Trainworld

I have ordered from them a number of times. Bought a ton of K-Line when it was being dumped. I'd order 4 die cast hoppers every paycheck! I'd rate them a B+ easy.

The place borders on being an institution of the hobby. I've been getting trains from there since the first set I ever got in 1987.

Two weeks ago, they were ever so kind as to save me the trouble of dealing with a Lionel RA on an out of the box problem by swapping it out with a different one.

 

I realize that my process was a bit backwards but I had a major disaster with my existing scale Hudson. It literally went over a cliff. I wanted to order another and I saw that Trainworld had it in stock for a good price so I jumped on it. I have had success with Trainz.com in the past but they did not have it in stock.

Never had any issues with them...Greg

I've dealt with them many times - they're the real deal, IMO.  I agree with Boilermaker, but I think they ARE an institution in the hobby, been around a long time.  Whenever I've ordered from them, they've been extremely conscientious.

Thanks for the positive repsonses guys. It looks like my leap of faith was a good decision.

Been dealing with them since the late 1970's....never a problem!!

 

Alan

I have ordered from them for many many years. Always good fast orders normally arrive within a few days of ordering.

Sign up for there mailing lists and you get e-flyers of special sales items big discounts and often holiday discount sales on most in stock items.

I am from the West coast so when in New York recently made it a plan to visit them on there Black Friday sale day.

 

Here is a shot of the in store layout.

And the outside of the building in the right window is the main order takers area, several ladies working the phones on black friday.

To the left when you enter the store I took a peak through the door and this is the main warehouse. It looks like it goes on for almost a block, high shelves stacked with product. They seem to get deals with blowing out left over stock from Williams, Lionel and MTH. Check out the Williams blowouts they have now. ABA sets for $200, many nice steam engines for $200 to $175, GG's scale at $150, some nice engines for $99. I have picked up a few things those Williams engines are really nice.

 

 

 

Here are a couple of more pics the GG's on sale and other end of the layout in store and note the stacks of train sets for sale;

 

Constantly impressed by their speed of service.  Call in the morning, and items ship that afternoon.  UPS tracking makes anticipting delivery a breeze.  When you call have your list with manufacturer and catalog number in hand.  They move fast on the phone.  Great prices.

Been buying from them since the 70's.  Very reliable.  Just MAKE SURE you have your info before phoning them - the ladies can be a bit brusque.  No chit chat. 

 

John

I was going to ask if those lovely ladies are still around! They are the sole reason I stopped using them. I've got a little New York in me, and the whole family is NY native so I know the "New York way" but one time they were just downright rude, closing in on hostile. 

I remember calling TW a few years ago to check the stock of something and remember being pleasantly surprised by the VERY courteous, easy going women answering the phone who even saved some time for chit chat! Not what I was expecting calling them!! 

I have purchased (online) items in various scales from them many times over many years.  No problems whatsoever.

I got my first F-3 from Trainworld in 1983. I got the PRR Tuscan version from them at the old store on Ave M. Mr. Bianco helped us as we got there the day after Christmas with my money in hand..And I still have them!!!

I have been using trainworld for years and very happy with their prices and shipping. When ordering from them I usually receive my order the following day.

I have purchased from them for over 20 years and they have fast shipping, good service and usually very good prices.

 

Having said that, I have found depending on the item, they are not always the lowest price. Sometimes it's only a few dollars difference. Other times it can be quite a bit of money.

 

Here is the same engine your ordered from an authorized Bachmann dealer for $319.00 plus $14.00 shipping.

 

I always check a number of dealers first before hitting the order button.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBa...&vectorid=229466

I have been buying from them since the eighties, both by mail and in at their store. Very good to deal with. A+ , Fred

Trainworld is great, our club members buy quite a bit from them, never had any problems, top of the line dealer.

Always good advice if you're buying online because it's fast and easy to do.  

 

I still prefer, when possible, to buy from a good local--or even not-so-local--dealer even if the price isn't the lowest.  Back when I lived in Hawaii, I was lucky enough to have a great dealer located just a few miles away.  However, when I lived in Maryland, I made the fairly long drive to Baltimore to visit a favorite dealer.  When I lived in Dubuque, Iowa, I drove all the way up to the Milwaukee area to visit a fine train store in that area; and when I lived in Norfolk, I drove up to the Williamsburg area to get my train fix.  When I moved to Blacksburg, VA, I relied on mail order for most of my buying; and since moving back to Ohio I make the 45-minute drive over to a Pennsylvania dealer's shop.  

 

Those somewhat extended drives are, and have been, worth it to me because the overall experience and service is, to me, worth as much or more than the product itself.

Got da awda numba hon?

For new items they are great. I would be leary on postwar stuff though.Their postwar rating descriptions could be controversial.

They've been my local train store for years. My parents bought me trains in the old store back in the 70's. You guys from Brooklyn and Long Island remember the store. It had a big mountain in the window with around 4-5 trains running all around and through it. I knew Peter Bianco. I dealt with his son Paul at the Brooklyn store a million times. The girls are great. Especially Joanie. Never had a bad thing to say about them or their business.

Their prices were so cheap when I needed inventory for my train store, when I had one, and my supplier was out of what I needed I would buy it there for their advertised price. Now that was a rare occurrence but it did happen. Paul knew full well what I was doing and didn't mind. Because I was such a good customer for so many years. Now when I'm in Brooklyn, I always try to visit to say hello or pick up something for my collection.

You won't have a problem.

Mike R

Just very efficient New Yorker Ladys!! You're right....no idle talk....but it's how they get the stuff moving as fast as they do!!! 

I purchased from them for the first time about 1 month ago.  I had a tracking number the same day I placed the order.  I was impressed. 

RickO has the inflection down pat.  He could take orders at Trainworld any time.

Use to stop in there often when I was working my tours with the FDNY. Huge store, lots of product, never disappointed, Good prices. Thank god the Chief was a Lionel guy too! :-)

Kenny Bianco and his family (owners of TrainWorld) are great people.   No problems with any transactions.  I recommend them highly.

 

Al K. 

That is quite a price difference.

 

 

Yes, that is true.  Just remember that they are there to take orders, promptly and efficiently, and not to answer technical questions or engage in chit-chat.  Have your product info at hand (especially brand and product number), as well as your credit card and address info.  It takes only a few minutes to place your order and in most cases the order goes out the same day.

 

I had a couple of bad experiences and the last business I did with Trainworld was in the early 90's. After being a loyal customer for over 10 years, I swore I would never go back there. Since then a prominent family member passed away and I get the impression that things have gotten a lot better with the kids running the place. The "kids," Anthony, Ken, Paul and Aileen, were always nice to deal with, but sometimes there hands were tied. I would probably do business with them again now.

I LOVE Trainworld!

If other online dealers would take a cue from them, they would all do much better!

Their website rocks, they are staffed by "authentic New Yorkers" who I love to talk on the phone to, and very honest and great customer service!

Some items they sell are at great prices, others not so great.

I have seen the Scale Hudson the OP talked about for a lower price, you just have to look....

However, for the items I have bought from them, they were the best price and sometimes I do not mind paying more, just for the efficiency of their website...no hunting or pecking and it works 100% of the time.

Do not expect mid western style friendliness on the phone...New Yorkers sometimes sound scary even when they are being nice, and they are a very very busy store....so do not expect much chit chat.

However, from a NY perspective they are more friendlier than most New Yorkers and I exchanged a few emails with them after hurricane Sandy expressing my concern for them and they were very grateful.

 

PS I am originally from NY and all of my relatives are in Long Island, Brooklyn and Staten Island LOL!

Its kinda like buying trains from "the nanny".

I received my scale Hudson this afternoon and I was very impressed with Trainworld. I will definitely be ordering from them again.

Every time I order an in stock item it ships right away from Trainworld.

They have that huge warehouse behind the store when they say they have it they do.

 

The odd time I have been looking for an item do the internet search and come up with a hobby shop somewhere that I am not familiar with. some OGR advertisers.  E-mail they say they have the item in stock. Call and place the order give them the $ CC # and expect it to be shipped the next day or 2.

On several occasions this has not been the case. It can take a week or 2 for them to ship the item. I am learning that some shops that have internet stores and say they have something in stock do not; but in fact are finding a way to list and keep up to date product that is in distributors or Lionels or MTH Warehouse. When they get an order from a customer they place and order to MTH or a distributor to get the product then when they receive it ship it to the customer that ordered, thus the delay of 2-3 weeks in getting product.

 

For all orders from Trainworld it is shipped quick, not so for many others.

 

There was one shop a regular OGR advertiser that I thought had a big shop with the custom runs they do and what they advertise, and have a good pile of stuff at some train shows, turned out to be nothing more then a train guy that has some stuff he sells out of his basement. Spends some time on the road to shows and keeps and up to date web list of stuff in MTH and distributors data base!

I bought there many times with one minor issue what one of the sweet ladies on the phone tried to tell me I was responsible to pay return shipping on a item they shipped my mistake. I finally spoke to I believe was Kenny and he agreed that is was there fault and did credit my card the return shipping charge.

Been buying from them ever since the late 1970s.  Remember back at that time the great Lionel / Store catalogs they used to send out. Would spend hrs looking through them.