i will be in wausau on august 1 any train stores around
thanks jeff
Popes Hobby Land on 640 S 3rd Ave is a very nice store. I go there all the time to get my supplies. There prices are fairly nice and are usually marked lower than the retail price. A large selection of RTR cars. There is also a fair size selection of building kits, railroad cars kits are there, but it’s mostly Athearn and Accurail. They also have a display case of locomotives. The Manager of the store (I think he’s the manager. I’m not sure of his status) also makes his own ground foam, glue, ballast, wreathing washes ect for sale too.
Hobby Connection on 503 S Grand Ave in Rothschild had a very large selection of trains. I haven’t been there for a long time, but from what I remember they had rows and rows of trains. So if you can’t find any thing at Popes, Hobby Connection would be the place to go. They also have a large layout in there basement.
If you want to do some railfanning, stop on Townline road, it’s just off of Grand Ave a few blocks south a down town. If you hit a large cemetery and then a bunch of car dealers you have gone too far. There is usually something sitting there.
thanks for yhe info WCfan i will make sure i go to both
jeff
Ditto on the recommendation for Hobby Connection in Rothchild - I haven’t been there but just used him on a Walthers sale order and am pleased with the service.
Holy sh…mokers! Here’s a post that I can meaningfully reply to.
Jeff,
In late November 2005, my wife and I were Christmas shopping in Wausau. We were pretty much done shopping, one last stop that I don’t remember, when we happened to drive by Hobby Connection. I said, “Hey look a model train shop. Why don’t you drop me off and pick me up on your way back.” The hobby shop was Hobby Connection that WCfan notes above. That was my re-introduction into the hobby after more than 20 years away.
The owner (Ted?) spent a good 45 minutes showing me around the store, the various manufacturers, products, changes in the hobby, talked alot about DCC, also showed me the basement layout. His advice was so sound that all I left with after that first visit was a Model Railroader magazine and a couple books - and I was hooked. The building is not much. The front area is r/c cars and planes, but the back room is all train stuff - mostly HO. Their basement layout is an HO club layout - Wisconsin Central. Not totally sure, but I think they run on Saturday afternoons and welcome visitors - you might want to verify that with a phone call if you’re interested.
I’ve been back there a couple times a year since then - some track and cork, Accurail/Athearn freight car kits, couplers and other supplies. It’s a 50 minute drive for me, so most of my hobby purchases are online.
Not sure what your expections are, but I’ve always been happy with my visits to Hobby Connection. If you give them a visit, I hope you have a good experience also.
Dave (dmarker)
sounds like i have 2 places to go to when i get there
jeff