Hello All--- visiting southern CA and looking for train shops. We will also be visiting northern CA. Any suggestions?
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The Train Shack on Hollywood Way in Burbank is my go-to place. Nice folks, good selection in all scales.
They're not train shops, but there are several club layouts on display at Balboa Park in San Diego. There's also the new display in Old Town.
And don't forget Black's Beach - clothing optional, but I think they have a sign saying that clothing is mandatory for train guys.
Dave Warburton posted:The Train Shack on Hollywood Way in Burbank is my go-to place. Nice folks, good selection in all scales.
YES!
The Train Shack is the go-to destination with Z through large scale trains.
But there are other trains shops in SoCal - such as the Old Whistle Shop in Pasadena.
Do a search. 
Awesome--Thanks guys!!
try Reed's hobby shop,8039 La Mesa blvd,La Mesa,ca. 91942...619-464-1672....lots of supply's decals new and PW lionel,prices are fair...some MTH...not far from San Diego....
cheers..joe
Allied Model Trains was the one I shopped at when I lived there. They moved a couple of times over the years so I am not sure where they are now. I am thinking they may be in Culver City.
Mike D posted:Allied Model Trains was the one I shopped at when I lived there. They moved a couple of times over the years so I am not sure where they are now. I am thinking they may be in Culver City.
Went out of business and then burned down - probably been 10 years. It was a premier shop in its day. I made frequent visits when I lived there.
The Train Shack in Burbank is great! I have been going there for almost 20 years now. Great people, very knowledgeable, and great repair techs!
Mallard4468 posted:Mike D posted:Allied Model Trains was the one I shopped at when I lived there. They moved a couple of times over the years so I am not sure where they are now. I am thinking they may be in Culver City.
Went out of business and then burned down - probably been 10 years. It was a premier shop in its day. I made frequent visits when I lived there.
Allied had a big beautiful "train depot" train store in Culver City. Apparently, Allen Drucker, whose father, I believe, founded Allied in the '40s, had purchased the property & built that store on Sepulveda Blvd. after the store had been in a couple of different locations over the years.
Allied was probably the finest, all-around train store I've been in (and I've been in many including the large ones on the east coast). Prices were high but product was there and the store in and of itself was worth the visit. Culver City is not far from Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Malibu, etc., and the store was frequented by celebrities - especially at Christmas.
As I was told, Allen decided to get out of the train business and sold the business - without the property - to another hobbyist. "Allied Train Store" reopened not far from the "train depot" train store on Sepulveda Blvd.
Allen leased the train store property to Samy's Cameras for a tidy sum, as I recall.
As Mallard said above, the new "Allied" went out of business. If simply did not have the charm or the inventory of the previous Allied.
If you want detail parts in O gauge, the Original Whistle Stop in Pasadena.
There is The Train Crossing in Costa Mesa and Milepost 38?Arnies trains inWestminster. They both carry all gauges of trains.
Lyle, if you have the time, come visit our club, Angels Gate Hi Railers, down in San Pedro. It's about 30 minutes south of downtown LA. We are open every Saturday from 10-4. Also our members congregate every Wednesday from about 3-8. You won't be disappointed. Visit our website angelsgatehirailers.org
Jeff
President AGHR
What I like about The Original Whistle Stop is that they are the only place in SoCal that has any 2-rail. Plus quite a selection of O and HO brass.
Way out in the Inland Empire is Dynamic Hobbies. Very nice operating layout.
FWIW - The original Allied Models was located on Pico Blvd. just west of Westwood Blvd & operated by, I believe, one or more guys who primarily worked for an airline (pilot I heard). The place was big time postwar & had a very large parts department.My first memory of Drucker was when he would display & sell trains on weekends in his parent’s backyard in LA 45 (LAX territory). He then obtained ownership of Allied Models (supposedly with a loan from his father-in-law). He subsequently built a building on Sepulveda Blvd. in Culver City & moved the business to that location. It had large selections of N, HO, S O, & Std on display (all beautifully done) & for sale. He, also, had a separate room off from the train area devoted to Dept. 56 productions – it was really well done something to see. He, subsequently, decided he could do well by renting the bldg. Samy's Camera without the hassle of running the store. He sold the biz to another party who opened it as a much downsized shop across the street from Drucker’s Bldg. Evidently, it led to the demise of the business.
