Hornby Train Set

The Top 10 Model Train Shops in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan

Author: Larry Truett

There are fantastic model railroading hobby shops all across the United States.  These stores all look like a lot of fun to visit, but what are the most popular?   Here is a list for the great states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are:

10. Steve's Train City in Hopkins, Minnesota

9. Scale Model Supplies in Saint Paul, Minnesota

8. Only Trains in Buffalo, Minnesota

7. Just For Fun Hobbies and Comics in Lansing, Michigan

6. Brasseur Electric Trains in Saginaw, Michigan

5. Sommerfeld's Trains and Hobbies in Butler, Wisconsin

4. Hobby World USA in Brighton, Michigan

3. Rider's Hobby Shop in Flint, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan

2. Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan

...and the most popular shop for model trains in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan is...

1. Hub Hobby in Richfield, Minnesota and Little Canada, Minnesota

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Wild Bill's Trains in Clinton Township, Michigan; A and E Railroad in Thief River Falls, Minnesota; Becker's Model Railroad Supply in New Brighton, Minnesota; Carrs Hobby in Duluth, Minnesota; Flotsam and Jetsam Books and Model Trains in Cook, Minnesota; Hobby Hut in Moorhead, Minnesota; Three Rail Trains in Coon Rapids, Minnesota; Hiawatha Hobbies in Waukesha, Wisconsin; and RCSLOT in Franklin, Wisconsin.

So, there are clearly many great model railroading shops all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, with all three states having stores in the top five.  Michigan had the most with five in the top ten, but Minnesota had four - and also had the number one spot.

When in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan be sure to visit some of the excellent railroading museums including Durand Union Station in Durand, Michigan; Michigan Transit Museum in Mount Clemens, Michigan; End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum in Currie, Minnesota; Gopher State Railway Museum in Shakopee, Minnesota; Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota; Minnesota Transportation Museum in Saint Paul, Minnesota; Old Depot Railroad Museum in Dassel, Minnesota; Twin City Model Railroad Museum in Saint Paul, Minnesota; East Troy Electric Railroad Museum in East Troy, Wisconsin; Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum in Fennimore, Wisconsin; Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society in North Freedom, Wisconsin; National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online.  I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading. See a complete list of Model Train Shops in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, at www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com which has complete contact information for each shop including an address, phone number, and map to the store.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/the-top-10-model-train-shops-in-minnesota-wisconsin-and-michigan-1609814.html

About the Author

Larry Truett is a freelance PHP and MySQL programmer living in the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego with his wife and their 3 cats. He enjoys hiking, reading, gardening, watching too much television, and other nerdy activites.

Pentrex - Union Pacific Big Boy Collection List Price: $39.95

The biggest, the strongest, the grandest American steam locomotive. Only 25 were built and now - for the first time - Pentrex shares ALL 25 of the Big Boys in action in the most incredible display of steam power ever! A recently discovered film collection of professionally photographed 35mm movie film from 1953, combined with material from the Pentrex archives, makes this new production the ultimate tribute to the Big Boy! Pentrex is proud to bring you each one of the 25 Big Boy locomotives - numbered 4000 to 4024 - in one thrilling display...

	Proto 2000 Heritage Series Steam USRA Heavy 2-10-2 Powered; Standard DC - Erie #4224 - Southern Valve Gear List Price: $399.99

	LARGE HO / RR Scale Train Hot wheels Display Case Cabinet Shadow Box-Mahogany Finish (HW05B-MA) List Price: $139.95
	Beautifully constructed display case HO, N, and Z scale trains and hot wheels. Such and elegant way to showcase your collection. 6 wooden shelves with 38" long each for trains and cars. Felt matted background to create an elegant display...

	Lionel New York Central Freight Set 0-8-0 List Price: $299.00
	The New York Central Flyer barrels down the mainline with a powerful 0-8-0 steam locomotive leading the way. Equipped with an upgraded drive rod assembly, electronic steam whistle, and puffing smoke, the 0-8-0 is ready for realistic action...

	Life-Like Trains HO Scale Rail Master Electric Train Set List Price: $79.99
	This HO-gauge train set includes a bright-yellow Union Pacific diesel locomotive, two freight cars, a caboose, and a 45-by-36-inch oval track that's more than enough to get the train up to top speed...

MRC Throttlepack AC 1301 List Price: $97.99

== Key Features == / / * Special sine-wave output circuitry provides plenty of controlled power / * Separate, UL Listed power supply keeps the THROTTLEPACK AC footprint small / * Whistle/horn & bell buttons included / * Special "Booster" button for added power when needed / * Precise, slow-speed throttle control for realistic performance / * Direction button / / == Overview == / / The THROTTLEPACK AC features advanced sine-wave circuitry so onboard locomotive sounds will function no matter what the brand...

	MRC Prodigy Express List Price: $149.99
	MRC's Prodigy Express breaks fresh ground in DCC. If you're a modeler running solo, chances are you won't need the multitude of features Prodigy Advance has to offer. That's why we created Prodigy Express...

	PIKO G Scale Rio Grande Water Tower Kit List Price: $151.99
	MANUFACTURED IN GERMANY BY PIKO.