Vanhorn Hobby Train Store - Thousands of Locomotives

Vanhorn Hobby is a train store in Montréal which has been recommended by several of you over the years and I've wanted to check it out for a while now. This place was super impressive, shelves packed with thousands of steam, diesel and electric locomotives. I had a great time exploring the store I and ended up purchasing a few things which I'm pretty happy with.

[@railfanman7709]

The man finally got a BCR let’s gooo

[@papawoody9597]

Holy smokes, what a store! Nearly all of the hobby shops that I used to go to as a kid are gone. The ones that are left have to take a "shotgun" approach and try to carry some of everything from RC to War Hammer and plastic models as well as trains, and they usually have a not so great selection of any of them. This one reminds me of the old Caboose Hobbies in Denver. That place was very well known and people would make it a destination on trips to Colorado.

[@tripwire3992]

That place is dripped out

[@andrewferguson5653]

That store is incredible! I've never seen so many engines on display!

[@SMTMainline]

I was kinda amazed.

[@ohmharmony]

1:03 the moment I saw all of those locomotives I was amazed

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

What a cool find! I love these “discoveries” - well done. I’m reminded of an old train store in Kitchener (or Waterloo) that was above a garage. It was called Denome’s or something. Nicely stocked train store where you wouldn’t expect to find one. Thanks for posting!

[@SMTMainline]

One of the strangest locations I've ever seen was the 8th floor of a random building in New York.

[@bentontrains2076]

@@SMTMainline if you look up tvrm in chattanooga tn.

[@Trainsbigandsmall]

That store is lonngggg gone and Wings and Things which closed down in 2002.

[@vincebuono2135]

Hey welcome to my home !! I love coming here to get my stuff!! I can spend hours what to choose???? All depends how much money i can spend man i buy everything 😂😂😂!!!

[@jeremiahwilliams7809]

This brings back memories of when I first got into the hobby as a young boy back in the early 70s,but by the time the mid to late 80s rolled around most these train stores of this nature were gone................

[@davidstrainsandlego]

Lots of cool stuff, hoping to get out to one of my favorite hobby shops soon

[@frankishknight1878]

This store is Heaven! They just found their herald!

[@wst8340]

Growing up in London Ontario ,Dundas Hobby Shop was my go to for train and race cars.

[@shockstrains5077]

that store is absolutely amazing!

[@SMTMainline]

It's impressive

[@drmaplesyrup7338]

@@SMTMainline sure is

[@jamesschad5231]

Great review; Thank you for the introduction to this hobby shop. When we can go to Canada again, I will look this shop up!

[@mercuryoak2]

Woah that store Blew me away. Reminds me of the store thats in Rhode island called AA Hobbies but no where near as big or packed . That is a Great haul there. Now with them locomotives you can haul even longer trains of cars being that 2 are 12 wheel drive . I was looking at some at that local store i mentioned AA hobbies, but i didnt get one of them type of locomotives back when i was changing jobs beginning of summer.

[@SMTMainline]

Did you do a tour of that store?

[@mercuryoak2]

@@SMTMainline its so small it was hard to do and i didnt want to get in trouble. One guy on KZbin did. His name is Monster Railroad. He did a semi tour of it.

[@mercuryoak2]

@@SMTMainline heres the video he did a while back the store hasnt changed. I got my proto1000 canadian national C liner from there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npDbnKNpepqMY7c

[@Drennan1]

I was impressed when we went there in August. I should have taken a few thousand dollars extra. The downside was the dust! I only have a mild allergy, but I was dying. Picked up our 3rd LRC loco ..which I still haven’t installed the decoder. The back room was awesome too. …where the layout was

[@cruzin8056]

the Dash 8 is super cool, but that warbonnet is sooooo good looking

[@MMRails]

Long have I waited for this video. You did not disappoint. Great review of the store. You’re right, it’s overwhelming! I could spend 4 hours in there easy. Apparently there is even more stock in the back. I think you need a VIP pass for that though. Nice pick ups!

[@SMTMainline]

My friend Liam asked if he could look in the back and they said no, maybe there is a VIP pass haha.

[@shipbuilding1000]

Your Amtrak purchase is a B32-8WH. Those were delivered in the early 90s in the Pepsi Can livery. Both that Walthers and the ATHEARN BB Dash 9’s we’re some of the first comfort “wide”cab diesels made in plastic so they were a big deal at the time

[@busterulmer7092]

Very impressive store. Really like your purchases.

[@MrDutchman97]

Insane that youtube recommended this video to me because I live not 5 minutes from this store! The location always made me laugh driving by in the area seeing the place surrounded with street cleaners. Went many years ago as a kid with my dad to get started with my first ever layout and have been meaning to go back so I can kickstart the hobby again. Awesome to see footage of this place

[@sparky107107]

you would need the better part of a day to look through that store. WOW

[@SMTMainline]

I probably spent a hour there and I'm sure I missed a lot.

[@briansearles4473]

I just subscribed to your channel. I want to thank you for showing this as I have been looking for a good hobby train store ever since Udisco closed.

[@davidv.3135]

Great presentation young man! Thank you for sharing!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@guitarstuff4682]

7:59 lol I loved that scene too and it is the same locomotive in the movie I've been trying to get a loco like that for a while it's so cool seeing one of my favorite youtubers getting the same locomotive I like SMT mainline is a great channel

[@SMTMainline]

I wasn't planning on getting that one but that paint scheme is mint.

[@guitarstuff4682]

@@SMTMainline yeah it's a great loco never the less

[@cpcnmodelrailroadingrailfa9339]

Wow really nice video of course all your videos are amazing

[@farmerdave09]

This is heaven!

[@michaelhardeman6004]

This store blows all the train stores out of the water. Tons of cool and interesting locomotives. Wished I could visit. I'm in a search of a Bachmann or Athern DD40 United Pacific.

[@parkerfougere8378]

Wow , that store is loaded.

[@HighScore-yh9vc]

That was so awesome to watch that literally just blows my mind. I would love to get up there and take a look.

[@alanwbelcher]

Wow! What a huge amount of stuff for such a small space! Good haul, SMT.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks!

[@SPproductionzz]

I really like that Amtrak dash 8 loco, I’ve always had a thing for dash 8 and 9 diesels keep up with good work and I wish u the very best

[@johnhood9567]

Awesome! I'm from Montreal originally but it's a bit of a hike from Toronto where I live.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Very good, thanks. Awesome store. Like someone else said, there's hardly any of these left in New York City. I like the paint schemes of all three diesels. The Amtrak one looks like it's painted in the silver/blue scheme of the New York City Transit Authority of the 1970s.

[@4everdc302]

Holy crap!that's alot of power🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂 will be calling this week.girlfriend wants a Kool-aid VIA.Hope they got one.🚂🚃🚃🚃🇨🇦

[@SMTMainline]

I think they had at least one.

[@gkjsooley]

Van Horne is INSANE!!! They have a very small section of European stuff - most of it old stock from the 1990s... They never change the prices so there are some real deals to be had.

[@cprail1753]

That is so true. I have found some amazing things with a little digging - items long gone from other stores or online sites and still at the original prices.

[@LaneMphoto09]

Nice I love the safety cab engines you got

[@ohiovalleyrailfan]

This place looks like the LTEX of HO scale locomotives! Will definitely consider stopping by here if I'm in the area

[@jimmyduncan7650]

The BC Rail is very tidy and sharp looking. I've never seen that livery before but I'm a fan already. As far as the store is concerned, I imagine that there's someones heart and soul wrapped in there. Tough to be a sole proprietor these days.

[@samsstrasburgrailroad8427]

I like the Amtrak engine you got! Yes, the Garfield ones have the same scheme as the one you have but I don't know the specific details on the types

[@rwheatley0206]

Awesome pik ups. That looks like an awesome store.

[@SMTMainline]

I agree

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

So much to look out

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Thank you very much for replying to my comment. I would love if you could take a quick look at my page and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.I have a new video out tomorrow.Hope you like and share.

[@Petemonster62]

If an American modeler is going to Montreal, they should definitely visit that store! Amtrak does furnish locomotives to fan trip excursion trains, so you could run it with a variety of passenger cars!

[@TheWarbonnet660]

YAY ALOT OF !!!!

[@crsrdash-840b5]

Hey SMT, I think they trying to bet you in locomotives owned. lol. The two DASH 9-44CW units are DC traction motors and designed for heavy mainline work. The Amtrak is the passenger version of the DASH 8-40B. Amtrak purchase these to fill a temporary power shortage in the early 1990's. They were a bit too heavy for passenger trains, but did well enough until their replacement locomotives came - the AMD-103 Genesis models. Now those Amtrak DASH 9-32BWH are either being sold off because of their age, working as yard switchers, or being torn down for spare GE parts. I'm glad you got the #517 in the latest phase 4b paint scheme. Once these iconic units are gone, we will have models of them.

[@ShadowMWVRR77]

That santa fe 690 locomotive is very rare to have, most modelers are wanted that number in there fleet.

[@martinross5521]

Thank you Harrison for your visit to a really impressive store and three great purchases. Best wishes to Nerf Cat 🐱

[@quintinbarnhart]

I definitely saw a proto 2k 2-8-8-2 in one of the cases. I would highly recommend one of those for your collection. Extremely detailed and can take an 18” radius curve. They run like butter.

[@SMTMainline]

That's impressive, I can't imagine they're cheap though.

[@quintinbarnhart]

@@SMTMainline on eBay, I have found them for around $200 US. I bought one with sound and no run time at that price.

[@seeleymainline8293]

Wow I can’t wait to be allowed to cross the border to Canada to check that place out

[@SMTMainline]

It's got a lot of selection.

[@dbtech7914]

Great video and uhm, interesting train shop! You got some nice finds there!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks David

[@johnpinckney4979]

Used to go there several times a year in the 1980's... Was in the city itself back then...

[@derekalexander4030]

Wow! That was a great discovery for you and 2 great discoveries for me. I got to see that store and I found your channel. I checked out a couple of your videos and the content is awesome. I can’t believe I haven’t found you before this with 38,000 subscribers you would think KZbin would have recommended you before this. I have a lot of catching up do do. Thanks for doing the video on the store and add another subscriber to your list.

[@DAFIOX]

WOW! amazing store, I need to visit it!

[@SMTMainline]

It was pretty cool.

[@haroldalexis4200]

Hi there, you are very good at finding these gems of hobby train stores when you travel. Whenever you visit these places it pleases me as your viewer makes me want to visit this hobby shop. Where i am from not too many in New York City. I also have that very same ATHEARN SANTA FE diesel last of that version of the blue box series. The WALTHERS engine it was their mainline series. That BC rail is a gem. Unfortunately as of this writing i don't have any BC RAIL engines! As a curveball the other Canadian Roadname forgotten one is ONTARIO NORTHLAND! You seldom see any models of them. Great job & filming this hobby shop i would love to visit & shop there looks 👌 great.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks a bunch for your comment :)

[@DavidWsTrainVideos]

7:39. Well since the movie Atomic Train was filmed on the BC Rail, With BC Rail locomotives. It should remind you of that movie LOL. Awesome video and awesome shop

[@SMTMainline]

I suspected that might be the case.

[@steamier7755]

The Amtrak locos are the P32-8BWH, they were originally nicknamed Pepsi cans due to them carrying the colours resembling the early Pepsi can colours. Yes they did appear in the Garfield 1 movie wearing that very livery. They are basically freight locos repurposed for high speed passenger use by simply equipping them with HEP and regearing them for 103mph, although they only operate at 100mph maximum. They were introduced as an interim replacement for the F40PHs before being replaced completely by the faster, streamlined P42DCs. The P32-8BWHs are now used as standby emergency locos, switchers and other odd jobs they can get their hands on such as freight and maintenance of way trains. Other than that, enjoy.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the info

[@mikeingersoll7344]

Love that warbonnet

[@patrickhundley1203]

That store looks awesome! You should definitely double head those first two engines sometime, that would be pretty cool.

[@SMTMainline]

They would probably work well together since they have the same drive system.

[@wilks3620]

Sadly we have barely any model shops near where I live, and none of them are that big :(

[@bryanlarocque7627]

Buying some boxcar there 3 year ago. Good old man keeping these store. Is son have vacuum truck company.

[@Brianrockrailfan]

Awesome 🚂👍🚄

[@alainlabelle6999]

I worked there during 20 years.

[@Graulas]

been waiting for this, wish i could visit, although on the 25th we finnaly have a train show!

[@bentontrains2076]

they had the 710 and 80 which both are laocated at the tvrm in tense for pasnger rides it fun!!

[@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard]

Wow cool hobby store SMT. Lot of locomotives man.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@modelrailroader5619]

Craaazzzy!🤪 my kind of store!!!

[@SMTMainline]

It's wild haha

[@amtrakp4242]

I recommend to go to Rodney’s Trains in Missouri, it’s a neat place with HO, maybe N, and O, it’s the place to be when it comes to vintage trains

[@lucaswiles4059]

Very interesting store

[@mikechapmanmedia2291]

OMG! Road trip!!

[@Realohiorailroadproductions]

Wish we had hobby stores like that in my area.

[@cooltrainsinmontreal4883]

Hobby Junction, in Dorval a block West of Pine Beach train station is also a great place to get Advice and service. They have a good N Scale and HO scale selection.

[@SMTMainline]

I will have to visit it someday.

[@nordisk1874]

Come on, Zitnik! Wait till you get back there someday!

[@SMTMainline]

I wish I could but my grandparents sold their place in Florida.

[@nordisk1874]

@@SMTMainline I’m sorry to hear! Miss the snowbirds downhere when you can actually talk hockey outside of the lightning band wagon fans!

[@Mikep01978]

Very nice

[@PennCentral-jn2ow]

Oh i kept it on my favorites. incredible selection, everything i would be looking for. Shame they dont have a website to tell you what they actually have. Obviously i'm a huge Penn Central Fan, if they had them, some old different switchers, U-Boats, and of course a heritage unit would be first on my list. then grab some other railroad locomotives to put in a display case.

[@marcus_rrp_productions2648]

You were correct about Garfield. The movie's trains were all p32-8bwh's. Not sure if any F40's made then shot in the yard scene but you do see them on the cams

[@antonbruce1241]

I MUST go there!!! IAnd I'll be making sure my wallet is full of cash - I'm going to be buying a LOT!!!

[@SMTMainline]

The Anton Bruce MEGA HAUL

[@antonbruce1241]

@@SMTMainline Yes! Now all I have to do is convince my wife. Wish me luck with THAT!!!!

[@jingles9657]

I think I saw that exact locomotive down to the road number switching cars in Oklahoma yesterday

[@bernierodriguez662]

I just subscribe this was an intresting video. I miss my trains .

[@vuurvrrailfanner4656]

We need a store like this if all the trains cost 100 they would all be gone

[@ONRGP91600]

Este video me dio nostalgia

[@rayronvr]

nice find on the Amtrak diesel.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@UPRailfan]

I am drooling right now lol

[@KILLUA957]

Wow I would love to see them trains store can you tell me what’s the location?

[@James-Railyard]

If I would’ve went in there I would snagged the Blue Royal Hudson, or the Southern lettered if they had it.

[@elleryparsons2433]

I would Love to Get lost In a Shop like that👍

[@MattKonsol]

Dang that store has a lot of locomotives there unlike my other hobby stores. Btw nice engines you got! Btw I used to watch Garfield the movie probably going into 4th grade.

[@SMTMainline]

I've never seen one with so many engines, it's wild!

[@MattKonsol]

@@SMTMainline yeah the Underground Railroad in new castle pa is the same way with the o gauge and the s gauge models though at times.

[@user-gf4wi6xs9p]

👍👍👍

[@randallellison6421]

Very cool store and nice purchases Harrison! By the way, the real Santa Fe 690 is still on BNSF's roster although I don't know if it's still active or if it's been rebuilt into an AC44C4M yet.

[@SMTMainline]

Nice to know they still have it.

[@randallellison6421]

@@SMTMainline I just checked one of the local railfan's YT channel and Santa Fe 690 was still active as of October 11, 2020 and was shown running on the Thayer Subdivision, so it's very likely this locomotive is still running!

[@CXensation]

OMFG ! Each and every locomotive is not exactly a cheap toy. They must have an insane fortune invested in that stock ...

[@markwilliams2620]

Canadian RDC story. 2001 a friend and I rode behind Ohio Central 6325 in the weeks after 9/11. He mentioned RDC's still ran on the Thunder Bay line and we should go. 6 months went by before I figured it was time to get a passport and go. By then my friend was suffering from aggresive terminal cancer. No could do. And then he was gone, as were the RDC's. Time is fleeting. Go to a destined hobby shop/museum/tourist railroad NOW! While you still can.

[@SMTMainline]

It's unfortunate but somewhat true. My city of Gatineau lost its tourist railroad in 2011 after heavy rains washed out the tracks, causing the railroad to go bankrupt. No levels of Government were willing to pay for the 5 Million in repairs despite it bringing 8-11 Million to the region annually...

[@hof-spoorwegvideo524]

Hey SMT, I've got that BC engine to! Bought it in a store for 35 euros. A guy just brought them and the owner said that the engine wont sell that fast because there arent much people with USA/Canadian trains. But in a couple of minutes I bought it. Im almost done with the details. Just need to put the handrails along the long sides on it and bring it to my local store for making it a DCC engine. Also a nice detail, the sheme on this loco is also the Dutch national flag colours ;)

[@SMTMainline]

If you don't mind me asking, what country were you buying this in? It's interesting to hear about a North American locomotive ending up somewhere that deals in Euros.

[@hof-spoorwegvideo524]

@@SMTMainline It was in the Netherlands, city The Hague at a shop called Houtloods-wapstad.

[@KDubielak]

I seen a couple of these Santa fe dash9 locomotives in person

[@browndog9402]

I hope that store is still open, i saw so many engines i want for my layout.

[@SMTMainline]

I believe it is.

[@randyoehling6010]

Wow, thanks for putting this on video. I heard about their inventory, but since I live about a thousand miles away, I doubt I'll be visiting anytime soon. Do they ship and have a website?

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for watching. I'm not sure if they ship or have a website - Non is listed on google.

[@rmccarrillo1759]

I'm in need of some engines, some steamers and no store near me. I see a road trip on the horizon.

[@thomaslemay8817]

I am jealous. In my town we don't have a train store, we had a good one but it closed about 20 years ago. We have a hobby shop that will order it in but I have never liked purchasing things without holding it in my hand first. One of the reasons I don't like Amazon, the second reason is the waste.

[@santafewarbonnetproductions]

me when i see this video: *I COME TO CANADA* lol

[@SMTMainline]

Welcome lol

[@kvcroff]

That BN GP50 you have on the table is it a blue box loco. I like those and want to get all road numbers.........great store n video it keep up!!!!!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@mollycaz1]

That was very cool do they they have union Pacific engine? I had a train set when I was younger had a red and silver diesel engine it was not full scare.

[@trainroomgary]

Cool train shop & tour. Do they sell Lionel Trains? 👀 • Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@ZombieSlayer-dj3wb]

So would a non powered , free wheel rolling slug with a ton of weight crammed in it would work ?

[@SMTMainline]

Likely but it might reduce how many cars you can pull.