North East Trains in Peabody MA, about 6 miles away. Charles Ro in Malden, MA, about 12 miles away. Only one ebay acquisition. My fear is the same as others have. I’ll lose the service, convenience, and atmosphere if these places can’t make a go of it and close.
Jack
I will agree we should support the local hobby shop .However in my area the LHShops have decided not to carry MTH products which I prefer although I do have Lionel also .I have made all of my purchases from the shops in my area until now . The nearest MTH is 100 miles . I also like the experiece of going to the hobby shop . Since they no longer can supply the items I want I guess its the internet and enjoy the savings.
Wade
About five years ago a grat big train shop opened in the Chattanooga mall. A big store of trains only and they had every kind of train things you could imagine from to of the line to novelities. Trains running everywhere and displays all over the place. But man their prices were off the roof. I need a small 45 watt transformer to run my 1956 lionel and the cheapest they had was $125. I got one off ebay for $14 new. The place was packed every time I went in there but no one was ever buying anything - they lasted about nine months and closed.
Charles Ro is nice but so big. Did not see a lot of “bargins” at that store. I love North East Trains. They also have great prices. Friendly folks there. [see I’ve been there on my secret REB missions behind enemy lines [:-^]]
I have become a big Atlas fan the past year. I also have three very good hobby shops located within an hour’s drive. Unfortunately, none of them stocks much Atlas.
Thus, I have been buying most of my items on-line recently.
Once I get my layout all wired, I would like to do is try my hand at restoring some pre-war tinplate. My guess is that when I reach this stage, many of these items will likely come from eBay.
Jim
I really like TK Hobbies and Patricks near Wheeling, WV. I also frequent a couple local shops and a shop in Sugar Creek, OH. The Sugar Creek shop has gotten a substaintial amount of my PE business and in return I get my free catalogs. [:D]
Like the Chief, I have visited many stores while I travel. Caboose Hobbies in Denver is great.
I hope this year, Chuck and I can do our OTTS Tour of Eastern Ohio - Northern West Virginia - Western Pennsylvania Toy Train Stores. We had a great time last year.
I buy most of my train stuff from two local shops, Barry’s and Cool Trains. Have bought a few things from other shops, some at York show and a little on ebay. Only bum deal I got on ebay was a TMCC steamer that wouldn’t run. Local shop repaired and and didn’t charge me a thing. Learned a big lesson there and now buy local when possible.
Good point… and most LHS will do a test run of the locomotives to make sure everything is working right. If they won’t run out the door!!!
Buckeye, forgot TK Hobbies. Now that is the for good prices and cheap shipping. Great folks too.
I usually go to a small hobby shop thats about 15 min away from my house, and it’s called Thor’s. He also sells hand made furniture too. 100% of the stuff I bought for my O-guage trains came from his small store. Been buying from him since I first got started. This is NOT an advertisment!!![(-D]
I just looked under my bed where I store all my locos, and they are missing! Cruel move, Chief. [:D]
Jack