8 Old-School Illinois Hobby Shops Where Trains And Kits Still Line The Shelves
Somewhere in Illinois right now, a little engine is chugging around a tiny track while a kid presses their nose against the glass. Old-school hobby shops still exist here, packed with model trains, plastic kits, paints, and boxes stacked to the ceiling.
They are cozy, affordable spots where you can spend an afternoon browsing without spending much at all. Grab the family, because these eight shops prove that building something with your own hands never goes out of style.
1. America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop
Ask a seasoned Chicago-area train fan where the classic toy train store lives on, and Itasca comes up fast. This shop on Maplewood Drive feels like a throwback, with shelves neatly lined with trains of nearly every type you can imagine.
Younger visitors get plenty of love here too. The store carries both preowned and new-in-box Thomas wooden railway pieces, along with Chuggington and Brio sets, and now and then even a rare Whittle Shortline Railroad item turns up.
For parents trying to grow a little one’s track collection on a budget, those preowned pieces are a real treat.
Collectors, meanwhile, will want to slow down and study the stock. Alongside the newest releases sit items from recent years and, best of all, old hard-to-find kits, trains, and toys.
It is the kind of place where a quick stop easily turns into an hour of happy hunting.
Model builders benefit from a staff that knows plastic kits, tools, and supplies inside and out. Questions about glue, paint, or a tricky assembly get thoughtful answers.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM, with Sundays closed. In-store pickup is available for planned purchases.
2. Berwyn’s Toys & Trains
Route 66 has always been about the journey, so it makes sense that one of its Berwyn stops is all about trains. Set on Ogden Avenue, this nostalgic shop puts electric trains front and center, with dolls, cars, and other toys rounding out the shelves.
Kids tend to head straight for the action. Wooden train sets invite little hands to explore, and running model trains inside the store keep young eyes glued to every loop and whistle.
Parents often find the visit doubles as free entertainment.
Serious hobbyists get their own reasons to stay. The portfolio suits both dedicated collectors and casual admirers, with a quality selection of HO scale trains and rolling stock that makes it easy to leave with a new car or two.
Prices are known for being reasonable, which helps when the wish list keeps growing.
Variety is another strong point. Buildable models, plastic kits, and Lego sets share space with the trains, including some rare Lego sets that are tough to track down elsewhere.
Plan your trip for Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM or Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The shop closes Sundays and Mondays, so a Saturday Route 66 outing pairs perfectly.
3. Des Plaines Hobbies
Model railroaders who work in S scale know the struggle of finding parts close to home. Des Plaines Hobbies on Lee Street happens to be one of those rare stores that stocks S scale locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories right on the shelf.
Railroading is clearly the heartbeat of this shop. A huge selection of locomotives and rolling stock fills the space, along with scenic materials and building supplies for anyone shaping hills, towns, or rail yards.
O scale kits are nicely stocked as well.
Detail fans will appreciate the smaller stuff. Detail kits, model railroad electronics, and tiny accessories help finish a project the right way, turning a plain car into something that looks truly lived in.
Beyond trains, the store carries a decent plastic kit selection and supplies for architectural building and other crafts. That makes it handy for students working on school models, too.
The staff are friendly, and the overall feel is exactly the kind of old school shop worth keeping alive. One perk sets it apart from many on this list: it opens Sundays from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Weekday hours run 10 AM to 6 PM, and Saturdays run 10 AM to 5 PM.
4. Walt’s Hobby & Model Shop
Paint. Lots and lots of paint.
Walk into Walt’s in Crest Hill and the color wall alone might stop you in your tracks, since it ranks among the best-stocked paint selections a modeler could hope for.
Size matters here as well. This large hobby shop covers miniature railroad supplies for all the different gauges, so whether your layout runs tiny or chunky, you can likely find track and parts to match.
The huge selection of model trains keeps railroaders busy for a long while.
Not into trains? No problem at all.
Car model kits, planes, model rockets, and a great selection of Gunpla sit beside general model building supplies, giving every family member something to browse. A kid hooked on rockets and a grandparent hooked on railroads can both leave happy.
The knowledgeable staff is a big part of the charm. Folks returning to the hobby after years away often find this is where the spark comes back.
Timing helps too. Weekday hours stretch to 8 PM, which is great after work or school, and the shop opens 10 AM to 5 PM on weekends.
Weekdays tend to be quiet, while Sunday and Saturday afternoons bring the biggest crowds.
5. McLean Depot Train Shop
Few train stores can claim they sit inside an actual depot. In tiny McLean, a rural community of fewer than 1,000 people, this shop does exactly that, filling a neat old depot with model trains and railroad artifacts on display.
Getting there is half the fun. The shop sits just off I-55, making it an easy detour on a central Illinois road trip between Bloomington and Springfield.
Free on-site parking means no circling the block.
Inside, HO scale fans will feel right at home thanks to a great selection of HO trains and more. Hobby supplies and scenic building components round out the stock, so you can grab both an engine and the trees for its scenery.
Digital railroaders have a special reason to visit. The shop offers DCC services and carries DCC parts, helping modelers add sound, lighting, and smoother control to their locomotives.
That kind of expertise is hard to find in a small town.
Families will love the history lesson that comes free with browsing. The artifacts give kids a peek at real railroading before they shop for miniature versions.
Visit Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM or Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
6. Castle Trains & Treasures
Trains and farm fresh eggs in the same stop? Only in Illinois could that combo feel completely natural.
Out on Old Jacksonville Road near Springfield, this cozy mom-and-pop shop offers both, and it adds plenty of small-town personality.
Scale variety stands out right away. Trains and track come in HO and N, with a great supply of HO and G scale trains and accessories too.
Big garden engines and pocket-sized ones share the shelves, so every type of layout gets attention.
Budget-minded hobbyists should pay close attention. A big selection of Woodland Scenics accessories often comes in cheaper than prices online or at train shows, which is a sweet deal for anyone building mountains or meadows.
Repair folks also strike gold. The detail and repair parts selection is excellent, helping keep older engines rolling instead of collecting dust.
The staff are helpful and know their stuff, making advice easy to come by.
Hours are unique, so check before heading out. The shop opens Tuesday from noon to 5 PM, Thursday from noon to 7 PM, and weekends from noon to 5 PM.
It stays closed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, making a Saturday drive a smart plan.
7. Red Board Hobbies
Metro East families looking for a train fix do not have to cross the river. Red Board Hobbies in Belleville, right in St. Clair County, handles model trains and scale models with a friendly, local feel.
New HO trains lead the lineup, joined by some N scale options. Buildings, track, and accessories fill in the rest, giving beginners and veterans what they need to expand a layout piece by piece.
Diorama builders, this one is for you. Paints, glues, and plenty of supplies for scenes and displays sit alongside the trains, so a school project or a weekend tank model can come together in one trip.
The space is on the smaller side, yet the selection punches above its size.
Fair prices make it easy to say yes to that extra boxcar. The staff are knowledgeable and approachable, ready to point you toward the right part without any fuss.
Practical perks help too. A free parking lot sits on-site, and curbside pickup is available for anyone grabbing a quick order.
Doors open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Sundays and Mondays are closed, so plan around those days.
8. B & G Train World
Dusting off an old train set from the attic? B & G Train World in Elgin might be the best place to bring it back to life.
The staff here are known for coaching hobbyists through reviving old sets and growing them into something bigger, which makes it perfect for parents sharing the hobby with their kids.
Small yet well stocked describes it nicely. The shop focuses on trains and plastic models, with a strong selection centered on HO and N scale.
Shelves offer a big selection of train cars, track, and accessories, so adding a loop or a new freight car is simple. Diverse model kits sit nearby for builders who like to switch between railroading and assembling planes or cars.
The vibe feels personal. Instead of wandering lost through giant aisles, visitors get real guidance from people who clearly enjoy the hobby, and that makes first-time shoppers feel welcome.
Hours are a little unusual, so plan ahead. The shop opens Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 6 PM, Friday from noon to 8 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
It closes Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. A Friday evening visit makes a fun, low-cost family outing.