I am not surprised.
Allied Trains is (was) located within several miles of the LA International Airport in a commercial area bordering an affluent neighborhood. The store pricing reflected the expectations of the store owner as MSRP pricing plus was standard. I don’t recall any model RR magazines for sale - probably because of the two-page TRAINWORLD ad spreads which invited pricing comparisons. The store was organized per the model scales - including a section on “G”. The architecture was in a twenties railroad station style and the building was easily 200’ in length. The store was classy and worth a visit but not to buy. I remember TRAINWORLD advertised a MacDonald’s LGB box car for 29.95 which I ordered. The same car was at Allied for $175.00 as a special.
So what’s left, and can the hobby survive with only two or three destination-based stores in the Los Angeles area?
With the prices you say they were charging, I’m not surprised they are having to close the place.
I stopped by that place many years ago and when I saw the prices being asked (way above retail) I never went back again. I believe in supporting your local Train Shop but no way am I paying brass prices for a plastic model.
I think some information here might be wrong. The old Allied Trains was in the above mentioned building. They closed in 2007. They were bought out and a smaller store opened accross the street. That is the one we are talking about that just closed.
Yea, there was (is) a place north of where I live that charges MSRP and above. I wish him luck. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Old Allied Trains was a bit crazy pricewise, but New Allied was more reasonable but its stock was far smaller than the old store. It was more of a typical brick & mortar train shop but AFAIK it had no internet presence which really is a necessity these days. The staff was always friendly I’m sad to hear it’s now gone. I sure hope this doesn’t effect Whistle Stop here in Pasadena, I think they were connected.
Old Allied Trains had a clientele consisting of the movie crowd from Beverly Hills and Westwood. I saw Richard Crenna in there all the time in the seventies and eighties. Frank Sinatra was a frequent customer. Even saw “Scotty” from Star Trek, in there quite a bit. He was deeply involved in “G” gauge outdoor railroading. In my case, I never thought their prices were over the top. JMHO.
Vic,
Do you remember when Pasadena had THREE large model trains stores? Garstang’s was on Colorado and Lake Street and Pasadena Model Trains on Colorado and Bonita Avenue ANG of course the other was the Original Whistle Stop. Actually the Whistle Stop is in its THIRD location in the last 70 years! The internet sales saved The Whistle Stop from going under a long time ago. I don’t think the Whistle Stop was ever connected with Allied Trains. Fred Hill, the present owner, owns Whistle Stop outright. He bought it from the original owners when he was a young man in college many years ago. I’ve known Fred for over forty years. I believe he might have another partner, but I’m not sure.
Gary,
I’ll add a little more. I first met Fred Hill back in the mid seventies when I got into N-scale. He was a big help. Fred Hill had a partner when they bought the Whistle Stop. The partner started a train shop in Sacramento shortly after that. They then separated ways. And yes Fred did buy Allied. I don’t know if he was partnered on it or not. He also owns the Coach Yard, brass imports I believe. I really hope to see him next month at the NMRA convention in Portland. I’m sorry to hear that the other store has failed. Just the times I guess. The Original Whistle Stop is an institution.
Gary, no, I’ve only been in Pasadena since 93. But I remember the Little Depot in Hobby City in Stanton, that was my go to train shop forever before I moved to Claremont then Pasadena.
Vic Smith said:
Gary, no, I’ve only been in Pasadena since 93. But I remember the Little Depot in Hobby City in Stanton, that was my go to train shop forever before I moved to Claremont then Pasadena.
Vic,
OK, I’m probably “showing my age” because Garstang’s closed in the late fifties or very early sixties. Pasadena Trains was probably gone by the middle eighties, IIRC. Whistle Stop was located (before its present location), on East Colorado, east of Rosemead Blvd.
Not surprised that theu closed if they lost some of there high end clientele. Later RJd
Steve Featherkile said:
I was there just three weeks ago buying some track for my O scale layout and nothing was mentioned, in fact I needed a few more switches than they had in stock and they said they should be in by the next weekend.