With the demise of the local Hobby Shops and the lack of train inventory (except at holiday time) in those that may still exist, where do you shop for train stuff?
(Please don’t offer any opinions of any particular venue such as Ebay etc. That would be for another discussion.)
As always, many thanks.
Hobbytown is about my only option as far as brick-n-mortar stores goes. Train Central is available but I can’t get there very often with my work schedule. Mr Muffin’s Trains is about an hours drive from where I live and again, my work schedule precludes frequent visits. EBay and online shopping are my best resources but I like to view the products in my hands. That’s another reason why I still buy Comic Books!!
It’s getting harder and harder to buy anything locally anymore. Most just “dabble” in O. Even HO and N is slim pickin’s. RC seems to be taking over. Unfortunately, it’s mostly online for me now.
We shop at the Train Station in Mountain Lakes, NJ.
Online, I’ve bought a number of times from Grzyboski’s Train Store near Scranton, PA.
I’ve also bought from Just Trains in Delaware.
Trains and Things in Ewing, NJ - Tony is the Best!
Holly Beach Trains in Wildwood, NJ - Larry is a retired Firefighter and I see him a few times a year.
I second that. Our last general-hobby-supply store closed last May, and our only train store closed about five years ago. There isn’t anything more in my area, except for a twice-a-year train show about 50 miles from me.
I have no choice but to buy online.
The Underground Railroad in New Castle,Pa T&K Train and Hobby Bridgeport,Ohio local shows The bay
Here in the Richmond VA area I shop at “Tiny Tim’s Trains And Toys” in Ashland VA, right off Route 95. Every time I’m there I always leave with something I didn’t know I needed. Know what I mean?
Wonderful place with great people, well worth a stop if you’re traveling North or South!
When I’m visiting up in New Jersey I visit (or try to) The Train Station in Mountain Lakes, already mentioned by Spanky. Neat place, and I just love the “Grandpa’s basement” ambiance!
Also, there’s Ridgefield Hobby in Ridgefield NJ. www.ridgefieldhobby.com
Here’s a video of the store, it’s several years old but the place still looks the same. Trains start at 6:00. Quite honestly I find this place amazing, full-line hobby shops like this one are getting hard to find in that area, so if you find yourself around there, GO!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_6ChZ3iwao
Just over the NJ/NY border in Tappan New York is the Old and Weary Car Shop at 25 Old Tappan Road. They don’t seem to have an active website at this time but here’s a video shot by a local hobbyist and railfan. (It’s the old location, though.) It’s a cool place to visit, and I’ll be checking occasionally to see if the website comes back to life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9pJhxx4nKg
When I’m visiting the folks in Florida I also visit Metro Trains and Hobbies in Fort Meyers.
www.metrotrainsandhobbies.com Metro Trains and Hobbies is also full-line, not just trains, well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
I’m always on the lookout for hob
I fortunately have a variety of hobby shops to go to. Toy Trains Unlimited in Hanover PA, Mainline Hobbies Blue Ridge Summit PA, Tommy Gilberts in Gettysburg, MD Kline in Timonium MD, Strassburg Train Shop, Strassburg PA, Train Depot, Mt Airy MD, The Train Room in Hagerstown MD, Forrest Hill station, Forrest Hill MD. I get around to everyone about every three months, some more often than others.
I use hobbylinc for basic supplies, Ebay for anything that isn’t. If I’m lucky I can attend one show a year.
Closest train store is 45 miles away in Oswego IL. and I think he wants to go out of bisiness, His prices are nuts. SO for me it is on-line or, MENARDS in store and on line.
Well we lost the best repairman around these parts with his passing. But we do have several hobby shops, one does discount’s but has no repairman. On line for me is Pat’s trains in Wheeling WV. He matches prices and when you call there you talk to him.
When we were in Charlottesville (Lake Monticello to be exact), we used to go to the Toy Center over on Patterson Ave - they had a selection of Lionel trains. Sadly, they closed last summer.
Also, when Linda used to go back up to NJ with her mom on a weekend, I’d take the kids on 64 over the mountain to Staunton and go to Staunton Trains & Hobbies.
ebay… Menards… HobbyTown USA…
I used to go to The Toy Center myself, but the last time I was in there, maybe about a year and a half ago, the train selection wasn’t anywhere near as good as it used to be. Twenty years ago it was stunning, all the gauges were well represented.
Staunton Trains and Hobbies is a new one on me, I’ve never heard of that one, but then I don’t get out there very often.
Thanks to all for your replies.
You’re welcome! And I don’t know about you, but I’d sure love to hear from others out there.
Come on folks, don’t be shy!
And I doubt CTT will mind if you “plug” your favorites.
There’s a couple of good old fashion hobby shops still left in my area. Unfortunately I can’t really buy much there. In today’s economy I have to use my dollars wisely, and unfortunately mail order is my venue. I would love nothing more than to shop at a local hobby store, but it just doesn’t make economic sense for bigger items.
I have three stores within a hours drive. Mike’s Trains they get alot of consignment items in,Little Choo Choo Shop which is a repair station and that’s a good thing cause I have no problem breaking trains. (NCTM across the street, home of the Streamliners event and the N&W J611 rebuild) The last and my favorite is Bobby’s Hobbies, great store for all gauges and lots of train talk!! I like to support my local stores,train shows and even a auction if they have something I’m interested in. And friends always add to all this no matter where I am!!
Sadly I am updating this comment to say the owner of Bobby’s Hobbies has passed away and the store is now closed. He will be missed.
The Brick and mortar is ON the endangerd list Though not gone it is not getting better
Went To TRU (Remember when they sold trains in the store I did as far back as 1989) Only 10 to 30% and one quarter the inventory was gone and went to hobby shop near by only to see a for sale sign in the window the shop was for sale Gotta go out of state OR really far away to Lord knows where to find the good ole shop otherwise gotta go on line trainshow or and odd ball flea market or church sale
And as others posted prices nothing is cheap when you have to decide whats more important the train set or food for a week.
Was at the Edison Train show and had some joy seeing all (children especially) enjoying it The line for the Ride on Thomas Train was well LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG for a shortride but the four year olds loved it so there is hope for the future as long as it does not destroy the family’s economy