Mario's Trains comes through

I've ordered multiple items from Mario.  I absolutely trust him.

SJC:  Wow I'm sorry to hear this. Sounds like somebody dropped the ball.  Or somebody screwed something up! It is hard to understand why they would not replace a totally dead engine..... It seems my own experience and 99% of everyone else has been overwhelmingly positive....

I've dealt with several dealers that advertise on the forum and I must say I've received excellent service from everyone of them.  It just happens that my last 2 orders were placed with Mario, he had the best prices for the items I wanted.

Gotta say, I've purchased from Mario's a few times and have been quite pleased.  But today, I was ecstatic with the great service.  I've been on the hunt for a Standard Gauge Presidential baggage car (in chrome finish) for awhile now, and Mario's had it!!!  Couldn't believe when they called me back to confirm that the one the computer said they had in inventory was REALLY there in the warehouse.  YES!!!!  So that completes the chrome passenger set for me.   

David

You east coast guys/gals have it all when it comes to trains. I've dealt with Mario and will go to his store again soon. Out here on the west coast of Canada, one of the few places to get trains, whether new or used, is joining clubs like Canadian Toy Train Society, which has members that often bring very nice items to monthly train meets. What we really lack is enough people willing to push the envelope and spend when we have someone willing to take a chance on a LHS. We've had a few over the years in the Vancouver area (Central Hobbies is pretty good and still going), but the lack of overall support, the lack of excitement about the hobby in general indicates what many of us feel is coming - the gradual deterioration of public support for O gauge, as former Lionel boys and girls die off. We grew up on the romance of railroading - whether the tail end of the steam era or well into diesel, but there were a plethora of interesting-looking trains and rolling stock that enticed the imagination and eye, unlike the somewhat boring 150 car one-mode utility snakes that slither down the tracks of today. There's no way to turn back the clock, but I worry that in another 10-20 years, there will be few O gauge enthusiasts to keep our hobby vital - except for areas such as the east coast, particularly Pennsylvania, which seems to have a real hotbed of railroading interest. Maybe we all need to move there?