One of the Last of Its Kind, Dixie Union Station Is a Model Train-Lover's Paradise | Cincinnati Refined

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Dixie Union Station is among the last brick and mortar model train stores in the region. Located in Mason along Main Street, the store has been open and chugging along for over 20 years. The shop is one of the largest purveyors of O-gauge model trains in the United States, but also sells HO, G, S, and STD-gauge model products. ADDRESS: 110 W. Main Street (45040) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

An impressive display at the front of the store features a series of looping tracks with miniature buildings, people, trees, cars, and more. Certain model trains exhale vapor to simulate smoke. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The store is one of the last of a dying breed. It’s special because the staff who work there have years of experience fixing, learning about, and toying with model trains. With the advent of online shopping, model train stores have found it difficult to survive in brick and mortar settings, though Dixie Union Station has continued to thrive thanks to a passionate local customer base. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The shop carries Lionel, Rail King, and other popular model train brands. Its website, DixieUnionStation.com, features an inventory page where people can look up what the store has on hand. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Of course, Dixie Union Station doesn’t just service Cincinnati. People from around the world buy from the store and have their items shipped to them. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Owner Rocky Lane has an extensive knowledge of hobby trains. Through the years of running the store, he’s kept costs down in order to provide lower prices to his customers. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

A model train charging through a tunnel while puffing vapor to simulate smoke. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Dixie Union Station buys old sets as well as sells new, unopened products. Additionally, the staff is able to repair older sets so they may run again. A small work station sits in the back of the shop, though a lot of repairs are done offsite. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

An impressive display at the front of the store features a series of looping tracks with miniature buildings, people, trees, cars, and more. Certain model trains exhale vapor to simulate smoke. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

An impressive display at the front of the store features a series of looping tracks with miniature buildings, people, trees, cars, and more. Certain model trains exhale vapor to simulate smoke. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The staff is able to repair older sets so they may run again. A small work station sits in the back of the shop, though a lot of repairs are done offsite. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Dixie Union Station is among the last brick and mortar model train stores in the region. Located in Mason along Main Street, the store has been open and chugging along for over 20 years. The shop is one of the largest purveyors of O-gauge model trains in the United States, but also sells HO, G, S, and STD-gauge model products. ADDRESS: 110 W. Main Street (45040) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

For fans of model trains, Dixie Union Station is a must-visit. Though it's primary focus is selling products, it serves as a museum to the hobby as well. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The front counter / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The store is one of the last of a dying breed. It’s special because the staff who work there have years of experience fixing, learning about, and toying with model trains. With the advent of online shopping, model train stores have found it difficult to survive in brick and mortar settings, though Dixie Union Station has continued to thrive thanks to a passionate local customer base. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The shop carries Lionel, Rail King, and other popular model train brands. Its website, DixieUnionStation.com, features an inventory page where people can look up what the store has on hand. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

An impressive display at the front of the store features a series of looping tracks with miniature buildings, people, trees, cars, and more. Certain model trains exhale vapor to simulate smoke. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Of course, Dixie Union Station doesn’t just service Cincinnati. People from around the world buy from the store and have their items shipped to them. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

<p>The staff is able to repair older sets so they may run again. A small work station sits in the back of the shop, though a lot of repairs are done offsite. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20</p>

The workshop has all the tools and parts they need to fix trains. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Vintage Lionel boxes line the shelf inside the workshop. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

A very old, larger-scale model train that awaits repair in the workshop / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Owner Rocky Lane has an extensive knowledge of hobby trains. Through the years of running the store, he’s kept costs down in order to provide lower prices to his customers. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Of course, Dixie Union Station doesn’t just service Cincinnati. People from around the world buy from the store and have their items shipped to them. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The store is one of the last of a dying breed. It’s special because the staff who work there have years of experience fixing, learning about, and toying with model trains. With the advent of online shopping, model train stores have found it difficult to survive in brick and mortar settings, though Dixie Union Station has continued to thrive thanks to a passionate local customer base. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The first thing one notices upon walking up to the store is the massive mural on the side of the building. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The store is one of the last of a dying breed. It’s special because the staff who work there have years of experience fixing, learning about, and toying with model trains. With the advent of online shopping, model train stores have found it difficult to survive in brick and mortar settings, though Dixie Union Station has continued to thrive thanks to a passionate local customer base. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

An impressive display at the front of the store features a series of looping tracks with miniature buildings, people, trees, cars, and more. Certain model trains exhale vapor to simulate smoke. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Of course, Dixie Union Station doesn’t just service Cincinnati. People from around the world buy from the store and have their items shipped to them. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The shop carries Lionel, Rail King, and other popular model train brands. Its website, DixieUnionStation.com, features an inventory page where people can look up what the store has on hand. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Need more track? Dixie has it. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

An impressive display at the front of the store features a series of looping tracks with miniature buildings, people, trees, cars, and more. Certain model trains exhale vapor to simulate smoke. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Accessories are a large part of the inventory. If you're looking for one single person to complete a scene, you can buy them individually at Dixie. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Accessories are a large part of the inventory. If you're looking for one single person to complete a scene, you can buy them individually at Dixie. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Dixie Union Station is among the last brick and mortar model train stores in the region. Located in Mason along Main Street, the store has been open and chugging along for over 20 years. The shop is one of the largest purveyors of O-gauge model trains in the United States, but also sells HO, G, S, and STD-gauge model products. ADDRESS: 110 W. Main Street (45040) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

There are several hobby train-related magazines in stands in the front of the store. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The shop carries Lionel, Rail King, and other popular model train brands. Its website, DixieUnionStation.com, features an inventory page where people can look up what the store has on hand. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

The store is one of the last of a dying breed. It’s special because the staff who work there have years of experience fixing, learning about, and toying with model trains. With the advent of online shopping, model train stores have found it difficult to survive in brick and mortar settings, though Dixie Union Station has continued to thrive thanks to a passionate local customer base. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

Owner Rocky Lane has an extensive knowledge of hobby trains. Through the years of running the store, he’s kept costs down in order to provide lower prices to his customers. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20

<p>ADDRESS: 110 W. Main Street (45040) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 2.27.20</p>

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