Hi all, I am in the INDY area this week and want to check out some good, N-scale train shops. I have been to Big Four Hobbies in plainfield, but do not know of others. I have seen advertisements for Whistles and Growls in Greenwood. Any good? Any other ideas?
You must have internet access as you say you are currently in Indy.
I did a quick google search for “Model train shops in Indianapolis, IN” and turned up a couple in indy itself. I am not sure what other towns are around Indy that may also have model trains shops.
I tried posting links here, but my server froze on me and I know you can do the same search I did to come up with the links I did by running the google search I did.
HAppy hunting
As a lifelong Indy resident, I must say that we have a distinct paucity of train stores in general. I actually live a stone’s throw from Greenwood, but have never been to Whistles & Growls. Not sure they’re even still in business.
Big Four is a good place. There are a couple of Hobbytown USA’s - the southside one has some N scale, the northside store has significantly more model railroad stuff in general. There’s a place on East Washington Street not too far from downtown, used to be called Train Central. It might have changed names since I was there last, but I’m not sure. If you’re willing to spend an hour on the interstate, Hawkins Rail in Lafayette is my favorite locale on the planet, though it’s predominantly HO.
Jim
I’ll back Big Four as I’m 10 minutes from there. Whistles & Growls is a good shop, but small. Not much in N. You can ignore the Southside Hobbytown, but the one on 82nd street is good. Idon;t recall what Trtain Central has in N, but he’s still there. Has PLENTY of HO detail stuff too, and beeutiful brass. Make that trip out. Also be sure to note the number on the Masonic Lodge if you take Washington Street out there. It’s just past an old theatre. Tis the Sign of the Beast it is.
Hawkins was nice when I was there, I’d certainly love to go again, but some of his prices are current MSRP on older stuff. Still, well worth the visit if your in Lafayette or heading North.
Beyond that, Mononguy is right, there’s a decided lack in N scale stuff round here.
Whistles and Growls was still in business a year ago, but I don’t know since then. I have bought lots of N Scale from him in the past, but that was 3 or 4 years ago. He usually goes to the Greenwood train shows that are at the Knights of Columbus building down there four times a year. I think their last one was the weekend after Thanksgiving, and then coming up in January and April next year. If you take the Main Street exit into downtown Greenwood and then turn south when you get to the light (I think it is Madison, the street that runs behind Greenwood Park Mall), it is on your right before the road joins back up with 31.
I have not found much at Train Central in N Scale, but they are a good source of railroad memorabilia. There is also supposed to be a place on Shadeland, but I have never checked it out (somebody “& Son”). My advice is to attend one of the local shows. That is what I did when I got into the hobby, and it helped acquaint me with the players in town who sell there. There is a show this Saturday at Manual High School put on by Naptown and White River club, and also a Great Train Expo next month at the State Fairgrounds. That is my favorite show of the year and I try to go at least once (they also show in September or October). N&WR is a good place to network with the N scale guys who are there. You can ask them where they get their stuff. And even if guys aren’t selling, they usually leave flyers so you can pick up a few addresses and advertisements.
I also model in N, and I can vouch for Big Four and Hobbytown (I usually only buy track there and other odds and ends). The main advantage of the guys at Big Four for a novice like me is getting advice. They will ask me what I am doing, and then I tell them, and then they let me know of alternatives/ feasability, and get me on the right track. I would rather go to a store where they don’t just want to make a buck off me but will sell me something cheaper if it is in my experience range or just simply better.
Hope th
As an NWR member, I’ll pass the good word along. We appreciate the props.
The Shadeland shop you refer to is Sandford & Son, and was a little booth in a fleamarket he restocked from stuff in his garage. He’s got a neat collection of stuff, some odds and ends and some less than Bach and Lionel stuff. The two partners split and I don’t think that booth is still in the Fleaartet, and if it is the stock is significantly less. He does still travel to the area shows though. His partner in crime (and still friend) is the guy who does the food at the NWR show and most/all of the NMRA shows.
There is also the Train Exchance on the corner of Monroe and Webster in Kokomo, about 40 mins north of Indy, small selection of N, both trains and structures, loads of HO and he can special order anything you need in any scale. Discount prices, usualy 10-20% off all the time. He teaches school so the hours are a bit odd, Friday evenings and Saturday daytimes are best. Also open Monday evenings and Wednsday afternoon/evening. Mike
Whistles and Growls in Greenwood, Train Central on E Washington close to I-465, and Hobbytown in Castelton, near I-69 and I-465, are all open for business and have a decent selection of N scale stuff.
Hobbytown at Castleton on Indy northeast side has a good supply of n scale. Dan who runs the train department is also a Nickel Plate modeler.