Visiting family for about a week on the south side of Chicago. Anyone recommend a good shop in the southern suburbs? I model HO transition so thats mostly what I’m interested in.
Thanks in advance!
Do a google search for “southside Chicago Hobby shops” or “hobby shops in SOuth Chicago” or “model train shops, South Chicago”,
I found many hobby shops for Chicago, but am unclear as to what/where constitutes “south chicago” to you.
ALso, the online Yellow Pages may direct you to some. It will probably even show up under your search criteria.
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Where’s Rich when you need him? He lives in that area.
There are several shops and clubs throughout the south and west areas of Chicagoland. If you can be more specific about your whereabouts, I can recommend some of them to you. Our club is in the Joliet area, for example, andt there are several shops in a large circle around Chicago proper. Most of them are frequented by our members. There are also some hobby shops in the northeast Indiana area that are interesting. A visit to the Museum of Science and Industry layout is also an option.
Len S
Like others are asking, where are you visiting when you say “south”?
Give us the name of the suburb or the approximate location if it is in Chicago itself.
Rich
Don’t know my way around there much any more but there is / was a great store on Lee Street in Des Plaines.
I left there while All Nations was still down town and I miss that place…
see ya
Bob
The Golden spike train shop is in Burbank right outside the city at 79th and Narragansett.
Bill
Actually in Oak Forest, so near, Tinley Park or Orland Park area. Thanks
Ok, Then there is: Hobby Town USA, 15551 S 94th Ave, Orland Park,. ILL (708) 349-8697
http://www.hobbytown.com/Category/Railroad/1776/
Then there is: Hobby Lobby, 7061 W 159th St, Tinley Park, IL, (708) 532-1048
http://www.hoursmap.com/b/hobby-lobby-hours-tinley-park-il-60477-b10346891
Then there is: Hobby Lobby 7061 W 159th St Suite B, Tinley Park, IL 60477 (708) 532-1048
I don’t know if you will be close to this huge place or not:
Hobbytown, USA 15870 S La Grange Rd, Orland Park, IL 60462
No guarantee of what they carry.
A google search turned them up.
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(708) 349-8697
Forget about those places, Hobby Lobby
Check out “Hand’s to Work” hobbies in Alsip. They’re on 127th Street just West of Pulaski Rd. They’re listed in the vendor’s section of Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman. A good selection of HO and a smattering? of O scale. Double check their store hours. Nice people.
Galaxy thanks but I forgot to mention I was looking for more LHS than a hobbytown as they usually only have Bachman etc. Thanks guys for the other local recommendations. Hopefully I have time to squeeze it in.
Walt’s in Crest Hill is the largest in the area.
Take I-57 south to I-80 west to Joliet.
About 30 minutes of travel time.
Walt’s has a hugh inventory of everything related to model railroading.
Well worth the trip.
Rich