I am in the position that I have alot of HO/N/Lionel/ HO Traction /N Traction trains and probably have enough by any one's estimation so I am VERY careful about train acquisitions. I really like an old fashioned multi hobby heavy on trains with expert repair service but with really nice and helpful knowledgeable trustworthy and respectful employees. I have just described Desplaines Hobby Shop. What you give up with a shop like this is any discount which is the price you pay for a really good hobby shop with trains stocked in depth. What you gain is the kind of shop that you can refer friends and families to and know that they will always be treated with respect and given accurate advice and guidance on trains regardless of their level of knowledge in the hobby. I have purchased both brass and plastic from them as well as modeling supplies. Their repair service is top flight and in fact they will often tell you how you can fix your problem yourself absolutely gratis. Without a doubt this is the one and only hobby shop I patronize and would recommend it to anyone. They are a monument to the days when Chicago was full of great hobby shops like Hobby City, Al's and Chicagoland that are all gone, Des Plaines Hobby is the last great hobby shop standing read more

I had often visited this establishment nearly thirty years ago when I was big into model trains, before moving away. I recently moved back into the area, and was looking for paint for a couple of model projects. Judging by their website, I was under the impression that they were mainly trains, but they had the paint I was looking for, so I stopped in and was pleasantly surprised to see that they carried a wide selection of of other items including plastic model kits. The staff was very courteous and helpful, especially the older gentleman who brought me a shopping basket when he saw the growing number of paint bottles I was holding. As it turned out, they were having a store wide sale which meant I was able to get what I needed for a savings on what I had expected to pay when I walked in the door. I will definitely be returning. read more

These folks are wonderful. A great selection of all scales of trains, track, scenery and buildings at reasonable prices. They have plenty of new stock, but also some rare and beautiful vintage pieces. The staff is terrific; they really take the time to make sure you know what you need, how it will work and what to consider. They have helped us keep our 40 year old LGB train going for years. Well worth the drive from the Northern 'burbs. They also have a great selection of model planes. read more

Des Plaines Hobbies - Green Bay Cycles holiday window display. Winnetka. - Hobby Shops Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Nice little place with a lot of cute minituare items. Very nice older staff. To the review about the website, I'm gonna guess since they are older, they are not too tech savy. Not sure, just saying from going there and seeing how old school they are. read more

Ten minutes north of Ohare. One of the last big Chicago train stores. All scales covered, huge selection of paint and magazines. Looked like they did repairs, too. read more

I was surfing on the web for Model train stuff and found this store however I dared not proceed because the site in unsecured that alone is enough to cause me to apply the brakes....a company hoping to do business on the web should not be unsecured! jim W. Jamestown Ca. read more

Well stocked, knowledgeable, helpful friendly staff. Oh I'm sure they get grumpy now and then. Have you ever worked in retail? Sometimes the "public" can be downright mean. Anyway, brick and mortar places like this are a endangered lot. With each one that throws in the towel, a huge source of helpful knowledge goes with it. Come on people, more LHS (local hobby shop), less Bezos. read more

Great selection of model railroad equipment and accessories as well as books and magazines. Docked two stars for consistently grumpy attitudes by the older managers (owners?) towards customers if you are not one of the regulars in their clique. read more

This place is absolutely insane. If you love model trains please go here. I've never seen that many N scale trains in one place before plus the HUGE wide variety. They also have an immense amount of HO. They have O scale, G scale and Z scale as well. You have to check it out for yourself, the store is 97% model trains. Please check them out!! read more

Had a whole list of engines, buildings, landscaping materials to buy for my expanded model train layout. Sales staff was not wearing masks. When asked, they said they were defying Cook County regulations and nobody in the store would be wearing masks. I left. They will not be getting my business now or in the future. read more

My dad loves trains. I know very little about trains. So for one of his Christmas gifts, I ran over to Des Plaines Hobbies and bought him a book about a passenger line that used to run through the town he grew up in and a very cool HO scale Chicago and North Western bi-level commuter car. Why is that important? They both ended up being absolutely perfect gifts and I wouldn't have gotten either one if it weren't for the great advice I got from the staff in the store. It seemed that each person I talked to knew more about trains than the last one. read more

This place is very knowledgable and is well stocked with whatever you will need! It is close to my house and easy to find since it's in the same parking lot as the Jewel Osco. It has good parking. As naive as I am about this sort of hobby they are very patient and explain everything into detail no matter how silly my question is. They carry a good amount of used items which is nice to explore and buy if you arent ready to purchase everything new. Model railroading can get VERY expensive but by buying second hand I am able to afford to buy my son a few things here and there when we visit to just browse! I had an engine fixed there, nothing major but it was done in a timely manner and I couldn't be happier with the service and reasonable price! read more

Largest, most complete, and organized collection of Model Master and Testors paints I've ever seen in one place. Knowledgeable staff is all about helping you out, too. They've shifted their focus to model trains in recent years but still have a lot of other models and pinecar items. read more

For starters this store is 90% trains, some plastic kits, some rockets. That being said, this is a great hobby store. I'm an HO modeler and I was impressed. They had all the brands and lots of stock. Red Caboose, Intermoutain, A-Line, Athearn, Walthers, DPM, Woodland Scenics, just to name a few. Detail parts too. They have lots of Lionel, N scale, S scale, Brass and even some Tin Plate. If you are into trains this LHS is for you! read more

If you're into model railroading, this store should be on your list of sources. They have a good selection of buildings, rolling stock, and accessories. They also carry a full selection of paints and other 'finishing' tools. There aren't many shops left with this kind of selection and with model railroading, it certainly helps to be able to hold the items in your hand to determine whether it meets your needs. Prices lean toward retail but given the other positive points, I don't see this as a big deal. And isn't it worth a little more to shop locally as well as having the ability to ask someone a question and get expert advice? I think so and shop here often. read more

Decent enough place for models ,rc goods and model trains. It looks to specialize in model train supplies. Over half the store is dedicated to Lionel trains , landscaping , and train related models of cars , buildings and the like.Representation for plastic models are really minimal , and the prices seemed fairly high. The Radio control vehicle selection is even smaller , but hey , at least it's something. Not a bad place , and it's especially nice because there isn't really anything else like it in the area. read more

Most amazing place for model railroads. Friendly and knowledgeable folks who obviously enjoy the hobby and offer advice based on experience. Most anything you might need from starter train sets to all the little parts and pieces. You will be impressed with the large and complete selection. read more

Great store, well stocked! The people who work in this store are true gems! Very personable, knowledgeable and friendly. The people who work here will go out of their way to assist you! I have accompanied my Father to this store on several occassions and the staff goes out of their way to assist with minor train repairs or locating parts. The people here are the BEST!!!!! read more

Place is great for trains. The only problem is the staff can be very unfriendly. Especially the owner and his wife, the last I was there neither one asked if I needed help but they asked other people who came in after me. This has happen a couple of times. read more

I couldn't wait to write a review! Just returned from a week in Chicago with my 3yr old son & wife. Unfortunately my wife had to work the entire time, however, I turned the week into the "Chicago Tour of Trains" - hitting every hobby/model train shop & "Railfanning" spot in the area because my SON is in love with trains! I buy him every n scale locomotive model of the real trains we've seen together to mark the special memory we had together. I've compiled an N scale collection of engines worth thousands (kato, atlas, concor...very few lower quality bachman/lifelike/model power). He has one if not multiples of every type of neat rolling stock we've seen in real life...possibly worth a thousand or more. My son is a good kid & I've taught him at an early age to take care of things, don't be rough with certain toys, respect things, maybe the good Lord wired him that way too. I have a huge 12 foot x 5 foot n scale layout that I bought/built for him to play with his trains and we've spent many magical hours playing together, by himself, and together as family with my wife too - my son adores trains! I've also put together a little G scale train layout outside on our deck with if LGB track, locomotives, piko rolling stock. He also has a little HO in Thomas/Percy, and local Power we see back home. My son has 2-3 train sets in every room of our house from wooden, wind up, battery powered, electric...seriously! My SON loves trains - NOT me....and when your son is 3, the parent is the advocate/buyer who acts on behalf of their child to foster their interests. I've literally spent $1,200 on various scales of electric trains, locomotives, extra track, rolling stock, layout accessories, etc over THE LAST TWO WEEKS for my son! I tell you all of this because I did NOT spend $1 at this Hobby Shop while in Chicago because of their rudeness, so grouchy, unhelpful, and unwelcoming demeanor. They do have a great selection - I just wish I got to see it - but their comments to my son - worrying too much about him POTENTIALLY breaking something because they judged a book by it's cover totally turned me off.....TWICE!!! Yes I went back to try again. It was an older lady (60's? and may have been her son (35-40?) - both negative nelly demeanors and very grouchy! Assuming my son was taking rolling stock out of their plastic cases or telling us to be VERY careful not to break something that my son was playing with that he pulled out of a box that looked like it was a pile of junk....get real! If you are supporting a son/daughters love of a hobby - DO NOT SHOP here! Go to Americas best & Lombard hobbies....nice , inviting owners/staff and great selections that deserved my son's business!!!!!! read more

First time writing a review-- ever. I bought an american flyer vintage engine about 2 years back from this store. Fun place for train folks and staff seems to really know there stuff. One of the long time staff has been there a very long time repairing stuff. Great guy and even have mutual friends. About 2 months later got a message that my engine was ready and when I called back was told the price. Twice what I had paid for it and the engine only had about 30 minutes run time. Hard to justify but I do understand labor and part rates.... But? Mgr did not want to hear it and hung up on me. Then the owner after I called back and She told me "Mgr got off the phone and told them to throw it out". Hope my engine is there when I get there. Again, the store is that kind of "blast from the past" when you walk in but the customer communications do not match. Too bad as they seem to have a ton of experience and history with what they sell. read more