I should have actually said Southwestern Ontario.
CASO
For those who seem to have forgotten, this is the original post in this thread.
Caso.Sub wrote: HelloI 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 helpThanksCaso
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
This would seem to rule out a good portion of the various maps offered for our perusal.
Wayne
Frank
Pinecroft is really nice, and the winery is just south of the Tea Room. Very nice place. Back to the store, I think there location hurts them, however their service and products are top notch. For all the money I have spent there I have been very happy. Keep spreading the word, we need to keep local shops in business. I like to support the local guy who spends money in the community than a complete stranger. Thats my philoshpy!!
Mark R. wrote: I live right on the border ( I can see Detroit out the back window of my shop ) and I can honestly say, I can't remember the last time I went "shopping" over there !!! I have three hobby shops all within a reasonable distance who get most of my business .... ok - I do go to the "worlds largest yard sale" online from time to time !!!The Canadian dollar is pushing almost par with the US dollar. To pay gas for the trip over, plus bridge / tunnel fare, I've found it's not worth the effort anymore. I can buy it here at home for about the same, probably less if I factor in the trip savings.And - In case anyone wants to learn the regions of Ontario ....Mark.
I live right on the border ( I can see Detroit out the back window of my shop ) and I can honestly say, I can't remember the last time I went "shopping" over there !!! I have three hobby shops all within a reasonable distance who get most of my business .... ok - I do go to the "worlds largest yard sale" online from time to time !!!
The Canadian dollar is pushing almost par with the US dollar. To pay gas for the trip over, plus bridge / tunnel fare, I've found it's not worth the effort anymore. I can buy it here at home for about the same, probably less if I factor in the trip savings.
And - In case anyone wants to learn the regions of Ontario ....
Mark.
A huge amount of the cross border crossings are by people that live within a short distance of the U.S. border, I see by the map of Ontario regions, they left the top 2/3 of the province conveniently off, it cuts off just north of Timmins(highway 11) which is NOT in Northern Ontario, as much as Ontoreos like to think it is. Even the map index fails to show "North(ern) Ontario.
I live in the Niagara area and I hardly go shopping in Buffalo/ Niagara Falls N.Y. any more. Most importantly, I find the hobby shops in S. Ontario are much better than those I know about "across the river." Also, just as important, the US border inspectors are taking a lot longer these days to inspect incoming cars - waiting an hour or two in line to enter the U.S. is not worth it for what you find in the Buffalo hobby shops.
Empty Net
Hi Caso,
thank you for the tip about the Pine Croft Tea Room and a winery. When they have my order in my girlfriend and I will go the the Pine Croft as well. You are right the people there are very knowledgeable and very pleasant while willing to help out. More people probably do not know about them because they are kind of out of the way and do not have a typical store. The lack of the store might also put people off, unfortunately. Just happy to have found them.
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
I'm pretty sure that you will find "Southern" (there is no other part) Ontario, really is part of Michigan, How many people do you know who have never Shopped in the U.S. ??? Most Canadians so close to the border laugh at those of us who do not straddle the border and spend most of their time getting great deals smuggling "stuff" across the border. These are the same people that complain that the LHS just closed down. By the way "northern" Ontario starts north of Kapuskasing.
Im glad you found Otter Valley. I really like the people their, the prices are great and they work with my crazy schedule. I got a case of the new kato's off them, beautiful runners. Their selection of kato's is amazing, if they don't have it they can find it fast and at a really good price. I don't understand why more people don't know about them. I usually go to Pine Croft Tea Room and a winery with my wife when Im down there.
Last time I checked Southern Ontario was still part of Canada, not Michigan.
GUB
Thank you TA462,
I will definitely check out the Doll House and Train Emporium. Looks like they have an excellent selection. Sometimes one can see some really wonderful models, like about a month ago I went to "The Little Train Shoppe" in Brampton. There they had a Lionel step side gas turbine in UP colours in HO. What a beauty. Wonder what it would like in CP colours. A couple of years ago I had the privilege to visit a gentleman who in N scale had two U50's painted in the CN paint scheme and they looked very good.
If memory is correct SLN is by appointment only. I do recall seeing them at the last Woodstock Show. I thought their price for a case of Flex Track was pretty good, from what I remember.
Hi Caso.sub
just went to Otter Valley yesterday. They have great prices and a large Kato selection and are very good people. As for other stores that one could recommend there is as mentioned in Hamilton,Modeler's Choice and Trains on Brant in Burlington. These I find have good selection and fair prices from the dozen hobby stores that are in a 160 km radius from Guelph. As it stands Otter Valley will certainly get more of my business in the future.
Has anyone been to SLN Hobbies in Port Dover? Seen them at the shows and apparantly they do not carry any rolling stock but everything else. They do not have a web site but just a phone number. 519-583-0975 and an email address at sln@cablerocket.com
GUB and SNOOT
Thats why I don't support Doug's Trains. My favourite shop Otter Valley Railroad lets the kids play trains while there dad is looking at products, which i feel is contrustive for the hobby. I can't comprend how Doug has stayed in business, like come on, hes like ogger that lives under the bridge in the books we read to our children. HAHA
CASo
That's the place. Like I said, I do not go out of my way to shop there.
Hi snoot1
Is Lloyds Small Engines still there in Atwood? I don't see it advertised in the mags anymore.
Jim
Doug's Trains is a little Hobby Shop located at 561 Horton E. in London.
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.
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
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??
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.
modulars are good!
do u mind me asking what you paid?
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.
How did you make out??
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.
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.
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