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Any Train Stores That You Miss?

PRR8976PRR8976OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

After my wife bought me a beaten up Lionel #2037 steamer from a local antique store in 1994, I came back into the toy train world.

Back then, in Westchester County (NY), there were several train stores around. My favorite was Trents Trains in Tuckahoe. I used to drag my wife with me to the store. I liked it, and got along well with the father/son owners, but I know other customers who didn't care for them. I particularly enjoyed staring at their wall of vintage postwar trains. I bought my first steam switchers there, a Lionel #1615 and a Williams all brass B6.

I also enjoyed a train store, Trains Plus, up in Glens Falls, New York, run by Thomas Curran. I used to have an annual college financial aid conference which I attended at the nearby Queensbury Hotel. In between sessions I would explore the stores in town. I was quite happy to stumble on this particular store one day. Surprisingly, his son attended the college where I worked and I actually knew his son. Dad always had a good selection of books. I remember buying a great book (author was Robert Mohowski), the "New York Ontario & Western Railway Milk Cans, Mixed Trains and Motor Cars" from him. It is still one of my favorite railroad books. One year I went back and his store was closed.

Trents Trains went out of business after moving from Tuckahoe to Scarsdale (Harney Road) and then another move near the Scarsdale-Yonkers border on Central Ave. All of this happened within a few years. I knew some other customers who got annoyed by what they felt was too much relocating.

In Manhattan, in the early 1970's, I remember my dad taking me to 2 stores on 45th Street when I was young. In 2003, the New York Times ran a story about how the existing stores were doing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01...stomers-dwindle.html

I never was lucky enough to visit the legendary Madison Hardware, but have a few items that came out of their shop.

Any stores that you wish were still around today or any memories that come to mind?

Tom

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leapinlarryleapinlarryOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Yes, of all the Hobby Shops I have been fortunate to Have Visited, Davis Electic Trains in The Cincinnati Ohio area, was the Largest, most Complete Model Train Store, Fully Staffed, that I ever visited.  They carried most everything in Lionel, MTH, Weaver, K-Line, G GUAGE, LGB, HO, N, Whatever.....They have been out of business for many years....But, The Memories, Their Displays were simply Amazing....WOW...Great Thread, Thanks for Posting....

LN Lad NagurneyOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I miss H&L Childs in Northampton, MA (and later Hadley, MA). Used to drive by their store twice a day on my way to the University.

There was also a great small store in Pawtucket, RI that I used to frequent while a graduate student about 1980.

Living in Cambridge, MA I loved visiting Ernest Fuchs in Boston.

Having grown up in Scranton, PA, I miss the train displays of the Globe, Scranton Dry, Household Furniture, American Auto, Bill's Sporting Goods, and Eynon Drug (what a mouthful!)

Lad Nagurney

Last edited by Lad Nagurney
S SJCOGR Forum Member
Fred Brenek posted:

Mail order:  Jim's Train Shop - PA, Ma & Pa Junction - MD, Just Trains - DE, Island Trains - NY.

Local: Ted's Engine House - Pennsauken, NJ == M & G Hobbies - Delran, NJ == J & B Trains - Delran/Maple Shade, NJ.

Fred

Just Trains is most certainly still in business - alive and well I'd say. They have a wonderful brick and mortar store as well as a very good mail order operation. 

Last edited by SJC
PRR8976PRR8976OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Steve24944 posted:

Mizell Trains, Westminster, Colorado ( Northwest Denver )

In Feb 2012 I bought a 3472 Milk Car with platform in the original box for 56 bucks, works great !

Steve

Ahh, Mizell's! I never actually visited the store, but Chuck was always helpful getting me any parts that I needed.

Tom 

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