OT: Anyone do model railroading?

[gef21]

I have a pretty big HO scale set up but would love to have a physical store to go to when needing things. I have all of my fathers stuff, and order online, but I would love to purchase from a local business in NJ.

Anyone have a store they recommend?

 

[ajwsc1987]

There’s a place in downtown point pleasant beach called the train room. I’m pretty sure
it is still open.

 

[RUfromSoCal?]

just saying........it never ends well......

 

[Abro1975]

Well, when I was an Amtrak Conductor in the 70s and 80s I was told by the ladies on the train I looked pretty good in my Blue and red uniform.
I felt like a model .

 

[zazoo2002]

Anyone ever railroad a model?

 

[argofax]

The Hobby Shop in Aberdeen has a lot of train stuff and a big setup.

 

[ponyfoot19]

I don't live in NJ anymore, but a friend who does and is into model railroading likes The Train Station in Mountain Lakes.
Here is their website: http://www.train-station.com/

Also, check the net for Greenberg Toy & Train Show. They've been in Edison I believe to conduct a show each of the last several years. Numerous vendors of all items related to model trains.

 

[gef21]

I don't live in NJ anymore, but a friend who does and is into model railroading likes The Train Station in Mountain Lakes.
Here is their website: http://www.train-station.com/

Also, check the net for Greenberg Toy & Train Show. They've been in Edison I believe to conduct a show each of the last several years. Numerous vendors of all items related to model trains.

Thanks!

 

[hoquat63]

Oldest train shop in the nation is the Model Railroad Shop in Piscataway. Small but they have a lot of stuff. Not very far from RU.
I model in S so most of what I get has to be on internet.

 

[LotusAggressor_rivals]

A cool hobby.

 

[gef21]

Oldest train shop in the nation is the MidelbRailriad Shop in Piscataway. Small but they have a lot of stuff. Not very far from RU.
I model in S so most of what I get has to be on internet.

I should have thought of them. My dad and I used to go there when I was a kid. That is easy drive for me.

 

[vkj91]

Anyone ever railroad a model?

This is the internet. Easier question would be who hasn’t. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

 

[RUsince52]

There is a place in West Milford called the RR Post Office that has HO trains.
I have O Guage, but haven't set them up in quite a few years. Was a yearly thing for me and dad to set them up in the basement as a kid. I couldn't wait and each Christmas I would get a new piece for the set. Had a passenger train and a couple of freight trains with all kinds of operating equipment.
Bought a lot of stuff at Steve Varga's Hobby Shop on Easton Ave.
He always had a RR display in the window and was an authorized Lionel dealer and repair store.

 

[scarlet4life]

I have bought a couple of thing at Trains & Things in Ewing for my old Lionel set to put around the Christmas tree. It's right next to the train tracks near the airport. They were very nice.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Anyone ever railroad a model?

Choo... freakin'... choo.

 

[rurichdog]

I'm not a serious model railroader or collector, but I spent a few hours wandering around Hobbymasters in Red Bank. There is also a small shop in the Columbus Flea Market with some cool pieces, and definitely check out a Greenberg's Train & Toy show at Raritan Center.

I have a small HO collection and an O scale set composed of new & used cars.

 

[DJ Spanky]

I have no idea what model railroading could be!

I have a pretty big HO scale set up but would love to have a physical store to go to when needing things. I have all of my fathers stuff, and order online, but I would love to purchase from a local business in NJ.

Anyone have a store they recommend?

Anyway, as someone above recommended, check out the Train Station in Mountain Lakes. We've been going there for years. The owner Dave is a great guy. Unfortunately most other train stores have closed down, the recession in 2008-2010 killed a bunch and online competition killed the rest.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Also, check the net for Greenberg Toy & Train Show. They've been in Edison I believe to conduct a show each of the last several years. Numerous vendors of all items related to model trains.

Yep, Greenberg does a train show the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, NJ I think twice a year. They also do one in the Garden State Exhibit & Convention Center in Somerset, NJ. Here's there schedule for the first half of the year:

Greenberg Schedule of Upcoming Shows

Oldest train shop in the nation is the Model Railroad Shop in Piscataway. Small but they have a lot of stuff. Not very far from RU.
I model in S so most of what I get has to be on internet.

The Train Station has a selection of 'S' gauge - I've seen some American Flyer there.

 

[rufancoe00]

I will second trains and things in ewing

https://trainsanthings.com

I am not much of a model railroader but know the owner and he will go out of his way to help

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

You ever go to Northlandz museum in Flemington? I took my nephew there years ago and it was fascinating. Internet is loaded with info.

 

[RU85inFla]

In 1978 - 1979 I worked at Hobbies for Men in Beacon NY which was one of the two largest model railroading stores in the country. My buddies and I all worked there after school picking and packing orders for UPS to pick up. Great hobby.

 

[njlion_rivals29830]

I have a pretty big HO scale set up but would love to have a physical store to go to when needing things. I have all of my fathers stuff, and order online, but I would love to purchase from a local business in NJ.

Anyone have a store they recommend?

The Model Railroad Shop in Piscataway. large selection

 

[njlion_rivals29830]

There is a place in West Milford called the RR Post Office that has HO trains.
I have O Guage, but haven't set them up in quite a few years. Was a yearly thing for me and dad to set thing them up in the basement as a kid. I couldn't wait and each Christmas I would get a new piece for the set. Had a passenger train and a couple of freight trains with all kinds of operating equipment.
Bought a lot of stuff at Steve Varga's Hobby Shop on Easton Ave.
He always had a RR display in the window and was an authorized Lionel dealer and repair store.

The store in west milford has been closed for several years.

 

[hankee18]

The store in west milford has been closed for several years.

Yes, unfortunately Model Railway Post Office has been closed a few years now. My Dad took my brother and I to see Ray about once a month for years, my brother is a serious H.O. scaler. HUGE H.O. layout in my parents basement, we run an operating session with the kids every Christmas Eve now.

I smartened up and went with N scale for size reasons.

The shop in Piscataway is loaded with stuff but I mostly get my stuff online now. I dont have a basement in my house or I would have a serious layout going. I'm in that train layout limbo you find yourself in with a ton of engines and rolling stock but nowhere to run it

 

[drewbagel423]

Yes, unfortunately Model Railway Post Office has been closed a few years now. My Dad took my brother and I to see Ray about once a month for years, my brother is a serious H.O. scaler. HUGE H.O. layout in my parents basement, we run an operating session with the kids every Christmas Eve now.

I smartened up and went with N scale for size reasons.

The shop in Piscataway is loaded with stuff but I mostly get my stuff online now. I dont have a basement in my house or I would have a serious layout going myself

I bought a bunch of N gauge stuff a couple years ago and it's all still sitting in Rubbermaid containers in the basement.

 

[hoquat63]

Yep, Greenberg does a train show the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, NJ I think twice a year. They also do one in the Garden State Exhibit & Convention Center in Somerset, NJ. Here's there schedule for the first half of the year:

Greenberg Schedule of Upcoming Shows

The Train Station has a selection of 'S' gauge - I've seen some American Flyer there.

I appreciate the input but I don’t really need to add anything. I owned an S scale mail order business for 40 years and have more stuff saved than I will ever run.

 

[graystork]

Whenever I need something I just check out E-bay. I model the New York Central in HO and most stores never seem to carry what I 'm looking for. Can almost always find it in on E-bay though.

 

[zappaa]

Gef-
My brother is a huge model train collector and civil war historian.

He plays over 150 softball games a year and travels all over to do so.
While his fellow teammates do whatever they do on an off day, it’s off to the closest battlefield or train switch yard for Larry

 

[gef21]

Gef-
My brother is a huge model train collector and civil war historian.

He plays over 150 softball games a year and travels all over to do so.
While his fellow teammates do whatever they do on an off day, it’s off to the closest battlefield or train switch yard for Larry

Hell of a life right there.

 

[zappaa]

Hell of a life right there.

He’s 69 now... I’m absolutely stunned at the level of play in high level over 60 softball leagues and tournaments, these guys can flat out ball

 

[Tango Two]

HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW®

Saturday, November 17, 2018 – Monday, January 21, 2019


New York City’s Favorite Holiday Tradition is Back!
Enchanting model trains zip through a display of more than 175 New York landmarks, each re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials—all under the twinkling glow of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Marvel at G-scale locomotives humming past familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge and Rockefeller Center on nearly a half-mile of track. This year’s exhibition showcases Lower Manhattan—the birthplace of New York City—featuring the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and iconic skyscrapers sharing the spotlight among old and new favorites. Making their debut this year are One World Trade Center and the historic Battery Maritime Building along with two vintage ferry boats.


https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show/

 

[RUsince52]

I have no idea what model railroading could be!

Anyway, as someone above recommended, check out the Train Station in Mountain Lakes. We've been going there for years. The owner Dave is a great guy. Unfortunately most other train stores have closed down, the recession in 2008-2010 killed a bunch and online competition killed the rest.

Very nice setup. Also eliminates the need for pine trees as landscaping, but you still get the fragrance.

 

[hankee18]

He’s 69 now... I’m absolutely stunned at the level of play in high level over 60 softball leagues and tournaments, these guys can flat out ball

I used to play pickup hockey at Floyd Hall with a guy that was 93. I hope I can move that well at 69 let alone 93

 

[koleszar]

I have a pretty big HO scale set up but would love to have a physical store to go to when needing things. I have all of my fathers stuff, and order online, but I would love to purchase from a local business in NJ.

Anyone have a store they recommend?

Dude, I just went to a customers house to look at their leaking basement window yesterday. The entire basement was a scale model train set. I'm talking he had Penn Station, NY and Philadelphia, a figgin circus with working ferris wheel and rollercoaster. It was entirely in a 50's era trainset. The thing was massive and so unbelievable my jaw dropped.

 

[Abro1975]

I am a living Railroad model, lol I was a RR Conductor from summer of 1972 to around 1987. First Penn Central RR, then Conrail, then Amtrak, then finally NJ Transit (the worst). Still have my conductors badges and some old timetables. For some reason, model railroading was just not my thing.

Working the Amtrak Metroliners from NYC to Washington DC and back were my favorite runs. Made good money, met the ladies, plus got to meet some interesting folks like Muhammed Ali, Jerry Lewis, John Madden , Lou Duva and RU Football coach Jack Bateman.

I made a mistake quitting , but worked long enough to get a RR pension. Then onto being a penny stock broker, ala the grunts in Boileroom and Wolf of Wall St, and finally to Pharma, a whole other story, as Hankee can tell you, lol.

 

[koleszar]

I am a living Railroad model, lol I was a RR Conductor from summer of 1972 to around 1987. First Penn Central RR, then Conrail, then Amtrak, then finally NJ Transit (the worst). Still have my conductors badges and some old timetables. For some reason, model railroading was just not my thing.

Working the Amtrak Metroliners from NYC to Washington DC and back were my favorite runs. Made good money, met the ladies, plus got to meet some interesting folks like Muhammed Ali, Jerry Lewis, John Madden , Lou Duva and RU Football coach Jack Bateman.

I made a mistake quitting , but worked long enough to get a RR pension. Then onto being a penny stock broker, ala the grunts in Boileroom and Wolf of Wall St, and finally to Pharma, a whole other story, as Hankee can tell you, lol.

I remember my mother telling me about this one particular Conductor looking quite dashing in his blue uniform.

 

[Abro1975]

I remember my mother telling me about this one particular Conductor looking quite dashing in his blue uniform.

Was she from South Amboy ? lol We switched from electric to Diesel engines in South River on the NY - Bay Head run, took about 10 minutes, just enough time for one guy to make a beer run and others to 'socialize' with the female passengers.

 

[hankee18]

Abro, pharma is a whole career in itself how the hell did you find the time for all the other gigs ha ha. You've lived 3 lives I swear. The more I read these board the more I think you should be on those Dos Equis commercials

 

[Abro1975]

Abro, pharma is a whole career in itself how the hell did you find the time for all the other gigs ha ha. You've lived 3 lives I swear. The more I read these board the more I think you should be on those Dos Equis commercials

Because I'm now an old fuvk . The stockbroker/commodities broker was short lived as I saw my managers get arrested just like in the movies Boiler Room and Wolf of Wall Street., RR Conductor about 12 years, worked at my brothers Real Estate company about 8 years (fun , but never able to save much), then 23 years in Pharma. I'm retired for 2 months now, and antsy, I might drive Uber or look for another sales gig, although my brother wants me to rejoin his Real Estate company. You need help on your run ? lol

PS- I already forgot my 3 years as part owner of The Dive on W 29th St inNYC (while I was a Conductor ). The Smithereens were our house Band for about a year, and Pat DiNizio our booking agent.

 

[m1ipabrams]

Oldest train shop in the nation is the Model Railroad Shop in Piscataway. Small but they have a lot of stuff. Not very far from RU.
I model in S so most of what I get has to be on internet.

I should have thought of them. My dad and I used to go there when I was a kid. That is easy drive for me.

I used to stop in there all the time as a kid as well. It was only a 1/2 mile from my house. I didn't buy a lot of trains but they had the coolest HO scale military vehicles that I ended up collecting a whole bunch of.