Trainworld in Brooklyn Great Customer Sevice

When we lived in NY, Trainland (sister store in Lynbrook, Trainworld is the original store in Brooklyn) was our primary source, together with Nassau Hobbies.  A lot of folks tend to dislike Trainworld but the company (and the family that owns it) hasn't been in the business as long as they have because they are fools.  They know how to run the business, and part of that is treating the customers fairly. 

Train World is my first choice for ordering train items on line.  I placed my first order with them in 1981, back when they still published their annual "bible."

I bought an item from Train World, very good with shipping!

Maybe it was my mistake but somehow I forgot to add-in shipping cost, so I thought that I had a really great bargain, so it cost me a few dollars more. At least I got what I wanted, a P & R woodside caboose.

Looking for a Norfolk Southern heritage diesel engine, an SD-70 ACe by MTH.

 

Lee Fritz

I've purchased a bunch of Large Scale Trains & Accessories  from them

and I was always happy with their customer service. Every purchase I

made, including shipping was way below Manufacturers List/MAP pricing.

I always called in my orders & they always let me know if something was 

in stock and ready to ship rather than just saying it was available.

 

Dave

I haven't needed to contact them regarding anything I have purchased from them because everything has all been delivered quickly, well packaged, with low shipping costs, and very good initial prices.  I have made five separate purchases from them since the first of this year, and could be happier.

 

---

Bob Severin

Living on the cusp of mediocrity.

---

I've dealt with them for a long time and I'm pleased. I found them to be very responsive to problems the few times something came up.

 

Bob 

I too have used Trainworld for many of my train purchases.

 

Whenever I think of Trainworld, first thing to my mind is hearing the voices of those lovely Brooklyn girls.

I do believe we have the answers here , just in case another thread

is started about a mom and pop store moving on and shutting the doors.

I believe, Vinny helped me learn a little bit about curves , on my 1st order,

and I use the web site at times to gage pricing, as well Rosa has never, failed

to answer email  - wish I was up there Saturday for the sale.

 

GREAT service, but don't forget da numba, honey! 

What year did Peter Bianco purchase Trainland?

Many of my early purchases came from Trainland, including my first ZW

I've gone to Trainworld since I was 10. Besides Madison Hardware, it was the only other train store I went to when I was kid.  I remember going there for the first time on my 10th birthday by subway w/ my Dad to pick out my own train set

Before there was a Trainworld the way to purchase trains was to send for a list and then buy from the list.  I sent for a list from this guy named Peter Bianco when I was 11 years old.  We both lived in Brooklyn so when he shipped a number 97 coal elevator I bought from him he placed a note in the box saying that since we were nearly neighbors I should visit his layout.  He was very surprised to see an 11 year old at the door that had to have his father drive him.  We became friends instantly and I purchased many an item from him and Trainworld.  His sons learned from a master.  He was a great guy and a good friend.  The thing his sons didn't get was the outgoing personality

Chris:

 

This memory is what it's all about.  Enjoy life, and cherish those memories.

 

---

Bob Severin

---

Pete Bianco's Trainworld is probably the longest surviving train store in Brooklyn, NY. Although Pete passed away many years ago the family still runs the business. I believe that their formula for success was to 1. buy in volume and have a vast selection of trains and accessories 2. buy and stock surplus, closeout and overstock items for pennies on the dollar  3. Buy at the large train auctions and always pass on the savings.

While not known for the warmest and friendliest service, they still do a good job offering reasonable prices and acceptable service. Along with Grzyboski, Nicholas Smith and Charlie Ro, they are a "Top Ten" Lionel dealer.

Good folks to deal with.  They have extracted more than a few dollars from my wallet over the years.  I have a pre-order in with them now (LGB G-gauge locomotive; due second quarter of 2013).

     Before Trainland in Lynbrook was called "Trainland," it was known as "House of Mulraney," an art and auction house that happened to carry Lionel Trains. I am talking about the early 1950's! Eventually, Lionel Trains took over about half of the operation. I remember going there with my paper route money and buying things like the 6464-500.

 

     Somewhere in the early 1970's, Peter Bianco bought Trainland Lynbrook and Train World in Brooklyn. (Notice how Lynbrook is Brooklyn backwards?!?) It's interesting that he bought the two stores then, because the interest in trains was almost non-existent, plus Lionel had been just purchased by Quaker Oats and only a few basic items had been released. In retrospect, his timing in buying these stores had been amazing! Kids from the 1950's who couldn't afford all the Lionel trains they wanted were now working and having families and could now purchase some of the classics that were now being re-released.

 

      Today, Ken Bianco and his staff operate the Lynbrook Trainland and it's a great place to shop for any scale of trains.

 

      I hope my memory has the facts straight. Corrections anyone?

 

John Knapp

Erie, not Eerie 

I buy at Trainworld and get them serviced at Nassau Hobby.

 

Thanks Bob - it's one of my best memories from childhood.  Once he knew I was serious about the trains, I  recall taking a drive almost every saturday w/ my Dad to trainworld to look around & usually get something for the layout.  It was only a 20 min drive or so, as we lived in Brooklyn too.  I also remember my Dad always playing Sinatra on the radio in the car for the ride there & back.  Probably why I became a big Sinatra fan    Before we moved to Charlotte this past summer, I stopped in one last time , so I could take my 2 year old daughter.  I got the Strasburg set as a "parting gift"  

 

Memories are a big part of this hobby for sure!

Guys,

 

Thanks for all the great comments. As a part time employee at Trainland/Trainworld, it makes me feel good that we have such satisfied customers!

 

If you can make the sale on Saturday, I will be at the Lynbrook store.. Should be a great event.. Just look for the bald guy with glasses and the confused look on his face. That would be me!

Hello Lionelted I see guy every other week. Thanks

Hello Shop Trainland weekly. Shop at Nassau once was little turn off by the fact they did save the master shipping box. Just wish the product where factory seal. Thanks

I remember going into the original Lynbrook store in the mid/late 50's before HO was big. After entering if you went to the left there was a Lionel layout and Lionel was on the side. The store was divided by an archway and if you went to the right there was Flyer. Above the arch were some shelves with top line Flyer sets on display, one of them was the blue and yellow Santa Fe freight that I wanted but was out of my parents price range. Took until the 70's till I got one. Pete was a great guy, knew him pretty good through a mutual friend and train guy, Frank Camileri. I think Pete bought trainland, which was in disrepair, in the late 70's.

 

Rich

I bought trains there for years.

 

Always great service. I had a problem with one of my engines one time and they took another out of the box and replaced for me. No questions asked.

The girls are great especailly Joanie!

 

Mike R