RObert, from one newbie to the board to another- welcome! Don't feel too bad- I have found a hobby shop here in town, and he does carry some HO and N (the latter a scale I'll be working in at home due to lack of space), doesn't have much. Good thing, tho- he does do ordering. The shop is in a back room of his wife's children's clothing consignment shop (which for this grandpa works well, as I can get stuff for the granddaughter). I'd have to go either to Atlanta or Jacksonville to see a bigger hobby shop- thank goodness I'm next to I-75. And thank goodness for the local guy.