Pat's Trains, Wheeling, WV

Good to hear.   Pat's Trains has been good to me with my orders.

Bill, glad to hear about your very positive "in-person" experience with Pat's Trains.  I too have  purchased several items from Pat since Jason closed.  He and his wife have been a pleasure to deal with on-line and over the phone.  Not sure if/when I'll ever be able to visit his store, so I do appreciate your description of it.  Sounds like a nice train shop!

Pat is a great guy.  One of the few positives of losing so many dealers over say the last 10 years is that the ones that remain are generally very good, customer service oriented establishments.

 

I too would love to stop into Pat's one day.  For my own good, my wife should hide my wallet.

Pat and his wife always provide superb service and support.  It's a good thing for my wallet that we don't live closer, but we try to stop in whenever we're driving to the 'Burgh.

Pat's Trains is awesome: since my local LHS closed, my go-to source for all my purchases.  Service is incredible.  Yesterday he shipped an order in one hour!  Wow.  

 

I agree, too, that I would love to stop by.  I'm going to.  It's a bit of a drive and I doubt I'll make a habit of it when UPS makes it so easy to get the trains delivered, but maybe when my triennially-delayed MTH Imperial Triplex finally ships (assuming it ever does), I'll pick it up in person.  It would be good to shake hands rather than just say hi on the phone!

 

 

Lee, if you ever do get a chance to get to Pat's let me know.  I'll make a trip there to meet you.  I really like Pat's place, and Pat has always gone out of the way to offer me the best deal I can find.  If he has something in stock when no one else does, he will still offer you a great deal.  It's only about a 40 minute drive for me.  And, since I got the new Mazda, I love driving again.  It's like it was, oh so many years ago.

Nice to hear.  I've only talked to Pat on the phone an he seems to be a very nice guy.

 

We haven't been there in a couple of weeks. George the parrot might miss us 

 

Seriously, he's right under 470 as you pass by Wheeling, not at all hard to find, and "packed to the rafters" is not hyperbole. If he doesn't have it, he'll get it. When an order comes in, he starts packing it immediately and it usually goes out that day.

 

 

The first time I went there, I used my nav system.  It sent me onto the highway (I-470) right over  Pat's.  When I was actually directly over Pat's, the nav system said "You have reached your destination."  Sure I had, but it was a 100 feet below me!  I guess nav systems don't have 3D interpretation yet.  

Pat's is my go to source for new trains.  He gets all of my pre-orders and as already mentioned, the customer service is superb.  

 

I remember how hard him and his staff worked to ship VL BB and the cab forwards.  That kind of effort is appreciated.  I had my in less than 24 hours.

 

Great folks, can't wait to see his store someday.

Now that someone mentioned "under 470" I believe I was at Pats many years ago with some friends. Sounds like another trip maybe in order. While I have a great LHS I do like to be able to shop other stores as well.  Might have to have a road trip. 

Living in WV you'd think I visited....but they are as far away from me while still in the state!! Folks do not understand how 'tall' WV is......but I will visit...maybe this summer. 

glad he's an hour away !! just kidding,,worth the drive from pgh,I have dealt with pat and co for many years,,just don't fall down in the store ,,,may never find you,,but what a way to go,!!! 

I would also like to  agree  with others saying  how "packed to the rafters" Pats store was when I stopped in on by return trip to New Jersey from a visit with by son's family in "Cincinnati  several years ago. Pat had just come back from York and not at store but fellow in the store was great when I visited. I would encourage anyone to stop in or contact Pat's store, they are very customer friendly!!! I had gone out to Cinci many times and finally made sure to stop on one of my trips. Son's family has moved back NJ and so don't anticipate stopping at Pats in near future but would not hesitate to call.

Same here.  Though I'm "right next door" in Virginia, it takes me as long to drive there as it does back to my hometown in New York!  But I've ordered over the phone, and they were great.

When I get the extra cash I really want to order the WV State Coal Car set and then the WV Mailpouch set.  I agree about the long tall state plus some of the winding roads makes a long trip. I live in Southern WV and the time I can drive up to Wheeling I could be in Charlotte NC or elsewhere.  It is a nice scenic drive upon getting close.  I used to drop off my brother at Wheeling area where  the National Guard Helicopter Squad was located, on weekends years ago.

Just had a great visit with Pat at his shop.  Found a couple items too!

Very Nice store and  great service.

While I was browsing around in Pat's store I picked up this MTH uncatalogged Wheeling Traction Company trolley.

 

 

     Bill T

Very nice Bill, a good-looking trolley.  I think Pat may have had them made special.