My wife is doing a run in Cleveland next week. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for train related things (hobby shops, layouts, museums, etc.) I might check out on May 18 or 19 in Cleveland. Thank you.
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As long as you're that close, Mr Muffin is just north of Indianapolis. What' a couple more hours? (Each way )
My wife and I are going to be visiting Cleveland later this year. Someone here suggested Corner Field Model Railroad Museum and Hobby east of Cleveland. I plan to check it out.
I recommend Berea ( 10miles sw of Cle)...NS and CSX mainlines side by side and a good eatery next to the tracks... mad river museum in Bellevue is well worth the trip... big NS yard with constant parade of freight trains go by the grounds.... on your way out there, or back, stockyard express is a huge train shop, everything modern O gauge, plus they are a huge m t h dealer....30 miles west of Cle near u s rt 20 and baumhart rd....much more to do in the Cle area, trainwise!
Jim M Sr posted:As long as you're that close, Mr Muffin is just north of Indianapolis. What' a couple more hours? (Each way )
Its a couple hours if you have your own jet..... figure 4 + hours by car from Cle...mr muffins is great shop ,but its not close....
Jim Berger posted:I recommend Berea ( 10miles sw of Cle)...NS and CSX mainlines side by side and a good eatery next to the tracks... mad river museum in Bellevue is well worth the trip... big NS yard with constant parade of freight trains go by the grounds.... on your way out there, or back, stockyard express is a huge train shop, everything modern O gauge, plus they are a huge m t h dealer....30 miles west of Cle near u s rt 20 and baumhart rd....much more to do in the Cle area, trainwise!
That's a good one Jim. I'm going to have to tweak my schedule slightly to fit it in though. I'll run it by the wife.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:My wife and I are going to be visiting Cleveland later this year. Someone here suggested Corner Field Model Railroad Museum and Hobby east of Cleveland. I plan to check it out.
Was there recently. Nice layout, but your's will probably put it to shame. (Hope to see yours one of these days.) Located about 45 minutes east of Cleveland. Owner is a bit of a blowhard - my GF almost walked out due to his attitude, and she's pretty tolerant.
Also, there's a nice family diner just west of the roundabout in Burton, which is the first town to the west of Middlefield, so there's a good chance you'll drive past it. Was a good stop for lunch, and probably would be for dinner as well.
A Train Shop - Not a hobby shop....
This train shop is about 38 miles southwest of Cleveland. If you like trains, I would say check them out. They are closed on Mondays, check for more information on their web page. They have a in store layout.
Hope this helps: Gary
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Trading Post Train shop 4394 Pearl Road, Cleveland. A great train shop selling old and newer Lionel trains, it will take you back to the 1950's. Well stocked with a friendly owner. Also try Depot train and hobby, 4342 W. 130th.
Berea is one of the best train watching hot spots in the country and the Mad River museum is one of the best in the area. You will be very pleased.
If you want postwar the Trading Post Train Shop is the place to go. Pearl Road/West 25th 2 miles south of the Cleveland zoo. Also you can ride the CVSR in Valley View. Then there is Al’s Trains in downtown Bedford. I’m not sure what he has. These places are all within 15-20 minutes from downtown Cleveland. Don’t forget the Christmas Story House.
Go to Terminal Tower building downtown and ride the Rapid line out and back, you can get off at any of the stations and watch a variety of Railroad activity, especially out by Brook Park, it parelles the NS main line, when done get back on for free and go where you want. Or, from terminal tower take the streetcar out to Shaker Hts and back....
Marty
trainroomgary posted:
It's 280 miles one way from here in Southwest Michigan. I hope it's a heck of a train shop....that is if I ever go.
Stockyard Express for sure- TWO buildings mostly MTH, and some Lionel, a good selection of buildings in the second building. Don't miss it!!
See Stockyard Express! Great train shop located on a farm.
HOW could I forget: Bertha's Gallery
Wednesday | Closed |
Thursday | 10AM–4:30PM |
Friday | 10AM–4:30PM |
Saturday | 11AM–4PM |
Sunday | Closed |
Monday | Closed |
Tuesday | Closed |
DennyM posted:It's 280 miles one way from here in Southwest Michigan. I hope it's a heck of a train shop....that is if I ever go.
Hi Denny & OGR Members: Stockyard Express, is now my LHS, Local Hobby Shop, 'Train Shop'.
It is about 150 miles from my train room. About a two hour drive. You will need a map computer in your ride to find. It is on a farm. On the way home I like to stop a Waffle House #1544, Toledo, Ohio. T-Bone Steak. We do not have Waffle House in Michigan. My sister-in-law, live's close by in Brunswick, Ohio.
Take care: Gary
Trading Post on Pearl Road on Cleveland’s west side is the oldest shop in town (since 1950). A real old-fashioned train shop that will take you back in time. Highly specializes in O gauge, especially Lilnel but other brands, too. My go-to store back when I lived there!
You could go to the Christmas Story house. There are trains in that movie. They have a nice little museum south of town. Not the best neighborhood but cool to see.
As others have noted - for real train watching Berea is hard to beat. There's plenty of parking and you can stand trackside next to the old Berea station which is now a restaurant as well as take a short hike up to the road overpass (it has a sidewalk) and get a nice view of both the NS and the CSX operations. The bridge has chain link fence so it might be a issue as far as photography is concerned.
Here's an overview - pre-chain link and before all of the new signals were functioning.
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Jim Berger posted:Jim M Sr posted:As long as you're that close, Mr Muffin is just north of Indianapolis. What' a couple more hours? (Each way )
Its a couple hours if you have your own jet..... figure 4 + hours by car from Cle...mr muffins is great shop ,but its not close....
According to Google Maps, 4 hours 39 minutes along the fastest route. That’s a 9 hour 18 minute sidetrip.
There is also Uncle Rays Trains west of Cleveland in Sheffield Lake
Take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, a 3 hour round trip through the national park. CVSR offers an ex California Zephyr dome car, the "Silver Bronco."
Info at
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Wow! That's a lot of options. Thanks!