every time i walk in the iron spike i dont know why i feel like theres a brotherhood in that building like everyone knows what your talking about and isnt clueless when you ask them about a certain train engine.
they have these stores that sell arts and crafts as well as models r/cs and other stuff and i feel stupid when i go to the front desk tell them i need a track cleaner car, an sd40-2, a transformer tested and 5 or 6 i beams and ladders.
and ill feel stupid because the cashier will say “well i dont understand a word you just said, But it sounds like you need either model trains or r/c trucks so let me get someone to help you with that”
i dont know if it still is but it used to be for some reason Micheal’s arts and crafts was listed under model trains in southwest illinois i never understood that.
In like a phone book or something? I can see it in terms of basic materials and supplies like wood, paint, tools and such but no actual trains. The closest most craft stores tend to get is a limited line of Scenery Express or Woodland Scenics turf and trees for school projects.
it was even on google all we could find there was the rectangular coal hopper and a trap door where u pull the wheel on the side and those ultralight up cars that mostly derail until u beef em up a lil but that came as 1 set and that was it i was so confused as to why it was listed
No, because I’ve never been to a real model train store.
I suppose that antique stores maybe count, though.
They are a vanishing thing in far too many locales. 
Too true. I know of only two pure train stores in all of MO.
thats the worst part unless you include the illinois side i can only think of iron spike because schafers is all hobbys. in illinois theres k-10 in maryville. one guy at the flea market foold me a second said he had all sorts of model train stuff (turns out it was all hallmark orniments) made me shudder to think this guy thinks hallmark ornaments are the same thing as model trains
I know, right? I guess that maybe Menards counts for me.
I like the fact that Menards sells Model Railroading stuff, the nearest hobby shop for me with actual railroading stuff is in Ankeny, Hobby Lobby doesn’t really count since they don’t sell individual locomotives and railcars like Menards and Hobby Town does
The nearest Hobby Lobby is in Bismarck anyway; and no they DO NOT EVER COUNT!
I agree simply because as soon as Menards puts the cars out on the shelves their snatched up by the eBay flippers. 
. Unless you’re really lucky finding any cars in the store is almost impossible. And they usually go for double on eBay!
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Well in the off season in the Patio furniture area if you go to the upstairs stock the Model Railroading stuff is full in stock during the summer 
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I usually haven’t had that problem…
I actually was the first to get the SOO Line 14-inch covered hopper in town here!