Where & how to buy G scale trains?

Overview

Large scale trains can often last 20 years or more if properly handled and maintained. A number of manufacturers have gone out of business after the "golden age" of Large Scale, but many NOS (new old stock) and used items are available.

The following will provide some suggestions on how to buy, followed by a section on large scale places to buy.

How to buy trains:

First, you need a bit of help to understand what to look for, whether you are in person, or buying by "mail order".

New trains:

• research the seller. If it is one that is mentioned often on forums, that's a good thing.
• If it's a brick and mortar store, try to ascertain if it is really new, and how long it has been in stock, research if there were several versions of the loco/car and you might be buying an old version at a new version price.

Used trains:

• parts availability is paramount, look for 3rd party companies that produce replacement parts
• research ebay and other sources for parts availability
• find a way to check the common wear items/problems in person or remotely

Used or new:

• if you see the loco/car in person, look for signs of wear on the wheel, power pickups, removable or moveable parts, if mail order, get photos.
• were there 2 or more versions of the loco/car? If so, find out the differences and spotting clues
• manual? box? (boxes are over-rated except for shipping locos the foam inserts really prevent shipping damage)
• research the loco/car and look for common problems/issues. a simple Google search "USA Trains F3 problems" will tell you a lot.
• if there are common problems, it is not a strike out, are there common and easily available solutions?
• parts availability?
• what is the return policy?

Places to buy:

The following is a list compiled from contributions by others. I'm not responsible for the content or comments.

If you do find errors, or have a different experience, please feel free to contact me to correct or update

Special for parts:

There are companies that specialize in replacement parts, many of these are 3d printed. See this page CLICK HERE

First: online auction sites

ebay

next, 3 different facebook sites, search for "G scale swap and shop"

Next: the major online sellers

RLD hobbies www.rldhobbies.com

Finally: brick and mortar

• Jacksonville - Rail and Sprue Hobbies - http://www.railandsprue.com/

• Burbank - Train Shack - http://www.trainshack.com
• Concord - Just trains - https://just-trains.com/ - 5650 Imhoff Dr, Suite H, Concord, CA 94520 (925) 685-6566 
• Costa Mesa - The Train Crossing - http://www.thetraincrossing.com/
• La Habra - Narrow Gauge Junction -250 West Whittier Boulevard, La Habra, CA 90631-3852 562-694-0598
• La Mesa (San Diego) - Reeds Hobby Shop - mostly trains, all scales - http://www.reeds-hobbies.com/
• Novato - Dollhouses Trains and More -Good selection of LS & the smaller scales. Great general hobby shop with everything from plastic kits to dollhouses. http://www.dollhousestrainsandmore.com/
• Placentia - Bridgemasters - https://www.bridge-masters.com/
• Roseville - Railroad Hobbies, 119 Vermon St. Roseville - Fair stock - http://www.rrhobbies.com/Railroad_Hobbies/Home.html
  
• Sacramento - R/C Country Hobbbies, 6011 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento - Best stock in Sacramento area - http://www.rccountryhobbies.com/
  
• San Rafael - Dollhouses Trains and More - 1295 Northgate Dr., San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 499-3576 Good selection of LS and other scales. A very wide variety of all kinds of hobby items from plastic kits to dollhouses.  http://www.dollhousestrainsandmore.com/
• Santa Clara - The Train Shop, 1829 Pruneridge Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050 (408) 296-1050 Good selection of LS and other scales. A great RR book section.
• Upland - Upland Trains - https://uplandtrains.com/ 1531 W. 13th St. Suite G, Upland, CA 91786, Tuesday-Friday 11am-4:30pm, Saturday 11am-4pm, (909) 985-1246
  
• Ventura - Gold Coast Station Trains - http://goldcoaststation.net/
• Westminster - Arnies - http://www.arniesmodeltrains.com/
• Westminster - Milepost 38 - http://milepost38modeltrains.com/

• Claymont - Doug's Trains, Toys & Hobbies - Trains, Toys & Hobbies - model trains, planes, rockets, cars, railroads and books 2907 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 - All around hobby shop: trains, paint, rocket kits, scenery supplies, etc... They advertise that they carry LGB products. The store hours are a bit all over the place depending on the season, check website for the particulars.
• Newark - Just Trains -  Just Trains of Delaware, Supplying all your Model Railroading needs - They sell mostly O scale stuff, but you will find occasional G scale stuff as it is traded in or sold to the store. They also carry the typical range of Woodland Scenics products, repro paints, and K&S metal products.

Florida

• East Orlando - Ray's Garden Railroad - 904-854-2799 - Rob's Hobby World, 8602 SW State Road 200, Ocala, FL 32674
• Orlando - Colonial Photo and Hobby - http://www.cphfun.com/
• Pinellas Park - H&R Trains - http://www.hrtrains.com
• Orlando The Hobby Spot - 6013 E Colonial Dr Orlando, FL 32807

• Duxbury - Duxbury Green
• Hanson - The Brass Caboose
  
• Malden - Charles Ro Supply Co.
• Orleans - Snows Home & Garden
• Piano Works - Sandwich
• Rockland  - Bill's Friendly Train Shoppe
• Wareham - Hogie's Hobbies - 3103 Cranberry Hwy, Wareham, MA 02571  (Mainly on consignment.)
• West Springfield  - Pioneer Valley Hobbies 
• Worcester - The train Place

• Reno - Train-Li - https://www.trainli.com/

New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico

• Lancaster - Smoke Stack Hobby Shop in Lancaster, OH. OK selection of large scale amongst other scales. One of the few "old timey" train shops left.Newark - G Scale Junction, Newark (Granville)
• Newark - G Scale Junction,  Newark

• West Chester - EnterTRAINment Junction - http://www.entertrainmentjunction.com/

•  Owasso - Reindeer Pass Railroad  http://www.reindeerpass.com/ Reindeer Pass RR, 10919 N. 173rd East Ave, Owasso, OK 74055

• Beaverton - Tammie's Hobbies,503-644-4535,12024 SW Canyon Rd Beaverton, OR 97005 Great Customer Service and flexible on pricing as much as they can be.

• Raleigh - Nick's Trains 919-881-1010  https://www.nicks-trains.com/

South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas