Berwyn's Toy & Trains

Berwyn's is a fine shop with a great staff!  They are to be commended for all the special run product they are doing.

I've never been there but I've purchased some of their custom runs.  I'm waiting on the CB&Q & Rock Island heavyweights now.  I'd love to visit sometime.

Went there once when attending Motorola cell phone training.

Big selection!

I like Berwyn’s Store and especially the mural of the CB&Q 4-8-4 Northern locomotive above the main display cases.  

I bought my first O-gauge CB&Q Zephyr there.  MTH F3 ABA #9960ABC with 15” (60’ Scale) Aluminum California Zephyr cars.

I also love their MTH special runs.  

Then again, I like all hobby shops.

I also do lots of business at Chicagoland Hobbies (closer to me & they have 3RD Rail).

I also stop in at America’s Best Hobbies when I  pass through Itasca.

As financial sacrifices on the Altar of Zephyrus, I try to keep all of these hobby shops in business !!!

CB&Q Bill

Nice pics and story about the visit.

A great store - I try to stop by whenever I'm in the Chicago area.

Dave:

That's a great looking boxcar. Than's for the other pictures as well.

Pat

Mr. Ripp, could you please tell me a bit more about that corrugated roof boxcar?  I, too, have w-a-a-y too many boxcars for any sane person; however, I do not recall any with such a roof.  Do you know if there are more at Berwyns?  Thank you.

It's a great store, and my LHS. I just wish they had more ATSF pieces 😉.

Their custom run stuff is really nice. I've got several of the unique pieces of rolling stock they've had made by MTH. I'd encourage anyone who's interested in any of their custom runs to order one before it's gone.

@Golden Prairie Railroad posted:

Mr. Ripp, could you please tell me a bit more about that corrugated roof boxcar?  I, too, have w-a-a-y too many boxcars for any sane person; however, I do not recall any with such a roof.  Do you know if there are more at Berwyns?  Thank you.

Ed, that's a question worth asking but I'm not sure. I've have 4 MTH GM&O's now and this is the only one I've seen with this roof style. If you email them or give them a call, they know what they have. I have my eye on the Grand Trunk and the Soo Line right next to each other for a future purchase. I like 40-foot boxcars they look good on my 054 3 rail layout and fit my 1971 era. So many choices and in my opinion, they have great taste in what they've had made.

Excellent service, I bought two special run rock island locos and two cabooses from them on line. Both times all items arrived well packed, flawless and in three days to my door after being shipped. They even asked over the phone for custom run suggestions wich I gave them. Wish I lived close, maybe some day I will visit there if I ever go that way. They are making custom runs of roadnames I collect. Just need more money to get them.

@Dave Ripp. posted:

Ed, that's a question worth asking but I'm not sure. I've have 4 MTH GM&O's now and this is the only one I've seen with this roof style. If you email them or give them a call, they know what they have.

Dave, from your photos, and a look at their website, it seems they sell MTH exclusively.  Is that the case?

Ron, I did see a section of Atlas O and a little Lionel. I was looking at their web site last night and noticed it mostly shows the new MTH custom runs. I should have taken more pictures but didn't want to ask other customers to move LOL.

@RadioRon posted:

Dave, from your photos, and a look at their website, it seems they sell MTH exclusively.  Is that the case?

Pretty much. They will order whatever you want from Lionel, however.

In addition to their special runs, expertise, lots of old and new trains in their store, etc., Tom and Larry are just nice, honest folks !!  turtle7

All my future new purchases will be custom runs from Berwyn’s. It’s what I want on my layout.

@turtle7 posted:

In addition to their special runs, expertise, lots of old and new trains in their store, etc., Tom and Larry are just nice, honest folks !!  turtle7

Agreed, and their happy to share ideas and ask for opinions. Tim is also nice to deal with when he's there.

I have this cool custom run on order from Berwyns.

Paul - still playing my vinyl - Licata

I also have a custom order for the Western Electric boxcar. Went to a lot of company picnics when my dad worked there.

@Dave Ripp. posted:

I stopped by Berwyn's Trains this morning. I had a great time talking with Tom about special MTH runs and shopping. I picked up a nice MTH GMO boxcar, some paints and my wife found something Mickey Mouse as she has the last few times we've gone. I like the corrugated roof on the boxcar. I probably have a 100 or so boxcars and this is the first with this style roof.  I took a few pictures but not near enough to show what a great store this is. If you're within range, it's a store you should visit. Update lightly weathered with load.

THE SPINDLE is Berwyn's interpretation of a modern art sculpture which was on the southeast  corner of 22nd and Harlem(best guess).  Taken down a few years ago to make more room in a parking lot.  John

@rattler21 posted:

THE SPINDLE was Berwyn's interpretation of a modern art sculpture which was on the southeast corner of 22nd and Harlem (best guess).  Taken down a few years ago to make more room in a parking lot.  John

I remember the old one John. I read an article that they were putting up a new one at Paisano's Pizza. I went to look at it while out that way and it was a mini version. I was very disappointed it wasn't full size.

@franktrain posted:

I also have a custom order for the Western Electric boxcar. Went to a lot of company picnics when my dad worked there.

My Uncle Jim and my father in-law worked at the Montgomery plant. Very nice-looking car.

@Railrunnin posted:

I have this cool custom run on order from Berwyns.

Paul - still playing my vinyl - Licata

Really cool car, I'd only seen it in G Scale before this one was produced.