I've bought a few things here and there from my local train store, and from Trainworld.com.. but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on what they think is the best site to buy loco's, cars, and track from online? The online stores seem cheaper..
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I like Mario's. Great prices, free shipping, easy to navigate website, always friendly and helpful on the phone if you prefer to talk "in person". Also a forum sponsor, just click the banner on top of the page.
Nicholas Smith and Charles Ro are good ones along with Gyrzboski and Pats trains.
Trainlover9943 posted:Nicholas Smith and Charles Ro are good ones along with Gyrzboski and Pats trains.
Agree. I would add Nassau Hobby, Petersen Supply and the Public Delivery Track.
Just Trains of Delaware. Also a Forum sponsor.
I've used Legacy Station. Great prices and really nice to deal with.
Model Train Stuff...
My favorites are Nicholas smith, gyrsboski, pats trains and public delivery.
I've purchased several locomotives from Legacy Station and had no problems at all. They were very friendly and helpful.
Steve Nelson, Mr Muffin's Trains, my current favorite for MTH,accessories and of course Korber bldg kits! Great service, excellent prices and a forum sponsor!
Model train stuff and Marios, both great places to buy trains.
Dave
SouthernMike posted:I like Mario's. Great prices, free shipping, easy to navigate website, always friendly and helpful on the phone if you prefer to talk "in person". Also a forum sponsor, just click the banner on top of the page.
I'll second Mario's. If Joe will meet or beat! Mike, as is Julie, at Just Trains of Delaware are favorites.
in no particular order:
Trainworld
Gryzboski"s
Western Depot
Nassau Hobby Center
Ready to Roll
Mr Union Pacific posted:I've purchased several locomotives from Legacy Station and had no problems at all. They were very friendly and helpful.
I live in North GA.. Legacy is an awesome store, but over an hour away from me. I only get there a few times a year. Very friendly, but not the cheapest. Especially when buying a loco, shipping is always cheaper than tax.
Anyone with free shipping. So Nassau Hobby gets my vote.
I also like those with good websites that are easy to navigate and those are:
Nassau Hobby
Mr. Muffins
and Nicholas smith
Most of the others listed here have websites that need work.
Mario's and Grzyboki's offer great service, great pricing, and no nonsense. You can buy toy trains anywhere, so I go with thems that have been excellent in the past.
I like Mr Muffins and Sidetrack Hobbies as my current go to shops.
Mikey
I would consider supporting your local train store. Prices may be a bit higher, but if you have a problem it will be a lot more convenient. They can also provide you with support, answer your questions and make recommendations based on your specific situation. The online stores may be cheaper, but service and support is worth a lot too, cheaper is not always better, IMO.
Of course this only applies if you have a good local train shop with friendly and knowledgeable staff. I get almost all of my stuff from my local train shop and mostly only get items online that they don't have or can not get. It also gives you a place to visit to look at things in person, talk trains and make purchases that you can have immediately when you need them. If no one supports them they will go out of business and you will no longer have that opportunity.
Just another suggestion here and something to think about. There are many local shops going (or have already gone) out of business and no longer exist. Something worth trying to keep going with one's support, again IMO.
As for online vendors, there is a pretty good list of suggestions above and I can't really add to that. I have purchased a few items from Trainworld, Nassau Hobby, Charles Ro and Model Train Stuff. Although not a lot of stuff (much of it was 'new old stock' that was long out of production) I have been quite satisfied with all of these vendors and have no complaints. Shipping was prompt, items were packaged well, no damage and everything worked right out of the box, no problems.
I like and use Henning's. Good selection and helpful!
Model train stuff (They still have a small brick and mortar store that sell train supplies in Towson, MD. My area of the country) and Marios and Just Trains of Delaware.
Another excellent store I forgot earlier is Stockyard Express. Clyde and his team are good people.
P&D Hobby is one of the very best for selection and service, especially if you model 2-rail O-gauge (as I do).
For used trains, I'd recommend looking at TrainzAuctions. I've secured about 90% of my collection from them and on every occasion, the product delivered is as described. Their website is top notch. There's a ton of trains (of all scales) bought and sold each week. I'd take that site any day over flea bay. You can also get spectacular deals on used track, transformers etc... It's worth a look.
My list: Mr. Muffin's, Patrick's, Nicholas Smith, Just Trains, Mario's, Brady's, Nassau, Trainworld, Ro - haven't had a bad experience with any of them. Also like Mercer Junction - have bought from Dave in person but not online. Will probably not deal with Trainz again - let's not derail the thread with that, as there are plenty of other threads which cover that topic.
Sadly, my LHS experiences have been that O gauge is usually a small sideline, so parts and service are nonexistent. Plus, the nearest LHS hires kids who don't know trains and don't care anyway.
Watch the sales and weigh the shipping costs with any of those folks - IMO they're all good. And be sure to inspect and test expensive items when they arrive.
Don't forget Rick Becker at Grand Central, great guy, great service and a forum sponsor!
TrainGuyMcGee posted:For used trains, I'd recommend looking at TrainzAuctions. I've secured about 90% of my collection from them and on every occasion, the product delivered is as described. Their website is top notch. There's a ton of trains (of all scales) bought and sold each week. I'd take that site any day over flea bay. You can also get spectacular deals on used track, transformers etc... It's worth a look.
TRAINZ also has a major presence on eBay.
irish rifle posted:TrainGuyMcGee posted:For used trains, I'd recommend looking at TrainzAuctions. I've secured about 90% of my collection from them and on every occasion, the product delivered is as described. Their website is top notch. There's a ton of trains (of all scales) bought and sold each week. I'd take that site any day over flea bay. You can also get spectacular deals on used track, transformers etc... It's worth a look.
TRAINZ also has a major presence on eBay.
Just remember the 18% buyers fee when you do. I personally like Ebays, like or get refunded better. And I don't have a 18% buyers fee. The bottom line thou is check the price with the 18% and what the bay has as a price and see which is better for you. I go back and forth to be sure, I also check out choochooauctions.com also not nearly as big but a lot of time if you find what you like it's even cheaper. I have never had a problem with them either.
irish rifle posted:Trainlover9943 posted:Nicholas Smith and Charles Ro are good ones along with Gyrzboski and Pats trains.
Agree. I would add Nassau Hobby, Petersen Supply and the Public Delivery Track.
All of the above and side track hobbies as well.
play trains posted:Don't forget Rick Becker at Grand Central, great guy, great service and a forum sponsor!
I got my first few MTH 2 rail engines from Rick,very friendly on the phone and very patient as at the time I had no idea of the differences in 2-3 rail etc,since then I have thought I'd like to share my purchases about and I have bought from many online stores, Norms O scale,Public Delivery,Pacific Western Rail system,AM Hobbies,and Raymond Manley, then The Sidings at Tamworth in the UK, oh and EasyGleis in Germany,
I'd like to know of any good stores in Europe who have a good stock of MTH 2 rail items as the duty tax on items here in Ireland can be crippling,if any European members can comment?
I would have to add my vote for Nassau Hobby.
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