So now that Caboose Hobbies has closed, which store will take the mantle? There are some big ships like Hiawatha Hobbies, Des Plaines Hobbies and Mohawk Valley but I’m not sure they’re big enough to take the crown!
Hi kbaker329:
I think Walthers might be at the top of the (seriously dwindling) pile, but the perceived number of 'out of stock’s on their site is a bit concerning.
I will give them a lot of credit for recognising that their shipping prices to Canada had gotten completely out of hand. I had stopped ordering from them because their shipping costs were so expensive. Their current shipping costs are quite competive.
Dave
I hear Scale Model Supplies in Minnesota is pretty big, but I have not been there yet.
http://www.scalemodelsupplies.com/map-directions.html
Tom
My vote would go to MB Klein in Maryland…though not the 11,000 sq. feet, I’d guess their inventory and what they do in mail order each day would have rivaled Caboose Hobbies if not exceeded.
Then again, often the mega shows like Big E and Timonium have more inventory than both Klein and Caboose combined.
MY two bucks,
Hz
Doesn’t matter since they are limited to local area modelers and not a hobby shop that can be ordered from by everybody.Nice plug for the shows though.
I suspect Trainland or TrainWorld may be the biggest.
LION uses Trainworld.
ROAR
While Timonium has a lot, there is quite a bit of duplication between dealers.
Also, the train shows’ focus tends to be on rolling stock, engines, and structures.
I think that most of the larger online operations like MB Klein (modeltrainstuff) have as much or more variety as most train shows except for older stuff. Older stuff whether Old New in Box or used is where train shows are good.
Paul
I don’t think we are going to find out in this topic which was biggest. Some official organization like Book of Guiness or something is going to have to make that determination. But y’all can jaw on it for a few days.
Actually at good shows, I have seen just about everything in addition to basic locos and rolling stock…far beyond what most shops carry…or you can do the math …800-1000 8’x 30" tables with stock often piled high, and often under tables. 900 tables would be 7200 linear feet of choo choos and accessories.
I have found at good shows…scratch building materials, electronics, brass, old wood kits…no sense going on, just check out these shows for yourself and compare to a well stocked LHS.
Larry, you are off base as this was not a plug for shows…just a discussion.
HZ
I would love to go to one of the big shows on the East Coast but just don’t know when that will happen. I think the only comparative event in the Midwest is Trainfest.
I would like to visit M.B. Klein & Trainworld, I’ve purchased from them online over the years.
I agree that this discussion is a matter of opinion, but it’s good keep some places in mind when traveling. Though size and quality don’t always mix…
Wholesale Trains closed recently, too.
I’m not sure which shops are truly “big”?
Is it store floor space devoted to retail customers or combined sales volume of the store and internet/mail order operations? For some retailers the internet/mail order volume factually outpaces the retail store by 6 to 1. Beyond that, the real numbers will be closely held secrets.
English’s Model RR Supply in Montoursville, PA moved a few years ago and now occupies a larger building that once housed the Bowser Factory so they have a relatively spacious floor area available for retail sales. Since they also own Toy Train Heaven, their total sales volume would likely rival some of the other places named above.
I do not know the square footage of the retail store.
Although they might be considered “off the beaten path” for some US retail customers because they located are in rural northcentral Pennsylvania, their close proximity to I-180 and US-15 has made them a destination for Canadian retail train buyers for many years, as well as customers from all over the world (and in the past Frank Sinatra phone ordered from them).
Customers have come from as far away as Germany, New Zealand, and Australia to shop there. Some of the Germans even brought their VW’s across the pond to drive around in the US…
John
Actually Klein and Caboose take orders from not only the U. S. and Canada, but worldwide. I would say that Caboose did most of its business online and out of state
As a guess, largest in the World is probably in Japan.
herrinchoker
Tom,Actually I was talking about the shows.A show can cover several buildings and thousands of square feet but,unless a modeler attends these shows he can not buy or order from any of the dealers.A show is not a hobby shop by any measure since they last a day or two once or twice a year…
Our biggest show here is Berea and its a two day affair that covers four buildings then its gone until next year.Big E and Timonium shows is no different.
For me to attend Timonium I would need to drive from Ohio to Maryland just to attend a show…Why do that when I can shop from comfort from my computer chair -a deep cushion executive office chair picked up at auction when a manufacturing plant closed.
I would rather make a trip to MBK or Trainworld with credit card in hand instead.[yeah]
Well, since MB Klein is about a ten minute drive from the fairgrounds in Timonium, you could attend the show and make it a twofer!
There’s an idea!
While they have a front store, most of their operation is mail/internet order and the stock is in the back room. Since they have an excellent online system with up to date inventory, there isn’t any real advantage to going there over shopping online.
While I have occaisionally stopped by after a show, I usually don’t bother. The savings on shipping is offset by the sales tax.
Paul
True but,the sad part is my hobby allowance would be depleted before I get to Timonium.[:'(]
Just going there and buying a bunch of goodies would make my trip worthwhile.[:D]
At 5,000 square feet, Credit Valley in Toronto might be one of the largest Canadian hobby shops left standing.
John Longhurst, Winnipeg
not the largest, but perhaps the oldest: The Model Railroad Shop in Piscatways, NJ
is the longevity of such shops due to their size, service, convenience for modelers or size of the clientele it serves?
