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Hi Everyone. I am going to be making a road trip from Georgia to New Jersey.  I haven't completely mapped things out yet but at quick glance I will be hitting interstate 85 to 95. Destination is Newark. With many hours on the road I would like to hit a few brick and mortar hobby shops. Please share some suggestions. I certainly don't mind departing from my trail but don't want to get too far out the way.

Dave

Last edited by luvindemtrains
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Well,  instead of the nightmare that is I95, consider I 26 to Tri-Cities and pick up I 81.  You can then stop in Hendersonville, NC along the way, at the Hobby House on US 25 just north of town.  Ted and Pam would love a visit.  You also have an I 40 option that takes you to a couple nice ones in the Hickory area, search online for them, I have done mail order from them, but now have forgotten their names.

Well, I forgot a couple other train things to see in H'ville.  There is a large N scale club on 7th Avenue with their own building and plenty of parking, and almost catty-corner from it is the railroad station on the ex/Southern/NS line down yo the Saluda Grade, and in that station is a huge HO empire on the inside, and G gauge on the outside.  No 'O' though.  Admission us free, open to the public on Wednesday and Saturday.  Not sure about the hours of the N gauge club though, while I like what you can do with N, HO is frustrating enough to me, besides, I don't see well up close anymore without glasses.

Charlie in NC

Last edited by CALNNC

Dave, I would recommend visiting "The Train Station" located in Mountain Lakes, NJ and also "Trains and Things" located in Ewing, NJ as they both have a large amount of O Gauge and Postwar items. Sadly a lot of the long time brick and mortar stores have closed. Atlas Mfg. also has a store that is open to the public, in Hillside NJ, not far from the original Lionel Manufacturing site. There are many other NJ shops listed on Google search, but may not be near 95 or Newark, NJ. Safe travels, enjoy the ride, Rick.

Tall Building Tuesday

@luvindemtrains Dave, over on the Tall Building Tuesday topic are a bunch of replies by me of pictures I took back in 2019 at the NJ HiRailers layout for the 50th Anniversary of OGR Magazine. While I snapped a ton of pictures, it doesn't really even begin to touch how awesome the HiRailers layout is. Glance over at some of the pics, but definitely listen to John and take Ben up on his offer. If you don't, it will be one of the regrets you have.

The HiRailers are excellent hosts and you will have an absolutely amazing time, I guarantee it. Ben is one great fellow of the many folks in the HiRailers, so you will be in great hands. Make sure you take in some food from the kitchen as I'm sure you will be fed as well as taking in trains. Bring a camera, and talk your head off.

Dave, if your going up I85 through North Carolina, there is the Lionel store in Concord just north of Charlotte, then the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer . Lots of real trains to see. Then right across the street is the Little Choo Choo train store all gauges. Very nice people .

Hope you have a wonderful trip. Post pictures.

John A in Nc

Thank you all for all of your suggestions. If I can make a visit to the NJ HiRailers I definitely will. Might have to move some things around because I will be with non-train people and it may take some "convincing". I would imagine this would be the highlight of my trip.

Dave

Get them on board. They may not be into trains but there is a tribute to the Twin Towers at the HiRailers, which is outstanding. I don't believe that there are any other models of the TT's in O Scale, so that alone would be worth a trip. Also have the Empire State Building and many other notable and large structures. It is a must see, and tell those folks they won't regret it along with the food from the kitchen.

I85-I77-I81-I83-US283-US222-I76-I276-I95.

Yes, lot of turns but less than an hour longer per Google Maps and maybe even shorter due to less congestion during rush hours.  Also better scenery.

Mario's Trains in Winchester as well as this goes through Landcaster (Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the National Toy Train Museum). To me, those two are worth adding a day to the trip.

Last edited by CAPPilot

Wow, more hobby shop suggestions, custom directions, and an invite to one of my bucket list layouts. What a great forum this is!

Dave

If you do plan on heading south to Trains & Things in Ewing, make sure you get the hours that they are there depending on what day you may go. They are open Monday through Saturday, but are only there late on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I think during the week is until 3PM, then back at I think 6:30 on the late days. I will actually be heading down that way either this Saturday or next Saturday, Strasburg 89 came in today.

I want to thank everyone for your suggestions. Of course with this being only a weekend trip for me, I didn't do everything I intended to. Between the short time, unplanned issues, and having to wait 4 hours to have my rental car exchanged I will have to save some of those things for the next go around.

However, as stated I visited the NJ HiRailers layout and got a personal tour since I was the only one there. That in itself, was worth the trip. I'd like to thank Ben for his hospitality. I could immediately tell how enthusiastic he was to be such an integral member of the organization. I will have to go back.

I also had the privilege of visiting the master builder, Alan Graziano, and his family. As a matter of fact, he was the main reason for the trip. I had to pick up a model he constructed for me, that was too fragile to ship.

More to come on the trip once I get settled and organized. It was a great trip and again proves why this hobby is the best there is...great people.

Dave

Last edited by luvindemtrains

Hi Everyone,

Here is a little something from my short visit to the Garden State. It was short but sweet and I must return. This presentation is a bit long but I didn't want break it up. Get your morning beverage if you watch it now or save for later with your favorite evening beverage and a snack. Thanks again for everyone's suggestions.

Dave

You know what Dave I just watched your video again  Couple of things that bother me   I kept asking myself what all that background noise was   I forgot to turn off the roof exhaust fans   They make a racket   So your going to have to come back and retake the video with the fans off.  LOL    The other thing that bothered me wwas seeing these colored smiley faces all over the place   FYI they dont belong there   It was a way for our electrical lead to mark buildings that need lighting

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