Going South?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Say down Florida way, possibly permanently, and wondering what you’re going to do to indulge your O gauge hobby?

Well, if you’re heading to the Fort Myers area worry no longer. This past weekend I was there for a family gathering (Mom and Dad’s 65th wedding anniversary) and I paid a visit to Metro Trains and Hobbies at 12951 Metro Parkway in Fort Myers. A fine, fine place to visit with a personable, helpful, laid-back staff of model railroad hobbyists.

O gauge, HO, N gauge, they’ve got it all. They’ve also got a section for the regular modeler, ships, cars, military items and such. A full selection of scenicking supplys as well.

Hey, I left the place with a Lionel post-war 221 (!) AND a Lionel starter set (steam, of course!) for my eight-year old grand-nephew, and that was money well spent, the little guy went nuts over it!

My first visit there, and needless to say the next time I’m in the area I’ll certainly go back.

They’re an advertiser in CTT, but in case you need further information they’re open Monday through Saturday ten 'till six, closed Sunday. Phone 239-332-0422. No website, but they are on Facebook.

Stop in, you’ll enjoy the visit!

As you were, I stand corrected, there is a website, www.metrotrainsandhobbies.com, however it’s under reconstruction and only partially usable at this time. What’s there looks interesting.

2

Aha! That’s where you’ve been! [:D] Pillaging the hobby shops of Florida! [(-D]

3

Imagine the late, great actor Robert Newton speaking…

ARRRR lassie! I been plunderin’ the brick n’ mortars along the old Spanish Main!

Well, one of 'em at least, by thunder!

Didn’t know I could do impressions, did 'yer?

4

[oX)] Ar!

5

Know what you get when you cross a pirate and a robot?

Arrr2D2!

I’ll go quietly…

6

I’m already in southeast Florida, near West Palm Beach. Several hobby shops have closed in Palm Beach county, there is only one left on Lantana Rd. A really nice hobby shop to visit is Ready To Roll in north Miami on NW 143 rd st. Another nice hobby shop is the Round House South just below Daytona Beach FL.

Lee Fritz

7

I’ve heard about Ready to Roll and Roundhouse South, both are reputed to be first-rate places.

Unfortunately, they’re on the wrong side of the state, for me at least. When I go south I’m visiting in Estero! Maybe one day I’ll get over there.

8

Where is Estero FL? If it is over 70 miles away from Ready To Roll, plan a day trip or an overnight trip.

Lee Fritz

9

Definately more than 70 miles, Estero’s just south of Fort Meyers and just north of Naples.

By the way, every time I drive down there I’m forceably reminded of just how big Florida is. But that’s the old Jersey boy in me. Growing up in New Jersey you’re never more than two hours away from anywhere you want to be, traffic permitting of course. You get a little spoiled, and a whole lot shocked when you find out just how big some other states are, to say nothing of the country itself.

10

For example,

Image result for images of alaska us map

Not that you can drive much of anywhere in the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost state of Alaska; but you can get a great 360-mile all-day train ride between Anchorage and Fairbanks, past Denali, the world’s biggest mountain.

11

You can take Alligater Ally(a.k.a. I-75) from Naples to Miami FL just make sure you gas your car(full tank) and check your tires or anything else as Alligater Ally has NO rest areas(no food service either) or service stations on it. The nearest service station would be near Ft. Lauderdale or Griffin Road exit. FYI; I have been in southeast Florida for about 30 years.

I grew up in Pennsylvania, near the city of Reading.

Lee Fritz

12

Nice to hear that the Lantana shop is stll there last time I was in West Palm Beach was 2009 and yes went to that shop

WAS able to get train parts thru the metal detector at the airport instead of my soda

There are a couple of antique shops in that area that also sell trains from time to time

13

What? They didn’t question the use of E-Units relative to I.E.D.'s? [(-D]

14

No the 20 year olds never saw an operating boxcar frame before

15

You know, that reminds me of the last time I flew to Florida. I’d made a trip to Gulf Coast Model Railroad Inc. in Sarasota and purchased some railcars. Not wanting to stick them in the luggage I put them in a paper supermarket bag and planned on carrying them on the plane. The TSA agent checking me looked in the bag and said “WOW! Lionel trains! I didn’t think they were around anymore!”

We had a nice chat, and she said she was going to look into O gauge railroading as a hobby! How 'bout that?

As far as antique shops and trains there’s Gannon’s Antiques on Route 41 in Fort Myers. Gannon’s has a section with post-war Lionels and railroad artifacts. Not a huge section, but it’s there just the same.