Another train shop closed

This was a great old time train store - loved the place!

Bud Webster and employees were first rate folks.

See story link below.

Frankfort Avenue Train Store Closes after 32 Years

Wow,,,I noticed it was closed the last time I tried to stop on my hurried run

through my home town back in June, I think.  Seems like I recently referred somebody there for L&N stuff on here...the only other shop of consequence I am currrent on in the Louisville area  is the one down in Elizabethtown, Ky.......unless somebody knows of another?  Too bad...another less target to hit...

Retail seems to be dying everywhere. Many times its a combination of economic and life stage factors.

I believe that's probably correct, and certainly as far as the retail segment of the hobby industry is concerned.  You have years of a stagnant economy; shop owners who got into the business years ago, in better times, who are now retiring; and the influence of online retailing for the consumers who want things fast, cheap, and easy.  Something of a "perfect storm" that had, and continues to have, a profound impact. 

And the impact will inevitably extend to other areas of the industry itself.  Those who have been watching closely have probably already seen the impact, albeit in a more gradual and less easily discernible way.

Agree completely that it's a combination of the stagnant economy and the aging factor.

I am so glad I had the privilege of frequenting and supporting several very good local Hobby Shops over the decades.  Of course, now those shops are all gone. 

Those coming into the hobby now don't really know what they're missing.  A good LHS was a "social event" as well as a fantastic resource center, and of course, a much needed supply house to get the "modeling fix" one needed.  I miss those days.

I heartily agree with both laming and Allen: current economic forces combined with a largely aging demographic will continue to result in both declining production and consumption of the models we seniors (my age: 71) crave. Not to mention that many of my generation are already "saturated" with trains and accessories!  

I too mourn the social aspects of the "old time" hobby shops. A big shoutout to Lou Palumbo, who is to congratulated for his wonderful shop and philosophy in New Castle, PA! My he continue to prosper in years to come! 

Unfortunately, here in Portland, OR we lost Vic's in January. The store had been a long time part of the hobby, and had a very nice 2 rail O-Gauge layout in the store's basement. Leo lost his lease, and I believe it was also being at that"Life stage" where moving the business just wasn't that appealing, especially in the current economic conditions.

 On the UP side, we still have Whistle Stop Trains, which dates back to 1974, IIRC.

I Hope that Charlie, the current owner,(the 3rd, IIRC) continues to have a thriving business. Even there though Don, their resident 3 Rail Guy retired this year, due to issues with his knees. Don will be Missed, but there is still a Great bunch of guys still working there, that keep the social side of my visits Enjoyable. Forunately, I don't think that Charlie is planning on retiring any time soon, so Hopefully WST will continue to be a succesful business for many more years.

 I Hope that I never see Whistle Stop close thieir doors, but I sure feel for those that do lose their Local shops. I also feel bad for those who have never known the experience of having a Great Local Train Store, and have no idea of what they have missed out on. A Good LST is so much more than just a place to buy Hobby items, it is an enjoyable Social place as well. While things have improved some, in the last couple years, they are still a long ways from where they were pre 2008, when I could buy $1000 locomotives occassionally without feeling guilty. Even in 2008-2010, when things were pretty thin budget-wise, during my then not so frequent visits, they would tell me, we know that things are tight, but stop by and visit more often, you don't have to buy something EVERY time you come in.

I Hope all those that still have a local shop, continue to do so, and appreciate what they have, no telling when those doors may close, then you will realize what was lost.

Doug

Casey Jones on S. Third Street has also closed.  As far as I know for O Gauge / Scale in immediate Louisville area is Roundhouse Electric Trains on northeast side.

The Elizabethtown store referred to (TNC Hobby Station) has moved to another much smaller facililty and has greatly downsized.

Sign of the times but sure is sad.

George Cox

Owensboro, Kentucky

Roundhouse Trains IS the Only place left to buy Trains in the Louisville Area. Kevin & Tom run a very good shop. I was at L&N for the final night of operations, before he closed his doors for good.  Most of Bud's long time customers were there.  I took some candid photos. I will post them once I get on one of my computers. 

I used to Work for BELKNAP HARDWARE and MANUFACTURING COMPANY,111 E. Main St, Louisville, Ky. 1963-1986.  (At one time, Nations Largest Hardware Wholesaler)

I was in my 20's and in College, working in the summer at Belknap for college monies.

As I was filling orders from Retailers, I saw a big LIONEL TRAINS Department, on the 10th Floor, The Sample Floor...WOW!! This brought back my Childhood memories. After College, 1966, I began working for BELKNAP full time in Sales.

I again checked out their LIONEL TRAINS DEPARTMENT, bought the Set with the 736 freight cars, and the SanteFe F3--2383 freightvset. $36.65 for each set.. Down the sstreet from Belknap was a Sporting Goods Store, can not remember the name, but, I bought the VIRGINIAN set with freight cars. So, I was excited about re-discovering Lionel Trains again. A man named Fred Gocke found out that I liked trains and we became friends. This was a long term friendship. That was Then, We are in the Now.

There are almost no distributors left, The Small Hardware Stores are almost non existent---Home Depot, Lowes, Ace--TRUE VALUE-etc, have the market sewn up.

Hobby Lobby- K-Mart, Walmart, do not care about our Hobby....

Now for the point--If we do no Shop at our LOCAL HOBBY SHOP, It OUR FAULT. I know everyone is conscious about this smaller stores higher Price, BUT HE IS WORTH IT! He's the guy you ask advice for Building Your Dreams, your Layout, Your WIRING, Your Scenery, Repairing broken Trains......the list goes ON and ON.

WE are in America's best hobby, Lets Keep it Going.

?---Does Anyone the Louisville area remember Fred Gocke? Thanks.

Since I was a kid, Louisville has not been exactly saturated with hobby shops.   My

trains came from Sears, Woolworth's, and Kresge's.  I was aware of Fischer's Hobby

Shop down on 4th St., up a steep stairs from the street, and written up not too long ago by CTT,  because I was into antique car model kits, but I think the only train thing I ever bought there was one of those oversize Lionel crossing gates.  Fishcher's didn't carry Marx.  Later when I was seduced by HO, there was a small hobby shop out on

a street parallel to Frankfort Avenue, very near the then center of commercial St. Matthews.

I visited it for years, until I went off to school.  Upon returning, I found it gone, and

that Mrs. Fischer had a hobby shop in the front of that same complex where Roundhouse Trains is now.   Moving away, I later found Roundhouse, L&N, and TNC

Hobby Station were then left, and now.....  Others may have come and gone.

James,

Thank you very much for posting these pictures of a special day in a special place.

geo

The age of these customers tells volumes about the future of O gauge.

How many of you noticed sitting on store selves (2) #9158 Penn Central MPC flat cars with steam shovels, (1) #9157 C. and O. flat car with construction crane  and a #2127 Diesel Horn Shed.

quote:

How many of you noticed sitting on store selves (3) Penn Central MPC flat cars with steam shovels.

Is there something special about those cars?

The fact that they were made in the mid to late seventies and assuming they are still new and boxed, I believe is really special.

quote:

Darryl makes repo loads for Lionel Postwar.

Was Darryl running Chicago Line/Parts for Collectors, making helicopters, rockets, and missles (among other items)?

nothing special about the cars,but seeing three on the shelf in this day and age is. i think thats what jim sutter is referring too.good eye jim!-jim

Maybe it's not always a terrible thing when a train shop closes?

A shop represents someones livelyhood.  Not so good to close a shop because of slow economic times.  But, what if after 20-30-40 years, an owner has the means to retire?  In this instance, it might be a good thing!

Jim