Remember back of the toy dept. N Shepherd Sears Houston TX. Had 3R layout, and had trains all over. Then went to the corner to the left of the door as you entered the train department. Had lots of Lionel and Marx/Allstate. Layout was mixed of L and M stuff. Had a great smell when they used Pepe LePew, Marx fluid. Parents got my Marx set there.
Now the store is completely closed. Too bad Sears did not come up with putting the Wishbook on the internet...
Wards has a seasonal toy store at Nortline Mall. They seemed to have a 666 Marx engine set with two sidings, uncoupling tracks, a a Plasticville type station platform.
On my first Amtrak trip to Chicago I found a train store next to St Peter's inside the Loop Catholic Church. Found a crane car/boom tender I wanted. Did not get it. Next year I did get it. They packaged it well. Rode CHI to Houston via New Orleans.
Sears: Set 1963, Chicago 1975, 1976.
