Soundtraxx was storefront only. USA Trains, Phoenix Sound, several that demanded a photo of your storefront (and the morons never did figure out how PhotoShop worked). I am grandfathered since I've been doing it for over 20 years, but some of them have such a severe case of cranial-rectal inversion I don't even bother any more.
I'm very familiar with that source, going back so very long, long ago. I'm trying to think of how many years that has existed! And that was back east. Out west we had Lee Elder with his N Gauge Exchange. Those two were the origins of dedicated N scale mail discounters, and along with NTrak were a huge boost to making N what it is now.
Pete's site indicates a founding year of 1979. Back in the very early '80s I was travelling through NYC and stopped in at an open house being held by an N-scale club just across the Hudson river in Englewood, NJ. I purchased one of the special run club cars made by Kadee that they were selling. The box label identified the car as being #BLW-XX. I asked around as to what the 'BLW' signified and a fellow named Bryan Bussey produced a notebook binder containing his copies of the BLW newsletters. That was my introduction to the existence of Pete's business. I also joined N-Trak at about the same time.
Denver is expensive. Caboose hobbies is just south of a strip that has been up and coming for several years. I live nearby and have watched it go from scary bad to pleasant to a place that is over run with hipsters. Denver city government is basically run by developers and their friends; I expect the property will be sold and the building will be torn down to create even more commercial space with apartments upstairs.
I know EXACTLY who your speaking of. I don't see them around for much longer and I myself have become an online retailer and am becoming the next competition for them. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
They should merge with a dispensary and call the new store..... The Joint Line. You're welcome. Paul R
They might not want to change their name in whatever form they take; since it will be a strain enough just changing locations. The name change might just cost them the business.. Moving a business cost you business as I discovered being a Barber for many years. Any move cost you a portion of your built up business. And I didn't even try it during this business climate; which I would presume would be even more difficult
The hobby is dying and so are the suppliers of it .... Same old same old. lesser and lesser (younger) people today get the railroad bug that they'd have when steam roamed the rails... Nothing meant against diesel power. I love my L&N RS 3, RDC, and S4.. .. There are less and less hobbyists who need less and less Caboose or any other model train suppliers' parts.. Engines and rolling stock come so detailed, well geared, motorized , couplered, painted/lettered today that even the old term 'super detailed' or 'super detailing kit' is a near forgotten offer compared to say, 1956.. I know I'm not saying anything most you already know anyway. Did someone say Floquil ? !
As its been a while, the store officially closed on Sept 11. Just got an email notice, that says they have exciting news announcement coming soon! Sounds like somethings up. Sounds like this could be very interesting!
Guessing and yes that would come under speculating. There may be a new owner, new business name and a new location brewing in the works. Now, like the rest of you I'm just going to sit back and watch what happens.
Jeezz, I thought I was the only dinosaur that remembered the N Gauge Exchange and his flyers every month. I bought alot of my stuff from Lee when I started out in N. Geed guy for the hobby.
I agree. I grew up in Chicago and fondly recall the downtown train shops within easy walking distance of the Loop, such as All Nation and Hobby Service & Supply. I visited Chicago with my family a few years ago and none remain downtown. Thankfully some shops remain, but none in walking distance and I was saddened to be unable to reclaim some happy memories of my youth. Heck, even my favorite book stores were gone.
I was at Caboose Hobbies on Friday, September 9th. They said Sunday would be their last day and everything was priced at 50% off the lowest price on the item. It was pretty empty but I did find a couple of brand new Life-Like FA/B shells, in original boxes (must have stolen the chassis), in Great Northern road name. Because I have 11 of them already, several road names, I purchased them as spares. A couple of other odd items but there really wasn't too much left. Even though I only saw it emptied out, it was evident that the place was once quite an operation. Does that make my receipt a high value collector's item?!
It's definitely history of a dying legacy within our hobby. So I would have to say that it's worth something. If nothing else it sure should to you.
