Hello OGR Forum Members!
My name is Harry Schmiedel and along with my wife Diana, we own Hobby Express. We’ve been in business in the Pittsburgh area since 1993. Hobby Express is a traditional, full-line hobby shop, which means that we sell trains, everything you need to build a layout, as well as R/C cars, boats and planes (sales & service), plastic models of all kinds, Gundam, die-cast cars, model rockets, puzzles, slot cars, etc. A great many hobby shops have gone away, but we continue to grow.
We are a family business; our children contribute immensely to running the store. We also have a great staff, most of whom have been with us for years. But our customers are the most important people in the store. We are blessed with a loyal set of returning customers. And there are several reasons for that:
Exceptional Customer Service
Our staff are knowledgeable, helpful, courteous, and fair. We have a tradition of greeting customers and offering help. Just want to browse? Have fun; it’s a big store with lots to see. Need help? We have train folks who are knowledgeable about many areas of model railroading including transformers, command systems, track, electronics, switch machines, structures, painting, and the use of scenery products.
We are committed to helping you achieve your goals. Sometimes, that means finding suitable products. Other times, it means offering advice on how to do something. In the rare case that we don’t have an item, we can usually get it for you or at least point you in the right direction.
Product Selection
Hobby Express has an enormous set of products - over 140,000 items in the store! And we work hard at keeping things in stock. The deliveries never slow down here at Hobby Express! Here are a few examples of our O Gauge trains and accessories (We also carry G, S, HO, N, and even some Z):
- Locomotives: we carry a lot of Lionel, MTH, Atlas, and Williams locomotives.
- Freight and passenger cars: Lionel, MTH, Williams, Atlas, and RMT are here in volume. We have many holiday car offerings and train sets for around the Christmas tree.
- Track: You'll find track from Lionel (Fastrak and tubular), MTH, Atlas, and GarGraves as well as switches from Lionel, MTH, Atlas, and Ross.
- Electronics: Command systems, transformers, wire, LEDs, bulbs, BCRs, lockons, Tortoise switch machines are all in stock.
- Layout Building Supplies: You will find all sorts of scenery materials (ground foam, ballast, a massive Woodland Scenics section), both built-up and structure kits from Woodland Scenics, MTH, Lionel, Plasticville, and Atlas.
Please come in to see us! We are open 7 days a week. Or give us a call at 724-779-2000. We are happy to ship items to you as well.
And keep an eye out for limited edition special runs that we will be doing in the near future.
Harry
