A good selection of products on offer
Photo by Cheltenham Model Centre Used with permission.
In an era when practically everything you want is available online, model shops still have an important role to play. Nothing beats being able to actually look at the stock before you make a decision to buy. And shop staff can be an invaluable source of advice, particularly for the newer modeller.
A good selection of products on offer
Photo by Cheltenham Model Centre Used with permission.
Even if you're the sort of person who pre-orders a hotly-awaited loco the moment the manufacturer announces it, your local model shop is still an ideal place to pick up all those bits and bobs you need, including accessories, paints, glues and scenic materials. If you enjoy kitbuilding or scratchbuilding, you'll find the tools and supplies you need.
Many model railway shops also buy and sell secondhand items, so they're a good source of bargains as well as a way to cash in on your own unneeded stock.
Buying from your local model shop doesn't only give you a different and often more enjoyable experience than buying online. It also supports a local business and supports the local economy. The people who own and manage model railway shops are usually modellers themselves, and contribute to the hobby in more ways than just running a shop.
Our aim is to have a comprehensive listing of model shops and other retailers with a significant selection of model railway related products.
To be included, a shop must have a permanent physical presence open to the public with regular opening hours. We include both dedicated model shops and general retailers with a sigificant stock of model railway products.
We don't include solely online retailers, although if you run an online retailer you are welcome to sign up as a site sponsor.
We don't currently include businesses which sell primarily via trade stands at model railway exhibitions. There's a separate project in the pipeline for listing show traders, so keep your eye open for when that goes live!