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 Posted - April 15 2012 : 09:32:36 AM
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I was in Columbia SC Friday and Saturday for a concrete truck driving challenge. I had some free time - So i went and checked out this place. 800 sq. feet wall to wall trains. The shop was a GEM. It is one where you go in and have to move stuff around on the shelves and you find older items. I spent about 2 hrs in there and didn't even get close to finish looking. The owner Joe was very helpful in getting me from my hotel to his store which was only 15 minutes away. He does not have internet but will do phone orders. He is very well stocked and does deal in used trains which he told me has been a boost in sales and foot traffic. This place has been in business for 27 years -rare since internet has killed many shops like this. I asked him about his customer base - spans 4 states - beginning with the home state of SC- NC- GA and FL - and then tourists who come through. HE stocks nearly everything you can think of in this space. I will admit is tight to get around and if you are a large person - would be even harder to maneuver in his store. He has a lot of Lionel items especially used - so for you that are looking for lionel - give him a call and tell him I (Brian) told you about his store. There still is to me nothing like going into a store like this and actually looking at merchandise versus looking at it online as many do nowadays
PHONE # (803) 791 - 3958
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Posted - April 15 2012 : 09:54:03 AM
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brian if i was in that shop,i would most certainly leave with a huge overdraft,we had thousands of train shops in 60s,today i can count train dedicated shops on my hands,we have 2 possibly 3 retail shops left in the south east of England,and they only stock marklin etc no american,they all seem to be in north of England and are not cheap,Hatton`s being the exception,if you want any spares or detailing parts,its down to evil bay ken
Edited by - catfordken on April 15 2012 09:54:59 AM
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Posted - April 15 2012 : 10:56:12 AM
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Wow, that is a sweet store! I could spend hours in there myself.  The only other store I could easily compare it to is English's Train store that makes Bowser products, in Montoursville, PA. The owners have a somewhat unfortunate customer service rep, but their store has HUGE sections of detailing parts,if you need something, you can probably find it there. I finally got one of those Cary boxcab conversion shells I'd been wanting a few years ago from them. Maybe someday if I make to SC again, I'll have to look up Brooklands.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - April 15 2012 : 11:28:10 AM
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Brian,
Now I see what you meant about the space. It is packed! Thanks.
Alco Fan
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Posted - April 19 2012 : 9:01:39 PM
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| Ken - I hear you - nothing like going to a brick n mortar shop. Online -you can't look at item physically. I may go back with a couple of friends very soon
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Posted - April 19 2012 : 9:28:01 PM
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I was curious, Brian They got any Tyco or Mantuas in there? 
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 10:23:15 AM
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quote:I was curious, Brian They got any Tyco or Mantuas in there?
Originally posted by microbusss - April 19 2012 : 9:28:01 PM
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MB - I somehow missed your question - sorry for delayed reply - he had some Tyco and Mantua cars and locos - He also had some NOS Tyco structures
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 11:10:29 AM
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thats fine BT Go back & see if there's any fast food places including the 7up plant 
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 11:20:10 AM
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Wow, I'm glad to see New Brookland is still in business! I made several visits there in the '90s when I lived in Darlington and Florence, SC. The inside looks the same now as it did then! Great store!
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 11:22:22 AM
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boy I miss those shops...they had a specific "odor" to 'em...just gaze for hours...
caboose 1
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 2:52:32 PM
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Any old steamers? Here's what the train store I always go to looks like. I'm fortunate enough to know all the workers and owners and get great deals. They said whenever they get any old steamer in they are going to hold it for me so I can buy it.
 the DCC case
 the case I usually pick from
 athearn diesels
 more athearn stuff
No intentions to try to steal the topic just thought I'd share what my go to train store looks like inside
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 4:47:51 PM
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Wish I had a good hobby shop here in northeast Florida! They have poor selection in my area.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 5:03:50 PM
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| go check antique, 2nd hand stores & thrift stores for trains, Justin
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 5:09:01 PM
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Personally the only time I go to a hobby shop is when there arent any train shops around when I'm on vacation at some place. Mainly because well here in California all the hobby shops suck!! Just sets 90% of the time!! The Hobby People by me actually has a bunch of scenery stuff and track so I go there when we don't feel like driving down to North Hollywood. 
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 8:53:32 PM
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quote:Wish I had a good hobby shop here in northeast Florida! They have poor selection in my area.
Originally posted by Redneck Justin - January 01 2013 : 4:47:51 PM
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How far are your from north Tampa Bay area? I found a decent small train shop there when visiting my In-laws a few years ago. Dana's Railroad Supply near Brooksville, FL, just north of Tampa Bay. Got new and used trains for sale. I brought home more than a few that trip. :)
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 8:54:56 PM
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Don't you Florida Natives got Dans Train Depot? you guys shouldn't be complaining!
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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 Posted - January 01 2013 : 9:08:26 PM
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The closest train store is about an hour drive from me, but it is BIG. He has a whole side of an aisle dedicated to passenger cars, a layout that must have over 50ft of track on the mainline, and used/consigned items scattered throughout the store. I really need to go back there soon
BRIAN: I have to ask, what is a concrete truck driving challenge?
cheez
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 9:26:28 PM
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you guys are just lucky to have at least 1 hobby shop within driving distence As for me the one here closed in the 90s & now I gotta get trains from you, online or drive 200 miles to Caboose Hobbies 
Or go 100 miles to Cheyenne & get trains from the annual train show or antique stores there
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 9:35:22 PM
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quote:you guys are just lucky to have at least 1 hobby shop within driving distence As for me ... I gotta get trains from online or drive 200 miles to Caboose Hobbies
Originally posted by microbusss - January 01 2013 : 9:26:28 PM
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Get outta the corn fields and move from Nebraska, Ben.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - January 01 2013 : 10:36:37 PM
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BRIAN: I have to ask, what is a concrete truck driving challenge?
cheez
Originally posted by DaCheez - January 01 2013 : 9:08:26 PM
[/quote] It is a closed course driving challenge in a concrete truck - You win money and other prizes the better you - 1st and 2nd place drivers that place in this here go to a National Challenge announced at a later date
This was Challenge #1 - drive between tennis balls placed on cut off radiator hoses - not as easy as it looks - Each ball is placed just slightly wider that tire with - the slightest misalignment will cause sidewalls to knock balls off hose - Your score is based on the number of standing balls after you drive through
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Posted - January 02 2013 : 01:43:20 AM
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| I had no idea! Maybe this will be the next big thing they make show out of on OLN
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