any good websites to buy model railraoding stuff from?
Have a look at www.pwrs.ca. I’ve had a good experience dealing with them.
Ebay, tons of stuff
I agree with Javern, Ebay has all sorts of stuff at great prices…But for other good websites - - my criteria being that they are kept up to date with new releases/dates, ability to buy online and personal experience - - would be the following
- www.4nscale.com
- www.texnrails.com
- www.caboosehobbies.com
- www.featherrivertrains.com
Just but a few of the many - - when all else fails - - www.google.com
HO scale locos mostly is what im looking for
Just a few for you to look in
http://www.tonystrains.com/index.html
http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/
http://www.trainworld1.com/index.html
http://www.1stplacehobbies.com/
http://www.ihc-hobby.com
Ian
any aussie sites?
Remember some on-line, mail order or 1-800 rules/policies.
1)Shipping charges.
2) Return policy.
3)Restocking fees
4)Out of stock/back order & if additional shipping expense apply.
5)Defect out of the box, who pays for the return?
6)Replacement for the defect, who pays the addiitional shipping.
7) Does the defect go to the manufacturer or the vendor?
My best personal experiences have been with Trainworld, Standard
and firsthobby.
Remember also, if you do not need to purchase on line, try your LHS. I have been ordering anything in Walthers and other compnaies through them. The only thing with doing it this way, is that I do not have to pay the rip off shipping charges> OH so sad. 
Plus, since they order several times a week, they have no problem sticking on the 1-2 dollar item. which is way below some of the minimum order allowed at some site.
Plus, plus: it supports the local hobby shops.
Cletus
good on ya’ Cletus!
Check out www.modeltrainstuff.com too.
And I have to give a shout out to 1st Place Hobbies - I placed an Internet order with them last week, and the mailman put it in my hands in 72 hours…now that’s fast service!
I have to plug my LHS, Davis Trains, in Milford, OH (Cincinnati suburb). Their web is www.davistrains.com. They have a very large selection from N to G. I use their website to search or price stuff before I shop.
If ever in Cincinnati, be sure to check them out. They claim to have a 10,000 sq. ft. showroom.
Jeff
I use www.internettrains.com , www.discounttrainsonline.com discount trains gets the stuff to you faster though…chuck
I should mention that PWRS www.pwrs.ca is in Canada and it is not cheap. Even for me (canadian) it is cheaper to buy in US and pay customs, duty, and shipping.
As of recently I buy all my stuff from Tom’s Trains.
www.tomstrains.com
It is run by one guy and the service you get can’t be compared with anyone else I’ve used. You basically write him email and say what you need and you’ll get it at the best possible price. The only place I know he can’t always beat is Trainworld simply because Trainworld may get stuff cheaper than usual dealer’s price.
Otherwise he is very competitive and flexible. Many times I’d order something, than want to change or add something else and I just write him an email. Try doing that with those other online retailers [:0]
I’m a little more altruistic when it comes to buying supplies (especially scratchbuilding stuff or fine quality kits). I’ll first try to find out if the manufacturer has a website and purchase directly from them rather than from a discount house (for instance I purchase the modular walls from DPM rather than Walters).
I know it is a bit more expensive but I do so because more of the cash goes to the actual manufacturer. Its my small way to vote for their good quality product and keep them in business. I hate to see “Roundhouse” episodes happening but if we don’t do it you will definitely see more of this big fish consuming little fish. I can guarantee you won’t like the result.
I like Discount trains. They have a fair price and quick shipment. The S&H is flat, so I save up and buy a bunch of stuff at one time. I would not recommend Wholesale Trains in NY. They have no service and if anything goes wrong it is tough to get them to make it right.
Modeltrainstuff (M.B. Klein) gets my vote - AND money - bought my last 4 locos from them !!!