Any "O" Gauge Train Stores in Branson MO

Brent....you will not be all that far from my place.....and I happen to be off all next week!!  I live in Mountain Home, Ar. which is about 80 miles from Branson.  I would be more than happy to give you a tour of a couple of nice o-gauge layouts.  You can preview mine by just checking out some of my posts.  If you are interested, just give me shout via my e-mail found in my profile.

While you are in Branson, there is a hobby shop but you may want to just go a short drive to TPA Hobby center....here is a link:  www.harveystrainservice.com

Alan

If you do a Google search, you will see who/where they are....and if one is going to Branson, it is pretty easy to find.  While the year round population is not that large, the sprawl is quite a bit larger than one would expect....

Alan

Brent,

If you come to Springfield, MO for Bass Pro Shops, please let me know. We have 3 great O gauge layouts here in town.

Also, Alan's is WELL WORTH going to Mountain Home,AR to see his large layout. Alan, is right, the ONLY train shop in the Branson area is in Hollister, MO. Which is what Alan was explaining to you. And if you don't come to Springfield nor Mountain Home, then go to TPA and Harvey Owens in Hollister.

I know you are probably going to the shows in Branson, but if you are a fisherman at all, you need to wet some hooks. Great fishing around Branson and also Mountain Home.

Good luck and I hope your bride will let you wander a little away from Branson.

Thanks all for the local information. My wife tells me she has planned our days pretty well and will probably not have a lot of "train Time". I will be going to see Harvey Owens(swapped e mails on Sat).

Yep, you are correct, I am henpecked

brent

Brent....you are missing out seeing some inspiring layouts ( I'm not including mine as inspiring...but interesting maybe!).  Sometimes you only get one chance...poor henpecked guy!!....

Alan

I don't know of a train store, but I recommend two train related outings. One is the Branson Scenic Railroad. Phone 417-334-6110 for information or reservations. They have dinner and lunch excursions as well as just scenic excursions. The trip is down into Arkansas and back and has some pretty scenery.  Cars are old Budd cars and are interesting in themselves.  The other is in the old downtown on the north side of the main street -- called Dick's 5 and 10 cent store or something like that. Your wife will love it and you will see an awesome train collection overhead. He has some beautiful MTH and Lionel sets statically displayed on overhead track and also some beautiful airplane models (different subject, I know). Photos are from our balcony at the Hilton which is right across the street from the station. Your wife will have fun shopping for bargains at Dick's and also is sure to enjoy the train ride (about 2 hours) Have fun.

A number of years ago I was doing a consulting project in Branson and as part of that assignment I had to attended a matinee Oak Ridge Boys show at the Grand Palace (nice to have a job with perks - fifth row seats in the center).  I was 55 at the time and definately the youngest person in the audience.  I then had dinner with the General Manager of the theater to discuss the project I was in town to do.  I commented at dinner that, "Looking at this town and how it's set up, I imagine your target audience is people who are retired."

In all seriousness, he replied, "Nope, it's their parents."

I imagine there are few model railroading stores in Branson because the demographics are too old to support them - it might be the only city in the US where this is the case.  Rents are quit high because of all the entertainment industry activity.  The 40+ big theaters with shows aimed at hit singers from 40 years ago, the tour bus parking and lanes, the motels advertising 100% of their rooms at ground level, the restaurants with special low-salt diet menu inserts.  Its a town aimed at really old folk, many of whom, I imagine, love model trains but no longer have the energy to own and build a layout.

Great shows though. 

Harvey Owens is a good guy...His repair shop is in the basement of TPA Hobbies in Hollister, Mo.