New Orleans or Tampa: LHS / clubs recommendation?

[atsf_arizona]

Hi, all,

I'm on a couple of business trips the next two weeks, in New Orleans 2/5-9, and then Tampa, Florida 2/14-16.

Any recommendations on local hobby shop or model railroad clubs to visit?

Thx.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Tampa: H&R Trains and if it's still around, Chester Holley's. They also recently activated a streetcar line, but I'm sure the locals can help with more info.

http://www.hrtrains.com/

Actually, it looks like Chester's is gone for good: http://www.suncoastmrrc.com/areashops.htm What a shame.

[RockGp40]

When in Louisiana, visit Mike's Train Shop in Kenner @ 2000 Williams Blvd (70062), not too far as I recall from New Orleans. Its rather close to the airport. I was there last in 2002 so I don't know how affected they were from Katrina. I also am unaware of an URL for them. I googled with no success, but a lot of referrals for the shop.

Brian

[atsf_arizona]

Ed, thx for the links, looks like there is a fair amount of activity in the Tampa FL area.   

[3rdrail]

John,, there's no great hobby shop in Tampa since Chester Holley died. H&R Trains is on the other side of the bay North of St. Pete. Large selection of ready to run, very little in parts, kits, etc. The TECO trolley is definitely worth the ride. Take it out to Ybor City and have lunch or dinner at the Columbia Restaurant. It is a Spanish-Cuban restaurant that has been in business in that building for 101 years and about a block and a half from the end of the line. We mail order seasoning and salad dressing from them.

As to New Orleans, I used to patronize Hub Hobby Shop on Broad, but have no idea how it fared with Katrina.

[Weedline]

Warning: Stay clear of H & R trains
In Tampa do not waste your time going to H & R Trains.  There is nothing of any interest for the N scale modeler.  Selection is pitiful unless  Bachmann and MTL qualify for a good selection of MSRP rolling stock.   Atlas isn't represented anymore. You get the idea on inventory. Bachmann is big in the crap selection
The counter help are nice looking young German Ladies, and a couple of high school gals  but they could do the same thing at a local drug store with the same results.  The Lady who orders inventory has no idea .

[atsf_arizona]

Hi, all,

Just got back from New Orleans.

Kenner Train Shop, 2000 20th St, Kenner, LA - was well worth the visit, especially for me as an N scaler.  Tons of hard to find Micro-Trains and also Life Like locos.   I highly recommend a visit, you'll enjoy the treasure hunting - note they are only open Fri and Sat, 10-6 each day.

Mike's Train Shop, literally 100 yards away at the intersection of 20th St and Williams Blvd in Kenner, is back in business.  His N scale, unfortunately, is very small.  But good to seem him also back in business after Katrina.

I was told that Hub Hobby has re-opened at a new location on Airline Highway - however, I'm told mainly they are military models now.

I'll file a Tampa LHS/model RR club report after my visit there next week.