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Well guys after a nail biting last couple hours the Big Boy picture contest is over. Congratulations to Bryan Rathman! Stop by the shop at any time during normal business hours to collect your gift card.
We have a very tight race that comes to an end today at 4pm. Two Big Boy pics are only separated by one vote at this point with lots of other great photos as well. Be sure to go to the gift card post and place your vote and make it a great ending to what has been an awesome pictorial story of the UP Big Boy through the Berks county and surrounding areas. Go vote now!
Don’t forget about the ongoing Big Boy photo contest for a $25 gift card to the Hobby Shop. See previous post for contest details and how to enter.
We hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July celebration! Just a reminder we are here today(July 5th) normal hours of 10am to 3pm.
Edit: Congratulations Bryan Rathman on the win! Thank you to everyone who participated ![]()
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Ok guys you are crushing it with the Union Pacific Big Boy photos on the previous post so let’s have some fun with it. In the comments leave your best Big Boy #4014 picture from its trip through Berks county and the picture with the most likes by end of our business day on Friday July 10th will receive a $25 gift card for the shop. Don’t forget to like this post and share it to all your friends so they can come vote on your picture to help you win!
The UP Big Boy has gone through Berks county yesterday on a crazy hot day. If you were able to see it somewhere as it passed by or at one of the stops share your best picture or short video in the comments. We would love to see them!
We were surprised to find out someone would risk so much by hanging this flag on the Empire State Building to show their support for the areas only full line hobby shop but we appreciate their loyalty and support. 😁😂
It’s gonna be super hot the next few days for our area. Great time to come in the Hobby Shop and browse for something new to work on and enjoy our cold AC.
Here is the schedule for Thursday July 2nd(tomorrow) in our area for the UP Big Boy. ![]()
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Approximate Thursday Times![]()
Nesquehoning: Big Boy photo stop from 9:20-9:35 a.m. (Open to the public; no public parking, foot traffic only.)![]()
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Tamaqua: RBMN train at 10:05 a.m.; Big Boy 10:20-10:35 a.m. (15-minute photo stop.)![]()
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New Ringgold: RBMN 11:00 a.m.; Big Boy 11:05 a.m.![]()
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Port Clinton: RBMN 11:12 a.m.; Big Boy 11:31-11:46 a.m. (15-minute photo stop; open to the public with no public parking.)![]()
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Hamburg: RBMN 11:55 a.m.; Big Boy Noon-12:15 p.m. (15-minute photo stop.)![]()
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Mohrsville: RBMN 12:10 p.m.; Big Boy 12:30 p.m.![]()
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Leesport: Big Boy 12:40-12:45 p.m. (5-minute photo stop.)![]()
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Reading Outer Station: RBMN 12:30-3:00 p.m.; Big Boy 1:05-2:20 p.m.![]()
Reading Outer Station will be open to the public for viewing the locomotive, although parking will not be permitted in the station parking lot.
Just a reminder to everyone that this Thursday July 2nd the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 will be at the Reading & Northern Outer Station located at 3501 Pottsville Pike in Muhlenberg Township. It is slated to arrive about 1:30 and will be there for 45 minutes. This is a once in a lifetime chance to see this massive steam locomotive in person here on the east coast. They are expecting a very large crowd so be sure to be there early. Take lots of pictures and don’t forget to tag us in your posts about it.
So when it comes to model trains what is your preferred scale to use and why?
Have an RC car that has been just sitting on a shelf or in a closet because it needs some repairs? Don’t have the time or you are unsure how to bring it back to life? Bring it in for us to get it up and running again for you. We service electric, nitro and gas models.
Some trivia for the RC pilots today and it’s a two parter. What year was the Academy of Model Aeronautics(AMA) established and where is the headquarters currently located?
With a show of hands in the comments who is going to be sure to see the UP #4014 Big Boy when it is in the area? Also where do plan to see it?
This is some really cool stuff! Hope you all get to see the Big Boy while it’s in our area of the state! And if you’re really lucky you’ll see both of these bad units cruising together!HISTORIC: For a brief moment in Pittston Township, two legends shared the rails. On the left, Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world. On the right, Reading & Northern 2102, a restored Pennsylvania icon built in 1945.![]()
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Seeing either one is rare. Seeing them side by side is the kind of railroad history that generations wait a lifetime to witness.![]()
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📸 Ashley Ferrese
If your looking for that new model to pick up to keep you busy we have got plenty for you to chose from. From cars, planes, military, ships and even Gundam models are here. All your paints and supplies in stock as well.
Ok guys time for some morning trivia. Two part question. Who is the person that started Estes rockets and what was the year? Comment your answer below or if you’re not sure of the answer tell us when you fired your first rocket. #estesrockets
Looking for some model railroading goodies? We have got you covered. Lots to choose from G, O, HO, and N gauges plus lots of supplies. Stop in today!
Just had some time travelers visit the hobby shop today! Be sure to check out all the cool things at the Reading Airport for the WWII weekend.
Thinking of learning to fly an RC airplane? Try this awesome machine. Hobbyzone Aeroscout is in stock and ready for you to take home and learn to fly.
Ok guys looking for the RC crew on this one. What was the first Radio Controlled kit made by Tamiya( kit #1)? Bonus points if you can get the year correct as well. Comment your answer or just your favorite Tamiya kit if you don’t know.
Ok guys it’s trivia time! The UP Big Boy #4014 is coming to the east coast for the first time very soon. How long is this massive Steam locomotive? Leave your answer in the comments. And don’t use google and cheat. Feel free to comment any facts you know about this locomotive
Just a reminder that we are open today(Sunday) from 10am to 3pm for your Holiday weekend needs.
We just received a few of the Intermountain SD45-2 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern locos with sound in N gauge. 2 different road numbers are available.
The warm weather is here and it’s a great time to grab your favorite R/C car and get outside! So what is your go to car or truck? Leave a pic of your favorite in the comments.
50 year old Marklin train mat turned into a more permanent layout. All done and ready to deliver to the customer. The owner already has acquired all the buildings to make it complete. Unfortunately I don’t have those to show for the video. Ready to be enjoyed for years to come.
First signs of life on the Z gauge project we are building for a customer. Pretty cool little mat layout from Marklin that we are making a more permanent piece for a coffee table set up.
This is one of the more interesting ways that I have seen a customer use to transport his Traxxas X-Maxx home from having it repaired by us. Comment below what crazy way you have done if any.
Just got in the new MTH Reading GP-35 Low Hood diesel locomotives with Proto-sound 3.0. Available in two different road numbers.
With all the talk of rockets and space travel lately it is the perfect time to come in and get your very own rocket to launch! We have to full line of Estes rockets here so you can have your very own countdown and special mission!
Just as a reminder that we are open today until 3pm and will be closed tomorrow for Easter. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the day!
Hours for the holiday weekend are as follows:![]()
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Friday - 10am to 4pm![]()
Saturday - 10am to 3pm ![]()
Sunday - Closed for Easter
A gift card is always a great idea for an Easter basket addition. Any young hobbyist will love it. Stop in for yours today.
Atlas N gauge Reading C424 Phase 1 locomotives are here. 3 road numbers available in both DC and DCC.
Spring weather is finally sticking around more so it’s time to get those RC cars out and get them ready for some fun! If you are in need of any repairs on your electric or nitro car or truck then bring them in and we can get them taken care of for you!
Bowser HO 70 ton Reading and Northern ballast cars are here and in stock. 3 different roads numbers available.
Internet is not currently working in this area, so unfortunately no phone or card processing for us. We can only accept cash until Internet service is restored. Sorry
Another snowy day and we will be here and open normal hours for all your hobby needs
Please use caution if venturing out in the snow today. Roads are not great but if you do just know that we are open and will be here if you need anything.
Broadway Limited HO RBMN EMD F7A and F9B units have arrived. Available in both DC and DCC options. Gonna go fast so be sure to come get yours before they are gone.
Just a reminder that we are still on extended hours through the new year! Then after New Years Day we will resume normal hours.
We are here and open today(12/27) our normal hours of 10am to 3pm. Takes more than a little ice to keep us closed and unavailable for our customers.
Don’t forget we will be here every day till Christmas! Only a few more days left to get entered into the Charity raffle for Four Diamonds!
Can’t decide what to get? Can never go wrong with a gift card. Give the gift that lets them get what they want.