Factory Direct Hobbies Reviews

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David S.
BLI has the finest HO models in the business both Steam and Diesel locomotives. Love the Rolling thunder realism and the sound from Paragon 4 is the best. Detail work on locomotives is top shelf. I will be purchasing more BLI products in the near future.
BLI 7930 EMD SD45, ATSF 5615, Bookend Scheme, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Gary P.
I friend wanted me to put a "Current Keeper" in one of his steam locomotives. The locomotive is a BLI. I had never worked on a BLI locomotive short of putting a decoder in my own RSD15. I know that BLI sort of does their own thing so I gave them a call. The told me where to go to get their version of a "current Keeper: called a "Go Pak". I ordered three of them from Factory Direct Hobbies, 1 for my friend and the rest for my BLI RSD15s, because BLI was out of stock. The short story is that the p...
BLI 1682 GoPack! Power Continuity Capacitor Pack with plug
Customer photo review of Athearn HO 60' PS Auto Box, SP #621115
Lynn S.
This is an excellent model and goes well with my other rolling stock. Athearn has always had superior models and this is no exception.
Athearn HO 60’ PS Auto Box, SP #621115
Customer video review of Athearn RND1251 40' GONDOLA, N&W #91513, HO
John P.
Great selection, service takes a backseat to no one and the price is fair. Joe you guys are doing it right, please keep it up.
Athearn RND1251 40’ GONDOLA, N&W #91513, HO
Customer photo review of BLI 6490 Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4, #261, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Michael S.
Right out of the box the unit performed beautifully! Detail is great, sound excellent, and the smoke impresses everyone. A really nice locomotive!
BLI 6490 Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4, #261, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Robert E Z.
Another GREAT BLI Product! I now have over fifty BLI Engines and am so happy they are producing quality products with such great detail with all of the bells and whistles! I am also most satisfied with Factory Direct Hobbies for which most of these purchases have been from your company. Keep up the GRREAT work/
(Brass Hybrid) BLI 7801 PRR Q2 Duplex, 4-4-6-4, #6175, Production Version, 18,000 gallon tender, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, Smoke, HO
Robert H.
I needed two turnouts, LH and RH, for my layout as well as some straight track. So this set had them and some other pieces. The set was priced lower with more pieces than buying the needed pieces separately. More bang for the buck.
Atlas ATL2788 Code 80 Snap Track(R) Starter Set -- 36 x 24" 91.4 x 61cm Oval w/Siding & Terminal Joiners, N Scale
Anders H.
The N scale laser kit I purchased fromFactory Direct was quickly delivered and, upon inspection, was found to be of high quality with a detailed instruction package. The unit has not been built yet, promises to offer final appearance, details and flexibility for personal finishing comparable with products from Bar Mills and Blair Line.
RSlaserKits 3041 Keystone Mills, N Scale
Gerald B.
I'm building a pair of helixes for my layout. I've chosen Kato 20-544 and 20-545 for my track in them. I still have a ways to go, but I have enough unitrack to complete one of them.
Kato N 20544 Unitrack Concrete Slab Double Viaduct Track with Super-Elevated Curve R414/381mm (16-5/16"-15") 45-Degree Section (2)
James L.
I am using the Plastruct materials to make my own version of Coal Loaders at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile, AL. I model CSX Railroad as it serves Alabama from Mobile to Birmingham. My layout covers the western half of Alabama primarily following the division U.S. 31 makes from South to North. Emphasis is given to the Alabama State Docks, the beautiful Union Station in Montgomery then north to Prattville and the large Paper Mill we would wake up smelling when we lived there from 1976 to 1988....
Plastruct 90205 ST-12 4pk SQUARE TUBING 3/8
David S.
My first model car was the 1932 Ford Model B Roadster by AMT. I spent many hours just looking at the beautiful lines that AMT had duplicated in 1/25 scale. This was 1960 and set me on a lifelong path of model car collecting and building. This Model A is an exact replica of the Model A Roadster Pickup my big brother owned in the early 1950s and I will build it just as his was, in my memory that is. AMT has produced yet another beautifully detailed replica of an American icon. I will get another o...
AMT Model Kits AMT1269M 1929 FORD WOODY PICKUP 1:25 SCALE MODEL KIT
Paul F.
These drums will add great detail to one or more of our scenes. Be it on the docks,or on a delivery truck, at a service facility???? The options are wide open.
Metal Drums - Assorted Color; pkg(30), HO
Robert B.
The car I beautifully made. The detail is great and all the lights work perfectly. The color is a great match to all my Walthers cars. I have the Big Boy with extra water scale trains water cars. The train will be over 20 cars once the Fox Rivera and power car are added. Thank you for your outstanding dedication to model railroading Bob Brienza
BLI 9013 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", "Big Boy Tour" Drumhead, HO
Customer video review of Athearn N Bay Window Caboose, MILW #992217
Danny E.
Perfect companion for my little NW-2. Another great product from Athern. Performs as it should and looks amazing while it does it!
Athearn N Bay Window Caboose, MILW #992217
Customer photo review of Walthers 920-100147 40' UTLX 16,000-Gallon Funnel-Flow Tank Car - Ready to Run -- Cargill Corn Sweetener CRGX #4556, HO
David L.
Very impressed with the detail. Surprised on how heavy the tanker is. Will go very well with my corn syrup industry.
Walthers 920-100147 40’ UTLX 16,000-Gallon Funnel-Flow Tank Car - Ready to Run -- Cargill Corn Sweetener CRGX #4556, HO
Janice H.
Merry Christmas All, The train cars arrived ahead of time and in perfect condition ... My grandson was super happy with the cars her got, as he is building a big putz / layout..Thanks for helping to make his Christmas bright.. Wishing all a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New 2025 TY Jan Harmony
Walthers SceneMaster 949-3167 Wrapped Lumber Load for WalthersMainline 72’ Centerbeam Flatcar -- Weyerhauser Lumber (red, orange), HO
Christopher P.
I was pleased with the ease of installation, the dimming capability, everything. I have never put lights on a layout before and it will be exciting to find more places that could benefit from them.
Woodland Scenics JP5700 Lights & Hub Set Warm White
Tom D.
We identified my wife, as a teenager on her farm; her grandparents, her parents, and her bothersome younger brother, and the ducks, geese, chickens he used to scatter. They will all live on their farm on my layout.
Walthers SceneMaster 949-6071 Farmers -- 6 Figures (Includes Accessories), HO
Richard C.
Very easy and convenient. Excellent for those who don't do well with or can't afford a computer. This faster and much easier to set up than computers, programs and interface equipment. Tons more economical too.
BLI 1148 CV Setter
Bruce K.
I WAS INTO HO FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS BEFORE I MOVED INTO A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY AND HAD TO DOWN SIZE TO "N". IT IS GREAT TO FIND 'N' SALE KITS TO BUILD AND THE TICHY LINE OF KITS ARE GREAT. HALF THE FUN OF MODEL RAILROADING IS THE ABILITY TO BUILD AND CUSTOMIZE YOUR ROLLING STOCK. TICHY PROVIDES THAT OPERTUNITY. I'M DOUING A WORK YARD AND WILL HAVE 3 CRANES PLUS A DOZEN SUPPORT CARS. DOING ONE OR TWO CARS AN EVENING WAS / IS FUN. THAT'S A PROBLEM WITH "N" NOT ENOUGH KITS. I'M LUCKY THE COMMUNITY ...
Tichy Train Group 2703 Work Train Equipment - Converted Double Sheathed Boxcar Kit -- Crew Car w/Side Personnel Door & Windows, N Scale
Alexander W.
Very excellent, Broadway Limited doesn’t mess around with their products. High quality. Very detailed, and excellent lighting systems, especially with the buttons for turning them on and off are very hard to see. Nice high tech.
BLI 9013 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", "Big Boy Tour" Drumhead, HO
Mark F.
The new Union Pacific business car #119 Kenefick, produced by Broadway Limited is awesome! Great details and it works perfectly. Thanks to Factory Direct Hobbies for setting up the pre-order and promptly shipping them once available.
BLI 9012 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", UP Shield on Rear, HO
Steven S.
Absolutely incredible model. The amount of movement the wing plows have is impressive. The paint and finish are very nice. I didn't have any problems with the couplers. Even if it doesn't fit your modeling era, it's worth getting for a shelf piece. Or even adding an addition on to your house to make your layout bigger and add a RR museum just to display it.
Walthers 920-110130 Jordan Spreader - Ready to Run -- Monon #X-15, HO
Nick H.
I haven’t painted and installed these yet, but I think it’s a great detail for the shop buildings on my layout. Even though most of the shop buildings are brick, fire was surely a major concern in the shops. The castings look pretty clean and I don’t foresee any issues.
Durango Press 113 Fire Hose on Rack - Kit, HO Scale
Arthur J.
I have been putting together the UP Heritage train. I have the BLI Big Boy 4014 and a good collection of the coaches. The Kenefick puts the icing on the end of the train. I have also pre-ordered the power car. Should look really nice on the layout when it all comes together.
BLI 9013 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", "Big Boy Tour" Drumhead, HO
Mike B.
Sure! Here's your review: --- I recently purchased the WalthersProto 920-9876 Holiday Season City of San Francisco Consist Expansion Set from Factory Direct Hobbies, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. The set includes the Factory-Printed MILW Express #1324, UP(R) Coach #5455, and UP Imperial Gate in HO scale. The deal was fantastic, and the shipping was incredibly fast. The entire transaction was smooth and hassle-free. The product itself is of excellent quality, meeting all my expe...
WalthersProto 920-9876 Holiday Season City of San Francisco Consist Expansion Set -- Factory-Printed MILW Express #1324, UP(R) Coach #5455, UP Imperial Gate, HO
Ed W.
I like to do business with Factory Direct Hobbies. They know what they are doing, prices are good, and they occasionally have pretty decent sales events. Ed Ward Colorado Springs
Walthers Cornerstone 933-3511 Track Bumpers -- Kit pkg(12), HO Scale
Jack C.
Broadway Limited products have given me reliable service for the last 12+ years, Factory Direct Hobbies has been a very reliable supplier of their products. My recent purchases of several Paragon 4, SD40's has been a great addition to my operations. Live on an island, no basements, limited layout space. The extension couplers that came on my new units solved a lot of operation problems
BLI 7640 EMD SD40, CSX 8406, YN3 Scheme, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Robert C.
A very intricate and delicate substation model that is perfect to fit into an industrial setting or adjacent to a large manufacturing complex. Comes with guidance re how to rig incoming / outgoing power lines to create realistic setting ... though sourcing materials appropriate for N Scale may be an issue. As with most all pre-assembled Woodland Scenics models, the detail is superior and the quality is excellent.
Woodland Scenics 2253 Substation, N Scale
Richard C.
Beautiful models with excellent details to match road specific requirements. They have a well proven and improved drive train and quality decoder and sound to match. These are smooth, realistic runners with full compliment of user speed and momentum controls. I am very happy with this Proto E unit entry into a very competitive market of excellent Chinese manufactured train models.
WalthersProto 920-42918 EMD E9A-Bm - LokSound 5 Sound & DCC -- Union Pacific(R) #949, #963B Heritage Fleet, HO
Mike T.
Very pleased with this purchase…Brought positive responses from not just my Crew Members at the SD&AZE Layout, but the public in the SDMRR Museum as well..! Thank you for the rapid shipping..! MikeThornhill
BLI 9015 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", "Spirit of the Union Pacific" Drumhead, HO
Steve E.
This track cleaning cars is perfectly weighted and does a great job. I plan to run two at a time. The first car with cleaner, and the second car dry. We have a large 30X40 layout, so this setup will get a lot of use.
Centerline Products 60037 (HO-3) Track Cleaner Deluxe, HO
James P.
Tremendous detail. Incredible runner. Good weight good traction. Not a picky runner. Tight curves older switches…..no sweat. If your looking to move up to top of the line stuff…this is it!
Rapido 33024 HO Montreal Locomotive Works MLW M420 - M420B Set - Standard DC -- British Columbia Railway #641, 681 (As-Delivered, green, white, Dogwood Logo)
Jim D.
Nice detail on these cars. They run smoothly and can do even more so with a little light oil on each axle bearing. You do need to attach the bridge plates to the model.
WalthersMainline 910-8216 89’ Flatcar w/Tri-Level Open Auto Rack - Ready to Run -- Pennsylvania Railroad Rack Trailer-Train Flatcar #908177 (brown), HO
Richard C.
Excellent model with super detail and lighting features that enhance the enjoyment of running my UP passenger train. This is worth every penny I paid for it. The lighting stays on constantly with no flickering on my DCC layout.
BLI 9013 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", "Big Boy Tour" Drumhead, HO
Robert M.
Outstanding product. Much better than the tank cars I purchased from another company. This WILL negotiate 18" radius turns and I've even got a few 15" curves I took it through with no derailment...unlike the competitor's car which couldn't even do the 18". They're quite heavy, hold the track well, and look outstanding.
BLI 8040 Cryogenic Tank Car, Air Products, Single Car, HO
Wayne E. W.
the replacement boxcab arrived today and it worked flaylessly. So Glad i am returing the defective one on Friday via the enclosed shipping label you provided. Thanks for sppedy service. Happy Holidays
BLI 3961 PRR P5a Boxcab, #4760, Freight Type, DGLE, Buff Yellow Roman Lettering (Round), Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N
Conrad D.
Ordered off the Factory Direct website and received immediate email with confirmation. Delivered within a week in perfect condition. I have the Overland Brass version and this one is just as detailed and has better lights (by far).
BLI 9014 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", "George Bush Funeral Train" Drumhead, HO
Brett W.
I'm quite impressed with the Atlas Master Silver series MP15DC's. Great attention to detail, and the number boards light up (unlike the Athearn Genesis MP15AC's). Atlas still say that these models have a NMRA 8-pin plug inside, but this is not true. They have a 21-Pin NEM connector. Note that it is "sound ready" meaning that it already has a speaker inside. All you need to do is buy a 21-Pin decoder of your choice. Thank you Joe!
ATLAS 10003847 HO MP15DC SILVER THE PRAIRIE LINE #1001 [W/DITCH LIGHTS]
Joseph S.
Good quality. I collect Christmas cars and locos and this Bachmann car is surprisingly nice. I really never thought Bachmann was such a great company, but this is really nice.
Bachmann 17007 Claus Candy Cane Co. - 40’ Box Car - HO Scale
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