Looking for leads for train store(s) in the Atlanta area. Gonna be there for a couple days. Can't really tell much with internet search regarding inventories and such. Thanks.
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If you're in the Athens area, there's a small mostly Lionel store in Watkinsville, called, "The Memory Station." I haven't been there in over 20 years but I understand its still open. I used to love hitting the place as a kid on our way to visit family in TN when I still lived in Florida.
As already stated, for O gauge, the closest is Legacy Station in Lilburn, GA. I don't think you will be disappointed driving to that northeast suburb of Atlanta. They have a great selection of modern Atlas, MTH, and Lionel trains, and some post war stuff. Very large store. Memory station is further away in Watkinsville, and also worth the drive if you are also interested in a large inventory of post war and some prewar trains. Of course, Memory Station has the new stuff too, but I am usually focused on the post war stuff when I'm there and Legacy for the the newer stuff.
Depending on where you are in the Atlanta area, you might as well start at Legacy Station, then drive out to Memory Station and hit them both.
Another vote hear for Legacy Station. I stopped once many years ago on a trip.
-Greg
-Greg
Thanks, people!
Definitely make the trip to Legacy Station. Great store, great people and a nice
layout in the back room.
There's also Trainmaster Models in Buford : 601 East Main Street, Buford, GA 30518
That's about 35 miles northeast of midtown up I-85 and I-985. If you're going to Legacy station (where Eric of the Eric's train videos shops) then you may as well just go another 15 minutes up the road.
It's a very large store with a wise selection, the NS southern main runs right in front of the store too.
Just watch out for that traffic!
That's about 35 miles northeast of midtown up I-85 and I-985. If you're going to Legacy station (where Eric of the Eric's train videos shops) then you may as well just go another 15 minutes up the road.
It's a very large store with a wise selection, the NS southern main runs right in front of the store too.
Just watch out for that traffic!
It would be nice if there was a map on this forum that members could pin items to, hobby shops, great sights, open layouts with a 15 word review. Often I travel, and think "Wonder what is close to this place?" I know I would really use the map function.
Lewis Collier is at Memory Station. It is pretty old school. No online presence at all. When he is not there Roger or his daughter are. All are excellent fun people to pull up a stool with and chat about trains. Tons of great advice and help but no MTH at all. Lewis is not a fan and will tell you about it if he is there.
Originally Posted by Ed Magruder:
Lewis Collier is at Memory Station. It is pretty old school. No online presence at all. When he is not there Roger or his daughter are. All are excellent fun people to pull up a stool with and chat about trains. Tons of great advice and help but no MTH at all. Lewis is not a fan and will tell you about it if he is there.
I assume you go there with some frequency? If so, ask him if he recalls a kid who'd come through there once a year in the 80s from Florida to Tennessee and would buy a lot of general RR stuff. For a few years, when I'd stop in they say, "we were wondering when we'd see you this year."
I so wish I'd get to chance to stop in there again. They were really good people back then and I assume they still are today. I live on the West coast now but still think of the place every now and then.
Glad to hear they're still in business.
So how was the shopping? Both stores are great. Hard for me to get to Legacy Station when it is open as I have my own business.
I only had time to get to Legacy Station. It was great! Took the opportunity to load up on things, some of which I will use...someday. Will be back in the Atlanta area near the end of March. Gonna try to hit the other places as I will have two days.
I am going to be down the Atlanta area later this week. Curious if these are still good places to stop and visit? Legacy and Memory. Any other recommendations? Hopefully any place with Pre and Post War.
@Ed Magruder posted:Lewis Collier is at Memory Station. It is pretty old school. No online presence at all. When he is not there Roger or his daughter are. All are excellent fun people to pull up a stool with and chat about trains. Tons of great advice and help but no MTH at all. Lewis is not a fan and will tell you about it if he is there.
I have been there once; used to buy from Lewis at the Dothan (AL) train show. I recommend.
My go-to pre-order - what little I do now - dealer is Legacy station.
Not familiar with Trainmaster Models in Buford.
@M J Breen posted:There's also Trainmaster Models in Buford : 601 East Main Street, Buford, GA 30518
That's about 35 miles northeast of midtown up I-85 and I-985. If you're going to Legacy station (where Eric of the Eric's train videos shops) then you may as well just go another 15 minutes up the road.
It's a very large store with a wise selection, the NS southern main runs right in front of the store too.
Just watch out for that traffic!
TrainMaster Models has actually moved to 1359 4th Ave, Auburn, GA 30011. Plus, it is slightly smaller and they don't have much O gauge - largely HO or N.
Legacy Station and Memory Station are better - though Legacy Station is far bigger.
Does Trainz have a retail store operation? They are in Buford.
I live in The Athens area and go to Memory Station regularly. He is only open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Saturdays when he is not off to shows (which he has started doing again). Best to call and make sure he is open: 706 769-8986
Greg, Winterville, GA
I don't think Trainz has a retail side anymore. I think with the limited time I have, Legacy Station will be my only stop. It is also close to where I will be.
Rambler Don, I can vouch for two locations from when I visit my in-laws in the north Atlanta suburbs. Legacy Station as mentioned prior and also Blue Ox Trains in Roswell. Blue Ox is a good treat. One side of the store is model trains and the other is an antique store. I just checked to see if Blue Ox is still operating in business and thankfully they are. It's just a mile or so from the Holcombe Bridge Road exit off the Georgia 400. I was last there in Christmas 2019.
I stopped by Legacy Station. Very nice folks. Wound up buying a few things. I definitely was expecting a larger physical store for some reason.
