N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: lionwing on September 15, 2013, 09:32:44 AM

Title: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: lionwing on September 15, 2013, 09:32:44 AM
As part the last family holiday of the year we will all be spending the weekend in the Blackpool / Fleetwood area towards the end of the month.

As part of "Dad's" plan for the weekend there will be a visit to a railway model shop however I lack the local knowledge  of which one to visit and oddly google isn't turning much up other than a generic "toy shop".

So if anyone know's a of a decent shop in the area could they point me in the right direction please?

Thank you.

Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: Sprintex on September 15, 2013, 10:06:21 AM
Maybe there isn't one? Model shops are few and far between these days! :no:


Paul
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: Leo1961 on September 15, 2013, 10:44:20 AM
Try one or more of these  :thumbsup:

http://www.going-loco.co.uk/ (http://www.going-loco.co.uk/)

http://www.topslotsntrains.com/topslotsntrains/trains.asp (http://www.topslotsntrains.com/topslotsntrains/trains.asp)

http://www.themodelexchange.co.uk/ (http://www.themodelexchange.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: spurno on September 15, 2013, 01:35:03 PM
I've just ordered something online from going loco and the service was superb.Would be nice to know what you think of the shop.Usual disclaimer,nothing to do with them other than as a satisfied customer.
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: Graham Boak on September 15, 2013, 02:46:59 PM
Also Tower Models?  There is also an excellent model shop in Preston, Transport Models, if you can extend your travel that far.
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: lionwing on September 15, 2013, 06:59:27 PM
Thanks for the pointers!

All noted with at least a visit to one planned for the Saturday!
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: AC on September 15, 2013, 08:26:59 PM
Despite the name, Toys 2 Save at Cleveleys do alot of models and not so many toys. Mostly OO stuff usually, but the last time I was there (May time I think it would have been), they'd got some N gauge in a cabinet.

Here's the link to their website, but it isn't much more than an advert (no online store at the moment) http://www.toys2save.com/ (http://www.toys2save.com/)
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: moogle on September 15, 2013, 09:22:58 PM
Well I lived in Blackpool for a year and your best bet is Going Loco in St Annes.
Its a small shop but has a good selection of goodies, including a few secondhand bits.

There was also Red Bank Models in Central Drive but they didn't do a lot of railway stuff.
Great for R/C though.

Tower Models don't do any N gauge.
In fact they mainly do their r-t-r brass O gauge stuff and thats about it!

Toys to Save, not much N as already said but they are thankfully in Cleveleys now and not by that pink windmill in the middle of nowhere anymore.

There was a 2nd hand model shop along Central Drive too, that might be Model Exchange, can't remember.
And of course there's now the Tram Shop on North Pier!
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: Farmer chap on September 15, 2013, 09:53:28 PM
Transport models in Preston , good for n gauge and easy parking,

Ian.
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: PLD on September 15, 2013, 10:55:49 PM
While you are there, you may also like to visit Brooks Collectables on Waterloo Road, not so much for buying - they mostly stock diecast and have very little railway in any scale, but the museum upstairs is worth a visit and has some railways among other toys, models and games...


My knowledge of those mentioned above:

Tower Models - Not the best reputation for Customer service and freindliness.

Toys-2-Save - done expect 'to save' much... A smart and well stocked shop but top dollar pricing. Do have a small selection of Farish and Continental N and sometimes have some second hand (last time I was there they had a Farish Poole 101 DMU marked up at the same price as a brand-new new model version from Hattons!)

Going Loco - not visited the shop but seen and bought from them at exhibitions - reasonable pricing from what I recall.

Top-Slots - I thought was primarily a wholesaler? very limited opening times given on their website...
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: Newportnobby on September 15, 2013, 11:49:41 PM
If you have a squint at the forum calendar you'll also see there are exhibitions on in the area but, beware, you may encounter me at them :angel:
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: AndyGif on September 16, 2013, 10:00:18 AM
Quote from: PLD on September 15, 2013, 10:55:49 PM

Tower Models - Not the best reputation for Customer service and freindliness.



had the misfortune to bother to find this place whilst on holiday in 2007.
Had no N that I could see  mainly OO and up.
Its fair trek off from the seafront.
:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: Newportnobby on September 16, 2013, 10:21:21 AM
If you visit Transport Models in Preston (found down by the docks) they have a good selection of 2nd hand coaches/wagons in a cabinet at the far left hand corner of the shop and occasionally a 2nd hand loco or 2. If buying new, their prices seem high but when you imagine removal of any postage costs they are actually not bad in the main.
However, the 2 lads normally behind the counter are not known locally as the "Chuckle Brothers" for nothing, and we are being ironic ;) They do stock a lot of N gauge, a lot of kits, paints, scenic stuff etc - and they have a small N gauge test track :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: scotsoft on September 16, 2013, 11:34:02 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on September 16, 2013, 10:21:21 AM
If you visit Transport Models in Preston (found down by the docks)

:hmmm: If you found them down by the docks, were you there for an alternative purpose I ponder  :hmmm:  ;)  ;)
Title: Re: Model Railway Shops in Blackpool / Fleetwood area
Post by: Newportnobby on September 16, 2013, 03:53:08 PM
Quote from: scotsoft on September 16, 2013, 11:34:02 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on September 16, 2013, 10:21:21 AM
If you visit Transport Models in Preston (found down by the docks)

:hmmm: If you found them down by the docks, were you there for an alternative purpose I ponder  :hmmm:  ;)  ;)

Hello Sailor :-*............................or for the French among us............
Bonjour, matelot :-*