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March 2024 by Rhys Y.
A great experience. The gentleman that ran the store was very kind and sincere. I took my autistic son here to pick up a BNSF engine, and they had it in stock. I was also able to find a discontinued model car kit in mint condition for myself. Sure things are a bit cramped, but it has charm. Everything was priced and clearly labeled. We ended up buying an N scale starter kit, and he walked me through the kit with a few helpful tips on how to put it together, and what ti watch out for. I will definitely return to shop again the next time I am in NYC.
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January 2024 by Sion P.
Gonna give the red caboose a five star regardless of my experience. Ok. So I actually popped in a little while back just to get the lay of the land. Blah, blah blah I could reiterate what everyone else has said. Good and bad. But it's necessary that we preserve as many places that still cater to specialty interests and hobbies. It's more museum with the option to sell moreover than a hobby shop at this point. The two times I've been in there the individual running the shop was speaking with customers and was very knowledgeable. Yet a bit brusque. Be respectful. And understanding. However... I, on my latest visit was prepared to make a purchase. You see I was home because work was slow. I was perusing Amazon etc looking for a project to keep me occupied while I have some downtime. By the way it's January and just got really, really cold. I want to support as many brick and mortar businesses as possible. So I button up and make the trip downtown. So I get there and peruse the inventory. After a while I find something that will keep me busy for a few weeks. Here's the rub. I get to the counter and the owner( I assume) starts looking up the price. It's got a price on the side of the box but he claims it's the wrong price. I stand there patiently whilst he looks it up on his iPad. And wait. Now he's tagging on 20 bucks to the existing price on the box. The prices on most of these items are pretty high I noticed. All good. But don't try to squeeze me at the register and tell me someone put the wrong price on the box. If you'd have honored the price right or wrong I'd be sitting here working on the model. Instead I'm writing this review.
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December 2023 by Mark M.
The last train store in Manhattan. Jam packed with stuff you won't see anywhere else. Alan, the owner, can seem a bit testy but he's quite knowledgeable. One of the last true hobby shops with plastic models to assemble, diecast models as well as trains in various gauges.
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November 2023 by John W.
Yes, the owner is a bit eccentric, and does have a habit of yelling and coming off as rude. However, in the many times I have visited, and bought a Marklin engine that I couldn't find anywhere else, he was exceptionally helpful, and even fixed the engine after testing it before I left with a broken train! He has a phenomenal selection, some stuff a little old and banged up, but if you're willing to buy it, he's usually willing to get it fixed for you. I'll be heading back there for an N-scale set this month. Definitely worth a visit if you like model trains, just keep an open mind!
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September 2023 by Donald Lamendola,
Helpful friendly and a joy to visit. It's a classic hobby store from days long ago tucked away in the middle of Manhattan. They have a nice selection of classic model kits, accessories, and all scales of model trains. I look forward to visiting again. Thank you!!!
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September 2023 by Jack B.
I was very excited to check out the store. Having a place like this so accessible and not having to take any trains like the LIRR was pretty awesome. When I was looking around the owner was mid screaming match with what I assumed was a friend or coworker? When I was asking about the prices on certain cars, he copped an attitude immediately. It took me by surprise. I've been collecting for about 20 years now and most of these shops are owned by grumpy old guys who are slowly driving in the last nails to the coffin witch is model trains. As I was trying to get him to take two of the cars out of the glass case, he barked again at me about how he's closing an hour early. Then starts taking his clothes off in the corner of the store! All of this while still keeping up screaming match with this other guy. As I'm checking out gives me ridiculous prices that weren't advertised. All in all a surreal experience. I'd go again just to spectate this little goblin. Bring your friends! Oh, and the shop was a mess. A doomsday prep-per grabbing his trains and haphazardly throwing it in his bunker. Nice things if you could see past the inch of dust that's collected from not being able to sell anything. Good luck buddy.
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August 2023 by Courtney Nguyen
Loved this place. Stopped in for some supplies and to look at the gunpla selection (found some hard to find ones). Owner was super helpful and nice. Will definitely be going back. Amazing place to find some hidden treasures.
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August 2023 by Mathis Poupou
I was happy to go to this train store because i knew i would find some nice old and rare trains and lot of treasure… I find the things i wanted, there was no price on it. I was like « ok, that probably gonna be like $60-70$ » but i bring it to the counter, the man told me « it a rare thing and a very popular and loved model by lot of people ». Right after it, he told me « total’s gonna be 130$ bucks ». In my head i was like « WTF is this price… ». Anyway, i took it because i wanted a souvenir from NY, but right after it want check on internet, i was able to get the exact same one for 50$… VERY OVERPRICED. He litteraly doubled the price.Also, the store is a real mess and it so hot in thereBut i give 2 stars for the old and rare treasures we can find
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July 2023 by Mohamed Alsaadoun
I went here expecting a small store in a basement with a small selection but discovered an entire maze stuffed to the rafters with scale models and scale model supplies. As the name suggests, the store mostly is for model train enthusiasts but there is a decent selection of military models and automobile models as well.The store is old school and the owner is an old school New Yorker as well and that might rub some people the wrong way but for me, it's great to go into an indepth discussion with someone about Soviet WW2 4BO green paint and whether the Testor's Model Master "Soviet Armour Green" is accurate.
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July 2023 by Reg Robinson
Brushed off by owner. Pity he could not do the same for himself and his stock. I initially asked about the Toyota Supra die caste or other and he said he had no idea and go down the back to look for yourself and not waste my time.Squeezing thru crammed areas in a dingy underfloor shop (if u can call it that) to find crammed dusty boxes of models on old shelving. I too decided it’s a waste of my time. Can’t really understand how a business can run in such an area where there is only one old person who is unhappy and rude and has no system to account for what there is in stock.I’d hate to have to return an item that was faulty etc. I don’t think customer service exists here. Good luck!
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June 2023 by Cristian Ivascu
The shop is small, but it is fairly well stocked. I am interested in N and Z scale model trains, and I found the selection to be good. They sell both new and used models. The owner was patient and friendly, and I ended up purchasing a set. I thought the price was decent: not the lowest but still below the MSRP. Considering the shop's location, I believe this was fair. Definitely worth a visit if you are a model train enthusiast.
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May 2023 by Fábio Tanniguchi
It's a great shop to visit, a quite unique experience. But the owner clearly treats his stock as his own collection, especially bus models, and overprices most of the items. Some bus models he actively tries to discourage anyone who asks their prices. And when you finally hear the price, you can certainly go back home and find on eBay for half of it.
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May 2023 by Sheikh Mohamed
Hats off to the amount of selections in this store.There are train models in all scales and colors.Die cast Cars in all scales and from different eras. I was pretty impressed with the antique cars.They even had WSI crane models.As an enthusiast this is a must see store.There are so much more items, such as model layouts and probably a model for all modes of transportation.
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May 2023 by Greg Huang
I will have to give Red Caboose credit for being the only bona fide model train store within the five boroughs of NYC, and for the enormous variety of models they have available. However, most of the items available here are extremely overpriced, and can be purchased online (including shipping) for half to two thirds of the price in store. Still a nice place to browse around though.
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April 2023 by A. G. A.
Extremely overpriced for models that can be bought new for more than half the price. Although the owner is knowledgeable, he does come across as aggressive and will talk down to you. Such rude customer service shouldn’t be tolerated and better to take your business somewhere else.
