C W Burfle posted:
K-Val hobbies: They had just a bit of "O" gauge, lots of HO and N. They'd always run their display layout for my kids. First time I was there, I purchased an armature for a 1946 Turbine. So, while they didn't have a lot of finished Lionel items, they must of had parts.
K-Val closed up about 2 years ago, and the owner passed away this past Easter Sunday at the age of 96. I didn't know him well, but we had a lot of mutual acquaintances.
I started going over there in my HO days right after the store opened in the early 1970's. Originally, it was a tiny part of an old-time pattern works (with antiquated machinery) and as the pattern works failed the train store gradually took up the space and eventually occupied the whole building. It was a pretty significant presence in the Buffalo area for a long time, at least in HO. Last time I was there, maybe 3-4 years ago, it was obviously "running on fumes" and the inventory was spotty, but I did pick up a bunch of Fastrack O-48 pieces.
I think the best remaining O gauge shop in the Buffalo area is Aurora Hobbies in East Aurora. A strange space to be sure, but I never leave empty handed. Plenty of Lionel and MTH rolling stock.
