Max's Models visits The Red Caboose hobby shop

I bought the Glencoe Vanguard.

[@SCSuperheavy114]

Glad to see they’re still in business. Been around forever. My father use to go there for train stuff back in the day.

[@garfieldsmith332]

Great little olde tyme hobby shop. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@maxsmodels]

It is totally old school

[@joeschenk8400]

As I wrote to Chris...been here, done that!

[@pauladams286]

That is my idea of heaven, with kits, die-casts, and scenic materials all in one place. I am sure you bought more than one kit, I certainly would have.

[@maxsmodels]

I had to contain myself to what would fit in my bag.

[@davidshell1738]

What an amazing place!! Old school cool 😎 Bitchen road trip 👍 Thanks for sharing

[@PopsP51]

Max, thanks for the great field trip report! That's quite a hobby shop! I could almost smell the dust and cardboard with a hint of today's lunch. I love those old places ☺️. I'm glad your scheduler is secretly one of us Glue Troopers, that's how you ended up so close to the Caboose! Fly Safe.

[@jeff72_]

Now that is a real hobby shop, plenty of nooks and crannies to root around in! We got a hobby shop very similar to that in Dublin, down in a basement with the stock floor to ceiling and always a conversation to be had. Old Skool👍 Great find Max and thanks for sharing.

[@shaggybuddzz6369]

I think someone posted they can smell the store...me too

[@nicfewer8393]

Marks Models, I go there too, as there are no model shops in Waterford where I live.

[@rickzinck9326]

Thanks for the little tour Max.

[@andychandler153]

wow max. What a fantastic hobby shop. I have actually ordered from them. You are right, This is the kind of place we adore. Thanks for the visit! Blessings.

[@mode1charlie170]

This is great Max…..more hobby shops please.

[@BruceK10032]

It's so great to see Alan's still in business. I remember him as far back as the early 1970s.

[@dankamikubo7002]

I’m so glad you had the opportunity to find a great hobby shop! I’ll have to look for it when I go to New York City, maybe later this year.

[@markfrench8892]

I go nuts in a place like this. Time to max out the credit card....no pun intended. 😆

[@maxsmodels]

I think I did go a bit nuts. They place is do cool.

[@wkelly3053]

…and “hope he takes ‘plastic’ “

[@garfieldsmith332]

@@wkelly3053 He should. After all he sells plastic.

[@Maurice00PA]

Awesome find! I am going to have to go there.

[@paulbervid1610]

Very cool. I bought some train items from there in the past. Thanks for the video. The other two were Madison Hobby and Bookbinders.

[@garyparker2969]

Right On !!! Bless His For STAYING OPEN ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR VISIT, Looks like an Awesome Shop,TOO BAD I'll Never Get There,OOOHHH WELLLLL !!! Thanks For Sharing The Adventure Max n Have a Blessed Wknd.

[@chrispacer4231]

ITS A WHOLE NEW AVENUE FOR MAXSMODELS…. I enjoyed that…

[@johndillon8051]

That's the kind of place where I get all tingly when I first go in and start seeing all the inventory. Reminds me of my first trip to CRM Hobbies in St.Louis when it was in the original location. You could barely move with all the neat stuff crammed everywhere.

[@tonygee6418]

Polk's Hobbies (5 floors) near the Empire State Building comes to mind. I first went there during the 60s. Too bad it's been long gone 😔

[@BruceK10032]

I worked there from 1971 to 1979! Those were good days for the plastic modeling hobby!

[@tonygee6418]

@@BruceK10032 Yes, they certainly were. I often think and reminisce about that time so much. Thanks for the memories ☺️

[@BruceK10032]

@@tonygee6418 If you went to Polk's in the 1970s, we probably met.

[@georgeplagianos6487]

@@BruceK10032Yep was there in the 70s & 80"s Polks was a beautiful/well-organized other hobby stores were dives but they were great too. New York was at its best back

[@RWSBaden]

Hi Max, Thank you for the video tour of the Red Caboose Hobby Shop. With my work schedule you're pumping out videos faster than I can watch them,, keep up the great work. I live in Western Pennsylvania and consider myself fortunate to have a well stocked hobby shop within 10 miles of my home. The best thing for them and me is the business is doing very well and they expanded a few years ago. Even with the set back of the virus, they are still keeping the doors open. I know many folks have lost their local hobby shops, all we can do is hope this is a situation that will someday turn around, but until then all we can do is try to support our local hobby shop and Model On. Cheers, Rich S.

[@viksaini]

Don't worry, be happy. Model on!

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Love places like that!!!

[@maxsmodels]

Just Allan and Harold.

[@豊原邦雄]

Kind of shop where you ask for an item and the guy points to a pile on the floor and says "look for yourself"! I remember Red Caboose being in a rickety building on the other(south) side of the street, and another model railroad shop in their present location, back in 1975. You also run into bearded long-hair guys in black coats and bowler hats with briefcases chained to their wrists in this district.

[@harryfaber]

Well, some of those kits are pretty valuable...

[@BruceK10032]

The Roundhouse was also on the south side of 45th St. and Model Railroad Equipment Corporation (MREC) occupied this location on the north side downstairs.

[@豊原邦雄]

@@BruceK10032 Now you've reminded me of the shop name, MREC. How many hobby shops are there now in Manhattan?

[@BruceK10032]

@@豊原邦雄 Yes, MREC was the name of the shop that occupied the space that is now the Red Caboose. Someone else here has mentioned that Jan's is still in business on the Upper East Side (1435 Lexington Ave., btw, 93rd & 94th Sts.). There may be others, but I don't know about them. America's Hobby Center moved years ago to New Jersey. There used to be a nice little place in Chinatown, on Mott St., but I don't know whether it's still there.

[@michaelmorgan9824]

Now that's a model shop!!

[@ermannofrassine8629]

Now I know what I'm doing the next time I go into the city. Although my wife might roll her eyes. Love places like that. Reminds me of Udisco although I think it closed in the last couple of years. Safe travels.

[@chuck9987]

Way too cool. Thanks for doing this. Kit selection reminds me of the old HiWay Hobby up in Ramsey NJ (about 20 miles north west) before they closed down. Next time I am in the big apple I will definitely get down to visit. BTW, there are a number of books stores in the area, some are combo used/vintage and new books.

[@warrenchambers4819]

Yup I would spend my entire trip in that one shop haha. Wow it's packed slam full of some real goodies.

[@haroldalexis4200]

It was such a delight to meet you. I subscribed immediately after I left. Red Caboose. I've been modeling cars, construction vehicles, slot car racing sets most of all model Trains! I've been shopping at Red Caboose since 1982 & volunteering my own scale model buildings in 2015 & work part time their since 2016. I meet awesome people as i help out. Glad you stopped in & film the establishment. I was so glad to be there and hear these historic companies past & present. You're awesome Max! 👋👋👋👋 Harold Alexis, New York City, New York.

[@maxsmodels]

It was pleasure meeting you as well Harold. Thanks to you and Allan both for a wonderful visit.

[@joanneshellings5457]

Was there this week and this is indeed the place to be! Alan is a great guy and explains all you would need to know about the numerous models on sale ! Great place and I will visits again soon.

[@haroldellis9721]

I have shopped there. A great place.

[@maxsmodels]

Wonderful

[@joeschenk8400]

Ah....so you have found one of my secret hideawys...I visit time to time when in the city. I use to visit at least once a week when I worked at WSFO-NYC a couple of blocks away. I remember two of the other hobby shops on this street, one was just railroad modelling. Thanks and model on!

[@shedbythetracks]

I thought hobby shops like that were only in my memories now. I'll bet I know how it smells in there..

[@garfieldsmith332]

Heavenly.

[@shaggybuddzz6369]

Oh yeah

[@maxsmodels]

Like joy wrapped in styrene 😁

[@georgeplagianos6487]

Don't bet on it, come in and experience the smell of this time capsule for yourself.

[@SteveBrant55]

Thanks for this trip down memory lane! I grew up in NYC (Upper West Side of Manhattan) and went to this store often with my Mom in the 1960s. It's where I got my Lionel train set as well as my HO Scale slot car racing set. I'm happy to see it's still in business (unlike Polk's Hobbies on Fifth Avenue at 31st Street). Great video!

[@petermerz2704]

Looks like a great store. I need one of those near me!

[@mrains100]

Thank you! There was a shop just like this in Honolulu next to Kapalama Canal. I'm old, I forgot the name. The shop was stuffed with models, lots of money spent and a great owner.

[@markfrommontana]

Wunderbar. I know where I’m going when I’m in Manhattan this September! 👍

[@joec.3854]

Glad to see the local, (even though it's NYC, can't imagine what the rent is), hobby shop going strong. We have no more in our area.

[@lordlorenzo5835]

I used to work up the block off 6th Ave, usually stopped in 4-5 times a month. I have not been there in some time, and I’m glad they are still open. I’m not sure if Jan’s hobbies is still open on the upper east side. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

[@BruceK10032]

I believe Jan's is still in business. There are a couple of other comments here about that.

[@norherman]

Max you found heaven in New York!

[@PiperStart]

Thanks for putting this on KZbin. I now have a reason to visit New York. The model of the Pamir was a sight for sore eyes. Like the proprietor of the shop, I too thought you did a great job of making the history videos.

[@maxsmodels]

Thanks

[@lancerevell5979]

Cool model shop! Wish we had one like it here in Tally. When my old buddy Tom closed his model shop on Tharpe Street, about the early 1990s, we lost our last real model shop. We have a couple hobby shops, but it ain't the same.

[@shaggybuddzz6369]

Our local hobby shop burned down during renovations. It crushed us all and our hobby community never really recovered.

[@dougjohnson9563]

Max, if you ever get to the Chicago area, specifically around Joliet, IL. check out a place called Walt's Hobby Shop. It's a little neater, but he has stuff crammed in there too. Sometimes you find that cool Sci-fi/Space kit tucked in behind other kits and think, I forgot they made that one. I picked up my Lost in Space robot kit there. Not the big kit, the little one that goes with the Jupiter II kit. And there is a few Gundam there too. Oodles of vehicle and military/air combat kits. Check it out if you can.

[@blairmielnik8228]

I'm glad you got into The Red Caboose Max, I urged Al to look up your model company history videos since I thought you covered them so nicely. Al has done a number of subway kits over the years - all very accurate models. The shop and neighborhood have an interesting history- Rotten Ralph at Manhattan Trains was across the street until about 2008. I came across an article about Ma Websters once while reading some old Model Railroader Magazine articles- I wish I could remember the year- but it was at least the 50s.

[@TheAstrojoe62]

Makes me sad. We had a cool place like that but sadly it’s been gone well over 10 years now.

[@sugarhillsrr]

Great post Max, Thanks. How would like to have the job of taking inventory at that place !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@maxsmodels]

I would faint

[@dougjohnson9563]

That's one of those hidey-holes you find and the whole time you are in there you keep thinking, "Am I dreaming?!?" You want to keep it a well kept secret, but then you want him to stay in business. It's the old 'Catch 22'.

[@stephenwheeler76]

That's my type of hobby shop, to bad most are gone.

[@donilljes6223]

There's another hobby shop on Lexington avenue in the '90s it's a small place but it's strictly plastic models he has a large display of 46 aircraft also

[@donilljes6223]

Jan's hobbies 1435 Lexington avenue it's in the '90s he has a large supply of unusual kits 90% of his stock is plastic models it's run by a gentleman by the name of Fred and his mother she's in her 80's and she's a hoot you'll find other kids that you haven't seen around quite some time there

[@HootOwl513]

Nice find. Last time I was in the Village, I hit Katz's Deli. Oi Vey, Such pastrami!

[@chrispacer4231]

LOVE PASTRAMI… with SWISS

[@HootOwl513]

@@chrispacer4231 Yup. Add 1000 Island, and Sauerkraut on Rye and grille it -- You got a Rueben.

[@chrispacer4231]

@@HootOwl513 and I love RUEBENS… No doubt….

[@maxsmodels]

Did you say pastrami?

[@HootOwl513]

@@maxsmodels Pastrami with a capitol P. At Katz's Deli in SoHo, on South Houston. [Pronoinced ''HUSS-ton, not like the Texan general who beat SantaAnna.]

[@stephicohu]

He has a lot of Airfix’s kits.

[@decam5329]

As a Brit, I get a little feeling of pride seeing an Airfix kit so far from home.

[@IvorMektin1701]

I went there in 1983😆

[@maxsmodels]

Excellent

[@tgmccoy1556]

My old hobby store here was like that until the kids took over...was nice now "organized".

[@tgmccoy1556]

Fun fact- Bobby McFarin attended Eastern Oregon University back in the late 70's as I recall he'd do concerts here after he became rich and famous.

[@chrispacer4231]

nice piece of HISTORY…always enjoyed that song…. Going to see the … DOOBIE BROTHERS in AUGAST lets see what happens…

[@tgmccoy1556]

@@chrispacer4231 We had Glenn Yarbough and Jose' Feliciano as students here at one time or another. Music program was good at one time.

[@BruceK10032]

Who remembers Gateway Hobbies, owned by Lubomir Babiak (or maybe Babyak)? It was on 38th St. between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. That was a fantastic place! And if you recall Gateway, do you recall its previous incarnations in Forest Hills, Queens?

[@decam5329]

YES! That's what I wanna see. More like this please!

[@chrispacer4231]

got my VOTE

[@joeschenk8400]

@@chrispacer4231 Hey Chis....been here, done that! KZbin comments out again.Stay well and happy fishing!

[@larrybrown1824]

Does anyone else remember when you could buy chemicals at a hobby shop for your chemistry sets?

[@garfieldsmith332]

Yep. And we never did succeed in blowing ourselves up.

[@chrispacer4231]

@@garfieldsmith332 YOU WERE’NT MIXING IT RIGHT…💥 boom

[@garfieldsmith332]

@@chrispacer4231 Dang. I remember in High School chemistry class we were not allowed to have sulfuric acid and nitric acid on the lab desks at the same time. I new how to make nitroglycerine before I even entered high school. However i did have some fun experiments with my chemistry set when I would mix chemicals at random. No fires or booms but some very strange reactions and some interesting results. A lot of the test tubes became clogged with mixed chemicals and were thus thrown out. But it was a fun time.

[@gordonenquist36]

That was a real treat, thank you. Were you able to ask him what his hobby is ?

[@mikedx2706]

Please search out and let us know if you discover any more of these great hobby shops during your work travels. Everything here in Sacramento, California, has become homogenized and chain retailers, no more small "Mom & Pop" hobby shops.

[@rkyyrs9477]

Only one hour??? It would take me one hour per floor. Did you get his phone number?

[@maxsmodels]

212-575-0155

[@Wild-Dad]

How were the prices being it was in downtown NYC, besides being in the basement.

[@davefost]

Looks a little like my basement! Got easier once I was single again... I'm sure there's no connection.

[@chrispacer4231]

COOOOL… you have clout… Did you GREASE his palm… REALLY…this is REALLY COOL… Award WINNING…. A NEW AVENUE FOR MAXSMODELS… TOOOOOO COOL 😎

[@chrispacer4231]

Did I say REALLY twice in the same sentence….🤣😂😅

[@joeschenk8400]

Next time I pass by...I'll go in and pray to the GREAT STYRENE RIVER for all of us! amen

[@shaggybuddzz6369]

Am I the only one who rewatched the video while hitting pause? And who wants max to go back to the shop and look around more for all of us. This guy has no online shop. I guess I can see why, get a bunch of people poaching his kits for resale.

[@chrispacer4231]

You’re doing your HOMEWORK… Good to see your COMMENTS… CHRIS….

[@darkwood777]

I don't see anything rare, so poaching is not an issue. He doesn't need an internet store because he has millions of potential customers at his doorstep.

[@decam5329]

Yea, rewatched it hiting the pause!

[@chrispacer4231]

@@decam5329 I WATCH A FEW TIMES… Luv everyone’s comments… everybody always , has a lot too SHARE… I have fun !!!!!!!!!!!! CHRIS

[@georgeplagianos6487]

Always love Red caboose. I bet the smash & grab crowd won't get very far. They'll be sliding all over the dust filled floors sliding all about & bitten by their cat. I pray it never. StayWell Max

[@ScienceGuy5610]

Do they have any Gemini jets or Herpa civilian aircraft models?

[@wkelly3053]

😮 “Honey… we need to take trip to NYC”… why?… “It ain’t to see the Empire State Building…well maybe we will after the hobby shop”. Yikes!

[@maxsmodels]

It is actually very close to the ESB....you know, two birds and all that.

[@maxsmodels]

😁

[@chrispacer4231]

That’s how I would EXPLAIN IT….

[@chrispacer4231]

FOR ME… my kinda HOBBY SHOP… TOOOO COOOOOL Good FRIDAY NIGHT…. CHRIS DID I MENTION I’M FROM OHIO… shut up Chris…. Thanks MAX

[@chrispacer4231]

FRIDAY NIGHT… it’s THURSDAY…. Real nice CHRIS

[@wells5150]

visit Mid-Town Comics

[@maxsmodels]

I actually walked right past it but time was tight.

[@fattywithafirearm]

That looks like an awesome place.

[@maxsmodels]

It is!

[@BigLisaFan]

There isn't a hobby shop near me unless I drive 45 minutes, on a good day, one way. Not been there yet, but it comes recommended. Long way for just a bottle of paint.

[@shaggybuddzz6369]

I'm like you, 85miles or 45minutes away from my nearest hobby shop up in a Eugene Oregon. I'm in roseburg Oregon

[@BigLisaFan]

@@shaggybuddzz6369 Sad isn't it. My father talked about setting me up in a hobby shop business but I said while it would be really nice, the hobby itself was dying off. Younger folks just weren't picking up the hobby. Fortunately he lived long enough to see even the well established local shops eventually close their doors.

[@garfieldsmith332]

There is a large hobby and toy store near me in Kitchener. Carry major brands and supplies but also LEGO and slot cars and toys for all ages. They do have a great selection of models and supplies. The nearest full hobby and train store is over an hour away in Dundas Ontario. There used to be several all within a 90 minute radius, In the past 29\0 years or so over 15 have closed. Still a few around in the same radius and 3 or 4 RC shops.