Huntsville Al. RC Hobby Barn ???

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

http://h1071426.hobbyshopnow.com/
RC Hobby Barn.

I found this store on the internet and was wonder if anyone has shopped there. I was curious what kind of in store stock they carried. His online stock is extensive, but I was wondering if it was worth an hour drive. He’s got pretty good prices on most of his stuff too.

Thanks

2

Loathar,

I don’t know because I live four hours from Huntsville. If you spend the gas to go investigate the place and it looks good, I’ll take a drive up there one of these weekends and meet you and buy lunch. The only rule is that, if they only have one thing we both want, we have to flip for it. [:)]

3

When I was last in Huntsville a couple of years ago I was disappointed that the shop I used to frequent (Action Hobbies?) was long gone. I looked around, the only place I found that was really very useful (N scale) was Trans Global Hobbies, out on Winchester road. Southerland did have quite a bit if stuff, and Moss valley was interesting, but more HO and not really organized.

4

Anybody been to Oak Mountain Hobbies in Pelham, Al, just south of B’ham?

Rick’s got a nice “store” layout, carries HO, N, 3-rail O. Large selection of RC supplies.

Even has a web presence at:

http://www.oakmountainhobbies.com/

I have gotten a lot of supplies from him over the years, mostly paint, decoders detail parts, etc.

I’m one of those guys who has to see and touch before I buy, so he suits me well.

Edit;

Jeff;

Moss Valley is Wes Savage’s shop, but is always interesting to visit when I’m in Huntsville.

5

I would watch it with what they have cataloged. I have seen some hobby shops that show basically everything in the Walthers catalog on their websites meaning that they might not have them, but they can try to get it. I also noticed their disclaimer at the bottom of the page that states just because a certain item is on their site, doesn’t mean they have it in store stock.

6

True, it doesn’t necessarily mean its in stock, or that it can even be gotten. But that can be said for a lot of “web store/mail order” ads out there. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen ads, both in magazines and on the web; "New from XYZ manufacturer, the SD-50.75! Only $22.50! Order it Now!, and the loco/car/thingamabob hasn’t even been released from the factory for shipping, or that it may not have been made yet, let alone have a correct price assigned to it.

Things like this is why my favorite Model Railroader cartoon from years back was of 2 guys talking, and one turns to the other and says; “That 2-10-2 we’ve advertised for the past 6 months is selling really well! Don’t ya think we oughta make it now?”

7

That’s what I was thinking. Their site is a carbon copy of Hobby Town USA. It says they just changed their name and built a new 4000sq.ft. building and will be stocking more train stuff. I guess I’ll give em a call Monday and ask. I know the H.T.USA to the north of me isn’t worth the drive.

Thanks

8

If you do go to Huntsville, take some time to check out the old depot and roundhouse. They have some sort of a museum there, but I missed it because I was too late. There’s even a small LHS in an old caboose there.

9

Now THIS is strange…That Oak Mountain Hobbies, RC Hobby Barn, H.T.USA and a couple others I’ve seen all have the same web site ordering pages. They all take you to HobbyShopNow.com. and all list the same stock and prices.[%-)] It must be an online shopping franchise they all belong to.

10

Lothar, as I live and work here in huntsville, If you like I could take a ride over there for you and see what they have. Last time I was in there, they mostly had rc hobby type stuff. They did have a big selection of motors and gearing tho. Not sure what your intereseted in. Let me know if you do come down, IF I am off work, i would be glad to meet ya. Also, be carefull driving down, I dont want to have to pick you up off the road…lol. ( I work for the ambulance service here). IF interesed, just shoot me a message.

11

Thanks Medic! (I sent you a PM) Are there any other train shops there in your area? I found a couple shops in Florence, but when I got there, they were both RC shops.[V] The thing that caught my eye about RC Barn is their prices were pretty good.

12

i live pretty close to it . i have been there a couple of time. there main thing is r/c cars and airplanes. they also carry a lot of model cars and armor. as for model trains not a big selection but i have been told by my neighbor which he knows the owner personally, he can get what you need.

13

If it’s anything like a Hobby Barn in Tucson, Arizona, they specialize in radio control airplanes and cars – no train items at all. But I did find some materails that could be used for scratchbuilding rolling stock in G-scale, such as aircraft plywood.

14

Hi, I didn’t know where you were talking about until I went to the website! I have always known it as RC Hobbies Not RC Hobby Barn! Any how, They have been steadily increasing there Train stuff but mostly N, Ho with just a bit of O ( Most everyone that does O or Lionel goes to Southerland!). I hope they keep expanding the railroad section, hopefully they will, Is it worth an hour drive? , I don’t know but I drive 25 miles to get there and go at least once a month, BUT not just for train stuff… Good Luck, Gary W.