41-50 miles. It’s not a terrible distance, it is in my tolerable driving time, but I envy those of you who live LESS THAN A MILE from your LHS. I’m pretty lucky myself though, since right when I got into the hobby a train shop opened in the closest city to my town, Alton. It is named The Green Caboose since the owner is fond of the Illinois Terminal RR and their old green crummies.
We had one less than a mile from the house but he closed last year so now its over 90 miles to the next closest one.
Tom
I live in Payson AZ, and theres no hobby shop here, so I have to drive to Pheonix about 85 miles south, or to Flagstff 90miles north. Or order over the net, witch is useally the case its easier then travleing to the hot valley of the sun.
It is a two bus trip to my LHS. About 7 miles away.
Mine is about 12 mi. But I usually go to the ones in Madison Wi. Which are about 40 mi. away.
Lucky to live so close to Discount Model Trains in Addison, TX (around 10-12 miles from home). Great store, great selection for almost all scales, everything below list price, and when I come in, I feel like Norm from “Cheers!”
Mine is about 3-4 kms. I can bike to it, drive to it, walk to it. Flying would cost to much & tunneling would probabbly land me in jail! [;)]
Gordon
I voted 21-30 miles as the LHS is about 25-26 miles away. However, gas mileage X cost of gas X distance to LHS = internet shipping cost. And, as I’m not allowed to drive anymore and the cost of gas is the same as shipping cost, I buy from the internet.
I have one hobby shop with a large model railroading section 6 miles from home and a hobby shop devoted to model railroading only 7 miles away. At one time I had a hobby shop devoted to trains about 600ft from where I worked. That was to close and since I have to go a longer distance to get to the LHS the cost of my hobby has gone down [:)] . I can’t just walk over to the shop and pick up things. Like going in to get a pack of Kadee #5’s and spending $20, I still go for a pack of couplers and spend $20 but I do not do it as often.
Well, lets see. How long is my trip? Long enough to get there and then long enough to get back. Total these up and IT’S TOO DANG FAR. I voted close to 100 miles, one way, depending on the wind direction. [(-D][(-D][:O]
There used to be an LHS 45 miles away from were I live, although it had a very small selection of model railroad items. It closed a few years ago. Now the only hobby shop (which is much better anyway) is in Regina, which is a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from my town.
There’s a hobby shop about 2 miles away, or across town but its not the greatest, just good for simple needs. I get to Madison WI,about 55 miles away, about once a month, and theres a good hobbyshop there I visit every time I go.
Noah
Which one? I have THREE in the area. The closest is exactly one block from my house! The furthest is about 8 miles. Not to brag or anything…[8)]
I think the biggest disadvantage of driving to my LHS is that I’d better be sure I remembered everything. I can’t just turn around and run back up there for something I forgot. On the other hand, I have to plan better so I can get what I need in as few trips as possible.
mike
I have two Hobby shops within 10 miles of home, and another couple within 15 miles. I’ve only shopped at two of them though.
Just over two miles! feels good to ride my bike down to it and back with equipment.
Probably just under 20 miles. There was one a little further out that I liked, but one day I showed up and they were moving everything out and closing up. No warning. There are a few of others in the area. A closer one only carries LGB, LIONEL, and Marklin for HO. Another has such an anemic selection I won’t be back. The one I go to has an okay selection, but I don’t think they have gotten a blue box kit in years (there are some on the shelf, but they all predate my current interest) or even a MDC kit (and all the other kits for that matter). Lots of Genesis and RTR making an appearance. The margin must be similar to LIONEL on those as it is taking over the shelves! I miss the kits. I have 5 minutes to put a car together and enjoy that aspect of the hobby.