Here Are 7 Nebraska Hobby Shops Still Stocking HO-Scale Track After The Big Chains Pulled Back

One small-town Nebraska train store bills itself as the largest model train shop between Denver and Chicago. That is a lot of miles to claim, and I love the confidence.

The surprises keep coming. One shop pairs quilting supplies with trains from tiny Z scale up to big G scale.

Another Omaha store has been selling model trains since 1936.

That matters if you build in HO scale. Track is the one thing you can never have enough of.

A layout grows a curve at a time, and big chains don’t always keep those pieces on the shelf.

So I went looking for the independent counters and well-stocked aisles still carrying flex track, turnouts, and the small parts that keep a layout running. The list stretches from the Panhandle to Omaha, with Lincoln in the middle.

Which one is closest to your basement railroad?

1. Spring Creek Model Trains

Deshler might be the last place you’d expect a train store with a reputation this big. The shop is known as the largest model train store between Denver and Chicago, and that’s quite a stretch of map.

Spring Creek focuses on two scales, HO and N. That narrow focus means the shelves go deep instead of wide.

You’ll find locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, books, and detail parts. Track sits right alongside DCC systems, decoders, scenery, and accessories.

Builders who scratch-build get plenty to love here too. The tool selection includes glues, Evergreen styrene strips, and brass stock for custom projects.

The inventory stays well organized, which helps when you’re hunting one specific turnout. Nobody wants to dig through a mystery pile for the right rail joiners.

The store is family-owned and has been serving hobbyists since 2000. That’s more than two decades of keeping southern Nebraska layouts supplied.

Free street parking makes the stop easy once you arrive. The shop also offers in-store pickup and delivery if your project can’t wait for a road trip.

Plan a weekday or Saturday visit, since the store closes Sundays. Then enjoy the drive home with a trunk full of fresh track.

Address: 304 E Bryson Ave, Deshler, NE 68340

2. House of Trains

Since 1936, an Omaha family business has kept model railroaders rolling. That kind of staying power on Maple Street deserves a tip of the engineer’s cap.

House of Trains specializes in model trains and expert repair services. If your favorite locomotive starts stuttering, this is a smart place to start.

The selection of HO and N scale trains runs strong. You’ll also spot O and G scale, plus slot cars for anyone who likes speed with their steel.

One standout feature is the test track. The shop keeps test track for most electric train scales, so you can see equipment run before it heads home.

HO builders can find the track components needed to stretch a mainline. Scenery and general hobby supplies help turn bare plywood into a believable landscape.

Thursdays stay open later, which helps after-work shoppers. Sunday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretch, so weekday mornings feel calmer.

Generations of Omaha hobbyists have grown up with this shop on their radar. For many Nebraska families, a trip here is practically part of the hobby itself.

Bring a list, but leave room for surprises. Repair help and fresh track make a pretty good combination.

Address: 8106 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68134

3. Randy’s Roundhouse

Tucked among the storefronts of Meadowlane Shopping Center, a roundhouse waits for your next project. No turntable required, just a parking spot on North 70th Street.

Randy’s Roundhouse carries model trains in several scales. HO, N, and Lionel trains get the spotlight, so mixed-scale households can shop together.

Beginners get real help here. The staff can talk you through what to do for a first layout, which beats guessing in an online forum at midnight.

That guidance matters when you’re choosing track. Picking the right pieces early saves headaches when your loop turns into a full yard.

Prices line up well with what you’d find online, sometimes even lower. That’s a nice bonus when you’re buying track by the armload.

Repair services round out the offerings. A shop that both sells and fixes trains understands how layouts actually behave over time.

Thursday hours stretch into the evening for working hobbyists. The shop closes Sundays, so plan your Lincoln errands around that.

For Lincoln builders, having this resource close to home is a big win. It’s the kind of stop that turns one quick purchase into a whole weekend plan.

Address: 918 N 70th St, Lincoln, NE 68505

4. Andrew’s Trains

Quilting fabric and model trains under one roof? Out in Sidney, that combo is real, and honestly, it’s brilliant for families with two hobbies.

Andrew’s Trains pairs a quilt shop with model trains from Z to G scale. HO sits comfortably in that range, along with the track to run it.

The shop explicitly sells track, which is great news for Panhandle builders. Driving hours east for a single curved section gets old fast.

Repair services add another reason to visit. A locomotive that needs attention doesn’t have to take a long road trip.

The store keeps good stock at fair prices. That balance matters when you’re expanding a layout piece by piece.

Western Nebraska doesn’t have many hobby options, so this shop fills a big gap. It turns Sidney into a handy stop for anyone running trains near the Colorado and Wyoming borders.

Hours run Tuesday through Saturday. Mondays and Sundays are closed, so time your visit midweek or on a Saturday.

While one person compares turnouts, another can browse fabric. Everybody leaves happy, and nobody waits in the car.

Address: 925 Illinois St, Sidney, NE 69162

5. Metro Hobbies

Appointments aren’t just for dentists. At this small Omaha shop, booking ahead gets you one-on-one time with a whole wall of model railroad supplies.

Metro Hobbies is a family business established in 1997. Its focus is model railroading, with an impressive range of supplies for building a full setup.

The knowledgeable staff help you find what your layout needs. Track, rolling stock, and the little extras that tie it together can all come up in conversation.

One unusual service stands out. The shop also helps families manage model train estates, which can be a real relief after a lifetime collection changes hands.

Hours are short, running late afternoon into early evening daily. An appointment is required, so reach out before you head over.

That setup may sound unusual, but it fits a focused shop. You get attention instead of a crowded aisle.

Curbside pickup, in-store pickup, and delivery give you flexibility. Free street parking keeps things simple when you do stop by.

For Omaha builders who prefer a personal touch, this is worth a call. Small shops like this keep Nebraska’s hobby community connected.

Address: 7307 N 106th Ave, Omaha, NE 68122

6. Trains and Toy Soldiers

Tiny trains and tiny troops share the shelves at this Lincoln favorite. It’s a shop name that tells you exactly what you’re getting, and then some.

Trains and Toy Soldiers specializes in model and toy trains, including electric trains. Toy soldiers and military miniatures fill out the other half of the story.

HO builders will find plenty to explore. New HO arrivals show up regularly, a good sign that the scale stays well supported.

The selection of train and model railroad items runs huge. Collectors and layout builders can both find something to bring home.

The owner has a friendly reputation, which makes asking questions easy. That helps when you’re trying to match track to older equipment.

Located on Old Cheney Road, the store is convenient for south Lincoln shoppers. It’s a natural stop when you’re already running errands nearby.

Hours run Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed. Weekday hours stretch to early evening for after-work browsing.

If someone in your house prefers dioramas to railroads, bring them along. A shared trip here can spark a whole new layout idea, soldiers guarding the depot included.

Address: 5500 Old Cheney Rd #7, Lincoln, NE 68516

7. HobbyTown

Yes, a chain made this list, and for good reason. While some big-box stores trimmed train aisles, this Omaha HobbyTown kept HO track and accessories on hand.

The store carries model trains alongside model cars, planes, LEGO sets, and toys. It’s a one-stop trip when the family has very different hobbies.

RC fans get a treat too. The shop has two tracks for racing RC cars, so younger hobbyists stay entertained while you browse rails.

For train builders, the HO track and accessories section is the main draw. Grabbing a few extra sections on a weekend errand feels easy here.

The shelves stay well stocked. Employees are willing to answer questions and help you find parts, sometimes ones you didn’t know you needed.

Hours run later on weekdays than many specialty shops. That’s handy for Omaha hobbyists who work a full day first.

Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter if you want room to compare track pieces.

It proves a chain store can still serve Nebraska model railroaders well. Sometimes the right turnout is just a quick drive across town.

Address: 10020 Scott Cir, Omaha, NE 68122