RMweb Premium newbryford Posted March 24, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 24, 2018 (edited) Pretty new to the US scene, but here's a few observations. I bought my first Atlas loco from Ready to Roll Trains in Miami - less than 5 mins from the I-95 and conveniently close to the airport to fill your suitcase with those last minute impulse buys. It doesn't look much from the outside but is a veritable Tardis like shop inside with far more stuff than wife and daughter would allow me to have time to look at. Bill at RTR was most helpful with my first purchase. He will ship to the UK at favourable rates. Having said that, I'm lucky in that I have niece who is studying in the US and can bring home some goodies for me twice a year as a present for her Uncle! RTR Trains is not a big detour to get to from Fort Lauderdale either. I imported a loco from Otter Valley in Ontario - quick and easy to deal with. They seemingly had the last example of what I wanted and it was at a sensible price. On teh downside- another US purchase came via the Ebay GSP - I will try and avoid that as much as possible in the future. In the UK - Model Junction in Slough had another thing that I "wanted" and it was delivered pretty quickly without any fuss. McLaren Models from Falkirk had a stand at the recent Glasgow show and seemed pretty reasonable for price. They're on my mail order checklist also. Cheers, Mick Edited March 24, 2018 by newbryford 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paftrain Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I'm off to the USA for a holiday next month (May) and will be doing the 'circuit' - Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans. We are hiring a car so will be pretty flexible. Any help with good model/ hobby shops in those areas would be appreciated. I am looking specially for HO locos, particularly Broadway Limited. Regards, Paul F. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted April 1, 2018 Author Share Posted April 1, 2018 HO locomotives are a “problem” in the USA. At my local store they are all pre-sold before they arrive..... N stuff is freely available, however. Mind you it’s been a couple of years since I actually purchased anything. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erk Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Sadly Model Junction in Slough has announced closure at end of February for the shop and end of September on line. Can anyone recommend a replacement dealer??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supaned Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Sorry to read that - I've had a lot of stuff from Model Junction over the years. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Linked is the blog post giving the details of how things will proceed - note that there will be serious restrictions on what will be carried / can be ordered after the physical store is closed - specifically no more orders accepted for Scaletrains (all existing orders to be fulfilled), anything from Athearn that doesn't arrive by close of the physical store will be cancelled, etc. https://www.modeljunction.info/smartblog/30_End-Of-An-Era--.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Reminder that Rails of Sheffield is an official Rapido dealer for Rapido's North American products. If you don't see a Rapido product on the Rails website email them and they can list it or otherwise help you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covkid Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 19 hours ago, Erk said: Sadly Model Junction in Slough has announced closure at end of February for the shop and end of September on line. Can anyone recommend a replacement dealer??? That is really sad news. I made my first visit a couple of months ago and looks like my last now too. It was only a steady walk from Burnham station and really handy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covkid Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 (edited) Not sure if anyone has mentioned Gulf Coast Model Railroad in Sarasota yet but it is highly recommended for anyone visiting the Gulf Coast of Florida. We enjoy a Condo based holiday in St Pete Beach and it is the done thing to drop the ladies at the Ellenton Mall then drive further down I75, then right onto Clark Road. The model shop is on the left hand side less than ten minutes from the I75. The guys in there are really helpful and carry a huge range of models, kits and bits and tend to stream webcam footage onto the TV in the store, so look out for big freight action on screen. Edited January 28, 2020 by Covkid typos 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Sad news regarding the closure of Model Junction. They held probably the largest range and stock of US HO outline in the UK and also had a good pre-order system. I've purchased many items from them in the past 10 years and always found their on-line service to be excellent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted January 15, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 15, 2020 Mech Models seem to be on the "up" for US stuff. Maybe they will fill the hole left by Model Junction. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt.S. Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 I've had great service from Pacific West Rail Systems - the goodie box to let you save a couple of things to post at once is handy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEOEng03 Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 (edited) I just wanted to get some advice from those who may have had the opportunity to visit shops within Florida. We are there in April and I wondered what peoples view are regarding shops in the Central Florida (east to west) area. Have done Colonial Models on a number of occasions and have seen that there are a few out on the west coast such as Gulf Coast Models. There are a few others that show up including HR Trains and Toys, TRF Trains and MnT Hobbies. I note that there is what seems a good one in Miami *(Ready to Roll is meant to be a good one from what I have seen) as well. We are there for two weeks, usual trip to do the theme parks and will be heading out to the west coast on a couple/few occasions. Have a hire car for the duration as well, but need to try and be clever with visits around the area - which is why Miami is possibly off the radar - but it is possible in a day (regular trips from Devon to Yorkshire have hardened what I view as acceptable in a day... Be good to get some feedback if possible Cheers Edited January 27, 2020 by GEOEng03 added shop * Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard i Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 5 hours ago, GEOEng03 said: I just wanted to get some advice from those who may have had the opportunity to visit shops within Florida. We are there in April and I wondered what peoples view are regarding shops in the Central Florida (east to west) area. Have done Colonial Models on a number of occasions and have seen that there are a few out on the west coast such as Gulf Coast Models. There are a few others that show up including HR Trains and Toys, TRF Trains and MnT Hobbies. I note that there is what seems a good one in Miami *(Ready to Roll is meant to be a good one from what I have seen) as well. We are there for two weeks, usual trip to do the theme parks and will be heading out to the west coast on a couple/few occasions. Have a hire car for the duration as well, but need to try and be clever with visits around the area - which is why Miami is possibly off the radar - but it is possible in a day (regular trips from Devon to Yorkshire have hardened what I view as acceptable in a day... Be good to get some feedback if possible Cheers Broadway Limited imports is based down in Florida. It makes really detailed models. Richard 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEOEng03 Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 52 minutes ago, richard i said: Broadway Limited imports is based down in Florida. It makes really detailed models. Richard Thanks Richard. That one did not show on the search. See they have a refurb shop as well. Will see if we can do Daytona Beach as well. Bryn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
autocoach Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 I can't think of a really large one stop shop in California. We are down to only 13 remaining full train stores in the state with 39 million people and most of those stores are medium to smaller enterprises more typical of a high street train store. In the SF Bay Area there are only two at either end of the area 50 miles apart: The Train Shop in Santa Clara Just Trains in Concord PM me if you are going to be in the SF area and want more info. Do not expect much or any recognition/knowledge of the British side of the hobby. If you are going to be in the central coast area there is Central Coast Trains in Atascadero. There are some shops that I don't recognize in the LA area that may be good but other than the "Original Whistle Shop" in Pasadena, there are none that I have visited. I used to recommend Allied Hobbies on Sepulveda but that is long gone. I just haven't had time on infrequent visits to the south land to look up and try to shop for unique items. "Train Shows" are the most equivalent to Exhibitions in the UK. There are some that are commercial traveling shows that are put on all over the country. Local model railroad club shows exist but your timing must be right. The same goes for NMRA regional and division events. If you need information on those I can help. Guests from the UK would be welcome. Specialist historical societies for specific railroads have usually an annual event. Narrow Gauge and specific scale groups also have at least an annual event. It is good you will have a car in the US. Outside of dense metropolitan cities such as San Francisco and on the east coast, public transportation will get you nowhere fast. California does offer a fair amount intercity transportation on major corridors particularly along the coast through CalTrans/Amtrak California. It is however compromised by having to use freight railroad owned tracks which can cause unexplained delays and impose speed limits that make journeys long given that our distance are often extended. Let me know if you want more information. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted January 27, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 27, 2020 8 hours ago, GEOEng03 said: I note that there is what seems a good one in Miami *(Ready to Roll is meant to be a good one from what I have seen) as well. I went to Ready to Roll 2 years ago next week! If I was to go back to Florida, I would certainly make the effort to go there again. Cheers, Mick 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covkid Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 On 27/01/2020 at 13:14, GEOEng03 said: I just wanted to get some advice from those who may have had the opportunity to visit shops within Florida. We are there in April and I wondered what peoples view are regarding shops in the Central Florida (east to west) area. Have done Colonial Models on a number of occasions and have seen that there are a few out on the west coast such as Gulf Coast Models. There are a few others that show up including HR Trains and Toys, TRF Trains and MnT Hobbies. I note that there is what seems a good one in Miami *(Ready to Roll is meant to be a good one from what I have seen) as well. We are there for two weeks, usual trip to do the theme parks and will be heading out to the west coast on a couple/few occasions. Have a hire car for the duration as well, but need to try and be clever with visits around the area - which is why Miami is possibly off the radar - but it is possible in a day (regular trips from Devon to Yorkshire have hardened what I view as acceptable in a day... Be good to get some feedback if possible Cheers If you are in the Tampa Bay / St Pete Beach area a trip to Zitnik Trains might be fruitful. They have some new and plenty of second hand stuff in all scales. Last year I couldn't resist a Fox Valley wagontop boxcar amongst other things. It is just a few blocks from the Pinellas Park development where the cinema and Cold Stones Creamery are located. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEOEng03 Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 On 27/01/2020 at 22:13, newbryford said: I went to Ready to Roll 2 years ago next week! If I was to go back to Florida, I would certainly make the effort to go there again. Cheers, Mick Thanks Mike. Will see if I can persuade the wife to forsake a day at the Theme parks. Bryn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEOEng03 Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 On 28/01/2020 at 23:15, Covkid said: If you are in the Tampa Bay / St Pete Beach area a trip to Zitnik Trains might be fruitful. They have some new and plenty of second hand stuff in all scales. Last year I couldn't resist a Fox Valley wagontop boxcar amongst other things. It is just a few blocks from the Pinellas Park development where the cinema and Cold Stones Creamery are located. Ok, that's is very useful to hear. Thanks. They had appeared on the searches. And they could be tied in when heading to Busch Gardens on one day. As with the smaller UK shops, the websites aren't that good with some of these shops. But as expected, the people of RMWeb are a goldmine for finding information out Bryn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covkid Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 On 30/01/2020 at 20:37, GEOEng03 said: Ok, that's is very useful to hear. Thanks. They had appeared on the searches. And they could be tied in when heading to Busch Gardens on one day. As with the smaller UK shops, the websites aren't that good with some of these shops. But as expected, the people of RMWeb are a goldmine for finding information out Bryn If you go over the Howard Frankland bridge on I275 from Tampa, then swing right onto the 694 which becomes Park Boulevard you go over a bridge with the cinema etc on your left. Then turn left onto 52nd St an more or less left again onto 73rd Ave. It's behind a big McDonalds which is a useful toilet stop !!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covkid Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 (edited) Perhaps I should mention that a few blocks west down Park Boulevard is the railroad crossing of the CSX. The Pinellas Park depot seems to be nicely restored with an old wooden caboose outside https://rs.locationshub.com/location_detail.aspx?id=015-10000070&user=15 Edited February 1, 2020 by Covkid Typo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted March 5, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 5, 2020 Tootally trains is now adding a large range of US stuff. Steve has been competitive on price importing the Bachmann NG range and his Kato prices are a fraction cheaper than Traintrax on some items. Good service on a selection of the NG stuff I’ve bought. https://www.tootallyamericantrains.co.uk 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEOEng03 Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 On 01/02/2020 at 15:54, Covkid said: If you go over the Howard Frankland bridge on I275 from Tampa, then swing right onto the 694 which becomes Park Boulevard you go over a bridge with the cinema etc on your left. Then turn left onto 52nd St an more or less left again onto 73rd Ave. It's behind a big McDonalds which is a useful toilet stop !!! Sorry, haven't been active for a while, but appreciate this. The wife has planned a visit prior to going to or after Busch Gardens. Small victories hey... Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEOEng03 Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 On 01/02/2020 at 16:13, Covkid said: Perhaps I should mention that a few blocks west down Park Boulevard is the railroad crossing of the CSX. The Pinellas Park depot seems to be nicely restored with an old wooden caboose outside https://rs.locationshub.com/location_detail.aspx?id=015-10000070&user=15 Thanks again. The map on the home page shows a Popeyes. On the hitlist of American fast food to try... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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