Houston Area Hobby Shops

[jetdriver]

Mornin' folks,

sorry for the boring thread but after doing research online for local hobby shops and losing a $50 credit when one of our shops shut down without notice I'm stuck without a reliable shop.

As Houston is so spread out and driving to each shop could take days I was hoping to gleam a recommendation or two from the local experts on shops in the Houston area. I've been calling around as well but I'd love to find a place with some history and maybe a mom and pop type place to support!

thanks guys (and gals) in advance for any info. Looking currently for shops that sell Atlas flex track. I'm located on the WNW side around 290/beltway 8 interchange.

Take care and have a great weekend-
Jetdriver-

[JazzDad]

Although I haven't lived in Houston for 6 years, I always went to the Bellaire Roundhouse when I needed something other than simple, off-the-shelf items. There was another shop in the Villages, but I can't recall their name.

Anywho, they may both be out of business by now.

[RexHea]

I have ordered from this shop going by the recommendation of a friend in Beaumont:
http://www.papabens.com/

[kenw]

Spring Crossing is just whoyou need. Find them on Spring-Cypress at IH45, east of IH45 and north of Spring-Cypress (or Main as it is known on that side of 45). They're in the shopping center just behind the bank. "TRAINS" above the door is your only other clue. Haven't been by in awhile but they always had or would get whatever I needed.

btw, I'm near Louetta Rd and Grant, not too far from you...

[jetdriver]

Appreciate the info folks! Ken thanks for the directions to Spring Crossing. Haven't heard of that one yet. I'll check it out for sure.

Yea Louetta and Grant isn't far at all. Small world huh!

I'm gonna take a ride tomorrow and check out G and G Models, Papa Ben's, and head up to Spring Crossing as well. Thanks for the info!

[bigB]

Went to Papa Ben's Train Shop today in Houston as I am stuck here for two days waiting for Hurricane Sandy to clear out.

It is a nice shop, completely dedicated to model trains. While they stock all scales Z thru G, they definitely specialize in N. Very big selection of N.

One downer is that virtually everything in the store is sold at full MRSP. Also, many of the consignment items were very expensive for what they were.

[Davidfd85]

I went to both Pa Pa Ben's and G and G back in the spring I liked both of them. Pa Pa Bens is a bit hard to find parking around, narrow street. But the gentlemen that were in there were awsome at answering questions and giving advice to a new guy in the hobby.They are not that far apart you could hit both with shopping and looking around in just a couple of hours.

[bigB]

Originally Posted by Davidfd85

I went to both Pa Pa Ben's and G and G back in the spring I liked both of them. Pa Pa Bens is a bit hard to find parking around, narrow street. But the gentlemen that were in there were awsome at answering questions and giving advice to a new guy in the hobby.They are not that far apart you could hit both with shopping and looking around in just a couple of hours.

Im on foot and walked from my hotel. I almost went on down to G&G as their website looked like they had much more HO items.

Did you find that G&G had more HO?

Thanks

[bigB]

Ok, went to G&G Model Shop today. I had a good time.

A very nice store and a decent website! Good mix of N/HO/O Scales and scenery products at competitive prices. They also have an impressive amount of new Athearn Bluebox locomotives and cars. Also good selection of paints. Most importantly, the staff is very friendly and helpful. I can verify that virtually every piece of their in stock rolling stock is on their website. The staff clearly worked very hard on it. Very organized store. I was impressed.

From now til Christmas, they have a special promotion where they provide free shipping for orders over $35. Free USPS 1st class under 20 oz, then free priority shipping over that weight or bulky items. Also for the remainder of October, they are giving 10% of internet sales to Breast Cancer/ACS.

Check it out...www.gandgmodelshop.com