Thank you Pat. From what I have read here on this forum you are doing a great job. Yes, over the last several years a lot of good dealers have retired. However, when reading this post, we still have a lot of great dealers and shops.
The Trading Post Train Shop in Cleveland since 1950.
Logan Matthews posted:For years Mizell's in Westminster, CO (Denver suburb) was my favorite by far...even though I lived 700 miles away. Huge stock of old and new (Their "train wall" was outstanding in its variety). And their unique selection of outstanding structures was unsurpassed. I wish I could still access their repair facilities...expert and efficient. But they are gone...and Caboose Hobbies, another Denver must-stop is closing. Now Mr. Muffin's is my closest major store...4 hours away. I haven't visited it yet...but I plan to when their move is complete. I look forward to it.
Logan
You still can get your trains repaired by the same guy from Mizell's. Chuck now operates out of BST Hobbies in Denver. Same great service !
I'm from Ohio, and as far as I know there are no train stores near me. Yes, there is a Hobby Town USA, but they don't have near the selection of Charles Ro or Legacy Station or any other train store out there.
Thanks Mike.
I am fortunate I have two great shops near me Arnie's and The Train crossing. One has an extensive supply of MTH parts and trains. The other one has an extensive supply of Lionel trains and parts although TTC is the only one that does repairs on site. They both have customer service that is second to none.
Favorite? Well, the nearest one to me (in VA where there's a vast wasteland) worth visiting is in Blue Ridge Summit, PA.......Mainline Hobby
Yes!!! Les Gordon's train shop which was located on the west side of Indianapolis--where the world's greatest donuts are made within walking distance!!!--LONG'S BAKERY!! The trouble is Les Gordon's closed years and years ago. That happened long before the Internet drove the virtual hobby shop into extinction by and large.
I miss the days where central Indiana was littered with train shops. Worse, I am one of the biggest contributors of killing the local hobby shops. Now I join the legions who wine and complain that there are no local hobby shops.
I did it to myself.
I would have say Bob at Brasseur Electric Trains, they are famous for having over 25,000 parts in stock.
Down town Saginaw, Michigan at 410 Court Street, (989) 793-4753 / Also great railfanning at the Lake State Railway Yard, just a five minute drive.
Gary
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Kinda a trick question for me because I think back to my youth growing up in Toronto and being able to visit George's Trains on the weekend. Our family would go shopping the Sat and we would stop at George's so I could go in and try take it all in, a half hour or so max. My Early teens, o would take the TTC(bus/streetcar) to the shop.
Now, since living in Calgary for over almost 40 years, I have been very fortunate that TWO stores are still into O gauge.
Chinook Hobby West have become the main supplier for new O gauge, mainly MTH Trains and Lionel Fastrack. Trains n Such stock Fastrack and bring in some great collections of used O from time to time.
Both have authorized MTH Techs as well for upgrades etc
Al
Is Gilbert's in Gettysburg still in business? That was the first real classic model RR hobby shop I ever saw, as a kid, back when it was still right next to the battlefield itself (many years later, I saw it just outside of downtown, past the RR depot). I didn't have any money the first time I went there, and when I went many years later as an adult, I'd for the most part had left the hobby by then but I still appreciated the old school vibe of the place.
Memory Station in Watkinsville was always a classic. When we used to go on our annual trip to the Elizabethton, TN area to visit all my living relatives as a kid, we'd pass right by the place and my folks who let me stop in and even give me some money to spend there. I bought some books, and even some decals once to complete a HO scale ET&WNC RS-3. I'd never seen a place that had detail parts or RR decals before that. The guys running the place were nice and even remembered "that kid from Florida" who'd come up through there once a year. I often wonder if they remember me after all these years. I badly wish I'd get the chance to go there again but it's comically unlikely I'll ever be passing that way on the road again.
In my hometown of Tallahassee, Florida (yes, the same town that is about to get plastered by a hurricane even as I type this, and I'm concerned about my parents and some pal who still live there), there was a small hobby shop of some type I have very vague memories of as a kid. I can tell you the shopping center it was in (on Tennessee street in the shopping center with the bowling alley, Between Ocala and High roads), but to this day I can't even recall much about the place. I do know they sold N scale because my Mom let me buy a N scale caboose, but I don't recall having that for very long and it vanished ages ago. Anyway, I've always wondered about the details of that place...
In the Kansas City area one of best stocked MRR Hobby Shop is Fred's Train Shop. All scales are stocked. Good selection of O scale.
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catnap posted:I 2nd Caboose Stop Hobbies in Cedar Falls, IA. Merlyn and Carol are the nicest people and when it comes to Atlas, no one can touch their prices, selection and service.
Now that I'm in the process of switching from 3-rail to 2 they will get all of my business. They are without question the preeminent Atlas O dealer, especially for 2-railers.
I just drove the 1 1/2 hrs from Dubuque to CEDAR Falls and it was well worth the trip. Caboose Stop Hobbies reminds me of an old hobby shop in Chicago Il. That was located at Damen , North and Milwaukee, Aves. I think the old storefront was on North ave. Around the late 1960s.
Caboose Stop Hobbies is on a corner. Inside all 4 walls are piled with train boxes. All gauges, new and used. Lots of MTH, lots of Atlas. Only thing missing is a pot belly stove to sit around.
And yes Merlyn and Carol ARE the nicest people. This store is the only MTH fully authorized service center within 100 miles of me. Caboose Stop Hobbies does sell at the Great Midwest Train Show in Wheaton il.
The store was a nostalgic experience. Old stores like this one will someday be only a memory...visit it if you are in the area.
Looking at all these great posts should make all of us realize that brick and mortar is not dead.
Rod Miller
Pat keeps sending me more fluid than I've paid for, lol. Not a mistake either; a "sorry this TINY order slipped by" would have been fine by me.
It WAS trivial to me, apparently not trivial to him 
The best locally? Not the best with supply, but the Whistle Stop has been the friendliest to me, no pressure ever, eager to help, let me at the back room parts, best prices on PW. (now that Tony's mowers/trains is gone.)
Plymouth's little shop was my fav. for talking trains with the owner, and good deals on "chipped & scratched" type items always seemed to empty my pockets too quick. (He always left me with gas home and a soda 
)
I live 8 miles/12 minutes from Nicholas Smith Trains in Broomall, PA.
romiller49 posted:Looking at all these great posts should make all of us realize that brick and mortar is not dead. ...
I think all of us here loves the draw of an old-time, traditional train/hobby store -- especially those of us with an interest towards modeling and craftsmanship. No doubt about that. But the convenience of online shopping (along with quick package delivery technologies) has slowly changed the habits of many consumers today.
I now live about 45-minues from Nicholas Smith Trains, and this year I didn't even make it to the tent sale. 
I do get there from time to time, but not nearly as much as when I lived less than 10 minutes away.
I live much closer to Hennings Trains nowadays, and I still need to visit the newly remodelled store. Perhaps that will be part of today's activities!!! 
David
I'm lucky- got three really good ones within a ten mile radius
Trainland, Nassau Hobby, and Willis Hobbies. All great stores but Trainland is my favorite by far.
There are several shops that specialize in model trains within forty minutes of my home. Since I don't buy many retail items, I don't frequent any of them.
Only the Internet is left....
In Connecticut, Amato's has two stores. Mine is in New Britain and the other is in Middletown. A family owned and operated business, they have been around at least since the 1950's. The vast majority of my PW trains, track, and accessories have been purchased out of the New Britain store, which is in the next town over from me. Steve is the original owner's son and is a terrific source of PW O gauge knowledge. Amato's is a great hobby store, and continues to have a large collection of original Lionel pieces.
Jerry
Unfortunately there are no more hobby shops here in Tampa, but I deal mostly with Nicholas Smith in Broomall Pa. I have known Chris (owner) since I was about 16 in 1969 and he does have lowest prices. I also deal with Mario's Trains.
I'm in White Plains, NY and we have Toms Trains in Ardsley. He is great, can get anything and his prices are very fair. I get 75% of my Lionel there. I also deal with Nicholas Smith as I'm in Philly a lot. But, I miss Madison Hardware as that is where I got my start in 1974 and Davis Trains in Cincinnati. I lived in Cincinnati for 15 years and was there weekly. Joe Davis was a great guy, he died and his son cashed in...
This video is a few years old but the store is still going strong.
My LHS is closing.��
Retiring, no buyer.
My LHS (Freds Train Shop, K.C. area) recently moved to a new location. New store is about 3 times larger than the previous one pictured above by Pro Hobby. They have quite a lot of O gauge (their main gauge of train). They have a good selection of the other scales as well. Also have lots of tools and supplies, paints, Plastruct & Evergreen styrene and many other hobby related items. Really a nice store! We are very lucky to have one this nice (and now this large) in our area. And about 5 minutes closer to me now, 20-25 minute drive from home. Very Nice!!
If you are ever in the Kansas City area stop by and take a look around.
Down here in Southern Delaware we have Seaside Hobbies in Ocean View,DE. Not a bad little store that will always have supplies for your layout. Sometimes you may find a engine or a freight car you may like. I do like Nicholas Smith trains near Philly. You can spend a whole day there drooling over all the engines and other stuff.
I used to be a big fan of Catoctin Trains in Thurmont, MD but I guess the guy retired who owned the store.
jim sutter posted:The greatest compliment you can pay your favorite train store is by posting something here in this post.
We just lost Niagara Hobby to join a growing list now from Western, NY.
We do still have Aurora Rails who not only has a huge amount of trains. He attends all the area shows to promote the hobby.
justakid posted:catnap posted:I 2nd Caboose Stop Hobbies in Cedar Falls, IA. Merlyn and Carol are the nicest people and when it comes to Atlas, no one can touch their prices, selection and service.
Now that I'm in the process of switching from 3-rail to 2 they will get all of my business. They are without question the preeminent Atlas O dealer, especially for 2-railers.
I just drove the 1 1/2 hrs from Dubuque to CEDAR Falls and it was well worth the trip. Caboose Stop Hobbies reminds me of an old hobby shop in Chicago Il. That was located at Damen , North and Milwaukee, Aves. I think the old storefront was on North ave. Around the late 1960s.
Caboose Stop Hobbies is on a corner. Inside all 4 walls are piled with train boxes. All gauges, new and used. Lots of MTH, lots of Atlas. Only thing missing is a pot belly stove to sit around.
And yes Merlyn and Carol ARE the nicest people. This store is the only MTH fully authorized service center within 100 miles of me. Caboose Stop Hobbies does sell at the Great Midwest Train Show in Wheaton il.
The store was a nostalgic experience. Old stores like this one will someday be only a memory...visit it if you are in the area.
I live in Sioux City, IA (5 hour drive due east) and a couple of times have made the drive to the store. They both travel weekends to be in the shows and they seem to like it even though it is a ton of work.
Dick
Ye Old Train and Christmas shop in Boyertown PA, is my favorite due to country style atmosphere and nice people to do business with.
At least once a year I visit Nicholas Smith in Broomall PA to experience the mecca of toys and trains.
Max K Trell, Stamford CT (long gone) was a favorite in my youth. Current favorites: Nicholas Smith in Broomall PA and Trainworld in Brooklyn NY. Although not a store, TCA York is at the top of my list.
just wish he was closer
JDFonz posted:Well I'll tell you what, I just got back from Sommerfelds trains in Milwaukee and I've got to tell you I'm so thankful to have such a great store to go to. The guys, Jack and Matt are always super helpful, they always have a great selection of product, and they will always will order stuff in and not have to have a down payment. I know they can't do that for everyone, but it sure is good service. They also always have super competitive prices, I hope they're around for a long time. If you have a chance to stop there, do it. You won't be sorry. Do you still have a store close by?
I wish I could give an answer like yours. In my area, the best train store is Amato's. Great selection and very knowledgeable folks. And, most importantly, very, vey good customer service. I learned about this store in 2014, and decided I wanted to support them by doing most of my buying there. The problem is, as much as I'd like to, they price everything at catalogue list. I recall wanting to buy my first Vision Big Boys there, but at $2,800, it just didn't make sense - not when everyone else in creation sold it at between $1,800 - 2,100. They'll tell you the reason is that they aren't a "top 5" Lionel seller or whatever - and I'm not really questioning the veracity of that. But it's immaterial to me as a buyer. If it were a say 5% difference, I'd overlook it.
jonnyspeed posted:Mercer Junction, Stockyard Express, and Mr. Muffins. Only Stockyard is relatively close (under an hour). The others are several hours away, but worth it.
I'll second all of those, and add Patrick's. Honorable mention to Brady's (nothing against them, but I've done more business with the others).
Hebanator posted:I'm from Ohio, and as far as I know there are no train stores near me. Yes, there is a Hobby Town USA, but they don't have near the selection of Charles Ro or Legacy Station or any other train store out there.
Based on the address in your profile, I'd suggest making a day of driving 2 hours to Stockyard Express and then hit Bellevue for the NKP museum, and maybe top it off with a detour to Fostoria.
+1 for Trains and Things in Ewing. Friendly service, great prices and there's always a treasure to find.
RSJB18 posted:I'm lucky- got three really good ones within a ten mile radius
Trainland, Nassau Hobby, and Willis Hobbies. All great stores but Trainland is my favorite by far.
As A fellow Long Islander We are TRULY Blessed to have these three great stores near to us.
Nassau Hobby is my personal favorite! Excellent Service and competitive pricing. Most of all A COMPLETE HOBBY store
Steve
Scranton Hobby. Nearby, Knowledgeable staff, nice inventory and great prices. And they service what they sell.
John
zwbob posted:This video is a few years old but the store is still going strong.
LOVE this place Jimmy is the BEST!!!! Nick
