These 8 Idaho Hobby Shops Keep Model Trains, RC Cars Or Classic Kits Alive For Another Generation

A Boise shop once took a model train from the 1960s and sent it back running better than before, with a new paint job and a light on the tender that never had one.

I love that detail. It means somebody still knows how to coax life out of tiny motors that predate color TV in most homes.

Across Idaho, a handful of shops keep this kind of know-how close at hand. You’ll find N scale track, rock crawlers, slot cars, plastic kits, and paint racks that could keep a model builder busy for years.

Some even let you test a truck before you buy it.

These stores matter because skills like soldering, gluing, and tuning get passed along in person. A kid with a first kit needs someone to ask.

So which one is closest to your garage workbench?

1. Upstairs Hobbies in ToyTown

Climb one flight of stairs in a Twin Falls toy store, and the shelves suddenly get a lot more serious. Upstairs Hobbies sits on the second floor of ToyTown, a locally owned shop on Blue Lakes Boulevard.

The hobby side is fairly new, but it isn’t shy about stock. You’ll find radio controlled cars, trucks, bashers, crawlers, planes, helicopters, and drones.

Prefer something that sits still? Plastic models, trains, and slot cars share the space with tools and paint.

That mix makes it easy for a family to split up and still end up happy.

Here’s a twist few hobby shops can claim. There’s a big selection of disc golf gear and darts, which feels very Magic Valley in the best way.

Even more modern, the shop carries 3D printers too. So a kid can admire a classic kit on one shelf and see how new parts get made on another.

I like how this setup bridges generations. Grandpa can browse trains while the grandkids eye a crawler that climbs rocks better than most pickups.

Downstairs, ToyTown focuses on play for all ages. Upstairs, the hobby crowd gets its own room to wander, plan, and dream up the next build.

Address: 1236 Blue Lakes Blvd N, Twin Falls, ID 83301

2. Boise Junction Trains

Model railroaders, your stop has arrived on Overland Road. Boise Junction Trains sits inside Boise’s Best Marketplace, and trains are the whole point.

The shop buys, sells, and consigns model trains. That means the inventory keeps changing, so a second visit might turn up something the first one didn’t.

Scale matters here. You can shop N scale, HO scale, O scale, and G scale products under one roof.

That range covers a lot of ground. N fits a layout on a bookshelf, while G is the kind that can run through a backyard garden.

The store is also an authorized Walthers and Lionel dealer. Walthers fans know the name from structures and rolling stock, and Lionel is the classic many grew up with under the tree.

Consignment is a big deal for families. Sometimes a basement full of track and engines needs a new home, and this gives those trains a shot at a second run.

For newcomers, the gauge choices can feel like alphabet soup at first. A shop focused only on railroading is a smart place to sort it out before buying.

There’s a free parking lot, which helps when you’re hauling a box of old cars to consign.

Address: 10378 W Overland Rd, Boise, ID 83709

3. In Control Hobbies

Small footprint, big horsepower. In Control Hobbies in Post Falls packs its shop with remote control vehicles from floor to ceiling.

The focus is clear. This Panhandle store specializes in RC vehicles and replacement parts, not a little of everything.

That focus pays off when something snaps. And in RC, something always snaps eventually, usually right after the coolest jump of the day.

Having parts close by means a broken arm or worn gear doesn’t sideline you for weeks. You can fix it and get back to the dirt lot sooner.

The staff and owner have a friendly, helpful reputation. That counts for a lot when a beginner walks in unsure what a basher even is.

Post Falls sits right along Seltice Way, an easy hop for anyone around Coeur d’Alene or Rathdrum. North Idaho RC fans don’t have to wait on shipping for every part.

The shop also offers in-store pickup. So you can line up what you need and grab it on your way through.

Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, with Mondays closed, so check before driving over. Then plan on a quick visit that might turn into a longer one once you spot a new truck.

Address: 1603 E Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID 83854

4. OCDRC – Hobby Shop

Yes, the name nods to being a little obsessive about RC. In Pocatello, that kind of devotion turned into a full hobby store on Pole Line Road.

OCDRC has been part of Southeast Idaho’s RC scene for about a decade. The inventory includes hundreds of RC cars and thousands of repair parts.

The range is wide. Crawlers, bashers, drift cars, and racers are all on the menu, along with RC planes and boats.

Like to build? Kits for assembling and painting are part of the stock, which is great for anyone who wants to understand every screw.

The shop offers in-store repairs too. There’s also an in-store crawler and test track, so you can see how a rig handles before it goes home.

If something isn’t on the shelf, the shop can order from more than 100 brands through 15 dealers. That’s a deep bench for a regional store.

Staff are happy to talk through what you want in a vehicle. That conversation is how beginners pick the right first truck instead of an expensive mistake.

Weekday afternoons tend to be busiest, while Saturday mornings run quieter. Mondays and Sundays are closed.

Address: 2751 Pole Line Rd, Pocatello, ID 83201

5. P1 RC Hobbies

Brand names read like a starting grid at this Idaho Falls shop. P1 RC Hobbies carries HPI, Kyosho, Team Associated, Corally, Rage RC, Savox, Futaba, and more.

Those names cover a lot. Some build complete cars, while Savox and Futaba make servos and radios that serious drivers obsess over.

The shop bills itself as Southeast Idaho’s premier RC hobby store. Its strong suit is parts, especially for drift cars and crawlers.

Drift and crawl sit at opposite ends of the hobby. One is all slide and style on smooth floors, and the other is slow, careful climbing over rocks.

Having parts for both in one place is handy. You won’t need two shops just because your interests split down the middle.

The selection of RC cars is solid too. So if you came for a gear and leave with a whole new chassis, that’s on you.

Plan around the schedule, though. P1 keeps weekday hours and closes on weekends, so it fits best into a lunch break or after-work run.

Idaho Falls has a busy RC community, and this shop gives it another source for brands that big box stores rarely stock.

Address: 1463 Commerce Way Ste 2, Idaho Falls, ID 83401

6. Action Hobbies

Fairview Avenue traffic moves slow, but the trucks inside this Meridian storefront are built for speed. Action Hobbies focuses on RC vehicles and spare parts.

The store keeps a wide selection on hand. That includes plenty of trending models, the ones that suddenly show up at every park and track.

Knowledge is the other draw. The staff know the hobby well, and that matters when you’re comparing motors, batteries, or tire compounds.

New to RC? A good shop conversation can save you from buying the wrong battery connector, a classic rookie headache.

Spare parts round out the trip. When a weekend bash goes sideways, you can come back for the bits that broke instead of waiting on a box in the mail.

Meridian has grown fast in the Treasure Valley. It’s nice to see a hobby shop holding its own among the chain stores and new subdivisions.

The shop runs Monday through Saturday and closes Sundays. That makes Saturday a natural shopping day before an afternoon run.

Families in Kuna, Nampa, and Eagle are a short drive away too. A quick stop here could easily become the start of a whole new hobby for someone at your house.

Address: 2483 E Fairview Ave #103, Meridian, ID 83642

7. HobbyTown

Model airplanes, RC cars, and games walk into a store on Emerald Street. No punchline, just HobbyTown in Boise.

It’s part of a national chain, but the Boise shop covers a lot of local ground. You’ll find model kits, remote control cars, model airplanes, and games.

The kit side is where classic building lives on. A plastic airplane kit teaches patience, steady hands, and how much glue is too much glue.

The RC side leans practical. Staff know their stuff about parts and upgrades, and they field questions that might stump a beginner.

Upgrades are half the fun of RC. Swapping in better shocks or a stronger motor turns a basic truck into something that feels custom.

Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds. If you’d rather browse in peace, weekday mornings tend to be calmer.

The store is open seven days a week, with shorter hours on Sunday. That makes it an easy fallback when a part breaks on the weekend.

For Boise families, having a big selection near the Connector is a real perk. You can pick up a first kit for a kid and a few upgrade parts for yourself in one trip.

Address: 7849 W Emerald St, Boise, ID 83704

8. 9 Realms Relics Train and Hobby Shop

Old trains don’t have to retire to a dusty box. At 9 Realms Relics in Boise, a 1960s model train came back running better, plus a fresh paint job and a new tender light.

That kind of repair work sets this shop apart. Model railroad supplies share space with trading card games, an unusual but fun pairing.

Painting help is another strength. The staff bring technical know-how on building and painting miniatures and models.

That’s the stuff you can’t learn from a box. Thin coats, dry brushing, and steady detail work click faster with someone to guide you.

The card game side brings in a different crowd. Monday evenings and Sunday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretches.

I love that mix of generations. A teen playing cards and a retiree hunting for track parts can end up in the same aisle.

Long hours help too. The shop stays open into the evening seven days a week, which is rare for hobby retail.

Free Wi-Fi and a free parking lot round out the practical side. Bring that old locomotive from the attic and see what it can do in Idaho’s capital.

Address: 3000 N Lakeharbor Ln, Boise, ID 83703