Toddler BRIO sets share shelf space with big LGB trains built to run outside in the garden. That range alone tells you this shop takes play seriously, no matter your age.
N scale, HO scale, O scale, and Lionel all have a home here. Then the other side of the store throws in Lego, Playmobil, Tamiya kits, and walls of hobby paint. It’s a lot to take in, in the best possible way.
This is a privately owned shop in suburban Illinois, the kind that feels rarer every year. The aisles are packed tight, and every shelf seems to hold one more surprise.
With that many trains, models, and hobby supplies to browse, a quick visit could easily turn into a whole afternoon.
Every Scale Gets A Seat At This Station
Model railroading has a language all its own, and scale is the first word you learn. America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop speaks it fluently, with N, HO, and O scale trains filling its shelves.
N scale is the tiny one, perfect for fitting a big railroad into a small room. HO sits in the middle and remains a hugely popular choice for home layouts.
O scale is chunkier and easy to handle, which makes it great for classic holiday setups. Lionel trains, a name many families know from childhood, show up here too.
On the large end, LGB trains are built tough enough to run outdoors. That means a garden railroad could start with a single trip to this shop.
Here’s a practical tip for beginners. Pick your scale before buying track, cars, or buildings, because pieces from different scales won’t play nicely together.
Not sure which fits your space? Measure the room or table first, then bring those numbers along. It makes the conversation with staff faster and much more useful.
Knowing your scale is like knowing your shoe size. Everything after that gets a whole lot easier.
Pack Your Patience, Because These Aisles Go Deep
Some stores are built for quick errands. This one is built for wandering, with shelves packed tight from end to end.
The shop isn’t huge, but it holds a remarkable amount of stuff. Train cars, track pieces, accessories, kits, and toys all compete for every inch of space.
That density is part of the fun. You can scan one shelf three times and still spot something new on the fourth pass.
So plan ahead and give yourself real time. A quick ten-minute stop rarely does a place like this justice.
It helps to bring a short list of what you need. Write down part numbers, track types, or the brand of your current set before you head out.
Then leave room for happy accidents. A tiny signal light or a weathered boxcar might be the piece your layout was quietly missing.
Comfortable shoes are a smart call, too. Browsing tight aisles is easier when you’re not thinking about your feet.
Think of it as a treasure hunt with better lighting. The reward is finding exactly the right piece, or a brand-new idea you never expected.
Thomas Fans Have Found Their Happy Place
Little engineers often start with wooden track and a cheerful blue tank engine. America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop gives that first love plenty of shelf space.
The store carries Thomas wooden railway pieces, along with Chuggington and BRIO items. Both new-in-box and preowned pieces can turn up, which keeps the hunt interesting.
Collectors may also find older or harder-to-find railway toys among the shelves. Owner Tony and the shop’s staff bring years of experience to helping customers explore the hobby.
Trackmaster fans aren’t left out, either. Motorized sets give kids a taste of real train action without needing a complex layout.
For parents, preowned pieces are a smart way to grow a collection. Wooden trains are sturdy, and a few extra bridges or engines can make an old set feel new.
A good habit is snapping a photo of your child’s current set before visiting. That way, you won’t accidentally bring home a third copy of the same engine.
Toddlers and grown collectors don’t always shop the same aisle. Here, they just might, and both will leave smiling.
Lego And Playmobil Fans, Head To The Other Side
Trains get top billing, but they don’t run the whole show. One side of the shop is stacked with Lego and Playmobil sets.
Lego sets add another reason to browse. If you’re hunting for a particular older build, it’s worth asking what the shop currently has in stock.
Playmobil gets serious attention, too. Missing that one set from your childhood or your kid’s wish list? There’s a decent chance it’s sitting on a shelf right here in Illinois.
Collectible horse figures and other toys round out the mix. Die-cast vehicles also show up, giving car fans their own reason to linger.
This variety makes the shop a solid pick for family outings. One kid can study train cars while another compares building sets.
A small tip for gift shopping: know the age range printed on the box. Some sets have tiny parts that work better for older builders.
It’s a nice reminder that hobbies often overlap. Plenty of model railroaders started with plastic bricks, and a few brick fans might leave holding their first boxcar.
Kit Builders Will Want Extra Time Near The Paint
Tiny bottles of paint can change everything about a model. A plain gray tank becomes muddy and battle-worn, and a jet gets its sharp stripes.
America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop carries a strong selection of both acrylic and enamel hobby paints. That matters, because each type behaves differently on your brush.
Acrylics clean up with water and dry fairly fast. Enamels take longer but give a tough, smooth finish many builders love.
The shop also stocks a large collection of Tamiya model kits. Tamiya is a famous name among plastic model builders, known for kits that fit together well.
Staff here know plastic kits, tools, and supplies well. That’s handy when you’re choosing glue, a hobby knife, or the right primer.
For new builders, start with a simpler kit and a handful of colors. Buying twenty paints for your first project can feel exciting, then overwhelming.
Check the paint list printed in your kit’s instructions before shopping. Matching those colors is easier at the shelf than guessing at home with a half-finished model.
Bring Your Questions, The Staff Speaks Fluent Train
Returning to model trains after decades away can feel like learning a language you forgot. Track systems change, brands come and go, and parts lists get confusing fast.
Help is one of the biggest strengths at America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop. The staff here are known for knowing the hobby well and taking time with questions.
Train service and support are part of the picture, too. That’s useful if an old locomotive has been sitting in a box since the last century.
Bring the item along if you can. A photo works, but the real engine or track piece makes answers much quicker.
Also write down what you already own. Brand names, scale, and track type help staff point you toward parts that actually fit.
Don’t worry about sounding like a beginner. Everyone at a train counter started out confused about couplers at some point.
This kind of in-person guidance is getting harder to find. A good conversation can save you from buying the wrong thing, which is a gift all on its own.
A Holiday Train Around The Tree Starts Right Here
Few things say holidays like a little train circling the tree. It’s a tradition many families pull out of storage year after year.
America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop is a handy stop for getting that setup running again. Track, accessories, and replacement parts all live under one roof.
Old sets often need a little help after years in the attic. Track sections go missing, and a power pack may not behave like it once did.
Start by unpacking everything a few weeks before you decorate. That gives you time to test the engine and figure out what’s missing.
Then make a quick list and bring it to the shop. You’ll spend less time guessing and more time enjoying the browsing.
O scale and Lionel trains are classic picks for tree layouts. Their size stands out nicely under branches and gifts.
Smaller scales can work, too, especially in tight living rooms. Whatever you choose, a working train turns a decorated corner into something kids and grown-ups will gather around all season.
Know The Hours Before You Hop On The Expressway
Timing your visit matters, especially if you’re driving in from elsewhere in the Chicago area. The shop follows a steady weekday schedule with a slightly earlier Saturday.
You’ll find America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop at 865 Maplewood Dr, Itasca, IL 60143. Itasca sits in DuPage County, west of Chicago.
Monday through Friday, hours run from 10 am to 5 pm. Saturday opens earlier at 9 am and closes at 4 pm.
Sunday is the day off, so don’t plan a weekend loop that ends there. That’s a sad drive home with empty hands.
Saturday mornings are a nice option for families. You get an early start and still have the afternoon free for setting up new purchases.
Weekday visits can work well for retirees or anyone with a flexible schedule. A relaxed afternoon pairs nicely with a store this packed.
Because hours can change around holidays, a quick check before leaving is always wise. Then load up your list, grab your measurements, and enjoy the ride.
Why An Old-School Shop Like This Is Worth Protecting
Online shopping is fast, but it can’t hand you a boxcar to inspect. That’s where a classic shop like this one still shines.
America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop is a privately owned store, and that matters. Few independent hobby shops carry such a wide spread of trains, kits, and toys.
Prices vary depending on the scale, brand, and condition of the item. Comparing options makes sense, especially when you’re considering a larger purchase.
Budget range here is wide. You can grab a simple accessory or splurge on something special.
Shopping in person also means seeing condition up close. Boxes, wheels, and couplers tell a story, and you get to read it yourself.
For kids, a visit can spark a lifelong hobby. Kids remember the trip where they picked out their very first train car.
Illinois has a long railroad history, and shops like this keep that love rolling in miniature. Support the place, ask questions, and maybe start a layout of your own.
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