O Gauge - Charlotte, NC

By and large, and based on personal observations made during a number of visits to the area, as well as what is reported by my relatives there, I think that is a pretty accurate evaluation.

Charlotte is a big and ever-growing city.  Also a very nice place to live, and it's a fine place for Lionel to locate due to the overall business climate.  But it just isn't--for whatever reason--"train country" as far as the hobby is concerned.  More people seem to be involved in outdoor activities, which is fairly common in the south, and Charlotte, large as it is, just doesn't appear to have the demographic mix to support a lot of activity in the model railroading hobby. 

The business dynamics has also changed the way we buy and sell trains.

EBAY and TRAINZ have dominated the cyber market place.

Also the number of model distributers has dwindled so it harder for shops to fill the number of allocations they can get.

Also I belive the amout of money a store will make is 5% to 7% on a locomotive.

I know from working at the Great Train Store and from talking to other shop owners they would rather sell started set allday long because they knew they could make a profit on them.

As far as shows go, there is the NC Railroad Expo coming up April 6th in Hickory NC, which is about a little over an hour away from the Charlotte area. I live in Gastonia, and have been to it several times, and it normally has a very good selection of O gauge. Its at the North Carolina Metro Center and lasts from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm that saturday.

Hi, Brian - been a while!

I remember some good times at both David's and Rich's stores!

Hope you and your family are doing well!

Next month, I will have been on hemodialysis for eight-years! We still own Bear Creek Junction.

Last stopped in Steve's store when Kay and I rode 630 to Barber Junction.

I live in Greensboro. Just north of Spenser. There are two shops here in the Triad. Greensboro Electric Trains here in town and the Train Loft in Winston Salem. There is a all scales show once or twice a year at the Metroliner hall in Charotte. I have had a table there several times and done OK. There are several local shows around the area as well as the TCA shows in Raleigh. Greensborgoal so has club located in the train station that is primarily a HO and N scale club too. So the train scene isn't too bad here in this part of the Old North State.

I'll just address things from a personal perspective:

Even before the Internet had such a profound impact on the buying and selling of toy trains, places like the Great Train Store chain (I visited many of them when they were around) and Charlotte Electric Trains had a pricing structure that precluded folks like myself from buying much there.  I admit to experiencing "sticker shock" every time I visited Charlotte Electric Trains, and I restricted nearly all of my buying at the various Great Trains Stores (I visited the one in D.C. Union Station a couple of times a week because I commuted by train into Washington) to books and various little gift-type items.  Would never have considered buying a train at these places because there were dealers with far better prices in the areas where I lived in those years--D.C./Baltimore area, Milwaukee, Norfolk, etc.

And even in areas where there was something of a captive audience--Charlotte, for example--anyone interested in the hobby who picked up any of the hobby magazines could readily see that they could get a whole lot more for less by going the mail order route.  Kind of tough to make a go if it in that environment unless the store has a fairly substantial customer base.

And, of course, the Great Train Stores went the upscale mall route--a sure killer for a specialized hobby store.  They were truly beautiful stores, but destined to fail over time.

When I made the switch from HO to 3R O I walked into CET and told David I wanted a MTH N&W 611 J. He had one....and I paid $299.00 which was retail for the -0 version IIRC.....but I thought it was a decent deal anyway. David, his Dad and store provided a good service for Charlotte.

Rich discounted a little more for the regulars on pre-orders and in general and that's were much of my collection came from. And his store off Albemarle Rd was a showcase for the MRR hobby and O in particular.  But it still did not make it. I wish he could have held on until the light rail system was finished and run feet from his front door.....maybe it would have helped.

Good memories anyway....

Brian:

GLAD to hear you are doing well! 

If you are ever in Western NC, stop by and see us! We are usually there in the Summer months.

That invitation also goes out to SR Sean as well!! 

Hey Art!!

It's really good to hear from you.

If you didn't know 630 will be making several trips in NC next month and in April.

I'm planning to take the April 13 for my Birthday present with the family.

I know there's a trip from Asheville,NC down the loops to Old Fort,NC and back.

By the way I saw a painting at the Southern Christmas Show of the depot at Bear Creek. I didn't get the name of the artist that did the painting but I was telling my wife that I know the person that lives there now. If my schedule will allow I would love to come up for a visit.

Take care my friend!

Dave,

Let me apologize for dragging you into the blasted hobby!!

I remember that night during the mainframe outage we started taking about trains.

After showing you my MTH Railking "J" you couldn't help but to take the plunge.

My 1st MTH Premier Line purchase where a set of A-B-A A.C.L F-3 from C.E.T

Also still thanks for painting my K-Line Boxcar into an Amtrak mail car!!

I'm glad I was able to assist in helping bite the O scale bug!!

I vividly remember seeing that J......the size, looks and heft made it an easy change!!! Thank you!! When I get the layout up you can come see me!

Sorry to the board for side talk!

Darn I wished I had known.But I have had my mouth takin care of.But I do like some of the lagre scale stuff.Go check out youtube the big e show.Shows a large layout that has 2 g scale csx freight trains one coal the other a mixed freight.I was shocked to hear these trains had sound.You can hear the chuging of gedash8 locomotives.

I to bought trains from rich it was a sad day when he clossed.I brought a lot of rolling stock there.I kick myself because he had a railking seaboard airline e8 locomotive.That would have looked great next to my mountain steamers.I was on one of the last train pulled by 611 out of spencer n.c.I bet your j can pull anything train freight or passenger.

I wonder if the lack of basement homes in the area impacts locals from entering the hobby.

I imagine that does have some role in it, although there sure are plenty of healthy-size homes in that area.

Thanks John, I'll mark that on my calendar!

I have lived here for about twelve years and I can tell you that basements are extremely rare and most garages are used for storage rather than cars. If not half of the garages of my neighbors are full of what normally goes into a basement. I am lucky to have a spare bedroom. I think weather is somewhat of a mitigating factor as our winter for the most part is the equivalent of a Northern Fall with temperatures around 50, give or take an occasional exception, while the nights can drop to freezing or just above that. I think the biggest part of it is economic history as Charlotte was never heavily industrialized unless you count clothing mills. Yes, there were are are railroads but it was never any sort of major railroad hub in comparison to Atlanta, Chicago etc as a consequence. So, you don't have this cross generational inheritance of interest, unless like me, you are a former Yankee who brings that with his or her self from a place that does. Ill be in Spencer for the NS excursion and will be more than pleased to meet my fellow exiles..a once a month get together sounds like a great idea..maybe car pooling to some of these fairly far away places would be fun.

Jacob and others make no mistake about it; in the included area between Monroe, Rock Hill, Gastonia, Lake Norman, and Spencer as the Greater Charlotte Metropolitan area there are dozens with interest in O-Gauge trains.  This includes two or three dozen that are very series O-Gaugers.  I personally know four guys in the Salisbury/Spencer area that between them roster over 400 engines and between one to two thousand pieces of rolling stock.  And there are many more in HO.  Remember an 8X16 O-layout translates down to only a 4X8 HO-layout.  But the bottom-line is that toy trains was not an affordable part in growing up in these parts, there is a LOT of other outside stuff to do.

As stated in an earlier post I have twice been part of endeavors to start an O-Gauge club/group. The problem in forming a club/group here has been level of individual commitment of time and resources (MONEYs), individual desires, personality clashes, and group dynamics.  One of the participants last time made this observation, “many want to join but few want to create.” I could go on but will keep it pithy.

 I've found what works pretty well was a small group of us O Scalers that meet over at someone house with a layout and ran some trains. We never really called it a club it was more of a get together. I didn't have a layout that was up and running but I did have a lot of rolling stock and motive power that I could bring and run. We would meet once a month or once every 2 month and would have light food and drinks. Other guys in the group that had a layouts would rotate the get together we also would help with anything that needed work. Wiring, Track laying, painting and scenery working. I’m always looking to help out other guys with their layouts plus seeing other layouts help me to get some ideas for building my own.

Ron,

Would any of these O Gaugers be willing to have an open house to view their layouts and collections?  I would love to make a visit to see what they've accomplished.

In your experience, what kind of time and $ commitment are typically required for a club?  I realized that this is highly subjective depending on the clubs goals, permanent layout, etc.  However, I've read they bi-laws for the NJHR club and it seems that this would be very doable from my end - although I do not represent the entire demographic.  NJHR require mandatory project hours, a probationary period for new members with and assigned new project, etc.  From what I've read, it would be a good foundation for a more formal club.  Although, as I stated earlier, that's not necessarily what I'm looking for right now.

Instead, I think a better idea is to try and find a good core group of guys locally that are willing to meet (and drink if you prefer) and discuss the hobby and possibilities of doing something more formal.

Sean, that sounds perfect and exactly what I'm looking for right now.  Since December 2012 I've purchased:

Lionel Polar Express set (for daugher and Christmas)

Lionel Legacy Command Set

Lionel Legacy B&O Em-1

MTH DCS Remote and TIU

MTH Premier Southern Crescent PS-4

Enough Fastrack to run all the above on 0-72 minimum curve

Is that enough to consider a head first plunge?

The problem I have is that I don't have a permanent layout.  I have to set everything up including, track, power, and command controllers just to run my engines for a few hours then tear it down.

I would love to visit layouts and have the opportunity to bring my stock and try it out.  Along with that, I don't mind helping with layouts either as I have NO experience at all.  All I need is someone to help guide me.  This would help me get ideas for when I finally do design my permanent layout in our next home.

Jacob I would have to say that is a pretty good head first plunge!!

I don't have a Lionel Legacy Command or any Legacy Locomotive for that matter.

Just TMCC and DCS for me right now.

I had a small floor setup at my former home until I down sized 4 years ago.

Now I'm looking to up size again since Jr. is here and he likes trains (wonder where he got that from) The get together worked great for all of us that did it.

It was a great way to enjoy the hobby and not worry about the club aspect of it.

Once I settle on a new place I would be willing to invite a few forum member over to my place for a layout building session. Like you Jacob I have a lot of stuff in boxes that's ready to spend some time running on somebody layout! and I'll even bring my own controllers!

boy, I guess its just the area or too many shops drove each other out.  that can happen.  I am blessed with a shop down the street that moves alot of trains, so he stays afloat well.  Ebay maybe your best shot with stuff. 

I'd be down with getting together & running some trains.  I'm in Fort Mill

Christopher, do you have a permanent layout?

Jacob,

Yes I have a semi - perm layout up in the loft of the place we are renting.  We are having a house built so I'll be moving in June, but for now, the layout & all 3 loops are up

I just viewed your flicker photos.  Your layout looks great!  I would love to meet for a train run.  I'll be happy to take care of food and beverages if that's enticing enough.

Jacob.....we're 6 hours away in Richmond VA. In August, when we're set up at the Chesterfield County Fair for 9 days......you're welcome to bring your EM-1 and run it on our 21X26' layout. Our curve diameters are O72 and O81.

In fact.....we'd welcome any OGR Forum members.....

Take a look at the video in my signature.....that's from the Fair in 2011.

Peter

There are quite a few model railroaders and clubs in the area, unfortunately mostly HO, with a few S and N mixed in. I was a member of the Metrolina Model Railroaders for many years. They are the group that sets up the modular HO layout at the Southern Christmas Show. They are a great, and talented group of guys, and I learned a lot from them.

I had a 12x13 "crappy basment layout" with double 072 loops and a single 031 loop, but had to take it down because I am trying to get my house ready for sale. Now I just have a little 4x8 with a couple small loops just to have somewhere to run a few trains. Was just in an argument with the wife the other night about future home choices, and Im sure the phrase "Ive gotta have 072 curves or im not buying!" is still ringing in her ears! If a club were to sprout up in the area, I would be game! 

Thanks Peter, if I'm up that way I'll certainly stop by!

I have followed this thread with interest as I also bought a lot of trains and learned a great deal from Charlotte Electric Train and Rich's shop.  I miss those shops and miss the people who worked there and shopped there (David Summerford, his dad, Brian White, Mike Rouse, Exum Davis, Pete the S gauge guy) and many others.  As they say those where the days.

I would humbly invite those in the area (North and South Carolina) to visit my layout which is about 1200 square feet of highrail layout with three levels, a 80 car staging yard and many other features.  I have had a tremendous amount of help on the layout  from some very talented people from the HO, S, and O gauge hobbies, including Jamie Haislip, Will Allen, Bob Chapman, Bo Sis and John Drafts, and again, many others.    

I would be interested in doing what Southern Railway Sean suggested (visiting and running trains) with the group from the Charlotte area. I am about a 1.5 hour easy drive down I-77 in Columbia SC.  I would be flattered to have any and all come when you can.  I have some folks visiting this weekend and would welcome any of you.  Just give me a shout at my email in my profile.  

Thanks for discussing the o gauge hobby world of Charlotte's past as it reminded me of good people and good times.  

Mr. Reeves:

I am traveling thru Columbia, SC during the 2nd week of March. Could you please give me the name of your shop, it's address and the hours you are open?

Thank you

Tony

Up on "The D & H Bridge Line"

One shop that I have not seen mentioned, but has a layout of about 40 foot by 10 foot is in the Albemarle Music Shop.  It has a limited amount of accessories but if you happen to be in the area check it out.  It is located on main street in downtown Albemarle just up the hill from the old train station.