10 best model trains hobby shops

Model trains hobby shops are specialized retail establishments that cater to enthusiasts and hobbyists interested in model trains and related accessories. These shops offer a wide range of products and services tailored to the needs of individuals who enjoy collecting, building, and operating model trains. Here's what you can typically find at model trains hobby shops:

Model Trains: These shops carry a diverse selection of model trains in various scales, including popular ones like HO scale, N scale, O scale, and G scale. Model trains come in different types, such as steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, and electric trains. They may also have vintage and collectible models.
Track and Layout Supplies: You can find tracks, turnouts, switches, and other track-related accessories to build and expand your model train layouts. These shops often carry different track systems, including both traditional analog and digital systems like Digital Command Control (DCC).
Scenery and Landscaping: Model train enthusiasts often take great pride in creating realistic landscapes for their layouts. Hobby shops offer a variety of scenery materials, including model trees, grass, terrain features, and miniature buildings to help create lifelike scenes.
Power and Control Equipment: To operate model trains effectively, hobbyists require power supplies, controllers, and wiring components. Model trains hobby shops stock these items to ensure smooth and reliable operation of the trains and accessories.
Rolling Stock and Cars: You can purchase a wide assortment of freight cars, passenger cars, and rolling stock for your model train layout. These may be based on real-life prototypes or fictional designs.
Paints and Detailing Supplies: Hobbyists often customize their model trains and scenery to add unique details. These shops offer a variety of paints, decals, weathering products, and detailing tools to enhance the appearance of your models.
Books and Magazines: Many model trains hobby shops carry books, magazines, and publications dedicated to model railroading. These resources provide valuable information on techniques, layout design, historical accuracy, and more.
Repair and Maintenance Services: Some hobby shops have in-house repair and maintenance services for model trains.If your train or accessory needs fixing, you can often get it serviced at these stores.
Knowledgeable Staff: Hobby shop staff are usually knowledgeable about model trains and can offer advice, recommendations, and technical assistance to customers, especially those new to the hobby.
Events and Workshops: Some model trains hobby shops host events, workshops, and club meetings where enthusiasts can gather, share ideas, and operate their trains on large, communal layouts.

These hobby shops play a crucial role in supporting the model train community, providing a convenient and dedicated space for enthusiasts to acquire supplies, seek advice, and connect with others who share their passion for model trains and railroading.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best model trains hobby shops on the market

PIKO G SCALE MODEL TRAIN BUILDINGS - BILL'S BODY SHOP - 62208

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Product description

Typical car repair workshop of the thirties. The modernisation allowed for a shutter gate to be constructed, which is also moveable. Expansions as desired are possible, thanks to the modular construction of the realistically aged and weather-resistant workshop. Features PIKO G Buildings and Accessories are made primarily of an extremely tough, UV- and weather-resistant polycarbonate plastic material, with ultra fade-resistant color molded in. Many parts are also lightly weathered for a more realistic look.. Most kits include a tube of plastic glue, for buildings that will be used indoors. For outdoor use, we highly recommend using PIKO #55701 PIKO-Fix plastic cement to truly fuse the parts together. Made in Germany Please Note: Locomotives, Rolling Stock, Vehicles, Figures and Scenery Accessories shown are Not Included. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - SMALL PARTS! NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3.

5732

Vol. 10-12

TM Books & Video

Based on 20 reviews Check latest price

Product description

I Love Toy Trains, Part 10

The Paradise Railroad which includes the longest 12-inch gauge trestle bridge in the world. Boxcar Boogie. Jeff takes us for a ride on the Sugar Train on the gorgeous Hawaiian Island of Maui and tells about two of the biggest steam engines ever built, the Big Boy and the Challenger. Rock Island Line. The first five inductees into the Toy Train Prewar O Gauge Hall of Fame. Toy Train Hall of Fame. Look At Me I'm A Train, I Love Toy Trains. (33 minutes)

I Love Toy Trains, Part 11

See vintage streamliners like the Burlington Zephyr, Empire State Express, M10,000, Commodore Vanderbilt, Mercury, Dreyfuss Hudson, AeroTrain and Hiawatha. Ghosts of the Rails. Visit an aquarium in Maui and learn about the ocean, see Jeff perform mystifying magic tricks he changes a black Hudson into shimmering gold right before your eyes. Choo Choo Blues. Race with the speediest Grand Prix drivers in the world, and find out who are the first five inductees into the Postwar Toy Train Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame. Even aliens in a spaceship! Aliens Visit Us. All this plus zany bloopers, and Vinnie the puppet does an encore. (35 minutes.)

I Love Toy Trains, Part 12

We have a gorgeous model of the American Freedom Train, footage of the real train, and a new song, American Freedom Train, by Jim Coffey. A segment on 1930s streamliners includes the UP M10,000, Burlington Zephyr and Hiawatha. See the PPR s DD-1 Electric, an operating layout with trains over 100 years old, and a Modern Era Lionel layout. 900 Miles. (35 minutes.)

Gears and Gear Cutting for Home Machinists (Fox Chapel Publishing) Practical, Hands-On Guide to Designing and Cutting Gears Inexpensively on a Lathe or Milling Machine; Simple, Non-Technical Language

Based on 183 reviews Check latest price

Walthers Cornerstone Hole-In-One Donut Shop

Walthers Cornerstone

Based on 349 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This Hole-In-One Donut Shop is real crowd pleaser and is a unique addition to any busy suburb! This fits eras of 1950s to present day. Kit - 5-1/8 x 2-1/2 x 5-1/8" 13 x 6.3 x 13cm.

Kit that Requires Assembly
Three walk up and large front windows
Colorful decal designs

User questions & answers

Question:	What color are the walls molded in
Answer:	The building came in basic grey and unassembled..
Question:	Is v train ho
Answer:	the v train is not ho. It is completely different. Unless it specifically states it is HO scale, then no it is not a HO train. I do use the buildings for my Ho scale train though and they work fine for the train.
Question:	How tall are these
Answer:	Hello. The assembled dimensions are: 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 9-3/8" (6.4 x 6.4 x 23.8cm). Thank you for your interest!
Question:	Walthers cornerstone winner's circle petro train what scale is it
Answer:	This is HO scale! any other questions? Y2PLAY Stores 1-800-695-4808

Outland Models Train Railway Shop/Store Building x4 (Style B) Z Scale 1:220

Based on 16 reviews Check latest price

Product description

All shops can be placed alone or gathered as a shop row, Store front parts can be swapped to create your own combination, All shops can be placed alone or gathered as a shop row, Different rear design of each building, Material: Plastic(PLA), Scale: Z Scale \ 1:220, 23 x 30 x 27(H) mm / 0.91" x 1.18" x 1.06"

This product is created by a 3D printer
Just like most other 3D-printed products, when you look at it carefully you see the printing patterns, paint can be used to cover them if you don't want them visible
If you would like to paint this product, acrylic paints are recommended
Assembly is required but very easy, using glue is recommended
This item includes all accessories shown in the pictures

Outland Models Train Railway Shop/Store Building x2 (White & Grey) N Scale

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Material: Plastic(PLA) Scale: N Scale \ 1:160, 32 x 41 x 37 mm / 1.26" x 1.61" x 1.46"

This product is created by a 3D printer
Just like most other 3D-printed products, when you look at it carefully you see the printing patterns, paint can be used to cover them if you don't want them visible
If you would like to paint this product, acrylic paints are recommended
Assembly is required but very easy, using glue is recommended
This item includes all accessories shown in the pictures

User questions & answers

Question:	what are the dimensions of the buildings
Answer:	Dear customer the size is: N Scale \ 1:160, 32 x 41 x 37 mm / 1.26" x 1.61" x 1.46", thank you.

Outland Models Train Railway Shop/Store Building x4 (Style A) Z Scale 1:220

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This product is created by a 3D printer
Just like most other 3D-printed products, when you look at it carefully you see the printing patterns, paint can be used to cover them if you don't want them visible
If you would like to paint this product, acrylic paints are recommended
Assembly is required but very easy, using glue is recommended
This item includes all accessories shown in the pictures

Outland Models Train Railroad City Fresh Food Shop / Store / Market N Scale

Based on 27 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Material: Plastic(PLA) Scale: N Scale / 1:160 Dimensions: 61 mm x 62 mm x 48 mm(H) / 2.40" x 2.44" x 1.89"

This product is created by a 3D printer
Just like most other 3D-printed products, when you look at it carefully you see the printing patterns, paint can be used to cover them if you don't want them visible
If you would like to paint this product, acrylic paints are recommended
Assembly required, glue is not required but recommended
This item includes all accessories shown in the pictures

User questions & answers

Question:	Are there any instructions on building this? If so can you send it via .pdf format
Answer:	The only thing you can do is look at the pictures, we have liked all we have received from Outland. Order the small pick up trucks. They are the best.
Question:	Are these ho
Answer:	Dear customer this item is N scale, thank you.

Making Wooden Toys: 12 Easy-to-Do Projects with Full-Size Templates (Dover Woodworking)

Dover Publications

Based on 224 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Grab Your Tools and Get Started!

Dover publishes an impressive variety of traditional woodworking and wood carving books so grab your tools and get started with titles on easy-to-build birdhouses and feeders, action whirligigs, ship models, outbuildings and log cabins, boomerangs, dollhouses, cabinets, furniture, spoons, sundials, wooden toys, gates and fences, and more.

Are You a DIY Enthusiast, Handy with Tools?

Builders will find all the information they need to construct, decorate, and furnish a comfy little home with Dover handyman and woodworking guides. Build and construct a log cabin or vacation home with an old-fashioned gate or fence. Turn wooden crates and pallets into indoor and outdoor furniture and even make chair seats out of wood strips! Save some bucks and DIY with these handy guides from www.doverpublications.com.

Outland Models Train Railroad City Fresh Food Shop/Store/Market Z Scale

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Material: Plastic(PLA), Scale: Z Scale / 1:220, Material: Plastic(PLA), Dimensions: 44 mm x 46 mm x 35 mm(H) / 1.73" x 1.81" x 1.38"

This product is created by a 3D printer
Just like most other 3D-printed products, when you look at it carefully you see the printing patterns, paint can be used to cover them if you don't want them visible
If you would like to paint this product, acrylic paints are recommended
Assembly is required and using glue is recommended
This item includes all accessories shown in the pictures