Very nice service , and the manage is a very smart guy with the high skill to handle all kinds of problems about trains&its accessories , and they have very kind attitude to customers, I must return there for my next collection very soon ! read more

Great inventory but customer service is awful. I spent $150 on a set and then came back a couple of weeks later to ask some questions and I have never been treated so rudely. I am surprised they are still in business. read more

The woman there took the train out of the box, and tested it just to see if it ran. I felt very happy, for I was the only guy out of 6 kids there at that time, that their new train was tested. Heck, I am not even a kid, I am 16, and own a very fragile train. It has a scratch or 2, small ones I assure you but, it came very clean out of the box. Sadly, the B-Unit that came with it was broken down, so they replaced it right on-the-spot. Great service, a huge inventory of trains, and they are all made in America, which excites me even more, for they are made by American workers. However, I have nothing against other countries, other than sometimes cheap facilities and craftsmen. Europe is like U.S. when it comes to trains. #1 Europe and U.S train manufacturers, in my opinion. Europe for best engineering and skilled craftsmen, and U.S. for their real-scale sizes, and pulling power! (Also quality.) Do yourself a favor, and shop here. If you regret it, then you are a very fragile person. Also, for you people who say the staff there kindly refused to sell you a train, then don't come with a child. Some people are very serious about this hobby. Same goes with video games. If you wanna buy your kid Call of Duty, don't bring him, for they won't sell it to you due to age restrictions. There are age restrictions on 98% of their trains (14+). Also, their inventory is great, and always topped up as much as possible. read more

Got there early on Monday and the man couldn't help. Kept going down 101 to Central Coast Trains in Atascadero and got what I needed.

Only place left ... have to give it 5 stars just for that !! That's it ... low on stock so open latter so I can go by ... some of us still have jobs and don't get off until 4 read more

People who run this shop seem to be extremely rude and non approachable. They barely show interest in addressing customer questions. You just lost an huge opportunity of making a really big sale since I wanted to purchase a large set with multiple trains. read more

The only reason why this store stays in business Is because it's the only game in town. Slightly over priced but usually rude service. I think I have only been greeted and thanked maybe once in the 15+ years I've been going here. It was pretty sad my I took my 3 year old nephew to buy a Thomas train toy and he asked why the people there weren't nice. Other then that this place is great. read more

Worst service ever. The mean lady behind the counter never even looked at me when I asked a question. Horrible person, we left.

All the reviews about this store are very accurate. What I mean by that is indeed they have an excellent and amazing selection of train. Yet you better deal with robot than these guys. I was with my son when I visited this store. He loves train so I figured that I will certainly find Thomas and Friends unique pieces. And we did. You should have seen my 28 months old in this store. It was like heaven on earth for him. I decided to stay and buy him two T&F items just because I did not want him to have the same horrendous experience as me. Frankly I don't believe I have ever been into any store where you do not feel welcomed. It was as if they wanted me to go and not talk to them nor buy anything from them. At least guys be polite (hello and buy). Seriously, you did not even talk to me during the entire checkout process nor at any time while I was in your store! I never wish bad things to others but I think that this kind of people and store should not exist. They are the reason why people don't bother drive to small shops and go to big department store or worst online. I will never ever set foot in this place and before you do, ask yourself you want their product at any cost. read more

Before shopping here yesterday, I read through the reviews and will admit to being a little wary of visiting this store due to comments about negative customer service. While our interest in electric trains only happens once a year when we put the train around the Christmas tree, I am aware that this is a serious hobby, nay, passion for some people. I was prepared for a negative experience given that our experience level was that of a newbie. I am happy to say that my 7 year old son and I had a great experience. I am pretty sure it was the owner that assisted us and, while initially quiet and a tad cautious, he readily came over to help us find a new engine for our HO scale train. I happened to be in the section with engines that made sound and he came over to demonstrate what the engines would sound like. He showed us a diesel engine and the steam engine my son eventually decided on. His knowledge was impressive and I would not be surprised if he knew intimate details about every train there. He pointed out key features and instructed us on how to handle the engine to preserve it. The woman at the counter, while also quiet, was courteous and friendly. They both demonstrated a deep level of knowledge of the products and I am sure both would be able to assist customers with their train needs. The advice I would give everyone is to not treat this as a toy store. These are expensive items that are made with care versus toy trains that are built to withstand the abuse of the average child. Toys-R-Us or Amazon may be a better choice if you are simply looking for a toy. If you enter the store with the knowledge that this a deep passion for these folks that deserves respect, you will have a great experience. My take is that they want you to have years and years of enjoyment with the train you purchase. They have a wealth of knowledge and will help you find the right train for you if you know what you are looking for. I was dangerous enough that I had researched this a little online, but readily admitted to knowing very little about trains. They answered my questions and spent a fair bit of time with me and my son to ensure we found the right engine for us. We also learned about the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento and now are planning a trip up to see it. We will definitely return here again and I recommend shopping here for your electric train needs. read more

I went to this place for the first time about a month ago and I will never be going back. Right from the moment I walked in the door I felt unwelcome and watched. The old man and woman behind the counter were extremely rude and went to far as to mock customers in the store with what I guessed were some regulars. The selection is good but now that I've had a chance to see the materials in real life I will be ordering everything online and not from them. The young guy behind the counter was helpful and friendly but it must be a nightmare for him to have to deal with those terrible coworkers. Save yourself an unpleasant experience and shop online or elsewhere. read more

I needed a ddc decoder for a locomotive. They made sure I got the right one, and suggested couplers I needed to get if I wanted to run my locomotive on a club layout. I found them very helpful and their prices are reasonable. The hobby shop business is a tough one, and I appreciate that some people don't get the red carpet treatment they want. But I had a very good experience. read more

I will not go to that place again. The staff there was so rude to my 4 year old son. The minute he picked up a track, a female Asian woman asked him not to touch it, because the track is delicate. Understood, we went to look at another box of train set ( plastic wrapped). There was a guy behind the counter asking me if I need any help. I said, "no, thank you.". He then said, "don't touch the box... I don't want you mess up my selves." My son was in tears when I dragged him out. He asked me if they are bad people. What should I say? read more

As much as it pains me to do this, I'm giving this place 2 Stars. Those two stars are only for the historical aspect and the fact that they have stuff like this in stock, even though it's very unorganized and not inviting to a newbie at all. I've walked in here several times in the last few weeks, really thinking about getting back into the very interesting hobby of model railroading. My dad had an awesome layout when I was a kid for years always tinkering with it, I helped paint the models and things. I remember it being a very fun hobby, social aspect, talking about it to other people, showing off your really cool stuff. As far as this store goes, not once of the many times I've walked in has anyone even greeted me, hardly even looked at me, never said hello. I've said hello to them, more than a few times they didn't even acknowledge that I was there. I guess they're thankful for their regular customers, must be a very tight-knit Hobby, people that know exactly what they want when they go there. I'll take Amazon or anywhere else online any day over this place. read more

Bobby Bacala from the Sopranos would go apeshit in this place! Every conceivable model railroad component can be acquired here, from handmade, $4,000 locomotives in big scale through tiny, imported German exotics. This is a serious hobbyist's store, with little space devoted to frills or displays. The entire place is given over to stocking everything the wistful tabletop tycoon's heart could possibly desire. They even have an entire wall of bags of different kinds of materials, like different types of miniature rock, sand, and gravel, to line the railbeds with the accurate material for different parts of the country and different railroads. Now, that's devotion. read more

Was trying to get a train for my husband for Christmas. Did my research online, in this store (yesterday, where I had to ask TWICE for help since I know NOTHING about trains and got a reluctant person to help me), and came home and learned more online last nite. Went in this am to buy....probably would have spent more than $500 this trip alone and when I offered my AmEx card (so I could get an additional year warranty), I was told no. I was disappointed and was about to give my Visa, when I asked about their return policy and was told, very RUDELY, by the owner, "you sound like you're not sure, so perhaps you should go because I don't want a return". I was so shocked, I said, "wow...I guess this is why the Yelp reviews were so bad. I'll be sure to add to them." He replied, "you should hear what we say about our customers!". I left.....spending more and shopping online and using my AmEx where I'll be happier, I'm sure! STAY AWAY! They are awful people! read more

yea came here a couple of times and even bought a train for a relative...worth $300 at one time..came in again today to get him another expensive train tht he wanted but I felt aswell my wife felt not welcome and ignored..very unhappy people there.so as much as I want to help my uncle I wouldnt step foot in to this establishment and be aware dnt recommend going there to anyone. read more

I read the reviews before visiting this store for the first time. I am new to model N-scale railroads so was very interested in looking around. I thought their prices were inline with what I have seen online. It was apparent that everyone who enters is treated as a burglar suspect. The steel-bar doors and windows on the building seems to imply that robbery is common place here. I asked if I could reach around the counter to look at some N-scale figures and compare them to Preiser that were on the counter. An older man, who I think is the owner was very obliging. After comparing the two, I reached over to see what other figures were available and returned the one and took 2 different ones which I purchased. Then a lady asked if she could help me and was helpful when I asked for pins for Rapido couplers for freight cars. She let me walk behind the counter to look at more of the N-Scale items (The previous items I left on the counter.) When I got close to the smaller parts, she asked me to leave as the rest was not self-serve. I did spend $20 on figures, signs, and pins. But did not go away with a warm-welcoming feeling. read more

Three stars for a great selection. If they could find a way to operate without the staff, it would go up to five. Service certainly isn't bad enough to keep me away, but geeze, man. read more

My sons favorite store! He is a huge Thomas & Friends fan and they have a wide selection and a much lower price on their Thomas & Friends trains and sets than Toys R Us. read more

I love that there are still local, small businesses that have that mom and pop feel to them. I needed a small lightbulb for my daughter's science fair project, and they were super helpful in trying to help me get the project working. They gave me ideas for generating more light, and ended up sending me down the street to use a flashlight bulb instead of a train lightbulb. They were very kind and helpful, and they actually knew what they were talking about. Definitely a place for train enthusiasts and hobbyists, so a great place to go if you need expert advise or very specific parts. read more

The best model train store in the Bay Area. Maybe all of California!

Best selection of the Thomas the Tank Engine wooden trains in the area, and at prices cheaper thank Toys R Us.

They have a lot of cheap parts. A wide selection of stuff, but they are unwelcoming and you kind of have to trip them in order to get any help. I might try returning a few times to see if they are nicer, but I can buy parts for my SD40T-2 elsewhere. Maybe I'll try bringing them some food to see if they are nice. LOL. read more

The Train Shop is the BEST model railroad shop in California. They have a huge selection of model railroad items and books. You can spend hours here looking at all the items and displays. I make it a point to stop by every time I am in the Bay Area. read more

They are only friendly to return customers. The selection is pretty decent considering the Internet offers everything these days, but I like to frequent local Establishments. You really should try to buy from this place since they're one of the few train shops that have stuck around. They always have plenty of paint and other hobbyist supplies. read more

They're great people who are very serious about the niche hobby of prototypical model railroading. It's very important to recognize that rail enthusiast are a tight knit group of people with very common and very specialized interests, just the same as any other group with a common interest. The Train Shop is not a toy store, they're very advanced in what they do, lurk around the front counter as you're browsing, listen to some of the discussion going on, you'll understand. I love to just browse around on my own in this store and not feel pressured by a floor clerk, if you want assistance just ask for it. My favorite thing about this store is they carry a very comprehensive detail parts stock from manufacturers like Cannon & Company, Details West, Detail Associates, Precision Scale and many others. If you need a parts, list them neatly with manufacturers part number on a 3 X 5 card and kindly submit it to a counter associate at the time of checkout, that'll get you off to a good start I'm just returning to the art of model railroading after a twenty plus year lay off, really glad that we have this kind of store in the santa clara valley. read more

Really the only decent train ship in the area as the little hobby shops just don't cut it. They are decently friendly here and have great knowledge of their product. Can be a little pricey on some items but most of it is of excellent quality. We really like this place and recommend them if you are looking for train items. read more

I visited this store last Saturday. It has an extensive inventory of HO and N scale trains, some O and G scale. The store has the largest selection of railroad books I have ever seen . Many items were reasonably priced , 15-20% below suggested retail. The staff chatted with someone that must have been a regular , but I was ignored. A guy behind the counter was fixed on a computer screen , a lady was restocking shelves and a third guy might have been an employee. I did not ask for assistance , nor was any offered. My interests are On30 and I made no purchase. If the staff seemed to care about customers, I would have given it 5 stars. read more

Do you love trains? Are you like me, and have a toddler who LOVES TRAINS? This is a train lovers one stop shop. I have DVDs, and Thomas toys, and books...I don't even dig trains, but I got 'em. A word of caution for the parents who take their little boys there...THERE ARE REGULARS. Older men who take this train building stuff SERIOUSLY. They will look askance at you. But it's still good times, all around :) read more

Great selection of trains at this store, with lots of literature and tools for the hobby. They have a continuous flow of new stock coming in, and I've found some items here that I was having trouble locating online. I love the display case of locomotives, ranging from inexpensive to really pricey (and beautiful) brass items. The owners/managers are friendly. This is much more a serious hobby store than a toy store, although you can find a few items strictly for kids, like Thomas the Tank Engine supplies. They also carry some Lionel train sets that are more Christmas tree oriented than for the serious model train hobbyists. Prices are close enough to online levels to make it worth supporting our local store. It's definitely worth paying a dollar or two more to have a place locally to go and look items over in person. read more

Good supply of trains for the hobbyist, but the sales staff could use some training in customer service. They were more interested in telling my husband what he couldn't do and being close to insulting than in offering suggestions or solutions. We could get the same items on the internet with a lot less hassle...and cheaper! read more

Honestly, I've been to much better stores for 2 main reasons: 1) Train Shop is disorganized inside, cluttered with train inventory all over the counters, etc. 2) The staff there were NOT friendly. I am in total agreement with Nahum M.'s review. Train Shop will not gain NEW customers, unless they ask patrons, "do you need any help", " can I answer any questions". Staff were only focused on a bunch of older,male, repeat customers. They're missing out on people that could spend 100's or even thousands of dollars. Their loss. read more

This is a solid store for the hobbyist. If you're looking for a toy train you may be better off looking at a toy store. The staff in knowledgeable and serious about this hobby. It helps to do your background research and know what you're looking for. If you've put in the effort they will be helpful and friendly. Beyond that, the selection is good and the staff will go the distance to help you get what you're looking for, placing orders, and calling you when it comes in (even if it's been many months). read more

All they have is trains. The staff is very knowledgeable and offered good advice for getting started with an outdoor train. The advised me to look at the LGB trains which after doing further research I purchased a set from them. The pricing is fair and they have a large selection of trains, parts, & accessories. read more

Not sure how these guys stay in business. They are unfriendly and unhelpful . Perhaps they're good if you're one of their "inner circle", but if you go in to ask for help on what to buy they say something cryptic like "don't know" even if they should know and Info is available on the product on line. Disappointing. Been there twice. Will only go again if it's a last resort. read more

For anyone interested in ANY size model train this is the store to find what you are looking for. HO HOn3 N Z S O On30 Guage #1 and G scale they have it. While there are many so called "train stores" around, many are no more than "craft or hobby stores" that don't carry much except for starter Xmas train sets and low quality trains. At this store you can find sets and plenty of individual Locomotives Cars and track.. One thing they stock that is hard to find in any other Bay Area store is Live Steam locomotives to run on G scale track. Personally I hate going to a store and asking for something, then being told "you can order it and we will get it for you". Usually they have what I want in stock when I walk in the door. Therefore my time and gas is not wasted. I really appreciate that. read more

I don't understand all of the praise this store gets for their customer service. They are all absolutely pathetic when it comes to helping the customer. I asked them a question about DCC and was told they carry very little selections, mostly if not all Digitrax, but then offered up no suggestions or other resources. I asked somone a question regarding the track plan in the books they carry and got "I don't know". I was looking at the paint brushes on the counter in the N scale section as was told by the lady - Don't Touch Those". Granted, the store has tons of inventory. I used to go there every weekend in the late 1990's and early 2000's before my wife took back my garage for her new car. For the past several months I am dusting off my old (new in box Proto 2000 engines) and am back in the game. One thing I did notice is that the small area in the back corner where they used to display their LGB stuff seems to be changing. I model HO anyway so there is plenty to choose from in the store as long as you don't need help. So, if you know what you want and could care less about service, this train store is OK. Too bad the hobby isn't more popular so there would be increased competition. Maybe then, although I doubt it, they would be more freindly with their customers unless you are the few in their clique who can do no wrong. Lastly, I did find a very small store in Menlo Park called Toms Trackside Trains. It is actually behind a flower shop but Tom is so helpful - at least you feel like a customer there. If you are looking at DCC and want somebody to talk to, this is the place. Very small, very little inventory although he orders anything you need but customer service is the best I have seen. Good luck! read more

This place is great...the prices are great and they have tons of inventory. I admit that I am still only in the Thomas phase with my son but this store has TERRIFIC prices and a great selection. The customer service varies from employee to employee but it's worth it. THey aren't particularly UNfriendly but they aren't too friendly either. My son still loves this store. We can sit in here for hours and hours just looking at the trains that go by or the trains on the shelves. read more

Although a rather nice and simple fellow, the owner operator is an ol dinosaur who runs his operation like we're still in the 50's, i.e. hand written invoices, adding machine with paper tape, a physical inventory recorded on paper etc. etc. If you need parts, have the according part numbers clearly written on 3 x 5 cards. Do Not approach the sales counter with the intention of merely describing a part or parts you're looking for, it doesn't work that way in this shop...and who could blame them? For the novice/ not so fully initiated in the hobby, Kyle (on Saturdays) is the most easy going and helpful if you have questions. read more