Did Altoona, PA. have a train store that sold American Flyer and Lionel in 1950's and 1960's. If yes, what was the name of it and its location.
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At the moment I don't remember a pure train/hobby shop. That said, Lionel was sold at Gables Dept store, the basement of Wolf Furniture Co. and the two Service Stations: Central Electric and Jimmy Lawrence. A nearby hardware store sold Flyer and Marx, especially during the holiday season.
Dad bought our 681 set at Troxel's Mercantile in Blandburg for Christmas, 1950. I'm sure many places in town sold Lionel, Flyer and Marx seasonally.
Johnsgg1, Thank you that's some wonderful information. I was fortunate to have met Jimmy Lawrence. Back in the 70's, he installed new axle bearings for me in one of my American Flyer diesels.
There was a place called American Gold Eagle that sold Lionel for many, many years in Altoona. I actually stumbled across it probably 8-10 years ago. There was a sign that said store closing. When I asked the shopkeeper, he said they had been there for 40 years, if I remember correctly.
It was a bit of an odd place. There was a good bit of inventory, new old stock, some used, and very modern stuff, including some Legacy locomotives. However there was very little “other” hobby supplies. Also, there was no K-Line, MTH, Weaver, or Williams. It was pretty much like a walk-in Lionel catalog, and that’s it.
The gentleman that ran that store was Mike Kirk.
@jim sutter posted:The gentleman that ran that store was Mike Kirk.
Thanks Jim.
I guess that wasn’t the store you were thinking of then.
The sad part about it was I only had limited time that day and couldn’t look through everything there. I wanted to go back but i was only in for a couple of days visiting family and he said their last was that New Year’s Eve.
I had grown up there and never knew the store had existed.
I believe there was another store in that area called Uncle Joe's Woodshed.
@jim sutter posted:I believe there was another store in that area called Uncle Joe's Woodshed.
Yep, very familiar with that establishment. Mom always tried to avoid that one when I was young! 
@rplst8 posted:Yep, very familiar with that establishment. Mom always tried to avoid that one when I was young!
Why? With a name like Uncle Joes woodshed one would tend to think a localized "Home Depot or Lowes" of its time... what am I missing?
prrhorseshoecurve,
If you would check their website, you will notice they are more of a craft shop.
Lawrence Hobby Shop 404 E. Walton Av.
Central Electric Co 1124 11th Av.
@prrhorseshoecurve posted:Why? With a name like Uncle Joes woodshed one would tend to think a localized "Home Depot or Lowes" of its time... what am I missing?
@jim sutter posted:prrhorseshoecurve,
If you would check their website, you will notice they are more of a craft shop.
And carry LOTs of trains.
