Model Railroad stores near Orlando

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi Guys.

I’m coming over to Orlando FL next week for 3 weeks.

I’d like to visit a good model railroad store locally and perhaps see a few trains.

Can anyone help with locations and recommendations for both, please?

Cheers

Dave

2

Colonial Photo and Hobby.

http://www.colonialphotohobby.com/trains.htm

For prototype trains, there’s good action since CSX’s “A-Line” runs through the middle of Downtown Orlando. CSX intermodals, mixed freights, and Amtrak passenger trains cruise through daily. The Amtrak station is just south of downtown (just over 1 1/2 kilometers) and served by the Silver Meteor and Silver Star.

There is a steam locomotive and a couple of antique passenger cars parked at Church Street Station in downtown. This was a bustling entertainment complex years ago, but fizzled down during the late 90s and a few businesses remain active there.

http://www.kontours.info/orlando_photo.htm

Still a nice spot to view the passing trains.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=357532&nseq=2

As always, have fun but be careful. Try not to look like a “wide-eyed tourist”.

3

I agree . Colonial photo and hobby is a great shop . Downtown orlando on colonial drive . RON

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4

Just to add to what has been said above, Colonial Photo has a good selection and is a pleasant place to shop.

Joe

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5

The only good place to go: Colonial Photo and Hobby. I see you already have the address, so Ill spare you that. One tip, check the traffic on the interstate and Colonial Ave (or is it Drive?), as depending on the time of day, either one may be as slow as ever.

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6

Thanks all you guys.

Colonial it is then.

I’ll be down in Davenport but I’ve done Google maps etc and can see exactly where it is and how to get there and back home.

Thank for all your help.

Dave in the UK

7

been there myself and I love it .rambo1…

8

Hello Dave

I agree with the recommendation of Colonial Photo & Hobby. We visited this shop two years ago and spent over an hour in there chatting to the two very friendly , helpful guys there. I bought my son an Athearn Southern GP40X there and we still recall the trip to that store. Just to add there is plenty of parking at the side of the store.

While you are in the Orlando area I would also recommend a visit to a Model railroad display on International Drive. I think it is in G scale and it is located at Air Florida helicopter charters 8990 International Drive. The layout has a quiz to follow as you go round it- you have to find certain features on the layout - good fun for children and adults!

Have a good trip

Paul -UK

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9

I have been to Colonial Photo and Hobby but was not impressed. Are there any other hobby shops near Orlando that focus mainly on O Scale trains?

Nick

10

Round House South in Port Orange has a large selection of O gauge stuff. And some HO/N.http://www.roundhousesouth.com/

11

I visited colonial when I wason my honeymoon with my Brid. I imagine they wil be all decked out when I go to NTS this summer.

12

Colonial Photo and Hobby is the only show in town.

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Sci-Fi City further East on SR50 has some items, like high quality acrylic paint, that model railroaders can use. It is a dark cold place though.

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If you feel like a drive to the East Coast, Roundhouse South in Port Orange is a nice shop.

.

-Kevin

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13

There’s several that are about an hour-and-a-half drive from Orlando assuming the traffic’s not bad that day. Both advertise in Classic Toy Trains so I’d assume they’ve got O gauge for sale, but you’d have to call them.

One is Zitnik Trains, 5193 73d Ave. N in Pinellas Park (Tampa Bay area) 727-201-9668.

There’s AA Model Train Repair, 8340 Ulmerton Rd., #222, Largo 727-698-7496.

And Gulf Coast Model Railroad Inc. 3222 Clark Rd. #72 Sarasota 941-923-9303.

I was at the last one several years ago, and it’s a nice place.

There’s one other I’ve been to, but it’s at least a three hour drive from Orlando.

Metro Trains and Hobbies, 12951 Metro Parkway, Fort Meyers. 239-332-0422. I’ve been to this one several times and give it VERY high marks, but I’d call them first before you take the drive if there’s any one thing you’re looking for, unless of course you want to make a day of it.