An Arizona Train Store Builds Entire Worlds Small Enough To Fit On A Table

If you had told my eight-year-old self that I’d someday find a place where giant model train layouts could fit inside a cozy shop, I probably would have fainted with joy.

My obsession with tiny locomotives never really grew up, it just got more expensive. That’s why walking into a magical little wonderland in Arizona recently felt less like shopping and more like stepping into a miniature dreamland.

Glass cases glittered, tiny whistles blew in my head, and the smell of fresh wood and nostalgia hit me instantly. If you love the sound of steel wheels clicking on plastic tracks as much as I do, grab your conductor’s hat.

We are about to shrink down and explore a jaw-dropping hub where entire worlds are built on top of everyday tables, proving that big fun definitely comes in small packages.

A Lifelong Dream Realized

Ben VanHoose spent his entire life dreaming about model railroading, collecting trains and planning layouts while working full-time on real locomotives. Opening 66 Trains marked the fulfillment of a goal he’d carried since childhood.

The store sits in a distinctive white building directly behind the Carl’s Jr. on Beale Street, nestled between Andy Devine and Beale streets. Visitors sometimes walk right past it before doubling back, surprised to find such a specialized shop in this historic Route 66 town.

I found the location charming, with its unassuming exterior hiding a treasure trove of miniature railroading inside. The couple chose Kingman deliberately, honoring the city’s rich railroad heritage that dates back to March 28, 1883, when the first train arrived.

Their tagline, “Making Model Railroading Great Again,” reflects their mission to keep this traditional hobby thriving in a digital age.

HO And N Scale Specialty Focus

Walking into 66 Trains, I immediately noticed the impressive selection of HO and N scale model trains lining the walls. These two scales represent the sweet spot for most hobbyists, offering detail without requiring an entire basement.

HO scale runs at 1:87 proportion, making it popular for home layouts that fit in spare rooms or garages. N scale operates at 1:160, allowing builders to create expansive railroads in even tighter spaces.

The store stocks locomotives, rolling stock, track, scenery materials, and all the tiny details that bring miniature worlds to life.

While they occasionally carry a few Lionel train sets, the VanHooses made a deliberate choice not to focus on Lionel, O27, or larger gauges.

This specialization means they can stock deeper inventory in their chosen scales, offering serious modelers the specific parts and accessories they actually need rather than spreading resources too thin across every possible size.

The In-Store Layout Featuring Kingman Depot

One of the shop’s centerpieces is a work-in-progress HO scale model of the historic Kingman Depot, being scratch-built by a talented customer. Watching this structure take shape over multiple visits creates a sense of anticipation and community.

Scratch-building means constructing the model from raw materials rather than assembling a kit, requiring considerable skill and patience. The builder measures, cuts, and assembles each wall, window, and architectural detail by hand.

I watched visitors lean in close to examine the tiny shingles and precisely scaled doorframes.

This collaborative approach to the store layout makes 66 Trains more than just a retail space. It becomes a gathering place for the local model railroad community, where projects evolve publicly and inspire newcomers.

The Kingman Depot holds special significance locally, representing the railroad heritage that shaped the entire region’s development and continues to define its character today.

Beth’s N Scale Vision of 1950s Route 66

Beth VanHoose didn’t grow up with model trains, but after meeting Ben, she discovered her own passion for the hobby. Her current project imagines the Santa Fe Railway running alongside Route 66 during the golden era of the 1950s and 60s.

Choosing N scale for her layout allows Beth to capture long stretches of desert landscape and highway in a manageable space. The smaller scale lets her depict the vast Arizona scenery that defines Route 66’s character.

I love how she’s combining railroad history with automotive nostalgia, creating a layout that tells a broader story about mid-century American travel.

Her background as an educator at Kingman Unified School District brings organizational skills and patience to the meticulous work of model building.

Watching her layout develop gives other newcomers, especially women who might feel intimidated entering a male-dominated hobby, permission to explore their own creative visions without decades of prior experience.

Wednesday Through Saturday Hours: A Sustainable Schedule

Operating 66 Trains Wednesday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, represents a practical approach for a small business run by two people. The schedule gives the VanHooses time to restock, manage online operations, and maintain their own layouts.

I respect businesses that set boundaries allowing owners to sustain their passion long-term rather than burning out. Closing Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays might disappoint some tourists, but it ensures Ben and Beth can provide excellent service during open hours.

They’re present, energized, and available to answer detailed questions rather than exhausted from seven-day weeks.

For serious hobbyists, knowing the consistent schedule makes planning visits straightforward. Locals can time their trips around the weekly rhythm.

The limited hours also create a sense of occasion, making visits feel special rather than routine. This approach prioritizes quality over constant availability, reflecting values that align perfectly with the patient, detail-oriented nature of model railroading itself.

Hub For The Mohave Model Railroad Club

66 Trains serves as the hub for the Mohave Model Railroad Club, providing the local modeling community with a central gathering point.

While meetings have historically rotated between locations like the Kingman Powerhouse & Visitor Center and Kathryn Heidenreich Senior Center, the store remains the heart of club activity.

Recent unforeseen circumstances have temporarily cancelled meetings, but the club’s connection to 66 Trains continues. I’ve seen how important these clubs are for sharing techniques, troubleshooting problems, and simply enjoying the social aspect of a solitary hobby.

New modelers gain mentorship from experienced builders, while veterans find fresh inspiration from younger perspectives.

The store benefits from this relationship too, as club members become regular customers and word-of-mouth ambassadors. When hobbyists gather to discuss their latest projects, they inevitably need supplies, creating natural business opportunities.

This symbiotic relationship between retail and community strengthens both, ensuring model railroading thrives in Kingman for generations to come.

Downtown Kingman First Fridays Participation

66 Trains actively participates in Downtown Kingman First Fridays, opening their doors during these popular monthly community events. The gatherings bring residents and visitors into the historic downtown area, creating foot traffic and festive energy.

I watched during one First Friday as curious people who’d never considered model railroading wandered in, drawn by the lights and activity. Some stayed for minutes, others for an hour, captivated by the intricate details on display.

These events introduce the hobby to demographics who might never seek out a specialized train store. The VanHooses use these occasions to showcase their passion, answering beginner questions without judgment and demonstrating the accessibility of modern model railroading.

Kids press their noses against display cases, parents remember childhood train sets, and a few discover a new hobby that will occupy them for years. Participating in First Fridays demonstrates the couple’s commitment to Kingman’s broader community, not just the niche modeling world.

Ben’s Real Railroad Experience Informs The Models

Ben VanHoose’s 15 years as a railroad engineer and conductor for CSX and Kingman Terminal Railroad give him unique credibility in the model train world. He’s operated the real machinery that hobbyists spend years trying to replicate in miniature.

This hands-on experience shows in the details he emphasizes when helping customers. He knows how couplers actually function, how locomotives distribute weight, and how track geometry affects performance.

I noticed him explaining to a customer why a particular curve radius wouldn’t work, drawing on memories of actual railroad operations rather than just catalog specifications.

His YouTube channel extends this expertise beyond the store’s walls, sharing insights that blend professional railroading with modeling techniques. Customers trust his recommendations because they know he’s walked the yards, felt the vibrations of tonnage rolling past, and understood the systems from the inside.

That authentic knowledge transforms 66 Trains from a simple retail shop into a genuine educational resource for anyone serious about realistic modeling.

Kingman’s Railroad Heritage Comes Full Circle

The first train rolled into Kingman on March 28, 1883, forever changing this Arizona outpost. Railroads drove the city’s growth, connecting mineral mines to distant markets and bringing settlers to the high desert.

Standing in 66 Trains, I felt the poetry of this history coming full circle.

Ben and Beth honor Kingman’s railroad legacy not by preserving museum artifacts but by keeping the passion alive through modeling. Their store exists because trains mattered here, and it ensures trains will continue mattering to future generations.

As Route 66 and interstate highways later reduced railroad passenger traffic, Kingman adapted while maintaining its railroad identity. The nearby Kingman Railroad Museum features O, HO, and N scale exhibits that complement what 66 Trains offers.

Together, these resources create a complete railroad experience, blending historical preservation with active hobby participation. The VanHooses aren’t just selling trains; they’re stewarding a cultural legacy that defines their adopted hometown’s character and spirit.

Grand Re-Opening

When 66 Trains held its grand re-opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Kingman Chamber of Commerce, the event signaled the community’s embrace of this specialized business. Chamber support provides networking, visibility, and legitimacy for new ventures.

I appreciate how the VanHooses invested in proper business foundations rather than just opening their doors quietly. The ceremony invited local officials, business owners, and residents to celebrate together, creating awareness and goodwill.

First-time business owners face steep learning curves, and connecting with the Chamber provides resources and mentorship beyond what any guidebook offers.

The re-opening designation suggests they refined their initial concept, perhaps adjusting inventory, layout, or services based on early feedback. This willingness to adapt shows business savvy that will serve them well long-term.

By anchoring themselves in Kingman’s business community while serving a specialized niche, Ben and Beth have positioned 66 Trains for sustained success, proving that passion and pragmatism make powerful partners.