Headed to Cleveland & Pittsburgh next week. Any can't miss hobby shops??

Well, between Cleveland and Pittsburgh is Mercer Junction Train Shoppe.  That would be the one "can't miss" shop I would recommend.

Depending on how much time you have, how much driving you are willing to do, and what you are looking to buy, there are many other shops all around Pittsburgh that are worth at least a one-time visit that I could mention.

Andy

Driving around Pittsburgh for a non-local... If there are a couple that you really like let me know, post them up and we'll see what happens!

Looking for? I never know til I walk in the door! 

Several more between Cleveland and Pittsburgh:

• The Underground Railroad Shoppe
• C. T. McCormick Hardware
• Imperial Train Co.

If You are traveling from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, you would be able to hit them in this order: Mercer Junction, Underground, C.T. McCormick and Imperial (reverse order if going from Pittsburgh to Cleveland).

It may be tricky to visit them all in one day, so check the days and hours of operation for each shop.  As I said, Mercer Junction would be the "must see" shop of the bunch.

These shops should be fairly easy to find with minimal off-the-major-highway driving.

Andy

  While not a hobby shop - if you and the people in your avatar are at all interested in real trains you should try to drop by Berea to watch the action on both the CSX and NS. There's good parking and there are a lot of east and westbound trains on both systems. The other nice thing is that the exit to get to Berea is the I-480 exit to the airport and the action is just a couple of miles south.

Trading Post Train Shop in Cleveland. 3294 Pearl Road Cleveland, 44109 .  216-661-7300. Jim Berilla has a ton of Lionel, postwar and modern and will take good care of you. An old-style (since 1950) train shop. Located off I-480 and I-71 on the west side.

In Pittsburgh, A B Charles and Son is a fun visit.   It is a traditional hobby shop that has allways been well stocked when I visited.   It used to be in Dormant right across from one of the street car lines, but I think they moved to a large location

Forget not that there are two train meets this weekend, both TCA sponsored but both have open time for the public.  On Saturday there is the Great Lakes Division meet in Cleveland at the Chevrolet Union Hall on Chevrolet Blvd.  On Sunday the Fort Pitt Chapter has a show in Cranberry, PA, near I-80 and I-79.  Both should be pretty good shows this time of year.

Paul Fischer

I would try and make the stop into Lionel Customer Service in Canfield if you're driving from Cleveland to PA...

I'm going to be in Cleveland-land myself next week and hope to do the same!  always try to stop in and see them when I'm around!

And if you're in the left-hand side (Mentor, Mayfield Heights...) there's a few Mom and Pop shops to stop into... Stewart's Hobbys in Willoughby, and I've purchased stuff from Mosblack Hobby Shop in Salem.

Thanks,

Mario

Another train attraction in downtown Pittsburgh is the Carnegie Science Center (right next to Heinz Field).  Admission is a little pricey, but this is a good time of year to visit.  Not only do they have a wonderful O gauge layout, but their Omnimax Theater is currentlt playing "The Rocky Mountain Express" and "The Polar Express" in their rotation of films.

Andy

Hobby Express in Cranberry Pa. right off the Penna. Turnpike / I-79 exit they just expanded their train dept. and have a good selection of RC planes/cars,model kits,rockets etc. what a hobby shop used to be like.

Unfortunately, Jim, it's now "...was a fun visit".  Back in the 'not-so-long-ago old days' it was a nice shop for trains -- Bud could even be counted upon to find some things a 2 rail 0 scaler might "need" down in the store's basement -- but since they moved, the trains have been very much downsized.  Not recommended [ well, by me anyway; YRMV ], except for their magazine collection, unless you are driving by -- or having a meal at the [ original ] Atria's location next door.

Best regards, SZ

Edited to add:

1.  I second the motion for Hobby Express in Cranberry, especially if you need scratchbuilding/kitbashing supplies and tools in addition to trains per se.

2.  C.T. McCormick is a great place if you know what you want;   maybe this time of the year they have more on display, but often much of their stock is boxed "in back".  Very friendly folks, excellent inventory.

3.  I'd also recommend Imperial Trains -- friendly and a lot on display.

4.  The only thing against "Underground" is the location -- a little more time consuming off the major interstates, etc.

   All my opinions, of course.

I second that its a very great place 

couple places in ohio and very easy to get by an out of town visitor: stockyard express -about 6-7 miles south of oh turnpike at bumhart rd and u.s. rt 20 all country driving. arrons[ former glenns] on grant st- about a 1/4 mile north  right off i -76 in akron -ohio- also smithville trains-wwwwway out in the country north of wooster off rt83. i would call for exact hours before driving to any location.

[as i post this  i just turned on the tv - what the ell is going on in this country?]-jim

It may be a bit out of your way, but Stockyardexpress is a bout 20 min west of Cleveland and worth the drive. Tons of trains are displayed so you can actually see them out of the box. He has a layout and a test track for running potential purchases(you wanna hear the horn/whistle bell and sounds before buying!).  Clyde is super friendly. He does carry several manufacturers (MTH, Lionel, Weaver, K-line, Atlas etc..) but as far as motive power, he mostly has MTH.

American Hobby and Alim's Hardware in Ambridge are worth a visit if you got out towards Imperial train, Both with a strong Lionel / MTH component.

I'd also make a pitch for Aaron's City Trains in Akron, about 25-30 minutes south of Cleveland. Huge stock and a nice size store layout. Stockyard is also definitely worth a visit. 

Depends on what you are interested in.  If you are interested in local Pittsburgh trains I would strongly recommend Brady's Train Outlet in Greensburg.  If it ran in Pittsburgh they have it at a price.

I am not sure at all that the Underground is worth it.  Mercer is the must of the trip.

The Trading Post is definitely a must see - small old time shop packed to the ceiling with orange boxes.  I found a couple of good deals in there last time.

Also, a half hour or so west of Cleveland is Stockyard Express near Oberlin.  A large assortment of MTH plus Lionel - on a farm!

John

It would be helpful if you could narrow it down just a bit.  Any particular brand(s) you are interested in?  Any particular era (postwar, contemporary, etc.)?  Scale, traditional, or tinplate?  Like you, I enjoy ALL toy and model trains, but folks here can help you save time and gas if they have a few more specifics to judge from.

Different shops tend to have different "specialties" and different levels of stock on hand, but there are many fine shops in the vicinity of the area you will be traveling.

At one time or another, I have purchased from most all of the businesses mentioned thus far, but most of my in-store visits are to Dave Minarik's Mercer Junction because he has become a good friend and is a regular contributor to the magazine (his modeling work has been displayed on four of our covers in recent years).  His store is also the easiest drive for me (about 45 minutes) and it houses a superb and continually evolving layout that you're sure to enjoy no matter what kind of trains you prefer.  Best of all, he's just a darn nice and extremely talented guy.

I guess my recommendation would be to hit as many of the places mentioned in this thread as possible if you have the time available.  You won't be disappointed!

I would ditto what Allan stated.

........................................... but most of my in-store visits are to Dave Minarik's Mercer Junction because he has become a good friend and is a regular contributor to the magazine (his modeling work has been displayed on four of our covers in recent years).  His store is also the easiest drive for me (about 45 minutes) and it houses a superb and continually evolving layout that you're sure to enjoy no matter what kind of trains you prefer.  Best of all, he's just a darn nice and extremely talented guy.

Click on the underlined phrase to link some of my in-store picture.  Trip from Cleveland to Pittsburgh continue on I80 east to the Mercer, PA exit.  Mercer Junction train shop is part of the town square block around the court house.   A little out of the way, Pittsburgh via I 79 and I 279.  

jg, I think you meant to write 'Aliquippa' [ Ambridge is on the other side of the Ohio, and the bridge may be closed ] -- and fortunately both stores are not 'in' the town but closer to the through [ Rt 60 ] road.  I think [ opinion ] they are good stores, but not in the same rank as some of the others previously mentioned.

Brady's is a good store, but on the non-Cleveland side of Pittsburgh.  I would think Imperial might have as good selection of the "Pittsburgh special" items;  see their website for a listing, including those on sale.

Jeff T, let us know after your road trip what stores you visited, and your opinion of each.

Best, SZ

That is why I omitted Brady's and a number of other great shops from my list.  If venturing Eastward from the 'Burgh, I could list a lot more.

We are lucky to have a lot of train shops and hobby shops in this region.

Andy

Yup, yunz is correct, I'm on the wrong side of the river!  Aliquippa it is!  Still worth it.

All that talk about the Trading Post takes me back to Ralph Brown, Silver, and the rest of that bunch from 1973...my first visit there, and a 2321 DL&W FM, also my first Lionel TrainMonster!

Yep, the Trading Post Train Shop is a must-see.  Very old school retail establishment that's a bit hard to find as it's not in a giant strip mall.  Step back in time and go there.

Thanks for ALL the suggestions.

Looks like the winners are Mercer Junction & Hobby Express!!!

My customer is in Mercer so that couldn't have worked out better and I'm staying one night in Cranberry so bingo!!

Thanks Again for all the suggestions, I'll tuck them away and have a few places to visit on future trips!! 

May I suggest since you will be in Mercer in the future to drive I-80 West to Youngstown, pick up I-76 West to Akron to Aaron Trains just west of I-77/I-76/OH Route 8 Interchange. I-77 or OH Route 8 North will take you straight north to Cleveland. You will add about 75 miles to you trip. You can detour south past Youngstown to view the Lionel Repair Facility. Poland is also on this route and OGR location easy to find as well.  Enjoy your trip.

If you will be in Pittsburgh Fri,Sat or Sun eve you could stop at Kennywood check out the lights and Tthe Pittsburgh Indenpendent Hi-Raiers layout.

Question for the troops. Are these two facilities the same place? Anyone have an address??  Thanks!!!  Leaving tonight!!

All in the Cleveland area.....good "O" gauge shops with good service...

Stockyard Express in Oberlin west of Cleveland is loaded with MTH and Lionel and Weaver

49293 Plate Road  *   Oberlin, OH  *   44074
440-774-2131

Smithville Model Railroad in Burbank, Ohio south of Cleveland is really cool shop..lots of Tinplate, MTH, Lionel, Weaver, etc..

7717 Rice Hill Road, Burbank, Ohio

Grand Pacific Railroad on Pearl Road (at Bagley) in Middleburg Hts near the airport has a good selcetion of Lionel and MTH..plus lots of custom O gauge buildings.

7233 Pearl Road Middleburg Hts, Ohio

In Akron area- off of I-77-I-76

Aarons City Trains

587 Grant Street
Akron

Yes.

Lionel Customer Service

6655 Seville Dr

Canfield, OH 44406

Let us know which places you end up visiting.  We gave you far too many to visit and still get anything else done.

Andy