Tinplate Dealers

Forum sponsor Sidetrack Hobbies.

 

Jeff Davis

I really understand Steve's point here since we are running the new tin and then someone asks where to buy and we usually just stare at each other and tell them an online source but having several committed dealers might let us help them along with promoting the hobby.

 

The Western Depot seems to offer a complete line.  I have ordered from him here in PA.  He had a couple of things that no one else had.  Friendly and efficient.

 

Norm

I would second Norm's nomination of Western Depot.  They are in Yuba City, just north of Sacramento but well south of Eureka.  Being in New England, I have not visited their store, but they certainly pass Steve's criterion of having a strong web presence; they have one of the best and easiest web shopping set-ups I've seen.  I have ordered a great deal form them, especially when I was building my layout, and found them to be extremely helpful and friendly.  They have a huge inventory of MTH and Lionel Classics tinplate in O and in Standard Gauge.  A lot of my layout lights and other accessories came form them also.

 

david

My old LHS,  The Hobby Shop in Aberdeen,  NJ  used to stock a good selection of modern tinplate before I got into it.   Now that I am they only have a few remnants left.   They can order whatever you want,  but it was so nice,  and quite enticing,  to see the colorful,  shiny trains in their lighted display cases.

Actually makes me sad that there is no need for me to go there any more.

Trains R Fun in Pennsylvania (Frazier?) has a big selection,  but his prices seem to be msrp.

Really wish there was a place I could go to occasionally just to browse and see if anything tickles my fancy.   The Internet has killed that joy.  Buying online just doesn't have the same allure to me.

The only shows to go to for tinplate for me is York.

Sidetrack Hobbies

Ready To Roll Trains

JR Junction

Steve,

  At one time Frank at the Iron Horse had the largest collection of Tin Plate original/ Repro in Pa, all gone now however,  I now purchase from Western Depot, especially when a sale is run, and Trains R Fun, Side Track Hobbies, JR Junction and for my Lionel Originals, Dave at Bill & Walt's in White Oak, Pa usually has a display case of them.  Further I always find good deals on Tin Plate at the Monroeville, Pa Train Show and at the Adamsburg Fire House Train Show also.  If you can put together a list with e-mail addresses & telephone numbers from all over the country, I would sure love to have that list.

PCRR/Dave  

always got great help with Patrick's trains wheeling(sponcer) and trains r fun fraizer pa

Definitely add to your dealer list:

 

B & F HOBBIES
210 CHURCH ST
WAKEFIELD, RI 02879

Phone: 401-782-640

Email: fcaraccia@cox.net

 

Frank doesn't have a website but consistantly maintains a huge stock of tinplate and routinely is at York.

 

Bob Nelson

Two more to touch base with when searching:

 

Nicholas Smith in Broomall, PA (very large in-store selection)

Hennings in Lansdale, PA (trains and parts)

 

Bob

Steve,

 

I would definitely mention somewhere on your handout MTH's own website with its excellent "PRODUCT LOCATOR".  I routinely rely on it to provide me with the contact info on the dealers, who have in stock the specific items of MTH/LCT tinplate I want to buy.

 

Bob Nelson

Steve, 

 

That's an excellent idea!  SGMA could use a similar handout as I am sure other clubs could. 

 

Would you please consider posting a copy of your handout on this forum when you have finished it?

Bob Nelson

 

Steve,

 

I carry both standard gauge and O at Mercer Junction.  I don't have a ton of it but it is something that I personally like so I keep a small bit of it in stock.

 

Feel free to give me a ring if I can help anybody out.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

 

Thanks John!

 

I also recommend the MTH Product and Dealer locater.  As with all MTH dealers with direct accounts, our available inventory is warehoused in Columbia MD.

Steve, and maybe Arno will chime in too, is Jerry Loman still selling vintage repro tinplate? I know his website is down but not sure if he is still selling at York or by mail order.

Jim
About the only thing I know of that he has done recently is make some special items for TCA divisions and the Ives Society. Once in a while he puts something on e-bay, but those are residual items. He told me a month or two ago, he has no immediate plans to resurect the web site.

Steve