First post for me. My son has always loved trains and he is old enough now to take an active role in modeling. I had an HO layout when I was much younger but alot has changed since then. Back then no one had heard of the internet. We live in rural Michigan and decent hobby shops are few and far between, and there alot less of them than when I was a kid. I try and spend my money locally as much as i can, but what are some good choices regarding online retailers with high marks for selection and prices? We’ll be building a layout from the ground up, since I don’t have any of my equipment anymore. Thanks.
First off: [#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! [:D]
Here’s a few of the one’s that I would recommend (including links):
M.B. Klein - This is a real brick strore front but went to Internet purchasing as its main business a couple of years. Prices are anywhere from MSRP to 50% off. A huge plus about M.B Klein is that their web site has a “live” inventory - i.e. when you see an item and it says “1 in stock!”, it means “1 in stock!” And if you purchase something, the inventory immediately updates to reflect that purchase. [Y][8D]
Empire Northern Models - Tim’s prices usually start at 20 - 25% off MSRP. If Tim doesn’t have what you’re looking for, just ask. He can usually find it from another vendor. Tim is very knowledgeable about DCC and also does installations. *Please note that Tim’s store is only open on Fridays and Satrudays. He’s very good with e-mails and will get back to you within 12 - 24 hours.
Ulrich Models - Steve has gone over and beyond helping me with DCC items - even ones that I didn’t purchase from him. Steve is also good about e-mails.
Tony’s Trains - Tony’s carries mainly locomotives and power-related items - e.g. DC & DCC systems, decoders, boards power supplies, etc… They also do DCC installations. The “news” stories are usually very informative on new product coming out and/or issues that come up on such.
As to the issue of service at Trainworld, there is a simple solution. Do NOT call the 1-800 order line and expect questions answered - it is only an order line and the people answering no nothing about trains.
If you have questions, on want to verify what is in stock before you order, or want to verify facts about the item before you order, call their regular phone line and you will get someone in the store who knows trains.
They have always been very patient and most helpful - even on days I ended up not buying anything.
And, while I’m here, I have delt with most of the shops listed by others - they have all been great.
http://www.walthers.com/ they are the mecca of model train stuff. They produce a big catalog each year about 1.5 inches thick with about everything you could want for your MR pike. They have a good search engine, type in what you are looking for and see what comes up. You can buy everything form locos and RR cars to scale chimneys for your scratchbuilding efforts to people of all kinds to populate your layout and scale hedges and flowers for the gardens around your scale model homes.
Unfortunately it is getting harder and harder to find brick and mortar stores around that carry the things you need, unless they have internet business as well. AND the internet is king.
As you noted, a lot of things have changed while you were away from the hobby. In order to make the best decisions for you, I suggest you get some basic books on benchwork. wiring, trackwork and scenery. After doing some reading, you are in a great place to ask questions. There are many people here willing to share their experiences with you. You will find that there may be several methods of doing a project. You will have to sort out the ideas presented and decide which one will work best for you.
Not be be redundant but welcome to the forums and your return to the hobby. To everyone else’s list I would like to add Toy Train Heaven (www.toytrainheaven.com)…I’ve) I’ve always had good service and prompt shipments and my wife just loves the name.
Yes, it is a good idea to READ READ READ before jumping into ordering a bunch of stuff you may later regret. there are two “shop” buttton links here above in the black tool bar on the right side directly above the forum topics and at the very top right in a tan tool bar that will link you to the many Kalmbach book publications of various subjects on Model Railraoding including: wiring, DCC, layout ideas,scenery techniques and more. There are also links to subscribe to Model Railroader magazine under the “our Magazine” black tool bar link at teh left top of the forum topics.
Many things have changed, the biggest being the advent of and popularity of DCC. THere are two camps: those for DC only, and those for DCC only and the twain shall never meet. It might be one subject you might want to read on to determine if you want to go the DCC route. A lot of info on DCC can be confusing, so you must read it for what it can do, it’s relative simplicity, rather than all the options of controlers to it to decide on it…
Over the last few months, Trainworld has implemented a more modern “shopping cart” system for ordering, so you don’t have to call them. I’m not sure how “real-time” their inventory is, but they’ve had everything I’ve ordered from them. Like M.B. Klein and Walthers, Trainworld is a source, not a re-shipper. There are a lot of e-tailers who don’t actually have much inventory. When you order from them, they order from someone else, and then re-ship the product when they get it. This can take weeks, and always has the possibility that they won’t be able to get the item after all. So, stick with the primary sources and you’ll be happier in the long run.
There are other things we use that you don’t have to buy at train shops. I like Michaels and A.C. Moore, the art supply places. They have lots of paints, brushes, glue and balsa wood. They’ve got Envirotex Lite, a 2-part epoxy resin many of us use for modeling water. I buy spray paints and Durham’s Water Putty (for my roads) from the hardware store.
For electronic parts like toggle switches, barrier strips, wire and LEDs, look at places like www.mouser.com and www.allelectronics.com. They are a lot cheaper than buying the same items from a hobby shop.
There are lots of small suppliers of detail parts and niche items. http://www.jaksind.com/ is one of my favorites, as is Musket Minatures. They’re small outfits, and some basically only sell directly to the consumer. There are great small items to be found by looking.
I like Dallas Model Works. Craig, ( the owner ) has a great web site with lots of free features that are very helpful to we MRR’s. Also, he actually will respond to an e-mail. As with any on-line retailer, one should be careful as to shipping costs. The more you order, the cheaper the shipping costs, per item.
I’ll second the advice about getting some books – especially a Walther’s Sourcebook – and just read read read. One caution, though. I read up on DCC for a while, and I was confused and bewildered by it. Then I went and played around with a friends set and realized how simple it was. After I had some experience with it, the literature started making sense, but it sure didn’t initially. I’ve been DCC for 4 years now and wouldn’t go back.
All of the firms listed above are good choices. Everyone has had bad experiences from time to time, so you have to take complaints with a grain of salt. My rule is simple: Three strikes and an e-tailer is out. Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action. My personal favorites are MB Klein, Trainworld, and Wholesaletrains.com, but you’ll have to make your own decisions.
Just remember to read up, so you have a vague idea what you’re doing, and have a plan if not a detailed design before you start buying stuff.
I have some favorites as well, they have proven themselves time and time again. I am in no way associated with those firms other than being a very satisfied customer.
1st. Dallas Model Works. Craig is great. (Dallas) [tup] [tup]
2nd. Factory Direct Trains. (Asheville, NC.) [tup] [tup]
3rd Caboose Hobbies. ( Denver, Co. ) [tup] [tup]
4th T.J. Model Trains (Eltopia, Wa. ) [tup] [tup]
You will not go wrong with any of these retailers.
I have been buying a long time and these are my go to guys. [:D]
I WAS a loyal fan of Toy Train Heaven until my last 2 orders. Apparently the word “AVAILABLE” on their web site means “sold out” or “we might have it in 3 months” or “ready to ship”. They do not contact you either on the status of your order. I’m no longer" AVAILABLE" as one of their customers.[tdn][tdn]
I’ve actually bought from most all the vendors previously mentioned and can say that they were terrific to deal with. When I built a new layout, jumped into DCC, and picked up several sound equipped locos two years ago, I did a lot of comparison shopping and found that one store did not fit all my needs, so I ended up going to 5 of them depending on price and availability.
Your local hobby shop certainly deserves consideration, and I would add them to the list!