About 60 trains roll past the front door of one small train shop every single day. Real trains, I mean.
The tiny ones are waiting inside, packed onto shelves in nearly every scale you can name.
The shop sits in a building that served as the town post office back around 1900. Its name comes from a holiday stage role the owner’s son played in 2005.
That same mom still runs the place today, and the store marked ten years in 2024.
I like how this spot blurs the line between hobby and real life. You can study a model locomotive, then feel a full-size one rumble by just steps away.
Virginia has plenty of quirky stops, but few offer browsing with that kind of soundtrack.
So how long could you last before checking the clock? I suspect most train fans lose count completely.
A Train Store Sitting Right on the Main Line
Most hobby shops hide in strip malls between a nail salon and a pizza place. Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys took a far better approach and set up shop right beside an active railroad.
The store sits in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia, a small town just north of Richmond. Its front door opens toward tracks that carry real freight and passenger traffic all day long.
That setup gives the shop a personality you simply can’t fake. One minute you’re comparing tiny boxcars, and the next a full-size train is rolling past outside.
The shop bills itself as the Richmond area’s only full-line train store. That means serious hobbyists can find locomotives, track, scenery, and structures under one roof instead of hunting across several stores.
It also carries a big lineup of toys, puzzles, games, and science kits. So the family members who don’t care about couplers and gauges still get plenty to explore.
Put all of that together, and you get a place that feels part hobby shop, part trackside hangout. It’s easy to see why time starts slipping once you’re inside.
The Dickens Role That Inspired the Name
A Christmas Carol has given the world plenty of memorable lines. In Virginia, it also gave a train shop its name.
Owner Suzanne Hemingway named the store after her son, Colin. Back in 2005, he played Tiny Tim in a production of the Dickens classic.
I love that the name carries a real family story instead of a marketing pitch. It tells you right away that this business started from the heart, not a boardroom.
The choice also fits the mood of the store surprisingly well. Tiny Tim is the hopeful kid of the story, and the shop leans hard into that same sense of wonder.
Suzanne has said her mission was to recreate the local toy store she cherished as a child. That goal explains a lot about how the place feels today.
There’s no corporate script running the show here. Instead, you get a family-run shop shaped by one person’s memories of what a great toy store should be.
So when you say the name out loud, you’re really saying a little piece of family history. God bless us, every one, and every locomotive too.
How a Simple Layout Grew Into a Full Shop
Plenty of hobbies start small and then quietly take over the house. Suzanne Hemingway’s train journey took over an entire storefront instead.
The business grew out of a simple train layout she started in 2007. That modest project slowly turned into something much bigger than a weekend pastime.
Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys officially opened its doors in 2014. By 2024, the shop was celebrating its tenth anniversary in downtown Ashland.
Ten years is a real milestone for any independent store. It’s even more impressive for a specialty shop competing with online giants and big box retailers.
The secret seems to be the mix of passion and personal attention. Every toy in the non-train section is personally selected by the owner, which keeps the shelves from feeling generic.
That hands-on approach also shows in the team. Longtime staffer Sonja Myers has been with the store for over nine years, nearly the whole run of the business.
I can’t imagine a better origin story for a train shop. It started with one layout, a lot of curiosity, and a stubborn love for the hobby.
Browsing Inside Ashland’s Old Post Office
Letters once passed through this building long before locomotives filled the shelves. The store now occupies the old Ashland post office, which dates back to 1900.
That history gives the shop a charming, older feel that a new building just can’t match. It suits a hobby built around nostalgia and the golden age of railroading.
Look at the side of the building, and you’ll spot a large train mural. It works like a giant welcome sign for anyone wandering downtown.
Inside, the owner herself describes the space as crammed with inventory. Even so, she points out that it stays accessible for shoppers getting around the aisles.
A few folks do mention the store can feel a bit snug. Honestly, that’s part of the fun when every shelf holds something worth picking up.
There’s a certain joy in a store that packs this much into one historic building. It feels less like a showroom and more like a treasure chest.
So take your time and look up, down, and around. The good stuff in a place like this rarely sits at eye level.
Sixty Real Trains a Day Make the Best Soundtrack
Approximately 60 trains pass by this shop every day. Yes, sixty, and the tracks sit literally steps from the front door.
Ashland is famous for the railroad running right down the middle of town. The line carries both CSX freight and Amtrak passenger trains, so the parade rarely gets boring.
For a model railroader, this is like shopping for paintbrushes inside an art museum. The inspiration is rolling past the window while you decide on your next locomotive.
Some shoppers happily step outside to wave at a passing Amtrak headed south toward Florida. Good luck staying focused on that rolling stock aisle when a horn sounds nearby.
The shop even keeps information on hand for railfans who come to watch the action. It’s a handy bonus for anyone planning a day of trackside photography.
Kids especially tend to light up when the ground starts rumbling. Adults pretend to stay calm, but everyone turns their head.
Few stores anywhere in Virginia can claim a backdrop like this one. The real trains basically serve as free, ever-changing entertainment between purchases.
Every Major Scale From Tiny Z to Garden-Size G
N, O, HO, G, S, and some Z. That alphabet soup is the gauge lineup at Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys, and it covers almost every corner of the hobby.
For newcomers, gauge simply describes the size of the trains and track. Z is impressively tiny, while G scale trains are big enough to run through a backyard garden.
HO tends to be the go-to choice for many hobbyists building detailed layouts. N scale fits more railroad into a smaller room, which makes it popular with apartment dwellers.
O scale brings that classic heft many people remember from holiday trains circling the tree. S scale has its own devoted fans thanks to American Flyer history.
The selection is constantly changing, so a return trip can turn up new surprises. One shopper noted a strong supply of Kato items and accessories too.
That variety means families can start small and grow without switching stores. A child’s first set and a veteran’s next project can come from the same shelves.
Bring your measurements and your questions. The right scale makes a huge difference in how much fun a layout becomes.
Lionel, Bachmann, and a Small Army of Tiny Townspeople
Big names line the shelves here. The shop is an authorized dealer for all major train manufacturers, including Lionel, American Flyer, and Bachmann.
That dealer status matters to serious collectors. It means you’re buying from a shop with direct ties to the brands that define the hobby.
Locomotives grab the spotlight, but the supporting cast deserves attention too. You’ll find rolling stock, track, structures, and plenty of layout landscaping materials.
Scenery is where a model railroad truly comes alive. Trees, grass, buildings, and tiny figures turn a loop of track into a believable little world.
One shopper even got a kick out of a scale pack showing pedestrians climbing stairs. It’s oddly charming how much personality fits into a figure smaller than a fingernail.
The range runs from advanced, high-end pieces to simpler and more affordable options. That spread helps beginners and longtime builders shop side by side.
Fair warning, though. Once you start adding miniature people, you’ll suddenly need a miniature bakery, a park bench, and probably a fire station.
Meet the Trainmaster Who Fixes What Others Can’t
Every great train shop needs someone who knows the hobby inside and out. At Tiny Tim’s, that role belongs to Trainmaster Russell Youens.
Russell is a lifelong model train collector. He helps customers with pre-orders, layout planning, and troubleshooting when things refuse to run right.
That kind of guidance is gold for beginners staring at a pile of track. It’s also handy for veterans chasing a tricky wiring issue at midnight.
The shop offers repair services too, which is a big deal for older trains. One customer mentioned the staff performed maintenance on a vintage train of theirs.
Rare train repair even shows up among the topics people bring up about the store. That’s not something you’ll find at a typical big box toy aisle.
Special orders round out the service menu. If something isn’t on the shelf, the team can work on tracking it down for you.
Shipping is available anywhere as well. So even after you head home, the shop can still keep your layout growing.
Puzzles, Science Kits, and Wooden Trains for Little Hands
Not everyone in the family dreams about HO couplers. Thankfully, the toy side of this store holds its own impressively well.
Shelves feature award-winning learning toys, science kits, puzzles, and family games. There are also manipulatives, memory builders, crafts, and wooden trains for younger engineers.
Each of those items is personally selected by the owner. That’s why the mix feels thoughtful rather than random.
Grandparents seem to love this section for stocking stuffers. Fun, unusual, and educational picks make holiday shopping a lot less stressful.
One family picked up a wooden train set for their grandsons at a train show where the shop had a booth. They found it cheaper than online, which is always a pleasant surprise.
Shoppers have also spotted old-school fun like cap guns and cap cannons. It’s the kind of stuff that sends grown-ups straight back to childhood summers.
Sample games are available to play right in the store. That means kids can test-drive a puzzle before it ever comes home.
Railroad Shirts, Mugs, and Reading Material for Superfans
Some fans want to wear their love of trains on their sleeve. Literally.
The shop stocks railroad-themed apparel like T-shirts and hats. There are also mugs and signs for anyone who wants a little rail style around the house.
I believe a train mug makes morning coffee about twelve percent more exciting. That’s not science, just a strong personal hunch.
Readers have plenty to browse too. Books, magazines, and DVDs cover the hobby and railroading in general.
That reading material can be a lifesaver for beginners. A good layout guide answers questions you didn’t even know you had.
Gift shoppers should take note of this corner. It’s an easy win when you know someone loves trains but have no clue which scale they collect.
A shirt or sign also makes a nice souvenir after a day of train watching in Ashland. Every time you see it, you’ll hear that horn again.
So even if your layout budget is spoken for, you probably won’t leave empty-handed.
A Calmer Kind of Shopping Trip
Loud music, glaring lights, and endless aisles can wear anyone out. Tiny Tim’s offers a gentler alternative.
The store aims for a charming, welcoming, and calm atmosphere. Visitors are encouraged to stay and linger rather than rush through.
That approach makes it a thoughtful day trip for special needs children and adults. People who find large box stores noisy and overwhelming may feel more at ease here.
The shop also highlights innovative diversions like manipulatives and puzzles. These can help people de-stress or support recovery from illnesses affecting cognitive and small motor skills.
I like how the store treats play as something meaningful for every age. It’s a refreshing idea in a world that often rushes kids to grow up.
Shoppers can even operate the trains displayed in the window. Pressing a button and watching a tiny train move is oddly soothing.
Sure, the real trains outside bring their own rumble now and then. But between those moments, the pace inside stays relaxed and friendly.
Fun for Anyone Between Zero and Ninety-Nine
The shop’s own goal is bringing joy to people from ages 0 to 99. Ambitious, sure, but the mix of products makes a decent case.
Families stopping on the way to Kings Dominion have turned this into a regular road trip break. It’s a fun detour that beats another fast food stop.
Kids who love O scale can pick out add-ons for their sets. Siblings who don’t care about trains can wander over to games and toys instead.
One family’s 10-year-old caught the hobby bug at the annual model train exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia. They later found his ready-to-run set here for less than buying direct online.
The staff draws plenty of praise for being friendly and helpful. That warmth makes a big difference for nervous beginners asking basic questions.
Even classroom mascots get the royal treatment. The owner once strapped a class pet plush to a train for a special ride.
Moments like that explain the store’s appeal. It’s built for curiosity, whatever birthday you last celebrated.
Hours, Address, and the Easy Drive Off I-95
Getting here is refreshingly simple. The shop sits at 104 S.
Railroad Avenue, Ashland, VA 23005, right in the historic downtown.
From I-95, head about one mile west on Route 54. Before long, you’ll be rolling into town alongside the famous tracks.
The store is open seven days a week, which makes spontaneous visits easy. Tuesday through Saturday, hours run from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Sunday and Monday are shorter, running from 11 AM to 3 PM. Plan accordingly if you want plenty of browsing time.
Holiday season tends to get busy, and some items can sell out. Arriving early gives you a better shot at the best selection.
Stock gets refreshed often, so frequent visits pay off for collectors. A second trip might turn up exactly what you missed before.
Downtown Ashland makes a pleasant setting for a longer outing. Its nostalgic Main Street feel pairs nicely with an afternoon of train shopping and watching.
Just keep an ear out for horns when crossing the street.
Why This Little Shop Deserves a Spot on Your Route
Some stores sell products, and others sell an afternoon you’ll remember. Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys lands firmly in the second group.
With a 4.6-star rating across more than 200 Google reviews, plenty of shoppers clearly leave happy. Friendly staff is by far the most common theme people bring up.
Not every visit is perfect, of course. A few hobbyists feel some higher-end HO items cost more than online, while others call the prices great.
Still, it’s hard to put a price on expert help and a live railroad outside. Online carts can’t fix your old locomotive or point out a passing Amtrak.
For Virginia train fans, this shop feels like a small-town treasure worth supporting. It blends family history, a historic building, and a remarkable location into one stop.
Kids get toys, collectors get gauges galore, and everyone gets the trackside show. That’s a pretty good trade for a few hours of your day.
Just don’t promise anyone you’ll be quick. The clock tends to lose that argument here.
