Nicholas Smith Trains

@Paul Kallus posted:

I've probably said this on other threads, though it's worth repeating for the simple reason that younger people who are accustomed to online shopping may not be aware of the vast and incredible experience of visiting a train/hobby shop in person - and without exaggeration Nicholas Smith is above and beyond what a constitutes a usual train/hobby shop. If you can picture floor to ceiling shelves of "train and hobby" stuff, you can get an idea.

The history of the original center Philly store is likely well known; it was one of the earliest, or the earliest, Lionel dealers in the country (there's a newspaper article on the front counter of the current Broomall, PA store that describes the history). My only connection with that original store was visiting John Wanamaker's department store at Christmas time, where the original Nicholas Smith and staff would set up a holiday train display, and it was quite amazing. Part of that display had been transferred to the Broomall, store, and was taken down about 8 or so years ago. Nicholas Smith passed away in 1973, I recall, and at some point afterwards, the store and/or name was purchased and moved to Broomall. I discovered the Broomall store in the mid 1990s when I was more into diecast cars than trains.

Online shopping is great and convenient, but the "experience" doesn't hold a candle to visiting a well- stocked and "atmospheric" train/hobby/toy shop like Nicholas Smith. I am glad to read that the store will go on; I imagine it is a tradition for many people to shop there...kind of is for me, too, though it's a little hike...plus my dentist in only 20 minutes away, and makes my 2/year dental checkup not so bad , remember the days when the dentist gave kids a lollypop , now I stop at Nicholas Smith and buy some figures, at least

I agree completely, and that's great advice if you live within a reasonable distance of a store like that, but of no help if you live 1500 miles away, like I do. There are no "well stocked and 'atmospheric' train/hobby shops (as you say) like NS to visit within 1000 miles of here, probably more. Online shopping may not hold a candle, but it's all there is. And actually it isn't so great, because you can't see anything before you buy it. It's gotten to be the only game in town for most people, though. As has been mentioned here many times, the absence of places for young people to see O gauge trains is an unfortunate by-product.

Yeah, Breezin, when I lived in Philly in the 1990s, there were only two train/hobby shops in the entire city, and rather small shops at that. Philly is a large city, and it was surprising that the train scene was weak, to say the least. Then, I discovered Nicholas Smith, in the western suburbs, and realized what a gem it was (even though I wasn't into trains at that time).  As of today, I don't know of any train shops within the city's limits, doesn't mean there aren't any, however.

The other joy of experiencing "atmospheric perception" is live steam. I first discovered that at the New Hope & Ivyland RR in Bucks County ~ and then at Strasburg RR. I had liked steam locomotives before that, to a degree that is, from models to seeing them in videos, but seeing them live is simply awesome and "hooked me" for life. I reckon I am lucky to live fairly close to all these neat places...though SE PA was a major railroad nexus point with industries and RR infrastructure galore. And then there's the history of the coal breakers of the Anthracite region a bit further north...there's so much history in PA a person can spend a lifetime exploring and learning about it.

@breezinup posted:

I agree completely, and that's great advice if you live within a reasonable distance of a store like that, but of no help if you live 1500 miles away, like I do.

True.  But if you are looking for something that you can't find and want a store you can trust, forum sponsored stores are great.  I haven't bought often from NST over the years, but every time I have,  they have been professional on the phone, their prices are always competitive and their shipping charges are very fair.  And its pretty obvious they carry a lot of inventory.  So It's nice when folks here describe the place because I like to her what they are about in person.

Mike

@Paul Kallus posted:

.... Online shopping is great and convenient, but the "experience" doesn't hold a candle to visiting a well- stocked and "atmospheric" train/hobby/toy shop like Nicholas Smith. I am glad to read that the store will go on; I imagine it is a tradition for many people to shop there...kind of is for me, too, though it's a little hike...plus my dentist in only 20 minutes away, and makes my 2/year dental checkup not so bad , remember the days when the dentist gave kids a lollypop , now I stop at Nicholas Smith and buy some figures, at least

It's a tradition for me, too. I live in northwestern NJ, but I occasionally drive my wife to see a doctor at Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia. Always scoot over to Broomall for a cheesesteak at Thunderbird, then go next door to Nicholas Smith.

They have a lot of old inventory that is not on the website. Joey knew where to find things, I hope the others do.

@CNJ Jim posted:

"It's a tradition for me...scoot over to Broomall for a cheesesteak at Thunderbird, then go next door to Nicholas Smith."

You just described one of my "perfect day" scenarios...

@Paul Kallus posted:

Yeah, Breezin, when I lived in Philly in the 1990s, there were only two train/hobby shops in the entire city, and rather small shops at that. Philly is a large city, and it was surprising that the train scene was weak, to say the least. Then, I discovered Nicholas Smith, in the western suburbs, and realized what a gem it was (even though I wasn't into trains at that time).  As of today, I don't know of any train shops within the city's limits, doesn't mean there aren't any, however.

The other joy of experiencing "atmospheric perception" is live steam. I first discovered that at the New Hope & Ivyland RR in Bucks County ~ and then at Strasburg RR. I had liked steam locomotives before that, to a degree that is, from models to seeing them in videos, but seeing them live is simply awesome and "hooked me" for life. I reckon I am lucky to live fairly close to all these neat places...though SE PA was a major railroad nexus point with industries and RR infrastructure galore. And then there's the history of the coal breakers of the Anthracite region a bit further north...there's so much history in PA a person can spend a lifetime exploring and learning about it.

What part of Philly did you live in?

My father bought me a 6-8111 DT&I Switcher for $ 19.95 at Nicholas Smith in Philly ,  pretty sure  it was them.  I  think there were  quite a few train stores around the 8Th and Race st section. Also some of the hardware stores would sell Lionel Trains and repair them like Barlow's Hardware @ 23rd and Snyder in South Philly

I still have the DT&I and it still works .

Joe, I lived in Pennsport - 1600 block of S. Hancock Street from '89 to '98. The only shops I knew of then were Al Cappelli's on Market Street and one of those chain hobby stores up in the NE.

Back in 1995 I was in Philadelphia for business and stopped in at N-S to see if they had any deals. I think I picked up a postwar satellite launching car which I still have. I remember the store being packed with a lot of LGB trains at that time. What I mostly remember is getting a Italian hoagie for dinner which came from the deli next door(most likely Thunderbird as mention here) it was delicious except I did not have enough napkins for the oil and vinager dressing that they generously applied, best sandwich I ever had. I’m from the Midwest and have not been that way since. Great memory.