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For the past year I’ve been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like fantastic places to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the great state of Texas.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in the state of Texas are:

10. Model Train Crossing in Hurst

9. Papa Ben’s Train Place in Houston

8. Rebel Hobbies in San Antonio

7. Midlothian Hobbies in Midlothian

6. RC Hobby Shop in Sugar Land

4. Victoria Hobby Shop in Victoria (tie for fourth place)

4. Larry’s Hobbies in Houston (tie for fourth place)

3. Collectible Trains and Toys in Dallas

2. King’s Hobby in Austin

…and the most popular shop for model trains in Texas is…

1. G and G Model Shop in Houston

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Collectible Caboose in Cedar Park, Dibble’s Hobbies in San Antonio, Hal’s Hobby Warehouse in El Paso, Kerbey Lane Doll Shoppe in Austin, Mikes Hobby Shop in Carrollton, and Wild Bill’s Hobby Shop in Irving.

Nice to see that the four biggest cities in Texas all have great train shops with Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antionio all in the top 10.  However, Houston looks like “train city” in Texas with almost a third of the top stores being there.

Also in Texas be sure to visit some of the great railroading museums including Amarillo Railroad Museum in Amarillo, Greenville Railroad Museum in Greenville, and Railway Museum of San Angelo in San Angelo.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

Check out my complete list of Model Train Shops in Texas at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: model, Shops, Texas, Train

For the past year I’ve been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in New England are:

10. Rainy Day Trains in Saco, Maine

9. Bill Parker’s Train Shop in Springfield, Vermont

8. Mike’s Hobbies and Raceway in Rutland, Vermont

7. Grandma’s House and Grandpa’s Train Depot in Warwick, Rhode Island

6. Bill’s Hobby Barn in Salem, New Hampshire

5. Danbury Hobby Center in Danbury, Connecticut

4. Treasured Toys in Salem, New Hampshire

3. Mainely Trains in South China, Maine

2. North East Trains in Peabody, Massachusetts

…and the most popular shop for model trains in New England is…

1. Time Machine Hobby in Manchester, Connecticut

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Hobby House in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine; Centerline Hobbies in Hyannis, Massachusetts; Charles Ro Supply Company in Malden, Massachusetts; Hobby Stop in Foxboro, Massachusetts; J and M Hobbies in Eastham, Massachusetts; LightHouse Hobbies in Townsend, Massachusetts; Railyard Hobbies in Dracut, Massachusetts; Apponaug Color and Hobby Shop in Warwick, Rhode Island; Darlington Hobbies in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Depot Antiques and Toys in Laconia, New Hampshire; Hartmann Model Railroad in Intervale, New Hampshire; R/C Toy Box in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont; and Vermont Toy and Hobby in Essex Junction and South Burlington, Vermont.

Lots of great model railroading shops from all over New England in the top ten with every state making it into the top ten – so no matter where you live in New England there are great hobby shops right in your own state.

When in New England be sure to visit some of the excellent railroading museums including Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum in Willimantic, Connecticut; Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor, Connecticut; Danbury Railway Museum in Danbury, Connecticut; Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston, Connecticut; Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven, Connecticut; The Peters Rail Road Museum in Wallingford, Connecticut; Boothbay Railway Village in Boothbay, Maine; Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum in Portland, Maine; Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine; Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway Museum in Alna, Maine; Bay State Model Railroad Museum in Roslindale, Massachusetts; Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum in Lenox, Massachusetts; Old Colony and Fall River Railroad Museum in Fall River, Massachusetts; Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts; Beaver Brook Farm and Transportation Museum in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire; Gorham Railroad Station and Historical Society in Gorham, New Hampshire; Rutland Railway Association in Rutland, Vermont; and Swanton Railroad Depot Museum in Swanton, Vermont.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

See a complete list of Model Train Shops in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: England, model, Shops, Train

For the past year I’ve been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in New England are:

10. Rainy Day Trains in Saco, Maine

9. Bill Parker’s Train Shop in Springfield, Vermont

8. Mike’s Hobbies and Raceway in Rutland, Vermont

7. Grandma’s House and Grandpa’s Train Depot in Warwick, Rhode Island

6. Bill’s Hobby Barn in Salem, New Hampshire

5. Danbury Hobby Center in Danbury, Connecticut

4. Treasured Toys in Salem, New Hampshire

3. Mainely Trains in South China, Maine

2. North East Trains in Peabody, Massachusetts

…and the most popular shop for model trains in New England is…

1. Time Machine Hobby in Manchester, Connecticut

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Hobby House in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine; Centerline Hobbies in Hyannis, Massachusetts; Charles Ro Supply Company in Malden, Massachusetts; Hobby Stop in Foxboro, Massachusetts; J and M Hobbies in Eastham, Massachusetts; LightHouse Hobbies in Townsend, Massachusetts; Railyard Hobbies in Dracut, Massachusetts; Apponaug Color and Hobby Shop in Warwick, Rhode Island; Darlington Hobbies in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Depot Antiques and Toys in Laconia, New Hampshire; Hartmann Model Railroad in Intervale, New Hampshire; R/C Toy Box in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont; and Vermont Toy and Hobby in Essex Junction and South Burlington, Vermont.

Lots of great model railroading shops from all over New England in the top ten with every state making it into the top ten – so no matter where you live in New England there are great hobby shops right in your own state.

When in New England be sure to visit some of the excellent railroading museums including Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum in Willimantic, Connecticut; Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor, Connecticut; Danbury Railway Museum in Danbury, Connecticut; Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston, Connecticut; Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven, Connecticut; The Peters Rail Road Museum in Wallingford, Connecticut; Boothbay Railway Village in Boothbay, Maine; Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum in Portland, Maine; Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine; Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway Museum in Alna, Maine; Bay State Model Railroad Museum in Roslindale, Massachusetts; Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum in Lenox, Massachusetts; Old Colony and Fall River Railroad Museum in Fall River, Massachusetts; Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts; Beaver Brook Farm and Transportation Museum in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire; Gorham Railroad Station and Historical Society in Gorham, New Hampshire; Rutland Railway Association in Rutland, Vermont; and Swanton Railroad Depot Museum in Swanton, Vermont.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

See a complete list of Model Train Shops in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: England, model, Shops, Train

For the past year I’ve been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the states of Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey are:

10. Ridgefield Hobby in Ridgefield, New Jersey

9. Maplewood Hobby in Maplewood, New Jersey

8. M. B. Klein Model Train Stuff in Cockeysville, Maryland

7. Tony’s Train Town in Cedar Grove, New Jersey

6. MTH Electric Trains in Columbia, Maryland

5. Hobbymasters in Red Bank, New Jersey

4. The Model Railroad Shop in Piscataway, New Jersey

3. The Train Station in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

2. Toy Train Emporium in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

…and the most popular shop for model trains in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey is…

1. The Hobby Shop in Aberdeen, New Jersey

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Just Trains in Newark, Delaware; Millsboro Hobbies in Millsboro, Delaware; Seaside Hobbies in Ocean View, Delaware; Engine House Hobbies in Gaithersburg, Maryland; G Scale Train Station in Waldorf, Maryland; Hobby Works in Rockville, Laurel, and Bel Air, Maryland; The Train Room in Hagerstown, Maryland; Atlantic Rails in Folsom, New Jersey; Genes Train Stop in Kearny, New Jersey; Island Trains in Middletown, New Jersey; Pastime Hobbies and Miniatures in Bayonne, New Jersey; Z and Z Hobbies in Mercerville, New Jersey; Zeppelin Hobbies and Raceway in Wayne, New Jersey.

So, there are lots of great model railroading shops from all over Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey but clearly New Jersey dominated the list with eigth in the top ten.  Maryland had two in the ten, and Just Trains in Delaware just missed out.  Note that this list was for the train stores more than their online web stores. If this list were for online stores www.modeltrainstuff.com, the website of M. B. Klein Model Train Stuff would probably have won.

When in Delaware, Maryland, or New Jersey be sure to visit some of the excellent railroading museums including Harrington Museum and Railroad Museum in Harrington, Delaware; Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland; Brunswick Railroad Museum in Brunswick, Maryland; Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum in Hagerstown, Maryland; Huntington Railroad Museum in Bowie, Maryland; New Jersey Museum of Transportation in Wall, New Jersey; Whippany Railway Museum in Whippany, New Jersey; and South Jersey Railroad Museum in Tuckahoe, New Jersey.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

See a complete list of Model Train Shops in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: Delaware, Jersey, Maryland, model, Shops, Train

For the past year I’ve been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the states of North Carolina and South Carolina.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in North Carolina and South Carolina are:

10. The Hobby House in Hendersonville, North Carolina

9. Todd’s Train Depot in Wendell, North Carolina

8. Little Choo Choo Shop in Spencer, North Carolina

7. Rail and Spike Trains in Easley, South Carolina

6. The Train Loft in Winston Salem, North Carolina

5. Factory Direct Trains in Asheville, North Carolina

4. Blue Ridge Hobbies in Greenville, South Carolina

3. Time Zone Hobbies and Toys in Aiken, South Carolina

2. Tom’s Train Station in Raleigh, North Carolina

…and the most popular shop for model trains in North Carolina or South Carolina is…

1. Greensboro Electric Trains in Greensboro, North Carolina

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were ABC RC Hobby in Forest City, North Carolina; Chuck’s Trains in Landis, North Carolina; Dry Bridge Station in Mount Airy, North Carolina; Hayes Hobby House in Fayetteville, North Carolina; Leland’s Toy Trains and Planes in Hildebran, North Carolina; Zoo Toys and Trains in Wilmington, North Carolina; Hobby Station in Bethune, South Carolina; New Brookland RR and Hobby in West Columbia, South Carolina; SVC Trains in Georgetown, South Carolina; and The Great Escape Bicycles and Hobby Shop in Spartanburg, Anderson, and Greenville, South Carolina.

So, there are clearly many great model railroading shops all over North Carolina and South Carolina, with North Carolina having seven in the top ten and South Carolina having three – but both states had two in the top four.

When in North Carolina and South Carolina be sure to visit some of the excellent railroading museums including North Carolina Railroad Museum in New Hill, North Carolina; North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina; Smoky Mountain Trains in Bryson City, North Carolina, Wilmington Railroad Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina; Lancaster and Chester Railway Museum in Lancaster, South Carolina; and South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

See a complete list of Model Train Shops in North Carolina and South Carolina, at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: Carolina, model, North, Shops, South, Train

For the past year I have been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia are:

10. Trains by Johnson in Pensacola, Florida

9. Warrick Custom Hobbies in Plantation, Florida

8. Blairsville Hobby Shop in Blairsville, Georgia

7. Southerland Station in Huntsville, Alabama

6. Electric Train Outlet in Saint Louis, Alabama

5. Trains and Treasures in Clearwater, Florida

4. H and R Trains in Pinellas Park, Florida

3. Bull Street Station in Savannah, Georgia

2. Legacy Station in Lawrenceville, Georgia

…and the most popular shop for model trains in Alabama, Florida, or Georgia is…

1. Kennesaw Trains in Kennesaw, Georgia

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Model City Models in Jacksonville, Alabama; Pyramid Hobbies in Cullman, Alabama; KB Hobbies Model Trains in Stuart, Florida; Hollash’s Trains in Riverview, Florida; B&B Sales Hobby Shop in Snellville, Georgia; and Young Again Trains and Hobbies in Stockbridge, Georgia.

So, there are clearly many great model railroading shops all over Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, with both Georgia and Florida having four in the top ten and Alabama having two.  Georgia did especially well to have all three of the top three.

When in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia be sure to visit some of the excellent railroading museums including Foley Railroad Museum in Foley, Alabama; Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera, Alabama; North Alabama Railroad Museum in Huntsville, Alabama; Central Florida Railroad Museum in Winter Garden, Florida; Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, Florida; Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami, Florida; North Florida Railway Museum in Green Cove Springs, Florida; South Florida Railroad Museum in Deerfield Beach, Florida; West Florida Railroad Museum in Milton, Florida; Charlemagne’s Kingdom in Helen, Georgia; Roundhouse Railroad Museum in Savannah, Georgia; and Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, Georgia.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

See a complete list of Model Train Shops in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, model, Shops, Train

There are fantastic model railroading hobby shops all across the United States.  These stores all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the great states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are:

10. Steve’s Train City in Hopkins, Minnesota

9. Scale Model Supplies in Saint Paul, Minnesota

8. Only Trains in Buffalo, Minnesota

7. Just For Fun Hobbies and Comics in Lansing, Michigan

6. Brasseur Electric Trains in Saginaw, Michigan

5. Sommerfeld’s Trains and Hobbies in Butler, Wisconsin

4. Hobby World USA in Brighton, Michigan

3. Rider’s Hobby Shop in Flint, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan

2. Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan

…and the most popular shop for model trains in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan is…

1. Hub Hobby in Richfield, Minnesota and Little Canada, Minnesota

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Wild Bill’s Trains in Clinton Township, Michigan; A and E Railroad in Thief River Falls, Minnesota; Becker’s Model Railroad Supply in New Brighton, Minnesota; Carrs Hobby in Duluth, Minnesota; Flotsam and Jetsam Books and Model Trains in Cook, Minnesota; Hobby Hut in Moorhead, Minnesota; Three Rail Trains in Coon Rapids, Minnesota; Hiawatha Hobbies in Waukesha, Wisconsin; and RCSLOT in Franklin, Wisconsin.

So, there are clearly many great model railroading shops all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, with all three states having stores in the top five.  Michigan had the most with five in the top ten, but Minnesota had four – and also had the number one spot.

When in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan be sure to visit some of the excellent railroading museums including Durand Union Station in Durand, Michigan; Michigan Transit Museum in Mount Clemens, Michigan; End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum in Currie, Minnesota; Gopher State Railway Museum in Shakopee, Minnesota; Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota; Minnesota Transportation Museum in Saint Paul, Minnesota; Old Depot Railroad Museum in Dassel, Minnesota; Twin City Model Railroad Museum in Saint Paul, Minnesota; East Troy Electric Railroad Museum in East Troy, Wisconsin; Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum in Fennimore, Wisconsin; Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society in North Freedom, Wisconsin; National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading. See a complete list of Model Train Shops in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: Michigan, Minnesota, model, Shops, Train, Wisconsin

For the past year I’ve been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like a lof of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the great state of Illinois.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in the state of Illinois are:

10. Ace Hobby Place in Chicago

9. Hammers Hobbies in Springfield

8. Woodstock Hobbies in Woodstock

7. B and G Train World in Elgin

6. Denny’s Trains and Things in Oswego

5. America’s Best Train Toy and Hobby Shop in Itasca

4. Prospect Bikes and Trains in Mount Prospect

3. Spring Hill Northern Train Supply in Richmond

2. Chicagoland Hobby in Chicago

…and the most popular shop for model trains in Illinois is…

1. First Hobby in Decatur

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Al’s Hobby Shop in Elmhurst, Atomic Toy Company in Galena, Berywn’s Toy Trains and Models in Berwyn, Choo Choo Connection in Schaumburg, Des Plaines Hobbies in Des Plaines, Ed’s Hobby Warehouse in Palos Hills, Golden Spike Train Shop in Burbank, Grayslake Hobby World in Grayslake, Hands To Work Railroading in Alsip, Hauff Hobbies and Train Repair in Glenview, Hill’s Hobby & Collectors’ Shop in Buffalo Grove, Hobbies R 4 U in Bradley, Hobby City in Berwyn, K-10′s Model Trains in Maryville, LaGrange Hobby Center in La Grange, Leisure Hours Hobbies in Joliet, Mike’s Scale Rails in Peoria, Oakridge Hobbies and Toys in Downers Grove, Past-Time Hobbies in Brookfield, Pat’s Hobbies Oak Lawn, Pizza Express LGB Train Shop in Carterville, Rossville Depot Railroad Museum in Rossville, Royal Hobby Shop in Rockford, Sweetname Hardware and Model Train in Peoria, Thunder Road Hobbies in Moline, Tom Thumb Hobby and Crafts in Evanston, Trains and Toys of Yesterday in in Morton Grove, Venture Hobbies Wheeling, Wabash Junction in Springfield, and Walt’s Hobby Shop in Joliet.

Also in Illinois be sure to visit some of the great railroading museums including Chatham Railroad Museum in Chatham, Chicago Great Western Railway Depot Museum in Elizabeth, Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Kankakee Railroad Museum in Kankakee, Monticello Railway Museum in Monticello, Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and Union Depot Railroad Museum in Mendota.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

Check out my complete list of Model Train Shops in Illinois at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: Illinois, model, Shops, Train

For the past year I’ve been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the great state of New York.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in the state of New York are:

10. Dutchess Train and Hobby in Poughkeepsie

9. Trainland in Brooklyn

8. J and K Trains and Parts in Marlboro

7. Hudson Shores Model Train Depot in Blauvelt

6. Locomotive Works in Wilson

5. Got a Hobby in Bedford Hills

4. JR Junction Train and Hobby in Syracuse

3. Model Trains And Parts .Com in Schenectady

2. Aurora Rails and Hobbies in East Aurora

…and the most popular shop for model trains in New York is…

1. Empire Northern Models in Webster

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Adirondack Train and Hobby in Saratoga Springs, Bay Shore Hobbies in Bay Shore, Bruckner Hobbies in The Bronx, Bud’s H. O. Cars in Cortlandt Manor, Delhi Station Train and Lighting Shop in Delhi, Flying Scotsman and Walden Hobbies in Monroe, Groton Hobby Shop in Groton, Lantz’s Train Shop in Horseheads, Nassau Hobby Center in Freeport, NHS Hobbies in Ridgewood, Norwood Hobby Shop in Norwood, Scag’s Electric Train Shop in Staten Island, Trainville Hobby Depot in Levittown, TreatStation in Peekskill, Village Train and Hobby in Windsor, Walt’s Hobby in Syracuse, Willis Hobbies in Mineola, World of Trains in Forest Hills, and Xtreme Hobby Shop in Deer Park.

Also in New York be sure to visit some of the great railroading museums including Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenica, New York Museum Of Transportation in West Henrietta, Railroad Museum of Long Island in Greenport, Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in West Henrietta, and Salamanca Rail Museum in Salamanca. So lots of great model railroading shops from all over New York in the top 10.

Empire Northern Models probably made it to the number one spot by having a popular website as well as a fantastic retail store.  I was a bit surprised that Trainland, where “Bobby Bacala” from the TV series the Sopranos purchased the Blue Comet wasn’t higher on the list because of that publicity, but I guess that was a few years ago.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

See a complete list of Model Train Shops in New York at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: model, Shops, Train, York

For the past year I’ve been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website.  These shops all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the states of Virginia and West Virginia.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in Virginia and West Virginia are:

10. Rick’s Hobby Shop in Roanoke, Virginia

9. Chesterfield Hobbies in Midlothian, Virginia

8. Riders Hobby Shop in Sterling, Virginia

7. Whistle Stop Hobbies in Alexandria, Virginia

6. Trains Etc. in Lorton, Virginia

5. Engine House Trains in Virginia Beach, Virginia

4. Main Street Trains in Barboursville, West Virginia

3. KMA Junction in Manassas, Virginia

2. Piper Hobby in Chantilly, Virginia

…and the most popular shop for model trains in Virginia and West Virginia is…

1. Locust Grove Trains in Locust Grove, Virginia

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Awesome RC and Hobbies in Fredericksburg, Virginia; Craftech Hobby Shop in Norfolk, Virginia; Davis Hobby Supplies in Portsmouth, Virginia; Debbies RC World in Chesapeake, Virginia; Dunn’s Toy and Hobby in Manassas, Virginia; Hobby Works in Fairfax, Virginia; Leesburg Hobbies and Collectibles in Leesburg, Virginia; Rail Yard Hobby Shop in Roanoke, Virginia; Staunton Trains and Hobbies in Staunton, Virginia; Train Depot in Manassas, Virginia; Train Town Toy and Hobby in Ashland, Virginia; Walt’s Hobby Shop in Petersburg, Virginia; Cain’s Trains and Hobbies in Bunker Hill, West Virginia; Fountain Hobby Center in Charleston, West Virginia; Kid Country Toys in Charleston, West Virginia; Nitro Hobby and Craft Center in Nitro, West Virginia; Patrick’s Trains in Wheeling, West Virginia; Stephens Outdoor Railways in Vienna, West Virginia; and West Virginia Hobbies and Crafts in Teays, West Virginia.

So, there are lots of great model railroading shops from all over Virginia and West Virginia, but clearly Virginia dominated the list with nine in the top ten.  This isn’t too surprising as Virginia is a bigger state with a bigger population and more hobby shops than West Virginia.

When in Virginia and West Virginia be sure to visit some of the excellent railroading museums including Eastern Shore Railway Museum in Parksley, Virginia; Fairfax Station Museum Railroad Museum in Fairfax Station, Virginia; Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia; Princeton Railroad Museum in Princeton, West Virginia; West Virginia Railroad Museum in Elkins, West Virginia; and Williamson Area Railroad Museum in Williamson, West Virginia.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.

See a complete list of Model Train Shops in Virginia and West Virginia, at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Technorati Tags: model, Shops, Train, Virginia, West