop in Hamilton at Modeler's Choice and two in the GTA - Credit Valley and George's Trains. These are good stores as well if you don't mind the drive. GUB
I work in London also- I find Broughdale a tad overpriced - Doug at Doug's trains is a little more civil priced. Both have a great selection on hand. Near me is Great Western Trains in Brantford ( I can send you their phone#) except their hours open are weird.
In my town - Paris - there is a new hobby shop that's started up - a little heavy into R/C but they are also keeping the railroaders in the area happy - it's called Paris Junction (they're on the web)
I agree with Gub - Credit Valley rules and is worth the drive for any scale. Prices are up there though - but selection is bar none.
Caso.Sub wrote: Thanks for Info GobKnow anything about Otter Valley Railroad?I contacted them, and they seem pretty good.Have you heard anything about them? ThanksCaso
Do you have some contact info ? Always looking for a place to spend more.
Caso;
I prefer GUB over Gob. As far as Otter Valley is concerned, I think I have seen that at past shows. Where are they located? If it is the one I am thinking of, I have talked to the owners and they seem okay and if it is who I think it is they are strickly mail and phone order. Let me know where they are located when you get a minute or two.
this is the info i got
Otter Valley Railroad
53546 James Line, Aylmer On. N5H 2R5
Tele: 519-773-862
Email: ovrsales@execulink.com
That's who I thought it was. I was talking to both the Husband and wife at a resent show and was quite impressed by both of them. They seemed knowledgable and willing to work with you and would order practically anything you wanted. I have not used them as such. I prefer to go into a store and see first hand what is available. I usually come out with more than I intended to buy. Let me know how you make out with them if you order from them.
Was down there today, very good prices and good service. I plan on going back there. Anyone else hear about Otter Valley Railroad? It looks like he attends a good number of trade shows.
Caso.Sub wrote: Was down there today, very good prices and good service. I plan on going back there. Anyone else hear about Otter Valley Railroad? It looks like he attends a good number of trade shows.Caso
Do they have store hours now? If so I gotta go. I live 15 minutes away.
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Friday - 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday - Closed
They said give them a call before hand, some days they are closed due medical appointments, or at the hospitial. Nice guy and his wife too.
Well, I guess I will have to take a detour on the way home one night.
hey GUB have you tried these guys yet?
They were able to find me some hard to find kato's.
I called around and they were the only ones to find a wholesaler that still had them.
to the area. I will the thoughts on Modellers Choice in Hamilton. I have bought most of my MRR stuff there and I live in Toronto near the Airport. I usually go down on a Sunday and deal with John. I find him very knowledgeable and always willing to help. I get a lot of my requirements at the larger Train Shows when they have a booth. They usually have a good assortment of goods on hand and it is usually at or a bit lower than normal price and without any taxes. That means a 14% saving right there. They are located at 1400 Upper James St. in a plaza located behind the Beer Store.
Georges, in Toronto is another great place with LOTS of MRR stuff of all kinds. They are on Mount Pleasant Blvd. on the West side of the street just North of the tennis courts just above Davisville Ave.
Blue Flamer.
Well, if you're willing to drive to Hamilton or Toronto, try Just Train Crazy in Beamsville. Decent prices, good selection, and lots of pre-owned bargains upstairs. A friendly and knowledgeable staff, too. Closed Mondays.
Wayne
My two mainstays are Credit Valley Railway in Streetsville, and Canadian Model Trains on the web. Both are excellent places to deal with, and CMT will save you the drive.
Chris
If you're not adverse to mail order, try Lark Spur Line at http://www.larkspurline-trains.com/default.asp . They are in Southern Ontario. (Northern Ontario starts at North Bay ) If they don't have it, they'll order it.
I was at an NMRA meet nearby yesterday, and after lunch we all ended up there perusing the inventory. One shouldn't shop on an empty stomach.
I showed remarkable restraint during this visit. After that we had layout tours.
No I haven't had a chance to check them out yet. Up untill a week or so ago I really hadn't done anything Train related. I am now in the process of building another diorama and to begin with I am doing some structures. Hopefully, I will get a chance in the next week or so.
How did you make out??
I still haven't made it out there yet. Had a wedding in Toronto this past weekend and the weekend before I was in Frankenmooth with friends. The weekend before and the one before that was spent working at the lawn bowling club. This weekend I am in Windsor for my Sister-In-Law's retirement party. It's been a busy few weeks. Everytime I think I will go on the way home I drive right by the exit and say "maybe tomorrow". Oh well.
On the other hand, my Mill is coming along just fine. For the most part I have all the materials i need for the 1st Building, at least. I am using the Walther's modules. Ever use them? The are good to use if you like designing building. It also helps if you read the directions. Usually i purchase most things from Broughdale, mainly because I can go there on my lunch hour. Just ordered a Block and Tackle and some Chain. I got the Block & Tackle. They look pretty good. Still waiting for the Chain.
On of these weekends I will get out there.
modulars are good!
do u mind me asking what you paid?
CASO
Not quite sure. Some were on sale. I think the regular price was $11.95 and the sale price on some were $8.95. I had to go back in and by additional small and large wall kits as I had screwed up approximately 6 wall sections when I thought I knew what I was doing when clearly I did not. So far with the modulars I haven't had to order them. Brtoughdale keeps them in stock. My mill on the other hand is taking on a life of it's own. And since this is the first industry that I am modeling why go small? When I am done it will probably have three or four buildings a dock and a Power Plant. At least that's what's in my head at the moment. Ww shall see. Oops, it's 5:30, gotta go. Got to have some supper and go Lawn Bowling.
Talk to you later.
I got a question for ya, what are your thoughts on Doug's Trains? I went in there once after a business meeting in a suit, he basically started critizing me, never returned since then. Was it a bad day for him or usually like that??
CASo
I have had only 2 experiences with Doug's Trains. The first one was pretty good. I think because I actually bought something while in the store. A work caboose. At the time he seemed freindly enough. The second time I went in there I was looking for something and there were a few customers in there and I couldn't get the time of day out of him. I haven't gone back since. I chalked it up to him having a bad day. And the other reason for not going back it is not as convenient for me as going to Broughdale.
I was talking to a freind of mine who own's Sylvan about six months ago and the topic of Doug's Trains came up and I asked him about the owner. He informed me that he had thought he was Bi-Polar, which would explain the two different receptions that I had got.
I still think he was having an off day. However, I will not go out of my way to visit his store again. Whenever, I need something I will use Broughdale. If he hasn't got what I need he will order it for me and I usually get it within a couple of weeks.
Hope that helps.
Bruce
A couple of other stores that haven't been mentioned here is Trains on Brant in Burlington and Dundas Valley Hobbies in Dundas. Both good stores, Trains on Brant have some really good prices and constantly have sales. Also there is Panther Hobbies in Etobicoke off of Dundas St. They also have a nice N-Scale layout in the back they've been working on for a while that they are happy to show you.
Doug's Trains is a little Hobby Shop located at 561 Horton E. in London.
Hi snoot1
Is Lloyds Small Engines still there in Atwood? I don't see it advertised in the mags anymore.
Jim