Hobby Surplus Has Changed Hands

"tran" without the "I"?

Who is the new owner?

Sad, I bought lots of parts from them not just Flyer but they had a lot of Lionel stuff. I might still have some of their news print flyers. Loved looking through them. Didn't they custom paint some AF cabooses and box cars? Early one didn't they still sell the AF layout in a box? Don

Wow, that sounds like a big deal; I don't know a whole lot about Flyer, but do know the name and that they were a great source of parts...here's hoping the new owners will honor and carry on the tradition.

Mark in Oregon

I think there is some confusion in this thread. As far as I know the  Middletown CT Amato hobby store has separated and no longer does trains.

Amato Hobby store  in New Britain CT is alive and well.  They still sell from old American Flyer stock, including newly painted  and lettered NOS Caboose and Gondola stock.  Search for them on eBay.  They still have Hobby Surplus and Train Repair parts web sites

Aflyer  

I was at Amato’s (Middletown) 2 weeks ago, they have a large selection of trains in all scales.

Pokey

I just tried the link from "Aflyer's" post and it worked fine, so I guess we're ok...

Mark in Oregon

Remember that I called them and was told that while the online Hobby Surplus site still worked the new owner was trainparts.com and they were rebuilding the website.  Maybe the stores are open, but the online business is what was sold??  

pokey493 posted:

I was at Amato’s (Middletown) 2 weeks ago, they have a large selection of trains in all scales.

Pokey

Pokey,

Thats great news, glad to here it.  When I spoke with Steve from the New Britain Amato's I thought he told me the Middletown store was no a separate entity and no longer did trains.  I will try to get a more definitive answer.

Aflyer

Wow! Hobby Surplus Sales! Now maybe not for you guys, but for me that's a name from the past! I used to get their catalogs in the mail all the time when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I would read through those things every days marking off all the trains I wanted, and adding up the prices and then telling my self "Well that's never going to happen" but it sure was fun dreaming that it just might, it juuust might. . .

There are currently several AF parts and rolling stock listed on eBay from "amatohobby" many of which have been listed by them in the past, and several of which I have purchased in the last 5 years.    So... I think that's a good sign. 

Bill

Kelso, WA

Maybe, the title of this thread should be changed? 

Bob

Not till we really know the story... 

Roundhouse Bill posted:

Not till we really know the story... 

Well, it seems that unless there are (2) Hobby Surplus Sales stores, the one attached to"Aflyer's" post from the other day answers it...I guess.

Mark in (now really wet) Oregon

Aflyer posted:

pokey493 posted:

I was at Amato’s (Middletown) 2 weeks ago, they have a large selection of trains in all scales.

Pokey

Pokey,

Thats great news, glad to here it.  When I spoke with Steve from the New Britain Amato's I thought he told me the Middletown store was no a separate entity and no longer did trains.  I will try to get a more definitive answer.

Aflyer

That’s a load of BS.  The Middletown location is where the train museum is, in the basements.  anyways no matter what location you go to you are going to pay full retail price

scale rail posted:

Sad, I bought lots of parts from them not just Flyer but they had a lot of Lionel stuff. I might still have some of their news print flyers. Loved looking through them. Didn't they custom paint some AF cabooses and box cars? Early one didn't they still sell the AF layout in a box? Don

My mom liked that and bought that for herself! 

Tom 

Roundhouse Bill posted:

Another close of a Flyer tradition.  I was just searching for parts on the Hobby Surplus website and decided to call the 800 number and order.  What I learned is that Hobby Surplus has been sold and the Amoto family is out of it. 

If you remember he bought the Gilbert leftovers after the company busted and has been selling the stuff since then.  Such a shame for time to move on and traditions die.    

The new owner is rebuilding the website and it will be TranRepairParts.com 

Good news, apparently.

I talked on the phone with Hobby Surplus today using their 800 number and they are (so they stated) still in business. They are revamping their web site, as Bill stated, which may have caused some confusion. Their new site is supposed to be fully functional by the end of the year and they continue to offer parts and other train-related items. I could have ordered a Flyer caboose today if I had made up my mind about it. Their 'sister store', Amato Toys, (whom I called separately) is also still open and doing well.

The thread title is rather misleading. Hobby Surplus Sales changes hands -- might be a better way of stating the situation.

Hope this clarifies.

Bob