recommended HO online suppliers

[Meiriongwril]

Hi folks -
I'm usually an N-Scale (and 16mm Garden) railroader, but want to help a friend who wishes to start in HO for his boys and himself!
I'm used to good deals in N from N-scale supply and Wig-Wag, and there's no good hobby shop for miles around. Anyone recommend a reliable online site which is also value for money?

Apologies if this has been covered before - I did take a look and couldn't see any recent postings on the topic.

Cheers!

visit www.762club.com to help build a replica Baldwin steam engine

 

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Well, the Walthers website is a good place to start.

 

[Meiriongwril]

Hhmmm, I guess. I've used it before for N scale stuff, and find it's often not very complete and a beggar to use if you just want to browse. I think I'll take a rain check on that site! Thanks anyway!

 

[thedowneaster]

How about toytrainheaven? They have a nice site and a huge selection. Keep an eye out for their sales! You can get Atlas silver in the $60 range sometimes!

 

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Try:
http://www.trainworld.com/
http://www.arniestrains.com/
http://www.internettrains.com/
Bachmann's own site is fairly good, too.

 

[Bill Nelson]

http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/index.php


Caboose Hobbies in Denver claims to be the worlds largest train store, and a visit there makes the claim seem credible. I started dealing with them searching for narrow gauge stuff, and they are often my first choice to deal with due to selection, and service.

If you are in Denver a visit is a must.

Bill Nelson

 

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Meiriongwril asked for online retailers, Bill.

 

[Doctor G]

Meiriongwril asked for online retailers, Bill.

Hi Zelda,

Caboose Hobbies is also online and very easy to use. See Bill's link in the post above. I use Caboose Hobbies a lot and online.
Doc Tom :thumb:

 

[Bill Nelson]

Meiriongwril asked for online retailers, Bill.

Yes he did, and Caboose has a web site, with a search engine, that brings up a shopping basket, which would make it a ___________ retailer, even if they have a bricks and mortar store.


Bill

 

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Can't people take a joke?

 

[Bill Nelson]

Can't people take a joke?

Can't people take a joke?

Certainly, but one needs to know when it is a joke.

This is easier in face to face encounters where a smile or a change in the tone of voice, or a roll of the eyes can make the fact that it is a joke obvious. or at least more obvious.


relying on the written word only, when we don't know each other well, gets dicy ., and with the lack of audio and visual clues humor becomes harder to pull off reliably, which is why I limited my reply to factual statements, and did not, by design at least, resort to the kind of bitter biting sarcasm I might have in person.

 

[steamhead]

I see someone posted internettrains an online retailer. I dont' know if they have turned a new page, but you'd do well to check this out before you deal with them....

http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115739

 

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Ah. I've never done business with them, I just found them in a search and bookmarked 'em. If your friend wouldn't mind branching out into 00 scale modelling, you could also try:
http://www.ehattons.com/
http://www.railway-models.co.uk/
Good prices and shipping rates. Especially at eHattons although in some ways their inventory is smaller.

 

[Meiriongwril]

If your friend wouldn't mind branching out into 00 scale modelling, you could also try:
http://www.ehattons.com/
http://www.railway-models.co.uk/
Good prices and shipping rates. Especially at eHattons although in some ways their inventory is smaller.

Thanks Zelda, I myself do have a small 00 scale outfit (I'm an exPat Brit who's a GWR and LMS fan), and have used some of those guys.
My friend is all-American so it'll have to be Santa Fe for him!!

 

[Don7]

The only on-line model railroad vendor I deal with is MB Klien

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/

Have had numerous transactions with them. Great prices and reasonable shipping and handling charges.

Why would anyone recommend someone who they have not shopped with?

 

[Taka]

Yeah Caboose is very legit, i just ordered this: 1 x SD60M DCC/Snd NS #6789 = $176.49
They have numerous reasonable shipping options too.

Retail is around 250 or so. I'll be doing a lot of shopping from these guys. )