Hobby shops in upstate ny

Best bet is Despatch Junction in East Rochester. Run by a life long collector. If you don’t see what you are looking for just ask.

https://www.despatch-junction.com

Pete

I have had good experiences here.

You can't go wrong with Despatch Junction in East Rochester, if anyone is going to have something rare or old, they'll have it, if you don't see it, ask, they have much more in a storage building that they just don't have room for in their store building. It's a great experience to check out.

You also might contact the JR Junction Hobby Shop in Syracuse. The owner has been in trains quite a few years and while I have not seen much standard guage there, it is worth a call to Phil. He is an advertiser here.

I grew up in Rochester and loved Despatch Junction but lately I think it has gone down hill. Lots of used stuff and when I was there last I was ignored for the thirty-minutes I was there and there weren't any other customers. JR Junction is great... I was just there a few weeks ago.

By the way, "Upstate NY" could mean anything from Albany west to Buffalo. If you give a better area of focus, you might get more responses.

@BenLMaggi posted:

I grew up in Rochester and loved Despatch Junction but lately I think it has gone down hill. Lots of used stuff and when I was there last I was ignored for the thirty-minutes I was there and there weren't any other customers. JR Junction is great... I was just there a few weeks ago.

By the way, "Upstate NY" could mean anything from Albany west to Buffalo. If you give a better area of focus, you might get more responses.

To City guys anything north of the GW Bridge is upstate. Despatch is not what it was before the fire but still nothing comes close for pre war.

Pete

@Norton posted:

To City guys anything north of the GW Bridge is upstate. Despatch is not what it was before the fire but still nothing comes close for pre war.

Pete

Growing up in the Bronx, Yonkers was upstate. Before I started school, I thought all those pictures of mountains and farms had to be taken somewhere right around there!!

Even though I've lived now near Albany for over 50 years, I still consider Westchester the beginning of "upstate"!!

Jim

There is also Gardner the Train Doctor in North Rose, another Forum sponsor. Very nice experience, and they make Gargraves track in the back.

@John H posted:

...and they make Gargraves track in the back.

It;s more like there is a train shop out front of the track factory.

When I saw this topic, I got excited because I am going to Upstate NY in three weeks, which to me is the Andirondacks or North Country.  But so far the shops recommended have been in Central or Western NY.  @BenLMaggi is correct in you need to be more specific in where you are going.

"you need to be more specific in where you are going."

Indeed, New York State is about the size of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland/N. Ireland combined. Close to 400 miles from Buffalo in the west to NYC in the south and close to 400 miles from Massena in the North to NYC.  Well, figure 370 miles or so .  Then add another 120 miles from Manhattan to the east end of Long Island (Montauk).

I live in Syracuse ny.  Everything is half way to me.  I just do not want to end up in new York York city.