First let me say Thanks to all those that posted places for me to visit on my trip this week! I managed to visit 3 and bookmarked the thread for future visits.
I stopped at:
1) Trading Post Train Shop, Cleveland, OH. Walk in the door and you are immediately transformed back into the 50's and what a train shop looked like them. Trains, floor to ceiling and here and everywhere!! I met "Jimmie" and had a nice chat. He was not having a good day as we all know Lionel reduced their shipments of Christmas Cars to all their dealers and Jimmie had a list of people that weren't getting theirs. For a small shop like his I really see this problem as not helping his business. Interestingly though, he's a one man shop. The only guy that works the front of the store! A few repair guys in the back but he's the face of his store! You have a problem, need something see Jimmie!! Nice place and I will stop again!!
2) Mercer Junction Train Shop, Mercer, PA: For those of you that have never heard of Mercer, PA it's a small town with a population of less than 3,000. Headed to a town of that size I really didn't know what to expect. Well walking into the front door I was shocked! A beautifully detailed 11' x 21' (I think that's what Dave said) layout!! Dave's store is three years old and a thing of beauty! Where the shop in Cle took you to the past, Mercer Junction is the shop of the future. Most of his steam and diesel locomotives were on wall racks, but not hidden behind a counter, but right out in the open so you could really see them! I recognized Dave from his avatar on the forum and introduced myself. He said he had read the thread and was expecting me. We didn't have too much time to talk as the store was quite busy the entire hour + I was there. I bought some track and a Mercer Junction t-shirt, and complimented Dave over and over on his store. I will definitely visit Mercer Junction again. I should mention while I was there I met a retired gent named Max. Max and I chatted almost 30 minutes about trains, life and who knows what else! If anyone is ever nearby I would say Mercer Junction is a MUST VISIT! Andy, I must say you nailed this one!!
3) Hobby Express, Cranberry, PA: My first two stops were purely train stores, Hobby Express was a full blown hobby shop. Whatever you wanted it was in there; trains, slot cars, r/c cars, models, you get the picture. They had a good selection of trains, accessories and the like with a small layout as well. I bumped into several of the staff and found the courteous and eager to help. While standing by their display case I met a gent named Tony. Retired, and looking for a serious steamer $$$$ for his grandson. Half an hour later I told him about Mercer Junction, he told me about Brady's! As it turned out Tony has the Lionel PRR Mikado that I just bought off the board. Now I bought mine after I noticed several videos that Alex made as I loved the whistle. Tony said it is the best engine he's ever had!! We also chatted about smoke units... Like me Tony likes smoke. I mentioned the mod I did to my TMCC fan unit and he asked where I learned about that. Tony had not heard of the forum but he does now! I spoke highly of you guys so...
Anyway, three completely different stores and three stores I'm glad I visited. I'm glad I was able to keep Mr Visa in my wallet, but with the Mikado and a Legacy system on the way I had to be good this visit!
Thanks again to all who made recommendations!!
