I'll be 'near' Atlanta over the Thanksgiving holidays and would like to check out hobby dealers in the area. I'll be southeast of Atlanta, so, those would be my first choice to visit. Train specific would be best... but... not a must... as long as they have N scale. Thanks
Small world my BP&S comrade! I am heading up that way myself for the holiday, although I might spend most of the weekend in Athens... I too would be interested in knowing of train shops in the area.
Hey Shawn! Haven't seen you at the club lately. Maybe after the holidays we'll get to do something with the layout. While I'm asking... are there any railroad specific sights to see near Atlanta?
Check out 4nscale.com (Rio Grande Hobbies). Very good people. Definitely on my list to visit next time I'm in ATL. Tell 'em Graves sent ya.
770-451-7425 - Gandy Dancers Hobby & Toy Shop, 5438 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Chamblee, GA 30341 The hobby shop and other large collectable shops(Antiques) in area one of my favorite areas to visit. But the one stop would be Rio Grande(4N scale) for the best pricing
Trainmaster on Buford Highway in Duluth is where I have been stopping when in Atlanta. Used to stop at Gandy Dancers on Peachtree Industrial (and on Peachtree Rd. in Chamblee before that) but it went out of business. Believe Riverdale Station on Highway 85 South of town is still there. Been years since I visited there, though.
For the south side, Riverdale Station is your choice. Prices are retail here. It's not too far from the airport area. On the Northwest side, there is Kennesaw Trains & Hobbies. It's a great little shop with a great owner and staff that I visit quite often. Prices are retail here. On the northeast side is Trainmaster Models. This is the place if you want volume of stock and discount prices. As Thirdrail noted, GandyDancers has closed up shop. As for the other 3, they are all listed in the back of Model Railroader so you can get the addresses there and do a Mapquest search on how to get there. If you happen to go to Kennesaw, mention that Richard Turney recommended the shop. Enjoy your visits to Atlanta.
Thanks! I'm driving from South FL... I'll have my GPS nav system so hopefully I won't get lost. It will be the first time I've been through that part of the country. It should be a nice change of pace from down here. I would imagine that model railroading in GA is more popular than it is down here.
Yeah, I have missed my last few chances to get out to the club. I hope to poke my head in this Tuesday. Surely after the holiday weekend you'll see me.
If you have the time! In Kennesaw, GA, you will find the Kennesaw Trains right across the CSX Mainline from the Kennesaw Train Museum. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Museum and is the actual resting place for the famous 4-4-0 Civil War locomotive the "General". So, if you happen to be able to visit the Kennesaw Trains store, you can hop across the tracks to see a piece of locomotive history too. Now, if you make it to Kennesaw, and you still have an hour or so to burn, drive back to IH-75 and turn North on IH-575, turn right at exit 19. At the stop sign turn left. Drive about 1 to 1.5 miles till you see a gas station ahead on the right. There is a road and a very small strip mall immediately to your right. In suite #300 is the Rio Grande Hobby Store (www.4nscale.com). If you go the gas station, you have gone too far. Kennesaw Trains has a variety of old and new model railroad items, most in N and HO scales. Lots of goodies to be found in there. 2844 S. Main St, Kennesaw, GA 30144. 866-522-9365 Tues-Sat 10am-7pm. Rio Grande Hobbies just moved into Suite #300 and if I recall, have yet to put up a sign designating their existence. But they are open for business. 127 Big Oak Dr #300, Canton, GA 30115. 770-345-4336 Mon-Fri 11am-5pm. Kennesaw Trains has N, HO, O, S, and Lionel O-27 scales Rio Grande Hobbies has N and some Z scale. Being that Rio Grande Hobbies is mainly an online model railroad store, you'll find their store is arranged slightly different than a normal hobby store. Lots of N scale stock! It is unfortunate that you will be staying on the SE side of Atlanta for as you will probably not have the time to visit either of the stores I mentioned above, but there is still hope! The distance is great, but the satisfaction of model Trains is Greater!!!!! Hobo Tim
Was there in October, Rio Grande and Trainmaster are both definately worth it. RioGrande can be a bit decieving to find, your GPS should help you. They are in a small strip, green if I remember right. Next to a gas station. If you want a good place to railfan, I suggest Marietta Square, in Marietta. Can watch plenty of trains, from public land, nice old depot, pleanty of places to eat and shops to "distract" the wife. Brad
Actually... I like the idea of going to the Kennesaw Train Museum! I can take the grandson there and sneak over those hobby stores too! Sightseeing and model train shopping sounds like a good combination to me.
Hi Joe, After you have seen the "General" at the Kennesaw Museum you may want to see the "Texas" loco that chased and captured the stolen General. The Texas is located in the basement of the Cyclorama museum in southest Atlanta. Here is a list of displayed steam locos in Georgia that includes the Texas: http://railga.com/ondislist.html Also a description of the Cyclorama: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Cyclorama Ben
Another railroad related site to see is the Southeastern Railway Museum, up in Duluth. The NS (former Southern) mainline runs right by it, so it isn't a bad spot for railfanning. Also Trainmaster Models is right across the street. Cheers, Ben
Got to remember to take the camera! These are all within 100 mile radius from my daughters house and definately something to look forward to seeing. Thanks again!
Counting up all the great replies, I assume you will be in the area for at least two weeks, or should be if you take all suggestions.....:thumbs_up: :teeth:
Well... I'll be leaving tonight... actually Tuesday morning at 3:00 am. Will leave Atlanta area next week on a Monday afternoon. I think that there will be enough time to go to a couple of different places... in fact I might want to take a trip to the Chattanooga Choo Choo since it's only about 200 miles north of Atlanta. That one might be a stretch though.
Actually only about 100 miles, and well worth the trip. A drive to the top of Lookout Mountain and you can see the city below. Or ride the incline railway to the top. Was a favorite of my children when young. Have fun!! Ben
As I remember from 19 years ago, the HO model empire in the second floor of the old Chattanooga station was fantastic. I hope it's still there.
If you are going to Chattanooga, by all means ride the Tennessee Valley Railroad (museum). Not only is this a steam train, but it crosses a high bridge and goes though a tunnel. Loads of antique railroad equipment at either end as well, much where it can be photographed. Not much of interest at the Choo Choo unless you stay there. I did two years ago.
