As a newbie to model trains I have been impressed with this store. Friendly, helpful and informative. Willing to answer beginner's questions and to make simple fixes. read more

Scott and crew here got your model needs filled here. Solid mix of gauges, HEAVY mix of the used gear which I like. Probably a couple old timers hanging and definitely grab a roadie sucker for the way home! read more

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TETS HAS GOT YOUR MODEL RR SETS On October 26, 2024 I drove 18 miles round-trip from Bellevue to Burien WA to visit "The Electrical Train Shop" (TETS), which deals EXCLUSIVELY in the sales and service of model railroad (RR) electrical trains, both new and used. Whereas many other shops also do business in other hobbies as well. So you know TETS has got to do the customer right by model RR customers. NO RUDE 'TUDE AT TETS I met Scott, the owner of the shop, and Tom, one of his employees. Scott appraised my HO scale RR locomotives and cars that I found in a dumpster that I wanted to sell. I wanted to go to a place that would not react gruffly when asked "frivolous questions," or have to be a big time model RR buff to get respect. And I certainly was not disappointed! Two other hobby shops much closer to me got too many bad Yelp reviews for my taste re: rudeness. I did not see any of that on any of the TETS reviews. So I called Scott and drove the extra 22 minutes to Burien and back from Bellevue. A CORNUCOPIA OF MODEL TRAINS SETS, COMPLETE WITH LAYOUT PARAPHERNALIA This shop is a cornucopia of all things model RR. They have everything from G scale to N scale, tracks, switches, transformers, locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, model RR literature, layout paraphernalia (buildings, autos, tunnels, trestles, etc...see pix) Scott, Tom, and their other employees are not only friendly, but are a wealth of knowledge re: all things model RRing, both present and past. LANDFILL TRASH TRAINS NET $200 TREASURE TROVE...LAND O GOSHEN! An example was that one of my locomotives was a Japanese made "Tendosha" from 1959 that usually has the paint flaking off. Scott was impressed that this was not the case with mine. Unfortunately, though it was seemingly in good shape and still in it's box, upon testing it, it barely would move on the track because the oil and grease inside it got all gunked up with long-term storage and age. This is a very common problem that requires tearing it all apart to refurbish before resale. Where I live, it is not uncommon for adult children to clean out the apartments of their deceased elderly parents. In doing so, they often throw things away that are worth money. I have encountered this before in my 10 years of trash picking. After Scott told me that he offers 50% wholesale value for used model RR equipment, he offered me $200 for all of my HO scale "trash train" pieces, plus one kids' toy train in it's box, which I accepted. I'M ABOUT LESS LANDFILL AND CLEARING CLUTTER, NOT "GREED IS GOOD"! Yes I know, if I were a real go get 'em laissez-faire free enterprise entrepreneur, I probably could've gotten a bit more. But I ain't. I just wanted to get the clutter out of my condo. Besides, I had no way of knowing what condition they were in since I have no way of testing them. I knew what that exact locomotive was going for on eBay. But eBay prices are never realistic. What is realistic is that I am happy I got $200 for what otherwise would be landfill right now. read more

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Best prices in town and the owner is amazing. He likes to talk, and really can explain things to you. There is a big selection of used equipment, which saves you money. I would highly recommended this local shop! read more

Scott deals a lot in used equipment. I love it. Prices are reasonable by and the service is great. New equipment these days is very expensive. I love getting used equipment as it is economical and some of the items that I look for are not available anymore new. read more

This is the most unusual store with a huge stockpile of used model trains and accessories. Additionally, there is a small amount of airline and travel poster paraphernalia. I must have perused the selection for over an hour. There isn't much order that I could tell but the owner knows right where everything is if you're looking for something in particular read more

Last of the old time model train stores! Scott the owner is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to . Store is a mess and unorganized. brings me back to the hobby shops I frequented as a kid back in the 50s . Must visit before it goes away! read more

I love a good model train shop! You can spend a ton of time wandering around The Electric Train Shop, there are so many things to be found. Books, magazines, kits, detail parts... they have A LOT! I do wish they had a little more N Scale, I'm sure they will have more collections getting added soon. I found a magazine I didn't think I'd be able to get and some detail parts I didn't know existed. If you like trains, this shop will have something for you! read more

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I did no research on this place before I showed up. I knew they had electric trains (kind of a "DUH") but that was all I knew. on arrival it was fairly orderly but very full inside. I'm over 6' tall so I felt crowded. I don't recall seeing any new items as I wandered about. I'm sure there had to be but, I was specifically looking for a train. I did find something of interest so that was very cool. the prices were all very fair on the price tags that I saw. I also have a Polar Express train that I refer to as "the problem child" as it fails to stay on track. I asked the proprietor if he did any repair work or would be willing to look and make some suggestions. he did and found a small issue that he corrected. overall, I would be wiling to go back if I had need. the gent behind the counter was friendly and helpful. the only thing that even remotely struck me as odd is his credit card machine was connecting via dial up. not a huge deal, just funny. read more

This is the best model railroading store we have ever visited! They have lots of product: Hornby, Lionel, Bachmann, and many more. But what really sets them apart is the service. Too many hobby stores are operated by folks who don't seem to want to pass on their love of trains (or whatever hobby) to the younger generation. Not these guys. They are super nice, helpful, and incredibly informative. Will definitely return when we visit the area. read more

Just about the best train store in the area. Scott is very knowledgeable, friendly and HONEST. He buys and sells at fair prices. Anything not in stock he will order for you and it is available usually under a week. Always willing to help solve problems with your equipment. I never have been disappointed in my dealings with The Electric Train Shop. read more

Pretty good shop. Pretty good selection. I found it to be a lot of fun. And now I need nine more characters so here they are.

For a ma & pa specialty shop to succeed in this day and age a lot of elements must come together, expertise by the owner, customer service, repeat customers, fascinating and unique items in stock. Every time I pop my head into the well-stocked, yet uncluttered, Electric Train Shop I see seasoned model train enthusiasts chatting with owner, Scott, exchanging resources and new information in the field. I have seen customers walk in without a clue about trains and walk out happy without being "upsold." The owner seems careful not to load a newbie down with gimmicky accessories. And even when his store is busy, I have observed he is never too busy for anyone, and he is patient while customers ask him the same questions over and over about the different train scales and tracks. For a real treat ask Scott to show you some of his esoteric tools. Some are designed to fit a specific screw on a specific train engine built in a bygone era. The fact that he's been around for over ten years makes me think he is doing something right. read more

If I tinkered with electric trains, I'd come here with zero hesitation. I stopped in once as I was waiting on a table for brunch and lost track of time looking at all of the cool things for sale. There were several customers animatedly speaking with the owner, I assume, who asked me if I needed any help the moment that I stepped inside. When I replied that I was browsing, he nodded and added that I could ask any questions. If I'm ever in Burien, I am going to stop in again and spend a little longer in the shop. Maybe I'll buy an electric train or just window shop. read more

The Electric Train Shop - Sign. - Hobby Shops Near Me - Burien, Washington

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We came in here to sell my old Lionel train set I had purchased for our son back in the 70's. II It was a great set (my opinion) with steam engine, working cars - cattle, log, etc. - electronic switches, etc. - hoping to get a little value out of them. Most of the items were from the 40's to the 60's and made when things were built to last but I knew the market had dropped since anyone under 50 appears to not have an interest unless it says Apple, IBM, WII, etc. but I had hopes. In my opinion, we gave it away for basically nothing - not the store fault - society has just changed and interest on the things of the past does not appear to be trickling down to the future generations. Too bad. The store itself is fairly large for the type of store with a lot of train related items and a number of working trains in a nice set up. The people were helpful, knowledgably and friendly and a fun place to visit. If I was looking for train items - I would suggest this is a definite place to visit. read more

Don't listen to my delusional dad who gave the bad review! This train shop is awesome! Awesome prices, good deals, and you can do trades! I was NOT Swindled! It was my decision and my dad needs to stay out of my business! I will keep coming to get new stuff, the prices are great, unlike Eastside Trains and I'm happy with what I've gotten so far read more

I have been going to this little mom n pop train/hobby shop for years, The owner Jeff is super nice and knowledgable, u can find all kinds od deals on used stuff p gfrom old collections, plus newer items and everything u need for the hobby, recommend them way over hobbytown, in fact I wouldn't waste the trip to hobbytown unless I absolutely needed a piece of track or turnout that Jeff ran out of, and in that case u he will usually order it for you within a cpl dsys, anyways I love this store, takes you back in time when people were personable and cared about you getting into the hobby, also you can learn much from just hang in around there, a lot of guys who have been doin this for years tend to congregate there. read more

Fantastic customer service! In busy Christmas season, they helped me diagnose my train's problem (dead battery) and taught me how to clean and maintain it. Great selection of train stuff, too. And free parking! read more

Went into store today and met the owner. I was not a big buyer just looking for decorative pieces for a project. Noticed he knew every customer by name, helped me find pieces that would work and I learned so much about the history of trains. The store is full of collectibles and so many choices that I spent more time just admiring. read more

New Address: 625 SW 152nd St, Downtown Burien, WA 98166 (206) 244-7077 Wanted to add the above, and hope the people here on Yelp will change it. Also wanted to add that his prices for moderate/high/super detailed HO Scale stuff are impossible to beat. 25-50% lower at his store then Ive seen anywhere else including online (Bar Ebay auctions if you're lucky, but with Ebay you're not always sure about what you're getting). He has stuff for kids as well at a reasonable price, Sturdy Lifelike stuff for the early Model Railroader(s) in your house a few dollars a car, so if they get broken its no big deal. He'll buy lifelike stuff just for the kids too if your "Early Model Railroader" ever loses interest, or grows into more detailed stuff. Finally wanted to add that he has alot of collectibles. Lionel and earlier. He knows people he can send repair work to (Not sure how much he does in store or not). The owner is a great guy to go to if you're looking to expand, consolidate, or repair your collection. Available Gauges: All, Z-G. Anything he doesn't have, if he can order it he will. read more

I buy all my trains and related gear from this shop. Scott is my go-to train expert and has been for just shy of 20 years. Not only is he VERY knowledgeable but he's a lot of fun, always happy to help. I used to live in West Seattle and frequented his shop at the Alaska Junction. About the time he moved to Burien, I moved to Mexico, not New Mexico but the country, and he still provides excellent service to me as I need it. His customers are young and old, and he gives out great treats on Halloween. read more

This hobby shop offers so much more than your chain hobbyshops like hobbytown, strictly trains, model kits for trains and much more, many deals to be found with previously owned items, I think if your into or getting into the hobby, this is the place. read more