JOE’S TRAIN STATION GETTING READY TO HELP CREATE CHRISTMAS JOY

BY DEBRA WALLACE

The first time Doug Wolff walked into a local toy train store, he asked the owner when the after-Christmas sale was taking place and was told that the entire store was for sale.

The former business consultant for several Fortune 500 companies thought about buying the shop and spent some time in the parking lot across the street watching the flow of customer traffic.

To his delight, most people walked out with purchases from the store. He also interviewed customers about what they appreciated about the shop and was told it was a fond family activity that involves several generations.

“I quickly learned that shopping for trains is a good experience that fosters extremely fond childhood memories,” Wolff says. “We pride ourselves on top-notch customer service that makes miracles happen.

“People love the romance and nostalgia of trains. It’s about the grandparents and parents who love to come in with their sons and daughters and please see TRAINS, page 7

19006 re-create their favorite childhood memories, and we are happy to help them at every turn.”

Wolff sells, buys and repairs trains. He prides himself on having an extensive inventory of new and used trains and accessories.

He purchased the shop in June 2010 when it was located in Feasterville. His education in the world of trains was just beginning. He and his employees frequently go to train shows to display and sell items. The shop moved to Hatboro in 2018.

When it comes to the holiday season, Wolff recommends starting early to look for your first train set, or additional trains, track and other accessories, so you can find everything you need and are not disappointed.

There is so much to learn about trains when it comes to train size, gauge layout, design and more. There are lots of distributors he buys from, and finding a particularly hard-to-locate item for a customer is a sheer delight.

Joe’s Train Station carries all gauge trains from G to Z, including Lionel, American Flyer, LGB, MTH, Marklin, Bachmann, Williams, Carrera and USA Trains.

The shop is a true child’s paradise, filled with pre-and post-war collectible trains, remote control cars, slot cars, a few drones, helicopters, airplanes, boats, service vehicles and more.

The shelves are lined with various train gauges, miles of track and accessories. One of four working train layouts that captivate customers of all ages is an overhead G gauge train that runs throughout the store and is a point of fascination for train lovers of all ages.

“They see the train smoke, smell the different scented smoke, watch the trains running in various locations around my shop,” he explains, “and it evokes precious memories of when they were a child following the trains under the family Christmas tree.”

In fact, one huge display case is filled with lead figures. Other bins are filled with trees, fences, billboards, animals, Plasticville buildings and people.

All of this hearkens back to the time when trains were the major mode of transportation in the nation, and people loved the dining car with the linen napkins and fancy dinnerware and spending the night in a sleeper car.

“We can pull out a research book or catalog from the year the customer had their layout and recreate a beloved set that was lost or sold,” Wolff says. “They can buy back a major piece of their childhood, and they can do it all here.”

As an active member of the community, Joe’s Train Station is involved in local football, cheerleading, dance companies, Boy Scouts and other events, which means a lot to the business.

Adam Forman, of Huntingdon Valley, now 16, fondly remembers his first visit to Joe’s Train Station to buy an HO gauge about trains and had to learn from scratch. Now she is the “Plasticville Queen,” who makes sure all the Plasticville buildings, people and animals are ready for sale. Customers count on Beverly and her expertise.

“I enjoy helping the new and repeat customers find what they want,” Beverly said.

“Christmas time is always a busy and happy time for us. Everyone is unpacking their trains, getting them fixed, and getting them ready for the holiday. It’s an exciting time for us.”

Thomas and Friends set for Hanukkah, and he has returned for many other figurines and trains. His layout is a source of great pride.

“My friend came over the other day and said I was the luckiest kid he knew because I have this amazing layout,” Forman recalled. “I keep going back because I love to watch the trains in the store and expand my layout. I hope the shop stays there for a long, long time.”

Doug Wolff’s mother Beverly has been involved in the store from the beginning. She knew nothing and his family have

Doug is extremely proud of what he and his family have created.

“Most people love trains and it is heartwarming to know that the items they purchased have given them many hours of family fun,” he said.

“Trains evoke great nostalgia,” Doug added, “and we are here to help recreate fond memories and make new ones, especially at Christmas time.” •• nostalgia,” Doug added, memories and make new ones, Christmas

Joe’s Train Station is located at 283 East County Line Road in Hatboro. Phone: 215322-5182. Hours: Daily, 10-6, Saturday and Sunday, 10-4. Website: www.JoesTrainStation.com.