Pittsburgh Peeps! What hobby store would you recommend?

Len's Trains in Irwin, PA.  See website for info.

Hobby express in Cranberry and CT Trains in Zelienpole

By the way, I was in Hobby Express this afternoon and took a look for you.  There are 4 Conrail diesels in the display case - a GP38 and 3 others (they're diesels - they are all blue and all look a like to me ).

George

@G3750 posted:

By the way, I was in Hobby Express this afternoon and took a look for you.  There are 4 Conrail diesels in the display case - a GP38 and 3 others (they're diesels - they are all blue and all look a like to me ).

George

Thanks, George!

I'll agree with jini5 and George.  Hobby Express is a good bet, and CT McCormick's is worth a stop too, since you will be going right past Zelienople.

I've only ordered on-line from McCormick, never been in there.  Really nice people to deal with. If you get on their mailing list, the Christmas Card is a nice touch - railroad themed of course!

@ScoutingDad posted:

I've only ordered on-line from McCormick, never been in there.  Really nice people to deal with. If you get on their mailing list, the Christmas Card is a nice touch - railroad themed of course!

Jeff has a nice line up of engines behind the counter, train sets as you walk in, and cars in the side room.  He has a ton of stuff stashed in the upstairs, but his new web site is really nice for knowing what is in stock.  Jeff, his wife, and his son Steve are all nice.  One of the few family owned hardware stores that still sells trains.  Jeff’s dad started about 1960, I believe he said.

One nice thing is  both CT McCormick and Hobby Express are minutes off of I-79 and you can easily check out both places.  I like dealing with both.  You need to check their store hours.

@PRR Joe posted:

One nice thing is  both CT McCormick and Hobby Express are minutes off of I-79 and you can easily check out both places.  I like dealing with both.  You need to check their store hours.

I noticed that. Their locations are optimal. Unless someone else has any absolute must see suggestions, I’ll probably hit up one or both of them on the way down this week.

Thanks, All!

Brady's trains in Greensburg, imo best store in the greater area and John is a wonderful person to deal with.

Look up pittsburgh train fanatics walkthrough video he just did of their store too, if you want engines you will not find another store close to the inventory they have

Both Len's Train Shop in Irwin and Brady's in Greensburg are awesome stores, but they would be a couple hours detour off route. Of course, if they were more to your liking, there is a Prantl's in North Huntingdon, about 5 miles from Len's and 12 miles from Brady's, but days/hours of operation would be the concern.

My vote would also be for CT McCormicks and Hobby Express because you get to stop there first...   And they have more days/hours of the week open this time of year.  CT opens at 8am Mon-Sat, and Hobby Express opens at 10am Mon-Sat and 11am Sundays.

I would also call the chosen Prantl's ahead of schedule and reserve a frozen Almond Torte as they can sometimes sell out.

Andy