Can someone suggest a good online hobby store my local store is very limited and I need to buy a lot of track for the new layout along with new dcc system and some freight
www.walthers.com, www.caboosehobbies.com, www.modeltrainstuff.com, www.1stplacehobbies.com,
Avoid internettrains.com, they are extremely slow and have been known to do some fraudulent stuff.
You probably should have just searched for Online Hobby Stores on these forums and you would have found lots of answers.
www.walthers.com is the cornucopia of hobby stores. Of course, even their sale prices tend to be high, but their selection and customer service is unequalled, anywhere.
I have had good luck with the both Dallasmodelworks.com and modeltrainstuff.com (AKA MB Klein), and I think you’ll find them highly rated here as well. While I have never had trouble with them, Blue Ridge Hobbies (www.blueridgehobbies.com) has some less than satisfied customers here, and their customer service is, well, spotty.
Internettrains.com is, as stated above, a clip joint. Caveat Emptor.
May, I, however, suggest that you investigate a LHS (Local Hobby Shop, to the newcomer) option. Their knowledge and experience is usally unbeatable, and it’s good to support the local business (and you’ll generally pay less in sales tax than you do in shipping).
Dallas Model Works or M.B. Klein are both top notch. Fair Prices, they tell you what’s in stock and delivery is prompt.
Some on line stores offer bulk track as a money saving option. Some places charge a shipping premium for flex track. The local shop might do a price cut if you order a large qty of track or a DCC system. Doesn’t hurt to ask. A few mail order places advertise on this forum.
Hi!
I’ve purchased a lot of MR stuff this year for my latest HO layout. As I was spending a lot of money (about 3k), the local hobby shops that charge full retail were just out of the question. I did a lot of pricing, and narrowed it down to a handful of online shops that had a good rep. PLEASE check with the good folks on this Forum before you use an online vendor, for there are a few that are “not very good”.
Anyhow, for Atlas Flextrack and roadbed I went to NHS Hobbies, for DCC components I went to Caboose Hobbies and Tonys Trains. For turnouts, I went with MB Klein (model train stuff) and Toy Train Heaven, and for NCE decoders I went to most of the above (whoever had what I wanted).
I will not tell you the above have the cheapest prices anywhere, but I will say they are reliable and do a darn good job - and their prices are in the right ballpark.
For what its worth,
Mobilman44
ditto on the NHS Hobbies for track ,switches ,tools and such,great people ,not much rolling stock and such . …but nomatter who I order from "I always"call to verifywhat I need is in stock ,dont trust the accuricy of the in stock items on the web sites .then I submitt my order online…J.W.
of the web server/program of items in stock…J.W.