Anyone been in a Hobby Lobby

mostly ho stuff some n just sets and some track if that's what you're asking about. A few years back they carried some Lionel and K-line stuff, I bought a lot of K-line track and switches at good prices, when they would have sales on or with coupons sometimes for as much as half off. I would print 2 coupons and drag a buddy me and get 4 for the price of 2. These were the nice snap switches with the black center rail and all the black ties. Sure do miss those days.

The trains and scenery items have changed over the past 4 years.

 

They used to have O Gauge, HO Scale, and N Scale model railroad sets, locos, and cars.

 

Now they have a few HO scale and N scale train sets.

 

There are still model scenery items and vehicles.

 

Andrew

Not much anymore at our local Hobby Lobby. About 5 years ago they use to carry a nice selection of Lionel, Bachmann, and Scenic Express. Retail prices but the 40% off coupon made for some good buys.

 

   Bill T.

Same here with all stated above, however, if you are into scratchbuilding there are many items available such as
Balsa wood
Xacto knives and blades
Foam boards and glue
Doll house items and accessories
Printed designs on paper such as brick and/ or wood flooring
And others if you are an "out of the box" thinker.

About 10 years ago Lionel did some starter sets exclusive to Hobby Lobby.

 

I compare the current day Hobby Lobby to Michaels.  Its basically an arts and crafts store but a terrific supply source if you scratch build. They carry a wide assortments of paints, woods for models, art boards, textured papers and molding compounds for building mountains.  As for anything O gauge specific; don't expect to find it there. 

Thanks for your replies, they are opening one within a half mile from my home, just wanted to get an idea what to expect.

For O scale items I bought some model people, trees and some ground cover. Other than that Hobby Lobby is better for paints and other art supplies.

I have bought weights used for pinewood derby cars there that I needed for an engine, and sheet metal.  Also good for small tools.  It's a nice place to look around and get ideas.

As others have mentioned, HL has stopped carrying O scale equipment and is best used to purchase items for scenery. I go to HL for airbrush items and molding supplies.

You know how in a big box grocery store you have to hike all the way back into the

fartherest corner to get milk....the one here is in an old discount store, with acres

of jimcracks in the front and the model stuff way in the back.  Still, it beats a thirty

mile drive to an HS for glue and Testor'

Hobby Lobby's special run from Lionel at 2004.

 

 

LOTS of good stuff!!!!!

They did drop almost all O scale items back a few years ago, track and freight cars, but there is still tons of usable things. 

A large amount of scenery items like foam grass, scale gravel and trees. 

Don't overlook their 'diorama' items as most of that line is 1/48 scale. I bought a set of 5 'mission priests' cheap and they will go great with my big church. 

Also their craft items. Small diameter wood dowels, matt board, balsa and spruce supplies and even glues and paints. 

My HL is 1.5 hour drive but I stil go 2 a month. A HL close by would be great! 

Great store,  we enjoy it often.  Train wise,  O gauge is limited at best,  mostly Lionel only.  Decent selection of scenic category items though,  have bought a set of trees every time I go in.   

 

Don't forget to google the "Hobby Lobby coupon" and you will get a 40% off one item,  one per day,  to use on one item.

 

Mark

Basically the same as Michaels. Good for supplies...glue, paints, blades, etc etc.. kitbashing or scratch building stuff... train wise...no.

I'm getting ready to start with the scenery on my layout, so I'm very happy they just recently opened one on my way home from the office, so I can stop by there to get ground foam and stuff like that.

It's a pretty neat store in general, LOTS of 'man cave' stuff in there if you want...

They are a big box arts and craft store. I use them for scenery supplies, acrylic paint, glue, and other items for doing scenery. 

     They do not have a Model Railroading or Lionel Department. See search results below from their web page.

• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, “ A Toy Train Layout” 

  Click screenshot to enlarge.

Growing up in North Carolina in the 1960's.....I am old enough to remember 'Sunday Blue laws'. 

IIRC no one died when K Mart was closed, no deaths reported when Belk's was closed on Sunday.......Drug stores were open maybe 1:00 pm until 3:00 but that was about it. 

Truly a different era......better IMHO. 

I think I commented on another thread about how I had to borrow a car and drive miles across the Ohio River from "Blue Law" Kentucky into Indiana to open auto parts stores, and others, of course, to keep a heap running so I could get back to work over there Monday morning.  Stores can close when they wish, as long as there are competitors who are open when I need something....unfortunately, with vanished LHS's, Hobby Lobby is the closest (and has the limited modeling selection).  Hey,

Menards is open seven days, so maybe things are picking up!

Hobby Lobby has a good selection of scenery supplies. I bought a Paache airbrush there with the 40% off coupon.

Actually several years ago, Hobby Lobby did stock Lionel track, track accessories and some Lionel freight cars and a few starter sets. I was able to purchase several Fastrack gate signal crossings from them, using their own 40% off coupons from the store flyers. The prices were regular Lionel list price, not inflated, so it was like buying new Lionel at 40% off. I knew it would not take them long to find out they were loosing money on selling Lionel at 40% off and soon after they discontinued handling it.

 

Most of the hobby supplies that I need come from Hobby Lobby - brass, wood (basswood, balsa, even pine), paint (big selection of low-cost "crafts" acrylic paints), foamcore, blank decal paper. It's a general crafts, furniture, framing, decorating store. Lots of jewelry-making supplies, which means wire, fasteners, shapes. Take note of these. Plus, there are women on these aisles!

 

It's not a "train store"; the HO/N stuff has re-appeared locally, but no O. That's fine, because the selection was as you might expect. I did get a "clearance" price on a Lionel NYC Flyer 0-8-0 set a few years ago - just scratch bashing loco/cars/parts so far as I'm concerned (I really do need to sell that Fastrack at a train show).

 

It has basic supplies. It is, however, missing a BIG one: no styrene sheets and shapes. I really should contact them about that - I'm sure that would get it done! 

A few more of the exclusive sets that Hobby Lobby offered,

think the Amtrak one was quite sharp:

 

 

Hi ed h - Did you purchase any of these sets at Hobby Lobby, if so what was the date. I did a Google Search and could not find them at Hobby Lobby.

     If you have a Hobby Lobby Link, Please post.

Thanks Gary

  Click screenshot to enlarge.

i don't go to hobby lobby to often but they do have some neat train related stuff if you poke around,around 8 or 9 years ago i'd browse their clearance section and found lots of atlas HO track switches all kinds of stuff like that..... and it was really cheap and made my ho layout pretty quickly so i was really happy for that. to bad they don't carry much of it anymore because the 40% off was nice.

Trainroomgary - All these Hobby Lobby sets were made in the 2003 to 2005 time frame. The photos I posted were of sets that I wound up selling, although I did keep just the Amtrak set.  There was also one more set, 31725 Rock Island Steam, a photo I found online for the set:

 

Guys who cares about blue laws! I just want a blue comet !
I did buy an HO slot car racing set at Hobby Lobby; Kids love it. I bought some 1/48 Tamiya WW2 military figures that can be used for O scale. Hobby lobby has since only carried 1/35th scale models in my area. HO and N scale sets are the rule at my local Hobby Lobby.

I wouldn't doubt that.

Remember how cranky people used to be limited to just the people they personally interacted with? The internet brings us all in touch with our inner curmudgeon, no matter what our age might be...

Hi Ed H

     Got it - Thanks for the help with the "Google Image Search".

I was hoping that they were still in the Lionel Game.

• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, “ A Toy Train Layout”

 

Tim,

You'll find a well organized, laid out store that excels in crafts and craft building material, very similar to a Michaels.

Trains of any scale will be sparse if not nonexistent.

If you're in the area it'll be worth to stop in and at least check it out.

OK... again, Hobby Lobby is a fantastic place of business, IMHO.  I have purchased many items for my layout there, at any of the several stores in our area, Oklahoma City.  Perhaps due to this being HL national headquarters, there is a discount store for discontinued/overstock items.  I acquired a Lionel Visitor Center hopper car for $20. The Greenburg book shows a value of $130.... not bad, in my book.  And this was in April of this year.  I also pick up many paints, light woods, all metals stocks, many detailing items.  They are a very popular and well respected firm employees are glad to work for, and many, like myself, enjoy shopping where we find many items, products for our various hobbies.  Model Railroading, included.  A great place to look for what you need for any layout.

It's where I get my tie down chains for flat cars. Jewelry dept. 

Clem,

Exactly!!  Hobby Lobby jewelry dept. has supplied many tie-down chains for my military loads on the flats I have/am working up.  Also, all, look at the charms they have there for jewelry.  I have found charms that are cups, coffee pots, cooking pans, sewing machines, typewriter, etc. that work great for details in houses, buildings, etc.  Also, the paints, brushes, and other train modelers needs.  Great place to shop.

I was jus reading the above comments, and I just remembered I use the same stuff.

Mostly for power lines and some tie downs.

See photo below.....

• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, “ A Toy Train Layout” 

TRUE.......all my log cars have blackened chain from HL. I also found a nice cross for the steeple of my Gothic church.  Glass beads for phone lines.....copper sheet for real copper roofs....on and on.......

I am headed there tomorrow. One of the two stores near me stocks a good selection of Woodland Scenics products. Most of my scenery supplies come from The Lobby - paints, weathering chalks, foam board, balsa wood, brass, plaster cloth, micro tools - the list goes on and on. 

 

My wife gets many of her things there, too, so there is never any argument over going. 

I am tired of deleting the political crap from this thread.

 

Since some of you cannot seem stay on the subject, this thread is closed.