Anybody know anything about this shop? Their website isn't much. No problem, just wondering if they are worth a trip.
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I bought an RK RS3 from them, but by phone. I've never been to the shop. I found them from the MTH product locator. Transaction was good.
Great shop. My go to shop in western New York. Ron is great to deal with . Lots of stock. Good for repairs He is a regular at all the train shows in Buffalo. Little out of the way. Can be reached off of rt. 16 in East Aurora. tstark
I have been there many times. Tremendous selection of rolling stock and buildings; used items also. When in East Aurora be sure to visit Vidler's; you won't believe the stuff in there.
Big inventory of MTH, and he has others as well. Great to deal with too. He knows trains very well.
Very good to deal with. My purchasing last few years has been zilch but I have dealt with him several times and won't hesitate to again.
I agree its worth a trip. Just make sure you call ahead and make sure of their hours as they can vary. East Aurora is a neat little town. Ron can recommend some good places to stop for a meal.
Pete
They have a lot of MTH O gauge inventory. Really the only train store left in the Buffalo area. The owners are knowledgeable and friendly. They really have everything you need for your layout. Lots of starter sets for the person just getting in to the hobby as well. The prices are Very Reasonable.
Nice to know. I grew up in Hamburg and travel back to WNY now and then. There is a fairly decent train shop in Hamburg too. It is called "Artcraft" now, I think. It is located in the old Erie freight station on Scott Street.
The shop in East Aurora sounds interesting. So many shops have disappeared in WNY. I used to go to the "Train Barn" in Orchard Park, Spoonley's in South Buffalo, Fields, Niagara Hobby (just closed) and so many others.
I have a new place to check out next time I am in town!
Tom
Thanks KRIEGLOK - Just drove out to Artcraft in Hamburg. Really interesting the way it is set up in a real train station. I never knew it was there. (I am not native to the area.) . They are a Lionel dealer.
Brian from Buffalo posted:Thanks KRIEGLOK - Just drove out to Artcraft in Hamburg. Really interesting the way it is set up in a real train station. I never knew it was there. (I am not native to the area.) . They are a Lionel dealer.
There used to be a Pennsy Decapod out back. Was that still there?
Pete
I am glad to know Ron is still there in business. When I lived in the area he was my go to for MTH items in particular. It was my favorite shop to visit, even with a half hour drive. It was always a pleasure. Sorry to hear Niagara Hobby closed. I knew the original owner and bought from him when he was the local distributor. It was amazing and overwhelming to go into the warehouse and walk the Aisles looking at all the products. He later opened Niagara Hobbies. When John ran it, it was impressive, but with his passing years ago, it lacked his passion.
They are a good store, my uncle and I buy stuff from him a lot. Ron is a great guy.
Does anyone know what the status of the shop is now since Ron's passing? I was there just over a year ago and his son said the shop would be closed after Christmas of 2019.
RIP Ron 
That’s a shame. I was only there once but the place was impressive...and huge!
My condolences to Ron’s family.
Tom
Hold the presses!! Niagara Hobby is gone??!! I used to go there frequently as a kid... (grew up in the area) Was a really nice store...
I think I went to the one in East Aurora about 11 or 12 years ago... walked in with a Railking 2-8-0 I bought when visiting family out of state and they reprogrammed it to 4 chuffs per rev. and turned off the crew talk for me no questions asked. Since they were so willing to help with an engine they didn’t sell I turned around and bought 2 MTH freight cars while I was there... They probably would have been my go-to store for O gauge stuff if I hadn’t moved to Wisconsin 10 years ago...
Yes, they closed down a year ago, I think. I don't know what happened to the caboose they had on display in the parking lot. I haven't been in the area for a while...
https://buffalonews.com/busine...a8-4ba97e3e29a6.html
Tom
I’ll never forget that caboose...
I still miss Ron from his Aurora hobbies, and Niagara hobbies too.
I got my first O scale MTH engine from Ron.
We move forward but remember where we came from and who helped us along the way!
I for sure miss Ron and the store. My father, grandfather, uncle and myself would spend the latter part of a saturday at Ron's and Niagara hobby. Fun times for sure.
