USA stock - best places to get it

[Alex3410]

Hey guys,

my brother is expressing an interest in model railways but more of the USA stuff

the trouble is i don't have a clue about the best places to get it and was wondering if any of you have more experience of it and can help out with some suggestions?

[Dragonfly]

Give Topp Trains of Stafford (link - phone number's on there) a call. They've had a lot of HO American stock in for years.

Frizinghall Models near Bradford (link) always used to have a good selection in, and at very good prices too. I am, however, going back about five years though, and having a look on their website now it doesn't look like they stock anywhere near the range they used to. May be worth giving them a call too though?

There are a couple of exhibition traders who specialise in US & Continental stock, but unfortunately I won't see them again until April/May at Derby show (Derby always has a higher than average proportion of US & Continental layouts etc). If I remember the names, though, I'll let you know.

[Mountain]

Why not ask Chops? Also Kittle Hobby used to speacialize in H0 so it is worth a try to see if they still do.

[TimberSurf]

It occasionally comes up at shows, a trader at Alsager model railway show today had a huge box full of box vans!

[Dragonfly]

It occasionally comes up at shows, a trader at Alsager model railway show today had a huge box full of box vans!

That's Topp Trains

Also, Osborne's Models (link) appear to have a section of it.

EDIT: And Rails of Sheffield (link) have some new boxcars in at £15, and generally have a few American things in.

[michaelasc]

Try https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/

They're in the USA but you'll find their prices lower than in UK and therefore compensating for any shipping and taxes

[Alex3410]

Thanks guys, i knew i could rely on you to have some suggestions

[luckymucklebackit]

Another suggestion is Mac's Model Railways, in the unlikely location of Kirriemuir. Trying to see if they have a website but coming up with only a Facebook Page, always were Scotland's main source of US outline models

Jim

[Forfarian]

Another suggestion is Mac's Model Railways, in the unlikely location of Kirriemuir. Trying to see if they have a website but coming up with only a Facebook Page, always were Scotland's main source of US outline models

Jim

I was in the shop last week and he has loads of HO stock.

[luckymucklebackit]

Another suggestion is Mac's Model Railways, in the unlikely location of Kirriemuir. Trying to see if they have a website but coming up with only a Facebook Page, always were Scotland's main source of US outline models

Jim

I was in the shop last week and he has loads of HO stock.

Were you on your way to the ball

[Bigmet]

In a little Cornish town with a preserved railway, there is a particularly wonderful specialist stockist. I only know this because a friend in West Devon is mad for US HO, and goes there regular like, has nothing but praise for the proprieter. Bodmin, Cornwall. Look it up on the UK model shops site:

http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/counties/modelShops

[b308]

Contikits for secondhand.

http://www.contikits.com/stock.html

[Allegheny1600]

Another vote here for Contikits and also for Anoraks Anonymous, the lady there is very helpful and has really good prices.

Finally, as a newish shop in the UK, there is Mech Models: https://mech-models.com/
Not actually tried these myself but they have good reviews and seem reasonable.

My own first port of call is Trainworld Brooklyn, NY however, their prices are so good it's worth the shipping and customs charges. Maybe after the 'B' word happens on 31 Jan, import duties may drop? Who knows? https://www.trainworld.com/
Good luck!
John.

[Puffingbill]

Even more important than supply is what to buy, tell him to stick to Atlas, Kato, Walthers models but steer clear of American Bachmann, I have been modelling US layouts for over 13 years and learned the hard way Bachmann was and still is junk.

[sparkhill]

Ok on the Bachmann American locos Puffingbill I also had my fingers burned with both HO and N scale stuff, their quality control is a disgrace, I guess you only get what you pay for though, just about every other brand of US models are great.