Best O Scale 2 Rail Retailers

CABOOSE STOP HOBBIES

NORM'S O SCALE also has a lot of Atlas 2-rail ....

Both Merlyn/Caboose Stop Hobbies and Norm P./Norm's O Scale are good men to work with.

I buy most of my Atlas from Caboose Stop Hobbies. Merlyn and Carol are super-nice people and the prices and selection can't be beat. They probably have the largest inventory of out-of-production Atlas rolling stock anywhere.

Norm is a great guy, too, with a lot of hard to find Atlas rolling stock and motive power. Check out his In Stock List and you'll likely find something there to your liking.

Others that haven't been mentioned are Public Delivery Track (Beth Marshall) and Petersen Supply Co (Julia and Andy Petersen). I've bought lots of Atlas from both and they are fantastic.

This is another one that advertises on the forum and offers a 15% discount.    I have not purchased from this dealer, but he has had a website and ad on OGR for quite a while.   

I have purchased from Norm's and Caboose stop and they are good to deal with.   

Also, P&D hobbies http://www.pdhobbyshop.com has a good inventory of Atlas O and many older offerings.    P&D does not offer a regular discount, but often has sales.     They also are a very good source of parts and supplies for modeling.     They have a very large inventory.

Here's where I get mine:

• Deichman's Depot. Len is a great guy to deal with.
• Mercer Junction Trains (when I pre-order)
• Norm's O Scale
• Petersen Supply
• Public Delivery Track
• P&D Hobbies

Hi,

Thanks kindly for all your suggestions. I will check them all out, but I have to say Caboose Stop Hobbies Blue Room is jaw dropping.

Regards Daryl

That blue room is not for anyone over 120 pounds. Narrow isles and stacked to the ceiling.

They are good people.

Dick

Another vote for Caboose Stop Hobbies, excellent customer service!  Merlyn was even kind enough to show me the club layout on a day it wasn't open.

Steve

I'll add High Country Hobbies to Matt's excellent list.

Is "Merlyn" the guy who sets up at Wheaton and the March Meet? Seen him for years but have never visited his shop.

Colorado Hirailer:

Yes, you are correct.

He takes the end cap location in the 3rd building at the monthly DuPage/Wheaton meet.

I don't remember his location at the March meet, but do remember him being there.

I also have never been to his shop.

Charlie

I was out west two years ago and visited Merlyn's shop on the way back through Iowa.    He is in either Cedar Falls, or Cedar Rapids, I can't remember each.    It is a very nostalgic and fun old fashioned hobby shop.   I did not have the opportunity to visit the blue room or the layout in person.    I did find an Atlas car I wanted during the visit.    I have bought many cars from him at the March Meet and at times the Cleveland Meet.   He has not made Cleveland very often.

Try DesPlaines Hobbies, in the Chicago marketplace, also:    http://www.desplaineshobbies.com/store/

Merlyn seems to make plenty of shows.  I see him in Chicago each March, and last year caught him at both the NMRA convention and the O scale meet in Indy.  Super nice guy, always friendly and helpful.

When you enter the hall for the March meet, the middle section is filled with tables running left to right.  The tables on the ends of the hall run front to back.  Merlyn is typically in the back half of the first row of front to back tables on the right, facing the middle section.  I don't remember him having a sign.  I just always look for the stacks of blue Atlas boxes.  I hope that description makes sense.

Jim

I'll second High Country Hobbies.  They had a lot of older issues the last time I was there.   Mr Muffins Trains also shows a lot of 2-rail Atlas.

Jan

Austin Bill posted:

I'll add High Country Hobbies to Matt's excellent list.

I feel bad. Forgot about Dave at High Country Hobbies. He's one of the few shops that stocks MTH scale-wheeled locomotives (I've bought two from him). Great guy to deal with. If your monitoring, sorry I forgot, Dave.

To amplify on Matt's comments,  Dave Hample, High Country Hobbies, in my book deserves to join the "rest of best" we've been identifying - just to give him equal time here.   Lotsa 2 rail items.  Robust website.  Good prices.  Totally gets the importance of backing up his sales with after the sale service.  Pleasant to deal with.  He has a bricks and mortar store in Alabama now.  Used to be in Montrose CO thus the name.  It's great to have all of these dealers to choose from and I use many of them from time to time.  Mostly internet for me because the closest bricks and mortar stores for O scale 2 rail are a days drive from Austin.  All gone.  Bummer.   When we had B&M's I was always willing to pay a reasonable amount extra over the internet price for the privilege of spending time there. 

Caboose Stop Hobbies is in Cedar Falls, IA.

Dick