One shop on this list will buy your old trains, sell you new ones, and trade you something else entirely. Another stocks toddler wooden train sets right alongside big outdoor railroad sets built to run in the garden.
I love that range. It tells me these stores still serve the kid holding a first engine and the grown-up chasing one rare boxcar.
Across Illinois, a handful of hobby shops keep their shelves loaded with locomotives, rolling stock, plastic kits, paints, and tiny scenery pieces. Some even have trains running inside the store, which feels like a small miracle in an online shopping world.
I can’t help wondering how many layouts started with a single trip down one of these aisles. Grab your tweezers and glue. I’m already plotting which counter I’d hit first.
1. Walt’s Hobby & Model Shop
Paint shelves can make or break a hobby shop, and this one shows up ready. The racks here are known for being among the best stocked around.
That matters more than you might think. Running out of one color halfway through a build is the hobby version of a flat tire.
Model trains sit at the center of the store’s identity. You’ll find miniature railroad supplies for the different gauges, so N, HO, and bigger scales can all hunt in the same aisles.
The kit side runs wide too. Model planes, cars, and building supplies share space with a solid stack of model rockets.
Gunpla fans get their own reason to visit. The shop carries a strong selection of those Japanese robot kits, which pair nicely with all that paint.
Staff here know their stuff, and that’s a big deal for returning hobbyists. If you packed away your trains years ago, a helpful conversation can get you back on track fast.
Prices land in fair territory, and the stock runs deep. That combo makes it easy to grab track, glue, and one more kit you didn’t plan on.
Timing your trip helps. Weekends get busy, especially Sunday morning into afternoon and Saturday afternoon.
Weekday visits tend to be much calmer. Monday through Friday, the shop stays open until 8 PM, which works great for after-school or after-work browsing.
Weekend hours run 10 AM to 5 PM on both days. So you’ve got options whether you’re a night owl or a Saturday planner.
Crest Hill sits right near Joliet in Will County, an easy hop for much of the southwest suburbs. Bring a list, but leave a little room for surprises.
Address: 2207 Plainfield Rd, Crest Hill, IL 60403
2. Des Plaines Hobbies
S scale fans, your search party can stand down. Finding S scale locomotives on a store shelf is rare, and this Lee Street shop carries them.
Model railroading is the main event here. The selection of locomotives and rolling stock is huge, so plan on slow browsing.
O scale builders get plenty of love too. The shop is nicely stocked with O scale kits, which gives bigger layouts room to grow.
What really sets it apart is the small stuff. Detail kits, model railroad electronics, and tiny accessories help turn a plain model into something that looks lived in.
Scenery shelves deserve a look as well. You can pick up scenic materials and building materials for grass, hills, and structures.
Fun twist: the store also sells supplies for architectural building. That means students working on building models may find useful gear right beside the boxcars.
Plastic kit fans aren’t left out. There’s a decent selection of those, though trains clearly run the show.
Customer service has a strong reputation, and the staff come across as pleasant and helpful. That’s exactly the kind of old-school shop worth keeping around.
Hours are easy to work with. Weekdays run 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturdays 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sundays 11 AM to 5 PM.
Des Plaines sits close to O’Hare in the northwest suburbs. It’s a handy stop if you’re crossing that side of Illinois anyway.
Here’s a tip for first-timers. Bring your model or a photo of it, so you can match parts and details without guessing.
Tiny parts get lost in the car easily, so pack a small box. Your future self, kneeling on the floor mat, will thank you.
Address: 1524 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL 60018
3. America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop
Toddler wooden trains and giant garden railways rarely share a zip code. In Itasca, they share a store.
The range here is wild in the best way. BRIO sets for little hands sit in the same shop as high-end LGB trains made to run outdoors.
Shelves are packed with model train accessories. Still, the place stays neatly arranged, so the hunt feels fun instead of messy.
Collectors, pay attention to the older stock. The shop mixes new items with things from recent years and old hard-to-find kits, trains, and toys.
Parents of young train fans will spot something special too. Preowned and new-in-box Thomas Wooden Railway, Chuggington, and Brio pieces show up here.
Every so often, Whittle Shortline Railroad items appear as well. Those handcrafted wooden pieces have a loyal following.
Plastic modelers get expert help. The staff are known for knowing plastic model kits, tools, and supplies very well.
Toys stretch beyond trains, with quality lines throughout the store. It’s a solid stop for birthday shopping when you need a gift that isn’t another screen.
Some fans call it the last classic toy train store in the Chicago area. That’s a big title, and the shelves seem ready to back it up.
Plan around the schedule. Weekdays run 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturdays open early at 9 AM and close at 4 PM, and Sundays are closed.
In-store pickup is available. That helps if you already know what you want and just need to grab it.
Itasca sits in DuPage County, close to Schaumburg and the airport area. Leave extra time, because the old kits have a sneaky way of stretching a quick visit.
Address: 865 Maplewood Dr, Itasca, IL 60143
4. Berwyn’s Toys & Trains
Some stores play background music. Here, the soundtrack might be a model train rolling past inside the shop.
Running model trains are part of the experience on Ogden Avenue. For little kids, that can be the highlight of the whole week.
Electric trains are the stars of this nostalgic shop. HO scale fans will find a quality selection at reasonable prices.
The toy side keeps things fun for the whole family. Dolls, cars, and other toys share space with the trains.
Young engineers can also explore wooden train sets. That makes it a nice first stop before they’re ready for electric track.
Builders have plenty to work with too. The shelves stretch from model trains to buildable models and LEGO sets.
Pricing stays competitive across those categories. That’s a nice bonus when you’re shopping for gifts and hobby supplies on the same trip.
Berwyn itself has a classic Chicago-suburb feel, with Ogden Avenue running through as an old main route. The shop fits that historic road nicely.
Watch the calendar before you go. The store is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Tuesday through Friday, the doors are open 10 AM to 6 PM. Saturdays run 10 AM to 5 PM.
In-store pickup is an option if you call ahead about an item. That saves time when the kids are already itching to see the trains.
Here’s a tip for parents. Let the kids watch the running trains first, then shop, since nobody focuses on price tags while a locomotive is moving.
You might leave with a wooden set, a model kit, or an HO boxcar. Honestly, you might leave with all three.
Address: 7025 Ogden Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402
5. Mainline Model Railroad Products LLC
Buy, sell, or trade. Those three words sum up why Springfield train fans keep this shop on speed dial.
Mainline deals only in model railroading supplies and equipment. That tight focus means the shelves aren’t crowded with unrelated stuff.
The trade side is a real perk. Have extra locomotives or cars gathering dust? Trade-in prices give them a second life.
HO modelers will find a really good selection here. Track, building kits, locomotives, and rolling stock all show up.
N scale fans get plenty to browse too. Smaller trains mean bigger layouts in less space, which is handy for apartments.
Ready-to-run models are another strong point. If you want to unbox it and roll, the rtr selection has you covered.
Kit builders still get their fun. There are lots of kits for anyone who likes glue, patience, and tiny parts.
Pricing lines up with what you’d find online. The difference is you can hold the model before you buy it.
The folks behind the counter are super friendly and know their trains. That makes trading feel easy, not stressful.
Hours are a little unusual, so check them twice. The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Wednesday through Saturday, it’s open noon to 6 PM. Sunday hours run noon to 5 PM.
Springfield sits right in the middle of Illinois, and it’s the state capital. That makes this a handy stop for central Illinois modelers who don’t want a long drive to Chicago.
Bring a list of your trade items before you arrive. A quick photo or notes on scale and condition can make the conversation faster.
Address: 2436 Denver Dr, Springfield, IL 62702
6. Thunder Road Hobbies
Racing tracks inside a hobby shop? Thunder Road lives up to its loud name.
This Moline store has onsite racing tracks for RC vehicles. That turns a shopping trip into a chance to see cars in action.
RC is a big part of the lineup. You’ll find vehicles, parts, and fair prices on gear you need to keep running.
Slot car fans get their own corner of fun. The shop carries what you need to build slot cars.
Model kits fill shelves too. The plastic kit variety is solid, so builders have plenty to pick from.
Trains are also part of the specialty list. That makes this a nice stop for railroad fans in western Illinois.
Staff are friendly and helpful, which matters when RC parts get confusing. A quick question can save you from buying the wrong part.
The Quad Cities sit right along the Mississippi River. Moline is one of the anchors on the Illinois side.
Schedules here need a careful look. The shop is closed Wednesdays.
Monday, Tuesday, and Friday run 11 AM to 7 PM. Thursday opens at noon and closes at 7 PM.
Saturday stretches from 10 AM to 6 PM, and it’s the busiest day. Sunday hours run noon to 4 PM.
Want quieter aisles? Monday mornings are the calmest time to stop by.
Here’s a smart move for new RC drivers. Bring your car’s model name, since parts often fit only certain versions.
And if a train fan in the family isn’t into racing, no problem. They can browse kits and trains while the RC crowd talks motors.
Address: 6411 61st St, Moline, IL 61265
7. HobbyTown
Chain store, local shop energy. This Orland Park HobbyTown carries a selection that feels huge for a neighborhood hobby stop.
Railroading has a real presence here. Train fans can browse that section without feeling like an afterthought.
Model builders have lots to choose from as well. The kit and supply shelves run deep.
Model airplanes add another layer of fun. They’re a good pick if you want something to hang from your bedroom ceiling.
RC cars bring speed to the mix. Slot car supplies round things out for racing fans.
Games are part of the lineup too. That helps when family members have different hobbies.
Prices stay very reasonable for a shop with this much stock. Helpful staff add to the good service.
The store welcomes everyone and is known as LGBTQ+ friendly. Hobbies are better when the whole crew feels included.
Hours are generous. Weekdays run 11 AM to 7 PM, and weekends run 11 AM to 6 PM.
Weekend afternoons get the biggest crowds. Weekdays tend to be quieter, so school-night trips can be smart.
In-store pickup is available too. That’s handy if you need one specific part fast.
Orland Park sits in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, with plenty of shopping nearby. This store makes a fun break from the usual errands.
Here’s a tip for beginners. Start with one kit and the matching glue and paint, rather than grabbing a cart full of projects.
Finish that first build, then come back for the next. Your shelf space and your patience will both last longer.
Of course, with trains, planes, and racing all in one place, sticking to one item might be the hardest build of the day.
Address: 15601 S 94th Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462
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