Red Caboose operates a veritable superstore of model trains. It's fantastic! 👏 Now it makes me want to live in New York instead of on the Pacific coast! Thanks for taking us on the tour.
This is my go to place. Allan has a vast knowledge of trains. He’s a shrewd businessman and he’s reasonable (at least in my dealings) when it comes to items. He’s a real talker in the best way possible. Once you’re done with your purchase, you know you’ve been served by a true New York native and you’ll be back. The shoppe and Allan leave you with an impression.
Oh, man! So many memories of being in that shop. If I ever left there with anything in my wallet, it was probably just subway fare home. ❤ There was so much there that I wanted back in the day - and so much I'm seeing in this video that I'd love now! Those stairs were a hike, but still better than the shop that was nearby with a postage stamp sized elevator as its only access.
I used to frequent this place so much as a young teeneager. It was my little escape from Bed-stuy Brooklyn. I will buy my HO scale R-68 subway train one day!!
Thank you for this visit to one of the iconic places of my youth! I grew up on the Upper West Side and went to this store with my mother often in the 1960s! This is where my Lionel train set came from as well as my HO Scale slot car set. Many years later, I visited the store and discovered they had a classic Shucco Disneyland Monorail for sale! I love that monorail and bought the set even though I didn't have the skills to make it work. Just having such an iconic product from the 1950s/60s was enough. I'm happy the store still exists (or did when you filmed this video). I hope it survived the Covid pandemic!
It is my understanding that Alan and the store have survived the pandemic and are still going strong. Sometimes I cannot decide if the store is more museum, than store, with all the items he has collected. It is great to hear this place got you started in the hobby!
Greetings, I'm glad that someone finally put this hobby shop on UA-cam. I used to talk with Allan,about putting more of his inventory on the web.I brought a lot of supplies from Red Caboose, and three Ho scale locomotives. Allan has a lot of knowledge of all train manufacturers, who are still in business,and those who have gone. He can tell you about the railroads he's travel on. Great video. Be safe and well.
Fred, It would be great if he would sell online. I think a lot of people would really appreciate what he has. I would really like to interview Allan sometime. I am sure he has some stories to tell. Thanks for watching -Heath
Greetings, I am a 67 year old man from se Ohio. All the hobby shops have been gone for 25-30 years, your walk through the Red caboose was like living when I was 12 years old again. Probably I have not seen that much RR stuff in one place in all my trips to all the hobby shops in my life. Sounds like I might be road tripping to the big apple this coming summer. Thank you sir for taking the time to put it up on UA-cam, WOW!!!
Heath, this was a great visit. It’s like a lost world in there and there must be so many items from the past that it is like a museum, only without a curator to dust the shelves, lol. Have you been back at all? If you go back to do a video again, it looks like you will need a lot of memory to do it justice. Thanks for taking us along.
Great to see episode. I started shopping Model Railway back in 1966. Miss Carmen was a dear lady to me and every customer who came in. Though the pandemic has kept me upstate I would still be stopping at The Red Caboose. With a "refreshment" stop at the Cock & Bull or Sophia's'. ~ Jim
I bought my first model trains here in the 1980s!! Great to see that it's still there. I bought 3 New York Central locomotives, and they are still running today!
I can't believe I walked passed it when I visited New York few Years back. I will have to check it out next time I'm over. I spotted some items there I would like.
nice video. Great to see this little shop around the corner still well and active. I Visited it in 1981 and it seems to have even more in stock today ! Thanks !
This really motivates me to get back on NJT and take the train up from Trenton. Not like it's a terribly long ride, but I haven't been the since 2005. Day trip !!
I grew up not far from the Trenton station, but didn’t do any railfanning back then. Then I came to NYC and took NJ Transit from NYC to Trenton quite frequently, sitting on my duffle bad since there were no seats. You could definitely make it a day trip. There are some other rail related things to see this time of year, like the layout at Grand Central or the “Toy” Trains at the History Museum.
@@HumancityJunction My wife used to make the commute from NE Phila to Manhattan 3-days a week between 2004 and 2009 (whew!). So when I would have a day off I'd trek up to the city from NE Phila and hang around. I'd usually go over to B&H, Grand Central and have coffee at the Borders Books near 2nd Ave and 34th St. (long gone). Ben's Deli on W. 38th was my go-to for lunch. Sadly he closed that location. I like your videos. Keep at it. Upward to Manhattan when the WX gets better!
Three words...brass subway cars... (and they have been in the glass case since when I first saw them in 1987 when he was across the street on the 4th floor)...now that is a memory...Be well, Vincent Zablocki
The owner has a really amazing collection, but sometimes it seems like certain items are a part of hi collection and not necessarily things he wants to sell. But they are still amazing to see in the cabinets.
Heath, thank you for a great tour of this one-of-a-kind hobby store. Obviously it is the kind of place one would need to visit repeatedly just to browse the inventory and absorb its extent, not trying to take in too much at a time. Of course, I'm sure, every trip would find one or two items that were identified as being "immediately needed". Art...
WOW!! Heath, this is totally amazing!! Was in NYC a while back (pre-Covid) but didn't even know of this place, it's in Midtown close to the Diamond District, yes? When/if I ever go back there I'd like to at least have a good look around, Gemini Jets are my thing, did see some on the shelving, I tend to order mine from either Amazon or Aircraft Model Store (UK-based online retailer), but sadly here in UK those tend to be the main sources of supply, Hamleys in London did sell them at one time (don't know if they still do) but would love to come & check this place out. Great video BTW, best wishes & kind regards from Maidstone, Kent, UK.
Les, thanks for watching a commenting. He has a much larger plane collection than I remembered, it is definitely a place to check out. And yes, it is right down the street from the Diamond District. -Heath
Great video!! Good background information about the Red Caboose. One interesting fact is that Rod Stewart has visited this location and made a purchase for his collection.
Great looking shop Heath you could lose a few hours in there and a few £s or $s enjoyed looking at a different shop. I love it when I'm on holiday and I find a shop like that. Atb Heath stay safe Andy
Great tour. I’ve been there years ago. Took some footage as well but not as much as you did. I got claustrophobic. Haha. I was afraid to turn around because I thought I’d knock something off the shelves!
Very pleasantly surprised that the Red Caboose (FKA Model RR Equipment Corp.) is still alive and kicking. Interesting how hobbies seem to get a boost during times like these when people have more time on their hands. NYC used to have at least a couple dozen local hobby shops all over the five boroughs but I think it's now down to less than five. Fitting that this one is among them. Long may it continue.
Jeff, I am only aware of two hobby stores that carry model trains in NYC. The Red Caboose and TrainWorld. Purchasing has definitely moved online. -Heath
Great tour! Tons of stuff! They might be tied with Trains and Lanes! Probably! Saw some Lackawanna in there! Next time I take a trip into NYC I will have to stop by! Great video and thanks for sharing!
The old chap that runs it is 80 I have known him since 1977 hateful not very friendly but he don't have to be friendly I will say he is the best lionel dealer in the south,hands down.
I would have walked right past that in 2008, never saw it. They definitely make the most of space, they have about two to 3 times the stuff on shelves that other stores do. Like a warehouse you walk through. There is so much I couldn't tell if there was anything interesting, it would take a 4 hour video to see everything that close.
You know Heath I to try to support my local hobby shop but right now you can't go in and explore. You have to know what you want and they get it. I wou love to see yours in person. I would get lost for days in there. At least you can shop to bad you can't eat. Hey and if you see anything Olympia beer in N Scale, please let me know. Man I'm jealous, Chris
There was 3 train hobby shop on w45 st two in 14 w 45 st on the first floor was Manhattan hobbies ant the red caboose on the fourth floor and the train shop at 23 W. 45th St. in the basement where the Red Caboose is now
@@HumancityJunction yes I do. It was a heljan bank kit in nscale. I still have it. It has been on my precious layouts. It has been on an ntrak module that has been in shows . Pensacola Florida. Mobile alabama, New Orleans and Norfolk Va
Great videos ,But I am interested as many others of the use of just plug and dcc unit use ,your going to have to show how step by step and wiring it up as just showing one segment losses a lot of us , please show the just plug hub and where the wire hook up track is ,I use nce power cab and just plug but want to try the dcc control unit,also is everything powered by track power bus line instead of just plug battery pack or power supply
Stanley, The only part of the Just Plug system that I am using is the LED lights themselves. I am plugging the LED's into a DCC decoder such as the NCE Illuminator or the Model Train Technology LSC II. These two decoders use the same plug that is found on the Just Plug system. I can definitely do a video that explains this more clearly. If you go to episode 7, about the 5 minute mark, I talk about the NCE Illuminator and setup and test it with the Just Plug LEDs. Thanks -Heath
Pip, It might be the same physical location, but it ws not the same owner. There has been a Hobby shop in this building for a long time, but I do not know all the details. The current owner worked in a shop accross the street before he acquired this location.
Hey, Heath... cool video. I have a couple German channels who like to go into stores and show their set up and stock. It is always cool to see! Maybe the owner will get some extra business and work with you more on that Märklin kit. lol
Places like this are not really intended for browsing. This is a place you go to when you want a hard to find item or need a common item now. When you're actually looking for something specific these cluttered places that are packed from floor to ceiling are the best places.
This is my kind of hobby store. You just know there are a bunch of train gems there! I think they offer bus trips to NYC from Binghamton. I have no interest in driving there. (I drove to NYC once and swore I would never do that again!😮) I’ve been wanting to take my son to the Nintendo Store and I see that’s only 3 blocks away! Hmmm, maybe a future trip? Very nice video!
Dave, I have not really priced out their "current" for sale items, I am usually looking at the hard to find items. If I can find the item on eBay, and that is a big if, the pricing is usually in line, but towards the higher side. Their prices are not ridiculous, especially when I find a rare item, but they are not the cheapest option either. I should go back and find some common items and do a price comparison video. Then also show off some rare items, for example, the entire case of HO scale brass locomotives. Thanks for watching -Heath
I do not. I would check eBay for the items that already sold (not the active listings) The active listings might be higher than typical purchase price.
You've never been to Gaugemaster in Arundel, West Sussex? They have a ton of stuff and it's actually organised unlike this chaotic place. I go there whenever I'm in the U.K.
They have an awesome section and assortment of items . How are the prices compared to online or other shops you have visited ? It sure doesn't look fatguy friendly , thoze isles look tight . 😂😉
The pricing is usually in the ball park, but on the higher side. I only look at the unique items, not the new stuff, so while the prices are on the high side, you could not find the items elsewhere. The place is definitely not fatguy friendly.
Modeller : I've found paradise ! Fire marshal : What a nightmare ! As someone with mobility issues, I could never be able to handle either those stairs or those impassable aisles. :(
F rom the late 1960s I used to go there whenever I was in NYC. I see it's still chaotic. I model European N scale. There's N scale locomotives in a case without any prices. You had to ask Alan Spitz the price, but first you have to get his attention which can take a while as he was either on the phone or yelling at his employees. Getting the price can take a while. Then actually buying it can take a while as he has to find the box it came in, while he's now on the phone again. He had stuff there from when his shop was on the top floor across the street. There was a fire that burned out the roof of that building and there was heat damage to some of the stuff (such as an Arnold passenger coach that was warped like a banana) but the price was the price even if the thing was damaged like that, or it was an ancient model from the 1960s but the price kept going up. One time I was there, one of his employees said to another-'If I kill him, would I get a medal?" I said, after dealing with Spitz in a futile attempt to get a price on something, I said, "I'd give you one." The thing about the store is that he has stuff you can't find anywhere else unless you go to Germany and there are stores in Berlin that make this place look empty. I recommend that you just go to Germany if you are looking for European stuff. Don't bother with this bozo.
Lawrence, I have a friend that models all German trains and he has a connection for me in Germany if I need it. The Red Caboose is definitely an interesting place. -Heath
@@HumancityJunction It is, without a doubt an interesting place. I would never disagree with that. It's a shambles and not a place I care to return to. I recall when it was the Model Railroad Equipment company- they had shelves after shelves of brass engines and was a lot better organised. New York had some great hobby stores like Madison Hardware at the foot of Madison avenue that was the New York place for Lionel. Polk's at 5th avenue and 32nd street- four floors of hobbies, one just for trains. Do you recall the scene in "The Godfather" where Virgil Sollozo takes Tom Hagen? That was filmed in front of Polk's. Then there was America's Hobby Center on west 22nd st by 7th avenue where you looked in a catalog on the counter, told them what you wanted and they brought it to you. There were no aisles to walk around and look at stuff, it was all from the catalogs.
Sou um apaixonado por aviões e meu maior desejo é de ter a oportunidade de montar um modelo dos meus aviões favoritos pois sofro de depresão cronica e acho quê esse hobby me ajudaria muito ,mais infelizmente moro em uma cidade aqui no Brasil que não tem lojas de plastimodelismo é na internet é muito caro é eu estou muito pobre e nunca conseguiria nenhum kit então me pego as veses vendo videos assim é sonhando com o dia de ter a oportunidade de ter algum kit para montar Deus abençõe os apaixonados por este magico mundo do plastimodelismo !
A modelagem é definitivamente um hobby incrível. Uma coisa que eu gosto no modelo ferroviário em particular é que há algo para todos e existem vários níveis diferentes de entrada. Obrigado por conferir meus vídeos.
Been to that place.the owner worker was extremely rude to my grandson.the little guy is a train freak with vast knowledge of trains.he asked a question and this scumbag turned and walked away.not how to build the hobby.i will never spend a dime in there.that guy is the polar opposite of DAVE AT NICHOLAS SMITH.he always stops and talks with little guy.sorry for negative comments.I just don't think you should treat anyone,let alone an inquisitive young boy
Allan Spitz is very difficult if not impossible to deal with. I didn't know that Nicholas Smith was still around- I got my first Arnold Rapido set from them in 1967. Still have the locomotive and it still sort of works. I don't live in NY anymore so I won't ever go back there even if I did.
It hasn't changed a bit in the 35 years I've been going there. Still a complete disorganized mess. He needs a much bigger store but then you ruin the history of that shop. My dad worked on 43rd street (I work on 45th now) and I think he bought me an HO locomotive in that shop back in the early 70's or late 60's. I might have to stop by....
I really do consider my visits as a museum trip versus going to a hobby shop. The last time I was there, some items were moved around, but one aisle was completely blocked with boxes. My favorite is the HO scale brass case. There is quite the collection, but good luck trying to purchase one.
Matty, I can understand why you would feel that Allan is rude. I would ask that you take into consideration that there might be mitigating factors and that he is not doing it on purpose. He is actually a nice guy when you get to know and understand him. Thanks -Heath
![Human[c]ity Junction](http://yt3.ggpht.com/x7QVkEOwPLT1jpTdKc9bwQYS93A-fLY8L-cJ8AWUDHojlJtpPAwMAoOHaEAr7MamfgyMAb-l2g=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
Red Caboose operates a veritable superstore of model trains. It's fantastic! 👏 Now it makes me want to live in New York instead of on the Pacific coast! Thanks for taking us on the tour.
It is definitely a special place.
Cover your kids ears in this store. Authentic New York expletives for everything here is what I have observed wow
Yes, the owner seems to have tics that sometimes result in using colorful language.
This is my go to place. Allan has a vast knowledge of trains. He’s a shrewd businessman and he’s reasonable (at least in my dealings) when it comes to items. He’s a real talker in the best way possible. Once you’re done with your purchase, you know you’ve been served by a true New York native and you’ll be back. The shoppe and Allan leave you with an impression.
Vinnie, thanks for checking out the video and sharing your experiences. -Heath
A trip down memory lane for me. I remember this shop and still have the resin NYC HO subway car model I got there. Thanks for the show.
Glad you enjoyed it. It is definitely one of a kind.
Oh, man! So many memories of being in that shop. If I ever left there with anything in my wallet, it was probably just subway fare home. ❤
There was so much there that I wanted back in the day - and so much I'm seeing in this video that I'd love now!
Those stairs were a hike, but still better than the shop that was nearby with a postage stamp sized elevator as its only access.
If you have the time, you find find some buried treasures in that store.
Been here back in 2004. Very cool store! Watching this brought back memories.
There are parts of the store that appear to very much be stuck in time.
I used to frequent this place so much as a young teeneager. It was my little escape from Bed-stuy Brooklyn. I will buy my HO scale R-68 subway train one day!!
It is definitely a unique spot.
@@KnewYawkPapi how much is it?
Thank you for this visit to one of the iconic places of my youth! I grew up on the Upper West Side and went to this store with my mother often in the 1960s! This is where my Lionel train set came from as well as my HO Scale slot car set. Many years later, I visited the store and discovered they had a classic Shucco Disneyland Monorail for sale! I love that monorail and bought the set even though I didn't have the skills to make it work. Just having such an iconic product from the 1950s/60s was enough. I'm happy the store still exists (or did when you filmed this video). I hope it survived the Covid pandemic!
It is my understanding that Alan and the store have survived the pandemic and are still going strong.
Sometimes I cannot decide if the store is more museum, than store, with all the items he has collected.
It is great to hear this place got you started in the hobby!
Greetings, I'm glad that someone finally put this hobby shop on UA-cam. I used to talk with Allan,about putting more of his inventory on the web.I brought a lot of supplies from Red Caboose, and three Ho scale locomotives. Allan has a lot of knowledge of all train manufacturers, who are still in business,and those who have gone. He can tell you about the railroads he's travel on. Great video. Be safe and well.
Fred, It would be great if he would sell online. I think a lot of people would really appreciate what he has.
I would really like to interview Allan sometime. I am sure he has some stories to tell.
Thanks for watching -Heath
WOW! Lots of stuff to eye ball in there. Nice video Heath!!
While there are some new items in the store, the store is a museum into model railroading with some really interesting finds.
Increíble tienda con todo tipo de material sobre todo trenes que es mi colección. Tienda de obligada visita cuando visitas Nueva York.
I feel very lucky that this is the hobby store that is in my town. -Heath
WOW! What a treasure trove. There is so much there and I am sure even more hidden away. Heath, thanks for this tour.
There are supposedly some areas with a lot of additional stock.
Greetings, I am a 67 year old man from se Ohio. All the hobby shops have been gone for 25-30 years, your walk through the Red caboose was like living when I was 12 years old again. Probably I have not seen that much RR stuff in one place in all my trips to all the hobby shops in my life. Sounds like I might be road tripping to the big apple this coming summer. Thank you sir for taking the time to put it up on UA-cam, WOW!!!
I am glad you enjoyed the walkthrough. There is quite a collection in this store.
There were some very nice subway cars in that collect and amazing home many different scales where there.
The subway collections are hard to pass up.
I am very curious if he has any T scale.
Nice tour video, I always knew this place existed, but it is a lot larger than I imagined
There is A LOT of stuff jammed into a very small space.
Heath, this was a great visit. It’s like a lost world in there and there must be so many items from the past that it is like a museum, only without a curator to dust the shelves, lol. Have you been back at all? If you go back to do a video again, it looks like you will need a lot of memory to do it justice. Thanks for taking us along.
I was back in there recently. It is definitely like a museum. I have not done another video in there yet but it would be fun to do an update.
Great to see episode. I started shopping Model Railway back in 1966. Miss Carmen was a dear lady to me and every customer who came in. Though the pandemic has kept me upstate I would still be stopping at The Red Caboose. With a "refreshment" stop at the Cock & Bull or Sophia's'. ~ Jim
Jim, Thanks for sharing. Was the store in a similar condition back in the day? Stock full of items, floor to ceiling.
@@HumancityJunction The shop was always stocked to the brim. Though from your walk-about it seems Mr. Spitz has more product than I remember. ~ Jim
I bought my first model trains here in the 1980s!! Great to see that it's still there. I bought 3 New York Central locomotives, and they are still running today!
Tom, Very cool!. Have you been able to get back recently? -Heath
This video accurately captures the feel of this store. Well done!
Bill, thanks so much for watching and commenting.
Thank you for yourself and your beautiful narration I love you model and kitbash .
Thank you kindly!
I see a lot of things I need. I wish we had a hobby shop.
Need? Yeah, I see it that way as well. :) -Heath
Great old school shopping, go see what u like & buy it that simple,lots of great goodies 2 buy ,been here bought some myself.
This shop is definitely part museum and part store.
I was really close to this place the last time I was in NYC in 2015. MAN how I wish I'd known about it then
Willy, it is definitely somewhere that you need to know about in order to find. -Heath
Amazing store. Thanks for sharing! Bill.
Bill, Thanks for watching! -Heath
I can't believe I walked passed it when I visited New York few Years back. I will have to check it out next time I'm over. I spotted some items there I would like.
If you are not looking for it, it is definitely easy to miss.
nice video. Great to see this little shop around the corner still well and active. I Visited it in 1981 and it seems to have even more in stock today ! Thanks !
Henrik, thanks so much for watching the video. It is so great to hear old stories about the store.
Never heard of this place but I am going to have to check it out since it's just a train ride away.
It is definitely worth a visit.
Very cool video & hobby shop 😎 Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂
Gary, Many thanks! I am glad you enjoyed it. Heath
Awesome virtual tour Heath. There was so much stuff there it makes me wonder how the owner knows all that he has.
There are a lot of items without prices. Not only does he know what they are, he has a pretty good idea what they are worth.
This really motivates me to get back on NJT and take the train up from Trenton. Not like it's a terribly long ride, but I haven't been the since 2005. Day trip !!
I grew up not far from the Trenton station, but didn’t do any railfanning back then.
Then I came to NYC and took NJ Transit from NYC to Trenton quite frequently, sitting on my duffle bad since there were no seats.
You could definitely make it a day trip. There are some other rail related things to see this time of year, like the layout at Grand Central or the “Toy” Trains at the History Museum.
@@HumancityJunction My wife used to make the commute from NE Phila to Manhattan 3-days a week between 2004 and 2009 (whew!). So when I would have a day off I'd trek up to the city from NE Phila and hang around. I'd usually go over to B&H, Grand Central and have coffee at the Borders Books near 2nd Ave and 34th St. (long gone). Ben's Deli on W. 38th was my go-to for lunch. Sadly he closed that location.
I like your videos. Keep at it. Upward to Manhattan when the WX gets better!
@@ernietech-101 B&H is a favorite of mine!!
Three words...brass subway cars... (and they have been in the glass case since when I first saw them in 1987 when he was across the street on the 4th floor)...now that is a memory...Be well, Vincent Zablocki
The owner has a really amazing collection, but sometimes it seems like certain items are a part of hi collection and not necessarily things he wants to sell. But they are still amazing to see in the cabinets.
Heath, thank you for a great tour of this one-of-a-kind hobby store. Obviously it is the kind of place one would need to visit repeatedly just to browse the inventory and absorb its extent, not trying to take in too much at a time. Of course, I'm sure, every trip would find one or two items that were identified as being "immediately needed". Art...
Art, I would love to go through their shelves, but you are correct, the more I touch, the more I need.
WOW!! Heath, this is totally amazing!! Was in NYC a while back (pre-Covid) but didn't even know of this place, it's in Midtown close to the Diamond District, yes? When/if I ever go back there I'd like to at least have a good look around, Gemini Jets are my thing, did see some on the shelving, I tend to order mine from either Amazon or Aircraft Model Store (UK-based online retailer), but sadly here in UK those tend to be the main sources of supply, Hamleys in London did sell them at one time (don't know if they still do) but would love to come & check this place out. Great video BTW, best wishes & kind regards from Maidstone, Kent, UK.
Les, thanks for watching a commenting.
He has a much larger plane collection than I remembered, it is definitely a place to check out.
And yes, it is right down the street from the Diamond District. -Heath
I visited this many years ago still a neat place!
It is definitely an adventure.
very cool video Heath!
Thanks for the visit
Great Store! Thanks for sharing!
Our pleasure!
Great video!!
Good background information about the Red Caboose.
One interesting fact is that Rod Stewart has visited this location and made a purchase for his collection.
I am so curious what he bought there.
He bought an Empire State Express steam locomotive in addition to several shopping bags of stuff.
@@GlennGinsburg That is so awesome that you remember that.
Great looking shop Heath you could lose a few hours in there and a few £s or $s enjoyed looking at a different shop. I love it when I'm on holiday and I find a shop like that. Atb Heath stay safe Andy
Andy, it is really a fun place to explore. -Heath
Heath want to do a shopping list for this store now. wow he’s got a lot of inventory
William, If you call up the store and want to buy something, I will pick it up and mail it to you. -Heath
Fantastic model shop. I did notice a Lima OO Gauge model in one of the cabinets. Amazing to see. Thanks for shearing Heath 👍👍👍👍
There are definitely some gems to be found in there.
Great tour. I’ve been there years ago. Took some footage as well but not as much as you did. I got claustrophobic. Haha. I was afraid to turn around because I thought I’d knock something off the shelves!
When I got there, I took off my backpack and put it in a corner.
I could not turn around with it on.
I remember places like this...floor to ceiling stuff...so fun to explore...
It definitely is.
Interesting place - wish I visited there when I lived up there.
ChazCo, it sure is an interesting destination. -Heath
What is sad that there use to be a lot more train stored almost like the red caboose all over manhatten
Great tour and great video! I visited for the first time a couple days ago and it is an amazing store!
Thanks so much for watching. The hobby shop is a really special place.
Great video tour. I wish I had a hobby shop close by to shop at. Thanks heath
Thanks for watching!
Very pleasantly surprised that the Red Caboose (FKA Model RR Equipment Corp.) is still alive and kicking. Interesting how hobbies seem to get a boost during times like these when people have more time on their hands. NYC used to have at least a couple dozen local hobby shops all over the five boroughs but I think it's now down to less than five. Fitting that this one is among them. Long may it continue.
Jeff, I am only aware of two hobby stores that carry model trains in NYC. The Red Caboose and TrainWorld. Purchasing has definitely moved online. -Heath
Great tour! Tons of stuff! They might be tied with Trains and Lanes! Probably! Saw some Lackawanna in there! Next time I take a trip into NYC I will have to stop by! Great video and thanks for sharing!
You should! They had lots of steam :)
@@HumancityJunction Well.....I really must go there now!
Boy that place is packed
Did you spot any O scale/gauge gems?
Yea we had three shops in roanoke now we are down to one it's a good one.
The old chap that runs it is 80 I have known him since 1977 hateful not very friendly but he don't have to be friendly I will say he is the best lionel dealer in the south,hands down.
That seems to be happening.
wow. a couple of weekends to nose around in there would only make your itch to buy worse. love it
Thanks, it is definitely a treasure hunt with lots of rewarding finds. -Heath
Thank you. Classic shop. I'd get some trains and then Fish & Chips next door!
LOL, I was wondering if anyone noticed the restaurant.
Great shop, hate to do the stock take. stay safe, take care, and have fun.
Carl, I am not sure that it has been done in decades.
Fun store, old times Hobby shop... not far from the Holy Grail , Madison Hardware long gone. Next time I am in NYC will try and go there.
George, I would love to meet you there. There are probably some hidden gems that only you would recognize. -Heath
wow awesome video. i love the history. i hope you get your 3rd item.
I hope so too!
I’ve been there - That place is amazing! Great video, Heath.
Awesome! Thank you!
next time i get some free weekend. i gotta make a pitstop into their. i might blow a whole check in there.
Keith, let me know when you are planning to visit and I will meet you there. -Heath
@@HumancityJunction sounds like a plan to me
Great tour! He has a ton of stuff! - Jason
It would be fun to go through one of those display cases.
Wish I had a store like that near me. Nice!
Could you wallet afford it? LOL
@@HumancityJunction Well, probably not to the level I'd like, true, but still... so much neat stuff.
great tour Heath
Digger, thanks a lot. -Heath
I would have walked right past that in 2008, never saw it.
They definitely make the most of space, they have about two to 3 times the stuff on shelves that other stores do. Like a warehouse you walk through.
There is so much I couldn't tell if there was anything interesting, it would take a 4 hour video to see everything that close.
Tim, it is definitely a museum as much as a store. -Heath
You know Heath I to try to support my local hobby shop but right now you can't go in and explore. You have to know what you want and they get it. I wou love to see yours in person. I would get lost for days in there. At least you can shop to bad you can't eat. Hey and if you see anything Olympia beer in N Scale, please let me know. Man I'm jealous, Chris
Chris, thanks for watching.
So much stuff
Yeah, it really is quite the collection. -Heath
Does this store have any original Gilbert American Flyer?
Jim, I am not completely sure, but my guess would be yes. Try giving Alan a call at (212) 575-0155.
There was 3 train hobby shop on w45 st two in 14 w 45 st on the first floor was Manhattan hobbies ant the red caboose on the fourth floor and the train shop at 23 W. 45th St. in the basement where the Red Caboose is now
I am really happy the Red Caboose has been able to survive as long as it has.
@@HumancityJunction trainworld has done just as good and has a lot more trains
Cool video. I actually been there in 87
Do you remember what you bought?
@@HumancityJunction yes I do. It was a heljan bank kit in nscale. I still have it. It has been on my precious layouts. It has been on an ntrak module that has been in shows . Pensacola Florida. Mobile alabama, New Orleans and Norfolk Va
Great videos ,But I am interested as many others of the use of just plug and dcc unit use ,your going to have to show how step by step and wiring it up as just showing one segment losses a lot of us , please show the just plug hub and where the wire hook up track is ,I use nce power cab and just plug but want to try the dcc control unit,also is everything powered by track power bus line instead of just plug battery pack or power supply
Stanley, The only part of the Just Plug system that I am using is the LED lights themselves. I am plugging the LED's into a DCC decoder such as the NCE Illuminator or the Model Train Technology LSC II. These two decoders use the same plug that is found on the Just Plug system.
I can definitely do a video that explains this more clearly.
If you go to episode 7, about the 5 minute mark, I talk about the NCE Illuminator and setup and test it with the Just Plug LEDs.
Thanks -Heath
Is this the same shop Frank Sinatra used to visit? I've been to this shop, but it was a while ago... I have a receipt from August 1977 !
Pip, It might be the same physical location, but it ws not the same owner. There has been a Hobby shop in this building for a long time, but I do not know all the details. The current owner worked in a shop accross the street before he acquired this location.
I bet you thought u was in heaven going threw that place nice tour wish i had a place to go too
Dwight, looking back at the video, I could have spent several hours in there. -Heath
Hey, Heath... cool video. I have a couple German channels who like to go into stores and show their set up and stock. It is always cool to see! Maybe the owner will get some extra business and work with you more on that Märklin kit. lol
Anthony, I am definitely going to try to become more regular around there.
Whenever I have to walk down an aisle sideways, I usually don’t browse for very long.
I completely understand.
I could fit down the aisles, but I took my backpack off so I could turn around.
Places like this are not really intended for browsing. This is a place you go to when you want a hard to find item or need a common item now. When you're actually looking for something specific these cluttered places that are packed from floor to ceiling are the best places.
@@ScarabChris good point.
POLK'S WAS MY HANG OUT IN THE 60S SLOT CAR WAS THE IN THING !!!
I wish there were more slot cars around. I found some interesting YT videos, but have not seen them in hobby stores in a long time.
This is my kind of hobby store. You just know there are a bunch of train gems there! I think they offer bus trips to NYC from Binghamton. I have no interest in driving there. (I drove to NYC once and swore I would never do that again!😮) I’ve been wanting to take my son to the Nintendo Store and I see that’s only 3 blocks away! Hmmm, maybe a future trip? Very nice video!
If you come into the city, let me know and I will meet you down at the hobby store.
Awesome hobby shop. So how would you describe their pricing? A little higher than most or in line with other shops?
Thanks for sharing. Dave
Dave, I have not really priced out their "current" for sale items, I am usually looking at the hard to find items. If I can find the item on eBay, and that is a big if, the pricing is usually in line, but towards the higher side. Their prices are not ridiculous, especially when I find a rare item, but they are not the cheapest option either.
I should go back and find some common items and do a price comparison video. Then also show off some rare items, for example, the entire case of HO scale brass locomotives.
Thanks for watching -Heath
do you know what the best price for an elephant car would be?
I do not.
I would check eBay for the items that already sold (not the active listings)
The active listings might be higher than typical purchase price.
Great shop. Don't think have anything this big. In the UK
Sorry to hear that
You've never been to Gaugemaster in Arundel, West Sussex? They have a ton of stuff and it's actually organised unlike this chaotic place. I go there whenever I'm in the U.K.
@@lawrencelewis8105 no..never been there
@@sunj375 It's an easy ride from Waterloo. There's also a decent train shop at Tooting Broadway, or Tooting Bec, Can't recall which one.
Does this store have plarail items?
I do not recall seeing any there, but I would give them a call, www.theredcaboose.com/, 212-575-0155
how long would that take to look through. wow crabbed full
Probably more than my lifetime.
This hobby shop needs a website where we can order , it has so many good things to offer .
Joel, Agreed. -Heath
Local shops are good when you need something now. When ordering online you have to buy a few things to make the shipping cost worth it
Very true.
Big Atomic cannon kit, looked 1960s or 70s.
He has a lot of really old items in the store. It is definitely a treasure trove.
I'm fairly sure if I ever visited that shop, I would come out broke.
You would not be the only one.
They have an awesome section and assortment of items . How are the prices compared to online or other shops you have visited ? It sure doesn't look fatguy friendly , thoze isles look tight . 😂😉
The pricing is usually in the ball park, but on the higher side. I only look at the unique items, not the new stuff, so while the prices are on the high side, you could not find the items elsewhere.
The place is definitely not fatguy friendly.
Modeller : I've found paradise !
Fire marshal : What a nightmare !
As someone with mobility issues, I could never be able to handle either those stairs or those impassable aisles. :(
Yeah, I am really curious how they pass their fire inspections. -Heath
F rom the late 1960s I used to go there whenever I was in NYC. I see it's still chaotic. I model European N scale. There's N scale locomotives in a case without any prices. You had to ask Alan Spitz the price, but first you have to get his attention which can take a while as he was either on the phone or yelling at his employees. Getting the price can take a while. Then actually buying it can take a while as he has to find the box it came in, while he's now on the phone again.
He had stuff there from when his shop was on the top floor across the street. There was a fire that burned out the roof of that building and there was heat damage to some of the stuff (such as an Arnold passenger coach that was warped like a banana) but the price was the price even if the thing was damaged like that, or it was an ancient model from the 1960s but the price kept going up.
One time I was there, one of his employees said to another-'If I kill him, would I get a medal?" I said, after dealing with Spitz in a futile attempt to get a price on something, I said, "I'd give you one." The thing about the store is that he has stuff you can't find anywhere else unless you go to Germany and there are stores in Berlin that make this place look empty. I recommend that you just go to Germany if you are looking for European stuff. Don't bother with this bozo.
Lawrence, I have a friend that models all German trains and he has a connection for me in Germany if I need it.
The Red Caboose is definitely an interesting place. -Heath
@@HumancityJunction It is, without a doubt an interesting place. I would never disagree with that. It's a shambles and not a place I care to return to. I recall when it was the Model Railroad Equipment company- they had shelves after shelves of brass engines and was a lot better organised.
New York had some great hobby stores like Madison Hardware at the foot of Madison avenue that was the New York place for Lionel. Polk's at 5th avenue and 32nd street- four floors of hobbies, one just for trains. Do you recall the scene in "The Godfather" where Virgil Sollozo takes Tom Hagen? That was filmed in front of Polk's. Then there was America's Hobby Center on west 22nd st by 7th avenue where you looked in a catalog on the counter, told them what you wanted and they brought it to you. There were no aisles to walk around and look at stuff, it was all from the catalogs.
To model I mean 🤣 darn smart phone 😂
If smart phones are so smart, why can't they know what we mean.
Man, I could go crazy in that store - and I could also be divorced...How far is that from where you live?
I could walk home, but I usually take the subway.
Neat video..hope you didn’t break anything
I hope so too
I have heard of this shop.
It is pretty well known in spite of their internet presence.
Sou um apaixonado por aviões e meu maior desejo é de ter a oportunidade de montar um modelo dos meus aviões favoritos pois sofro de depresão cronica e acho quê esse hobby me ajudaria muito ,mais infelizmente moro em uma cidade aqui no Brasil que não tem lojas de plastimodelismo é na internet é muito caro é eu estou muito pobre e nunca conseguiria nenhum kit então me pego as veses vendo videos assim é sonhando com o dia de ter a oportunidade de ter algum kit para montar Deus abençõe os apaixonados por este magico mundo do plastimodelismo !
A modelagem é definitivamente um hobby incrível. Uma coisa que eu gosto no modelo ferroviário em particular é que há algo para todos e existem vários níveis diferentes de entrada.
Obrigado por conferir meus vídeos.
Been to that place.the owner worker was extremely rude to my grandson.the little guy is a train freak with vast knowledge of trains.he asked a question and this scumbag turned and walked away.not how to build the hobby.i will never spend a dime in there.that guy is the polar opposite of DAVE AT NICHOLAS SMITH.he always stops and talks with little guy.sorry for negative comments.I just don't think you should treat anyone,let alone an inquisitive young boy
William, Knowing a little bit about the owner, I can unfortunately see that happening. I will DM you. -Heath
Allan Spitz is very difficult if not impossible to deal with. I didn't know that Nicholas Smith was still around- I got my first Arnold Rapido set from them in 1967. Still have the locomotive and it still sort of works. I don't live in NY anymore so I won't ever go back there even if I did.
It hasn't changed a bit in the 35 years I've been going there. Still a complete disorganized mess. He needs a much bigger store but then you ruin the history of that shop. My dad worked on 43rd street (I work on 45th now) and I think he bought me an HO locomotive in that shop back in the early 70's or late 60's. I might have to stop by....
I really do consider my visits as a museum trip versus going to a hobby shop.
The last time I was there, some items were moved around, but one aisle was completely blocked with boxes.
My favorite is the HO scale brass case. There is quite the collection, but good luck trying to purchase one.
DO NOT TRUST THIS STORE!!! THE OWNER IS VERY RUDE! OVER PRCIES EVERYTHING!
Matty, I can understand why you would feel that Allan is rude.
I would ask that you take into consideration that there might be mitigating factors and that he is not doing it on purpose. He is actually a nice guy when you get to know and understand him. Thanks -Heath
You gotta remember this guy is working alone trying to run a small business in a niche market
@@HumancityJunction me and my friends were extremely disrespected....gonna have to do alot more convincing then that.
@@MattyCtrains may I ask what did he do