Best N scale in Portland, OR?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I'm here in the kingdom of Portlandia. A mystical place of GS-4s and sexually explicit donuts. Anyone know of any really well stocked hobby shops? Looking for N scale of course.

[nkalanaga]

The Hobby Smith (Lowell Smith) was good the last time I was there.  Of course, that was 20 years ago!  It's not in downtown Portland, rather out on the eastern edge, but fairly close to the light rail line and I-84. 

1809 NE 39th Ave.  (Cesar Chavez Blvd. )
Portland, OR 97212
503.284.1912 [T]
503.284.2920 [F]

Google Maps labels the store, but how you'd get there FROM the Interstate I don't know.  There seem to be interchanges handy, but the last time I was in Portland my experience was that I'd have been better off without the rental car.  Nice people, and a nice town, but the worst DRIVERS I've ever dealt with.  As an example, I was stopped at a traffic light, trying to cross a four lane one way street.  Light turned green, the person behind me immediately laid on his horn.  The fact that there were four lanes of stopped traffic, including a stretch limo directly in front of me, didn't seem to matter.  The light was green, I should be moving!

The bus and light rail passengers, on the other hand, were all friendly and courteous, regardless of age, gender, race, or appearance.

[Philip H]

Lee was out there a couple of years ago and did a whole travelogue thread somewhere here.

[nickelplate759]

The Hobby Smith is indeed a fine shop for N scale (other scales too).  Its current proprietor is Ron Maize.

Getting there from I84 is tricky (I live in Portland and I regularly screw that up) - but if you get on East Broadway, heading east, when you get to Cesar Chavez you HAVE to turn left, and Hobbysmith is in the shopping plaza on your left half a block up.

Their web site is http://www.hobbysmith.com/

George

[delamaize]

the hobby smith is the place to be! was just there last month, lots-o-N scale.

[Hamaker]

Tammies Hobbies out in Beaverton.  It's been about three years since I was there. At that time they had plenty of N scale

[mmagliaro]

I'm here now, and yes, Hobbysmith is still very very good for N.
Tammies Hobbies in Beaverton surprised me.  They had a lot of train stuff and a lot of N.  I've only ventured out there once.
In fact, they even had some Atlas code 55 track on the shelf when everyone was desperate to find it. (it's not there anymore)

[Hamaker]

In addition to Tammies extensive N scale stock, there used to be an ORIGINAL mid 60s Mini Cooper in full race trim which was always parked around the corner. What I wouldn't give to have that Mini !!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I stopped by Hobby Smith. Nice selection of n scale and a friendly staff. There is definitely a western bias in product carried but I suppose that should be a given. I picked up a few freight cars.

Wish I could visit the other shop as I am actually starting in Beaverton, but I think three train related side tryouts would be too much for Joy.

[nkalanaga]

I know nothing about Tammies Hobbies, but with a name like that, they should have a variety of stuff.  Does Joy have a hobby shop related hobby?  If so, she might enjoy the stop as much as you do.

[160pennsy]

I'm here in the kingdom of Portlandia. A mystical place of GS-4s and sexually explicit donuts. Anyone know of any really well stocked hobby shops? Looking for N scale of course.

Republic Locomotive Works..its an hour & 15 minutes away but worth the trip. Call ahead if you're planning to stop in.

[JoeD]

We are only a short 5 hour drive south if you want to be knee deep in N scale 

Joe
MTL