Valley Farm Market, Weedville, PA

I have stopped there a couple of times. He has a pretty good inventory of MTH, likely because everything is sold at full list. Try email, he will get back to you when he gets off his tractor. BTW I suspect the population of Weedville is around 50 so odds are not many forum members are from there.

Pete

Norton posted:

I have stopped there a couple of times. He has a pretty good inventory of MTH, likely because everything is sold at full list. Try email, he will get back to you when he gets off his tractor. BTW I suspect the population of Weedville is around 50 so odds are not many forum members are from there.

Pete

Close. There are 542 (give or take a few hundred).  

I did notice too that he has an extensive inventory of trains.  I did email Charles with my item request....so I’ll just wait 

thanks everyone 

I have stopped there twice in the past two years.  I was driving north and diverted about 30 minutes out of the way to stop at the shop.  They had a lot more inventory than I expected for convenience/train store.  They also had a few items that I've never seen at other stores or shows.   The problem is everything was listed at MSRP or above.   There were 4 or 5 items I would have purchased if they were listed at market value.   I didn't have success getting them to lower the price as the "train guy" was not in the store either time.  The lady at the counter told me I had to talk with the owner in regard to price.  

This store really was out in the middle of nowhere.  I was trying to Google the market value for some items but I couldn't get cell reception. 

+1 on the scenic beauty. Weedville is one end of PA 155 which takes you right through Elk territory. Its called Elk county for a reason. The other end of 155 is Driftwood and an old PRR Junction still in use today. I am guessing Norfolk Southern today??? so some railroading action may be seen. I never tire of riding those roads.

Pete

I did a google map and it looked very scenic. I’ve only driven thru PA on I 81...very pretty countryside

Rule292 posted:

 

... the Endless Mountains region is gorgeous and a trip across Route 6 is a must for east coast motorcyclists/bikers.  And the Nicholson bridge is close enough by. 

+1 on the Nicholson Bridge (aka the Tunkhannock Viaduct).  If you've never seen it before, it's not to be missed.

https://www.american-rails.com/tunkhannock.html

Balshis posted:

Rule292 posted:

 

... the Endless Mountains region is gorgeous and a trip across Route 6 is a must for east coast motorcyclists/bikers.  And the Nicholson bridge is close enough by. 

+1 on the Nicholson Bridge (aka the Tunkhannock Viaduct).  If you've never seen it before, it's not to be missed.

https://www.american-rails.com/tunkhannock.html

 

If you live in California, it may appear close by but its likely a 2-3 hour drive from Weedsville on these winding state roads. Not that its a bad thing. Even closer is Renovo, though now just a shadow of its former self. You could easily plan a week just touring the area north of I-81 from I-79 all the way east to the Delaware river for all the railroad sites.

Pete

While passing through the area, I stopped in Valley Farm Mkt about 5-6yrs. ago and as described above it’s a small section of a gas station/convenience mart that had some harder to find older MTH products but practically all priced @ msrp or above. A number of the boxes were sun-faded near the side window. I also agree w/ the suggestion to email the “shop” but would not expect much, based on your in person and phone experience.

Also the Nicholson Bridge/Tunkhannock viaduct is not 2-3 hrs nearby. More like 200 miles or 4 to 5 hrs drive if you take the scenic Rt.6 route.

The former Kinzua Bridge/viaduct in Jewett (McKean county) is about 45 miles or 1hr north of Weedville. 

I bought 2 sets of Premiere Reading Hoppers from him about 2010 and he was very prompt on replying to my emails and shipping. I think I paid him with a Postal Money Order.

Keystone posted:

While passing through the area, I stopped in Valley Farm Mkt about 5-6yrs. ago and as described above it’s a small section of a gas station/convenience mart that had some harder to find older MTH products but practically all priced @ msrp or above. A number of the boxes were sun-faded near the side window. I also agree w/ the suggestion to email the “shop” but would not expect much, based on your in person and phone experience.

Also the Nicholson Bridge/Tunkhannock viaduct is not 2-3 hrs nearby. More like 200 miles or 4 to 5 hrs drive if you take the scenic Rt.6 route.

The former Kinzua Bridge/viaduct in Jewett (McKean county) is about 45 miles or 1hr north of Weedville. 

When i called the store and asked whether Charles(the owner/farmer) had an online store to shop, the lady said yes...Valleyfarmmarket@windstream.net.....lol 

I'm not expecting too much...

Ret.Leo posted:

I did a search and found an old post dating back to 2012.  I am looking for MTH 20-20759-1 Amtrak Diesel Engine No 99.  The MTH website showed Valley Farm Market having the item in stock AS OF 4/24/18.  I have called multiple times, left messages, and also sent an email.  I called today and spoke with a lady in the grocery section and she said the guy that handles the model trains was out in the corn fields and only came to the store now and then.  How can they be a MTH dealer and be a full time farmer?  

If anybody lives in Weedville, PA can you please check for my above item.

 

thanks

 

I'm in that area on business often if I can help let me know e-mail is in my profile.

"Weedville PA"? Boy, that would be a hard sell for the Chamber of Commerce.

I looked up Weedville (just curious) on Wikipedia and discovered that there is also, in my state (Alabama), a "Weed Crossing", apparently sometimes called simply "Weed" or - yes - "Weedville". It's even in the county of my grandfather's birth. Well. Who knew?

Wikipedia - one of the few actually good things about the Internet.

Maybe this'll help.

https://mthtrains.com/valley-farm-market

I purchased a set of Amtrak E8 ABA from him just a month or so ago, super nice fella and easy to work with. Yes, they were old stock, and yes they were full original MSRP -- however now that MTH sells the A, B, and A individually even full MSRP was a good deal vs buying newer and each piece.

Took my credit card, and shipped the following week "when UPS would next come by there." All in all a good experience with a small shop that clearly does business the old fashioned way - in person and over the phone.

revolgnad posted:

Ret.Leo posted:

I did a search and found an old post dating back to 2012.  I am looking for MTH 20-20759-1 Amtrak Diesel Engine No 99.  The MTH website showed Valley Farm Market having the item in stock AS OF 4/24/18.  I have called multiple times, left messages, and also sent an email.  I called today and spoke with a lady in the grocery section and she said the guy that handles the model trains was out in the corn fields and only came to the store now and then.  How can they be a MTH dealer and be a full time farmer?  

If anybody lives in Weedville, PA can you please check for my above item.

 

thanks

 

I'm in that area on business often if I can help let me know e-mail is in my profile.

sending you an email...thanks

CincinnatiWestern posted:

I purchased a set of Amtrak E8 ABA from him just a month or so ago, super nice fella and easy to work with. Yes, they were old stock, and yes they were full original MSRP -- however now that MTH sells the A, B, and A individually even full MSRP was a good deal vs buying newer and each piece.

Took my credit card, and shipped the following week "when UPS would next come by there." All in all a good experience with a small shop that clearly does business the old fashioned way - in person and over the phone.

good to know...thanks

I think its safe to say if the item shows up in MTH's product finder that is in stock at Valley Farm Market, he has it. It may not be the most conventional train store but it has other amenities. The subs and ice cream are worth the stop even if you only look around at the trains. How many other train stores can offer that?

Pete

Elk County PA, Maybe 30,000 people.  There are Elk there, Benezette.  Never heard of Weedville,  Ridgeway one of the population centers, associated with the head waters of the Clarion River, Rafting/canoe trips.  The Sinnemahoning Creek, this area, is advertised as one of Pennsylvania's natural trout streams.   Most of the upper tier counties of Pennsylvania are large in area, small in people. There are school districts less than 1000 students K to12.  We did a Wellsboro, PA vacation a few years ago, there is a tourist railroad  Best wishes with your project.  As has been mentioned there is a loose-ly connected U.S. Rt 6 tour of the upper tier counties, Kane, Coundersport, Wellsboro, PA etc.   Many years ago there was a model train sales venue, Wellsboro, PA,  AM Hobbies, who did a lot of internet sales, Atlas mostly.  No longer in business.

Edit/Add 11/19/2021/AM:  Wellsboro, PA does a holiday festival this time of year.   With the PA hunting season, and a lot of Bed and Breakfast in this area, May be an interesting Pennsylvania get-away????

Norton posted:

I think its safe to say if the item shows up in MTH's product finder that is in stock at Valley Farm Market, he has it. It may not be the most conventional train store but it has other amenities. The subs and ice cream are worth the stop even if you only look around at the trains. How many other train stores can offer that?

Pete

 

Very true....i would like to go there, but i'm in Charlotte, NC.  My local train shop, The Little Choo Choo Shop does not have ice cream. 

Trussman posted:

Maybe this'll help.

https://mthtrains.com/valley-farm-market

I've emailed and called, but thanks anyway.

I called there yesterday to purchase an extra car for my MTH Turbotrain. They were asking above retail but these cars are scarce. I would not recommend purchasing from here. They have no website and contacting them is a real pain, not to mention the prices. 

Maxrailroad posted:

I called there yesterday to purchase an extra car for my MTH Turbotrain. They were asking above retail but these cars are scarce. I would not recommend purchasing from here. They have no website and contacting them is a real pain, not to mention the prices. 

Hi max

how did you get to speak with someone ?? 🤨 I suppose it’s not meant to be

Ret.Leo posted:

Maxrailroad posted:

I called there yesterday to purchase an extra car for my MTH Turbotrain. They were asking above retail but these cars are scarce. I would not recommend purchasing from here. They have no website and contacting them is a real pain, not to mention the prices. 

Hi max

how did you get to speak with someone ?? 🤨 I suppose it’s not meant to be

Leo

I called, left a message, and he called me back a few hours later.

Maxrailroad posted:

Ret.Leo posted:

Maxrailroad posted:

I called there yesterday to purchase an extra car for my MTH Turbotrain. They were asking above retail but these cars are scarce. I would not recommend purchasing from here. They have no website and contacting them is a real pain, not to mention the prices. 

Hi max

how did you get to speak with someone ?? 🤨 I suppose it’s not meant to be

Leo

I called, left a message, and he called me back a few hours later.

 

Hi Max,

I got an email back and the item was out of stock.

thanks.

Wondering if anyone has any recent feedback.  I will be heading right by this place on PA 255 on my way to a client in St. Marys and am planning to stop by.

@raising4daughters posted:

Wondering if anyone has any recent feedback.  I will be heading right by this place on PA 255 on my way to a client in St. Marys and am planning to stop by.

Worth a stop even if just for lunch and ice cream. Odds are the train guy won’t be there. He rarely is. I am zero for three.

Pete

You know, if I lived in Pennsylvania or was in the neighborhood, I’d find time to make a stop there. Something nostalgic, topped by some nice scenery along the way.

Here’s another instance of a train dealer in a faraway place and an unusual setting: Perry’s Hobbies in Morgan, MN. Located inside a small grocery store, Becker’s SuperValu, this multi scale dealer is in western Minnesota in a town of 872 people about 55 miles west of Mankato. The dealer has been at it for decades. I bought an N scale brass F40PH imported by Pacific Fast Mail (and made by Samhongsa) in the mid-1980s from this place via mail order. Imagine brass engine stock next to the produce section!

There are times I miss that reality.

I was referred to them by the MTH Product finder/store and contacted them and did buy several packs of S-scale straight track. This was about a year ago.  No muss, no fuss. Mark

Last year - the week between Christmas and New Year my wife and I made a trip out (3+ hours each way) to get a RK M1a and some of the older Rugged Rails PRR Madison cars - really hard to find.  We also had been wanting to visit the area to see some elk.

As others stated prices are at or really close to MSRP - but he has hard to find items.  I exchanged a few emails with Charles to confirm stock.   Very nice gentleman - interesting place.  He also provided us directions for some good elk sightings.

As the item I was interested in would not be under warranty I asked if he would be able to test run it - it was on a small test track waiting when I arrived.

If you are looking for something specific I would suggest emailing to confirm - I had a few options from the now non-working dealer locator and he only had one item actually available.

Definitely recommended…

I purchased my first MTH RTR set from Charlie several years ago. I lived in Driftwood, about a half hour drive away, up route 555. It was a PRR passenger set and wow did I get hooked. I could not believe how advanced trains became since my childhood Lionel days. Been buying from him ever since. Last time I was there, an elderly man who had just buried his wife, was so upset he accidently hit the gas instead of the breaks while parking his car and smashed through the store wall into the MTH Premier display case. A few engines were buried that day too. NS, BP, and WNY&PA all come together in Driftwood. The Elk are beautiful and their antlers get gigantic. One got himself tangled in a rope swing I had hanging out of a tree in my backyard for the grandkids. He fought to get loose for 6 hours til the game commission came and cut the ropes to set him free. He carried the swing seat on his head til his antlers fell off in the spring. He was the talk of the county.

Just purchased an item from them, nice guy very helpful.  Yes, the item was above MSRP, but I needed it and its hard to find.

You know what they say about value..........The value of an item is only what someone else is willing to pay.   If you need it, you need it!!

I've known Charlie Brouse and his family for over 60 years.  You will not find a more hard-working individual or honest person anywhere.  I am originally from Brockway, PA. about twenty-five miles away. 

Charlie is a character in the best possible way.  I drove 9+ hours round trip in one day just to meet him, and pick up a load of stuff that I felt nervous about having him ship.

I saw Charlie again at York a few weeks ago where he delivered an MTH Milwaukee Road Chippewa set to me. That is one beautiful set.

Are his prices sometimes above MSRP?  Sure but try to find your item elsewhere.

Folks like Charlie are the dealers that made this hobby what it was in the heyday.  You will be hard pressed to find their equal in the hobby today.

Our loss.