Post by runamuckchuck on Jan 10, 2024 22:02:25 GMT
This song by the Talking Heads might be an apt theme for the Valley Farm Market MTH store in Weedville PA. This came to mind because of a recent post asking about the Milwaukee Road Chippewa Engine. It was not so long ago that I saddled up and drove the roughly 4.5 hour one way drive from my house to see Charlie (the store owner) and pick up some large passenger sets that I did not want to be shipped and came across this MTH set accidentally. I bought it after thinking about it all the way home.
In spite of Charlie's protestations to the contrary the main attraction of Weedville is not his store, but the Elk herd that roams the wilderness a few more miles up the road. I went at the wrong time of year since the elk were not trumpeting.
I hate it when I miss mating season in the wild.
With that distraction thankfully dispensed with I put my full energies into scavenging Charlie's different brand of merchandising trains sort of like 7-11 meets WaWa, at the Gas and Go with a car wash on the side and MTH trains scattered about the store; but not the car wash thankfully. Granted there is a dedicated area for trains but you are as likely to find what you are looking for amongst the snack section, bread/bun selections, deli area or houseware items. The chiller cases with drinks have no trains except maybe the Polar Express, or other Christmas themed items.
Charlie's MTH stock (on their website inventory) is pretty much up to date but a call is always encouraged before you look elsewhere. At his age, older hard to find items are his forte'. One of my train pals commented that his prices were high. I asked hard to find items, higher prices than original retail what's your point? BTW the upcharge is quite reasonable IMO.
And then there is Charlie, the epitome of the jolly old elf himself. He comes off at first as a bit gruff but once you get him talking you realize what a deep enjoyment he get's from talking/selling trains. You have to treasure a person who loves their work. If his store was closer I would be a regular fixture just to speak with him about anything
I encourage you to google his store for the photo gallery to get a sense of what I am talking about but nothing rivals an actual visit. I mean where else are you going to find a Weedville tie dyed T shirt with an elk emblazoned on it? And no the elk is not smoking a joint. This is not Grateful Dead territory.
For the Train hobby people like Charlie are a treasure that those of a younger age will not soon cross paths with in their lifetime. What a pity that is.
As passion trumped profit; when sound advice was given instead of a sales pitch; when customer service was a way to do business not a slogan there were the Charlie's of our hobby.
'Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone'.
Amen to that Joni Mitchel!
This is not an obituary!
In spite of Charlie's protestations to the contrary the main attraction of Weedville is not his store, but the Elk herd that roams the wilderness a few more miles up the road. I went at the wrong time of year since the elk were not trumpeting.
I hate it when I miss mating season in the wild.
With that distraction thankfully dispensed with I put my full energies into scavenging Charlie's different brand of merchandising trains sort of like 7-11 meets WaWa, at the Gas and Go with a car wash on the side and MTH trains scattered about the store; but not the car wash thankfully. Granted there is a dedicated area for trains but you are as likely to find what you are looking for amongst the snack section, bread/bun selections, deli area or houseware items. The chiller cases with drinks have no trains except maybe the Polar Express, or other Christmas themed items.
Charlie's MTH stock (on their website inventory) is pretty much up to date but a call is always encouraged before you look elsewhere. At his age, older hard to find items are his forte'. One of my train pals commented that his prices were high. I asked hard to find items, higher prices than original retail what's your point? BTW the upcharge is quite reasonable IMO.
And then there is Charlie, the epitome of the jolly old elf himself. He comes off at first as a bit gruff but once you get him talking you realize what a deep enjoyment he get's from talking/selling trains. You have to treasure a person who loves their work. If his store was closer I would be a regular fixture just to speak with him about anything
I encourage you to google his store for the photo gallery to get a sense of what I am talking about but nothing rivals an actual visit. I mean where else are you going to find a Weedville tie dyed T shirt with an elk emblazoned on it? And no the elk is not smoking a joint. This is not Grateful Dead territory.
For the Train hobby people like Charlie are a treasure that those of a younger age will not soon cross paths with in their lifetime. What a pity that is.
As passion trumped profit; when sound advice was given instead of a sales pitch; when customer service was a way to do business not a slogan there were the Charlie's of our hobby.
'Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone'.
Amen to that Joni Mitchel!
This is not an obituary!
