Are any good hobby shops in the Lakeland, Tampa or Orlando area of Florida? I am planning a trip to the area next week and would like to stop by any recommended shops in that area. I am looking for N scale, so if you know of any please post as much info as you can. Thanks
Colonial Photo and Hobby in Orlando usually has a pretty good selection, including older items behind the counter. Definitely worth a visit. There was a small shop in Winter Park also. Dan's Trains in Ocala has N scale, but I've never stopped in. There's also a pretty good shop (Gulf Coast Hobby) in Sarasota. In my opinion, H&R Trains (north of St. Pete) is not worth the trip and the Happy Hobo in Tampa has NO N scale. (Actually, it closed recently.) Outside of that, I'm not aware of anyone with decent N scale stock. I don't live in the area anymore, so it's possible there's something new. Ben Upstate New York
I wasn't planning on going to Sarasota but I think after the comments we will make the trip and check out Gulf Coast Hobby. Also going to check out Colonial Photo and Hobby, looks like we got to go almost right by on rt. 4. Sounds like that one is a must see as well. Sounds like the Tampa area so far is a no go, unless some one knows of something else. Oh yes, thank you Ben and John for your help.
I would also like to add Trains of Ocala if you decide to head that way. Don't know the address but if you are driving through town on US 441, you turn at the street with the big camera next to it, then about 4 short blocks on the left is the store. If you are to be there during the August 6th weekend, one of the national traveling train shows will be at the Central Florida Fairground near downtown Orlando and just down the street from CP&H. The auto run between the Fairgrounds to CP&H, then the store in Winter Park that used to be call the Train Depot (but is now something else). Depending on traffic, all are within 5 imnutes of I-4 and Colonial Drive/St Rt 50 exchange. Other railroad activities in the area include CSX train-watching at the AMTRAK depot/park in downtown Winter Park and 1:1 scale trains rides in Mt Dora (northeast on US 441) and the FCEN home office/yard in Zellwood (also US 441). Modeling activities can include Orlando N-TRAK on the east side of Orlando at their clubhouse on Wednesday, Suncoast Model Railroad Club in Largo on Tuesday, or the Sarasota Model Railroad Club. All have n-scale but I'm not sure if they are all dcc. All used to allow you to opperate if you bring a (short) train. I also know of a train club with n-scale in Ocala, but no details. Wayne Birmingham AL who spent 20 years of his life in the Orlando area.
Well, I'm here. And I made a trip to Trains of Ocala today, only to find the dang place closed. Nice of them to say on the door they are closed Sunday and Monday! Looked like they had some nice stuff but no one was there to sell it. I even checked the store hours on the web site before going. This was no just around the block trip either. We made the drive from Lakeland all the way to just be let down big time. Maybe the just didn't want my money today. Oh well they loose today. I will go to some other shop and spend some green.
