There were two places:
The first was the train store in Middlesex, NJ which disappeared almost 15 years ago. The owners were very nice (husband and wife as I remember), and I remember they had some very rare Thomas merchandise and a nice HO layout. I believe the store went away when the husband died.
The second was in the Train Station in Mountain Lakes, NJ. The owners (Don and David Shaw) were great guys AND very knowledgeable. I remember the display cases with the postwar classics like the F-3's and FM's, as well as the big demonstration layout. That's where I first got to play with a 164 log loader, a 352 ice depot, and a milk car. It's probably my favorite store close by in Jersey to this day, and still provide great service. They also had some nice Lionel Hudsons, including the 100th anniversary gold Hudson I wanted a lot. They still have it on a shelf, by the way.
