N Scale in Chicago???

[ihmsakiwi]

Hi Guys,

Coming over to the USA / Chicago in May and have put aside a day to visit one / some hobby shops that I would ask some recommendations on in the area?

Just starting out in N scale and are at the stage of playing around with Kato track pieces on my L-shaped layout but nothing yet fixed down.

I'm needing some more turn-outs and maybe a cross-over or two.
Also looking for a DCC capable loco as currently only have a DC shunter and think I will wire up as DCC. I may go DC and get the DCC retro fit later. Depends on what I find as I am limited in funding at the moment.

Thanks in anticipation.

Peter

[ihmsakiwi]

I suppose the other way is to check out on-line stores and get items sent on to the hotel i'm staing in in Chcago.
I have done this plenty of times with hunting gear in the past.

Please advise where best to look in the uS for N Scale on-line items please.

Peter

[Stu]

I just did a Google search and found a Yelp review: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_des...=Chicago%2C+IL

There may be other hits on a search in that regard.

Good luck & have a safe journey.

[ihmsakiwi]

Thanks Stu.
Bugger me, I've only used YELP for restaurants!! Who would have thunked it?

[northmill]

Lombard Hobby is on of the main stores I order from. It is in Lombard, Illinois, in the Chicago suburbs. They regularly have the best price for what I am looking for (e.g. Kato turnouts, micro trains couplers, rolling stock). I would love to visit that store. They multiple road numbers of the railroad I am modeling, NC&StL! 2-day shipping to my location and fruit snacks in every box! Very happy with that store.

[ihmsakiwi]

Thanks Northmill. I google them now.

[MetroRedLn]

Lombard Hobbies is the place to be in Chicagoland. If you're a tourist then you can easily ride the Metra Union Pacific West commuter rail line to the Lombard station and just walk a few blocks to the store!

[ihmsakiwi]

Even better. Thank you.

[ChicagoNW]

One of the best stores is very close to your arrival place of O’Hare Airport. Des Plaines Hobby has an incredible selection of stuff and an excellent staff. https://www.desplaineshobbies.com/store/ They have a great collection of new and used publications.

Another store I always enjoyed is Chicagoland Hobbies https://chicagoland-hobby.shoplightspeed.com/ a pretty good selection.

While not directly a hobby shop not far from Chicagoland Toy & Hobby is American Science & Surplus. https://www.sciplus.com/ It’s chock full of stuff! All kinds of STUFFF! Sure it has lots of tools for modeling, but if you are into animation on the layout, they have plenty of motors, magnets, pulleys, belts, lenses, LEDs and mechanical thingys. Bring your imagination and you’ll find all kinds of ways to add life to the layout. The website is just a preview. They have lots of things that are too few to list.

Another not a hobby shop but you should check out the standard by which all little Chicagoans learn how great a model railroad can be. https://www.msichicago.org/explore/w...t-train-story/ While the original Q/O scale layout many of us grew up with is gone, this HO version is better detailed and more comprehensive. Plus it can be seen from an airliner! The museum is worthy of a full day of exploration with exhibits covering a multitude of subjects. Take a ride on the Mine Train and take a look into the basement, where they keep the original CB&Q Zephyr (Silver Streak). Oh yeah, they have that submarine down there too.

To see how extensive railroading integrates into the city. Check out the view from Sears Tower! https://theskydeck.com/

While the Harvey Girls no longer serve your meal check out historical Dearborn Station http://www.dearbornstation.com/ to shop and grab a bite to eat

[ihmsakiwi]

Wow, plenty to plan then. Thanks so much for such a comprehensive reply. much appreciated.

[ChicagoNW]

That Yelp list is not up to date. The Golden Spike has been closed for years.

[astrotrain64]

Just saw this - or I would have replied days ago. All the advice has been good. DesPlaines Hobbies, Lombard Hobbies are worth the trip if you have the time and vehicle. Grayland Station in Chicago and America's Best Hobbies in Itasca are two others. While they have an nice N-scale collection, both are not well organized so you should be prepared to hunt and search boxes. Many shops have closed - LaGrange Hobby, Timberline Trains, Golden Spike to name just a few. So call the shop to insure it is open.

Here's a list from Fox Valley Division NMRA

Hobby Shops

[spiralcity]

Ron's Hobbies in Mundelein. I buy my sculptamold there.

RON’S MUNDELEIN HOBBIES - 431 N Lake St, Mundelein, IL - Yelp

We also have a few Blicks Art Supplies in the area, not a hobby shop but loaded with useful supplies for any hobbyist.
Art Supplies | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)