Seattle, Portland, Vancouver BC. N scale focused Hobby shops ?

[LesBaer45]

Long time lurker. Former Atlas forum occasional poster under a different alias. Current "virtual" modeler. Collector of "future" projects for "future" layout. 
I model vicariously through others work here on the Sunday night weekly photo topic and man am I good. 

Traveling to Portland, Seattle, Vancouver BC area next week. Won't be there for serious rail fanning but if there are any "really good" shops in the area I might be able to carve out enough time for a look see. I've perused the ads in the N scale mags and the back of Model Railroader but was looking for "local" knowledge.

It seems there are a lot of good modelers in the PNW so I thought I'd seek out their dens of iniquity favorite N scale shops while I'm there. 

Yes I'm primarily a Southeast RR fan, but you never know what lurks forgotten on some shelf somewhere.

[mark dance]

Central Hobbies on Grandview Highway in East Vancouver (near the border with Burnaby) is a must visit.  Though the stock is a little disorganized, their selection of books, rolling stock and modeling supplies is first class and Bill Dixon's DCC knowledge is prodigious.  Also a good place to stock up on Geoff Gooderham and Jeff Briggs (and sometime Kaslo) kits.

I also recently received word that the only other decent train store in Vancouver area, On Track Hobbies in Port Moody, will be closing so worth checking them out for discounted stock?

Hope that is helpful.

md

[Kisatchie]

About 12 years ago, I went to the Hobbysmith in Portland. It was a nice shop. Here is the link:

http://www.hobbysmith.com/



Hmm... Kiz bought all
the MDC tank cars they
had in stock...

[Philip H]

In Seattle proper, http://www.seattlestraincenter.com/ These guys are the best in terms of n scale selection.  Kirk and Wanda are also great people, and their store is right next to the south entrance to the BNSF Interbay Yard, so there's almost always train watching to be had.

North End train Center also has a decent selection of N Scale http://www.northendtrains.com/home.shtml

Tacoma and Olympia also have train stores, but they are probably too far south.

[GaryHinshaw]

Central Hobbies on Grandview Highway in East Vancouver (near the border with Burnaby) is a must visit.  Though the stock is a little disorganized, their selection of books, rolling stock and modeling supplies is first class and Bill Dixon's DCC knowledge is prodigious.  Also a good place to stock up on Geoff Gooderham and Jeff Briggs (and sometime Kaslo) kits.

+1 on Central - you can find things you never knew existed.  I'm headed there shortly to pick up a DCC order from Bill.   

Have a good trip.

[nscalesunshine]

North End train Center also has a decent selection of N Scale http://www.northendtrains.com/home.shtml

He went out of business a few months ago. Still sells on eBay. High prices and HIGH shipping charges.

[Philip H]

He went out of business a few months ago. Still sells on eBay. High prices and HIGH shipping charges.

Interesting that his web site still shows the store.

[delamaize]

In Seattle proper, http://www.seattlestraincenter.com/ These guys are the best in terms of n scale selection.  Kirk and Wanda are also great people, and their store is right next to the south entrance to the BNSF Interbay Yard, so there's almost always train watching to be had.

North End train Center also has a decent selection of N Scale http://www.northendtrains.com/home.shtml

Tacoma and Olympia also have train stores, but they are probably too far south.

STC moved......Northend train center is gone........All the train shops are gone in Olympia.  their is a place in centralia called "Blitz hobbies" that has a LIMITED selection of N scale stuff, Mostly Atlas Freight, and some stuff they picked up from a estate sale, I've raided that collection a few times, and usually can find something I can use. Tacoma area still has Tacoma trains, He has a pretty good selection of N scale, Prices are OK, but not outstanding. Online trains is in Lakewood, but they have VERY limited hours. thats pretty much all I know of in the area. If anyone else in the PNW knows of other places that I missed, let me know, I am always looking for a new source.....

[nickelplate759]

Hobbysmith in Portland is still a very good shop for N scale.

If you stop just south of Tacoma in Lakewood, go into Online Trains (which in spite of its name has an actual store).  The owner is an n-scaler.

[Alaska Railroader]

In Portland, Tammies Hobbies hands down, so much so that they have at least one train guy assigned to that department at all times. They are heavy on model railroading in all scales but plenty of N last time I was in there. They also carry quite a bit of parts and accessories, paints and an abundance of scenic materials. All of their trains are in showcases or along a wall behind the counter. We always try to stop in when in the area but this week when passing through couldn't stop due to an animal emergency at home.

I was unaware of On Track Hobbies going out of business as they are a dealer of ours. I know they recently moved the store....

[mmagliaro]

I live near Portland.   Hobbysmith is still a really good shop with a lot of N Scale focus.   It is not huge.  I'd call it "medium" sized.
Lots of N locos and rolling stock, a very good selection of scenery materials and some structures.  Good selection of books.

They also have some consignment items in a case and on shelves, and I've picked up some good buys that way.

If the shop were closer to me, I would frequent it more.  (I'm actually not "IN" Portland.  I'm in Oregon City, so  Hobbysmith
is about a 30 minute drive for me).

[delamaize]

I live near Portland.   Hobbysmith is still a really good shop with a lot of N Scale focus.   It is not huge.  I'd call it "medium" sized.
Lots of N locos and rolling stock, a very good selection of scenery materials and some structures.  Good selection of books.

They also have some consignment items in a case and on shelves, and I've picked up some good buys that way.

If the shop were closer to me, I would frequent it more.  (I'm actually not "IN" Portland.  I'm in Oregon City, so  Hobbysmith
is about a 30 minute drive for me).

I didn't know you were in Oregon, I though you were in Boston area for some reason......

[Alaska Railroader]

Hobbysmith is still a really good shop with a lot of N Scale focus.

Never been there and will look for it. One thing about Tammies is they will never ever give you a good deal on anything! But they do have quite the train collection. Tammies is in Beaverton near Portland. We are a good 4 hours plus to either one of them. Medford's hobby shop is more like "trains? nah, come over and look at our R/C stuff" 

[LesBaer45]

Thanks for all the suggestions. It's confirmed a few of the ones I was going to try to make the effort to find, just wanted some local views. Not looking for anything in particular but you never know what's lurking out there. 

Besides it beats working. 

[Hamaker]

I always stop at Tammies when in the Portland area. Great selection of N scale at full retail.XEADKU