Does Neal's N guage Still have a store in NH?

[eagle5473]

Taking a trip thru Nh this weekend Does Neal's N guage Still have a store in NH?

thanks
aaron

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Nope. I found out the hard way after making the trip myself several months ago.

[POVC]

Neal hung out with the BANTRAK crowd last weekend at Bedford (he had a couple of tables there).  Based on the conversation, I think he is mainly mail order and the occasional train show now.  My understanding is that he lives somewhere "down south" (I think Atlanta).

Tim

[eagle5473]

Thanks for the help

[jereising]

AND a bunch of his details have been picked up and are in stock at MBK...

[nstars]

He is still doing business, but only mail order. The old shop in NH has been taken over by David Hobbs and is still run as a hobby shop.

Marc

[pmpexpress]

Reiterating much of what has been previously stated by several individuals:

Neal contacted me by phone some time ago.

As I recall, he was managing a non-model-railroad related business in Atlanta, Georgia.

At the time, hampered by the theft of a van load of train show inventory, he was still engaged in importing English manufactured N-Scale products (some of which continue to be distributed through Walthers).

Though the New Hampshire retail store location was shuttered by this time, Neal was still conducting mail-order and convention sales.

[peteski]

While I don't know the details of what happened, I recall that before Neal left New Hampshire, he had a blond guy working with him in the store (and at the model train shows around the area).  The store was relocated too. It was further away from downtown North Hampton.  It was more like a warehouse than a store. I recall stopping there couple of years ago during the summer and it wasn't even air conditioned (it was hot and stuffy there).

The address is still listed if you search Google for it:
Neal's N Gauging Trains    14 Lafayette Rd # 1A, North Hampton NH 03862-2465
Phone 603-379-8043

The other address also shows up in Google search:
    (603) 379-6477
180 Lafayette Rd, #4, North Hampton, NH 03862

To be honest, I don't remember which address is the current one. 

The blond guy is the current owner (I don't recall his name). He also does some of the local model trains shows. But  I didn't find anything there worth my future visits.

[Ian MacMillan]

180 Lafayette Rd, #4, North Hampton, NH

was the last store address. It is actually closer to downtown North Hampton. Closer is well, not really the word to use as downtown North Hampton is not on on Rt. 1 anyway.

The 14 Lafayette Rd # 1A was actually closer to downtown Hampton, as it was right across the town line. More importantly that location was right across from Seacoast Harley... so a trip to Neal's and SHD could be a very expensive day!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

One of the addresses listed was also used by Model Tech Studios. I found it odd that Neal's would end up right next door.

In any event. No Neal's in NH anymore. Ken's in Sudbury is for sale and I heard that Tucker's may be looking at closing as well.

Mot a good time to be an N scaler in New England.

[central.vermont]

OK here's some clarification to all who want to know.

Neal is no longer in business at either of the above addresses mentioned although if you go by
the Hampton site you will still see his sign on the building. He now lives somewhere near Atlanta
Ga. with his family. His house in Hampton is presently on the market for sale. He was working
for an ice cream company but I think he has changed jobs now. He still is doing some of  the
larger shows and imports many English detail products as well as a product line of his own
that he sells through Walther's.
As to the "Blonde Guy" (also known as Dave Hobbs) that worked for him has his own store
in Manchester NH with some of Neal's old inventory and a lot of his own. He also does the show
circuit like Neal does. He's located just off I93 at 836 Candia Road Manchester, NH 03109 USA
name of his place is Boston and Albany Hobbies. His phone number is 603-305-5023.

Here's a link with a map.
http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=836%20Candia%20Road%20Manchester,%20NH%2003109%20USA

Now for you electronics guys there is a place just a couple of doors away that is an electronics surplus store. A
gold mine of everything electronic!!!! Definitely worth a look.
Here's a link with a map. 
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=PsC&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&biw=1280&bih=885&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=electronics+surplus+store+in+manchester+nh&fb=1&gl=us&hq=electronics+surplus+store&hnear=0x89e24ed668666ca3:0x6b0432461f357179,Manchester,+NH&cid=0,0,12046688176034752556&sa=X&ei=SqpEULWHFYfH6gGR1YC4Dw&ved=0CH4Q_BIwAA

Also a link to his web site.  http://www.esssurplus.com/

Hope this all helps,
Jon

[peteski]

Jon,
I didn't state or imply the Neal still had a store in North Hampton (or anywhere in New England).  I just knew that Dave Hobbs (who's name I couldn't recall- thanks) took over the "warehouse store" where Neal was last seen selling.  Like I said, I only went there couple of times and I didn't feel the need to visit again. 

As far as the Boston & Albany store, I did start noticing that it advertised in the N-Scale magazine but I had no idea it was Dave Hobbs' new store.  I also did not know he was so close to ESS (which I do visit from time to time). I agree that ESS is an awesome place to visit (even if you aren't into electronics like I am.  There are so many odds-n-ends there besides electronics (from work benches to trash bins and even an occasional kitchen sink  ).  Highly recommended!

Knowing that B&A hobby shop is clse by, I'm still not sure if I'll bother to check it out. Dave just rubs me the wrong way.  But it mught be just me... 

Too bad that Ken from Ken's Trains is getting ready to retire (I was pleasantly surprised with how long he kept his store open, even with all the heath issues he endures).  To be honest, I have not shopped there for several years.  I should really visit there before Ken sells or closes his doors.  I really love that place: it is such a clean store chock full of N-Scale (only) items!  And Ken is an awesome guy!  Ken's is a best li'l N-Scale store in New England!