Folks, When Billy (BTS) introduced his new products here the other day,
I checked out his web site for the first time in awhile. I was
surprised by the sheer number of smaller stations he offers. If you add
the additional stations from other suppliers i. e. Banta, the old
PBL/Foothill, S scenery, Rags to Riches and a few other folks, I bet we
have as many as the major scales. The only downside to this is we
really don't have a larger "big city station" except for the
Plasticville or the old AF one; but that might come along too. I'm also
overwhelmed with the number of small business and the Pine Canyon alley
industrial buildings--I love building structures but I'm out of room!
It's also good to see a series of modern (60's and up) freight cars. As
I might have mentioned I run 45' through 59' on my layout, but generally
run more modern stuff on our modules so I'm interested in "all flavors
in all times". Although my budget has shrunk along with the economy and
the price increases, I hope I can find some spare cash.
We've just had a recent local discussion about the situation of
hobby/train shops here in Houston. Two months ago we had five stores
that were at least 50% trains--two rather well known. We lost one
(Houston Roundhouse) about a month ago--a combination of increased rent
and the owner's wife's health. He has left the area for Colorado. On
Monday, I went to the closest shop to my office (Papa Ben's Train Place)
to pick up a couple of things and discovered some bare shelves. The
store was started a few years ago by Ben Pearlman who was well known in
the NMRA national for many years. He had major health problems and
died, but the business was carried on by his brother and seemed to be
doing okay. I found out yesterday that again the building has been sold
and the manager is battling cancer, so it will be closed for the time
being. Next I get word from a friend that the oldest HS in Houston (G &
G) had there roof collapse and is now closed also. It's very possible
the building cannot be repaired economically due to it's age and the
land is worth a ton in a upscale shopping area. This leaves two shops
that are about 40-50 miles from the center of the city that really don't
handle any S or much scratch building supplies anyhow.
This reminds me of my youth, in my home town there were two hardware
stores but no such thing as small drill bits, small paint brushes or
solder. The nearest HS was about 70+ miles and didn't carry much
either. It was BranchLine, Kinsman and The Hobby Shop (St. Albans, Vt)
that kept me supplied with things about two weeks after I needed it. I
guess we're going back to the old days! Interesting times--something
about the best of times and the worst of times!
Bob Werre
BobWphoto.com
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