Some of the best places in Illinois hide in plain sight, tucked behind ordinary storefronts you would drive past without a second look. You walk in planning to grab one small part, and suddenly the clock says you have been there for hours.
Shelves climb toward the ceiling, boxes of trains peek out from every corner, and a little voice from childhood starts whispering that you need just one more engine. This is the story of a hobby shop that feels like a treasure hunt every single time.
A Tucked-Away Treasure Off Maplewood Drive
Blink on Maplewood Drive in Itasca and you could roll right past it. America’s Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop sits at 865 Maplewood Dr, a short hop from the bigger roads of the western Chicago suburbs, looking every bit like a regular little storefront.
Step through the door, though, and the whole mood changes. Visitors describe it as a little shop tucked away, the kind of spot you hear about from a friend who swears you need to see it for yourself.
Officially, it is a hobby store. Unofficially, regulars treat it like a clubhouse for anyone who ever pushed a toy engine across a living room floor.
Model trains are the heart of the place, but the shelves also hold model kits, paints, LEGO sets, Playmobil, and plenty of toys for kids. Plan on wandering, because a quick stop rarely stays quick.
The Last of a Classic Breed
Remember when every town seemed to have a train store with a bell over the door? Those shops have grown rare, and one longtime fan calls this spot the last classic toy train store in the Chicago area.
That is a big claim, yet it captures the feeling inside. Nothing here is slick or showy.
Instead, you get packed shelves, stacked boxes, and the comfortable clutter of a store built by people who genuinely love trains.
Another shopper points out that few privately owned hobby shops carry a selection like this one. Being independent shows in the little things, from rare finds on the shelves to staff who will happily talk scale and track for as long as you like.
For Illinois folks who miss the old neighborhood hobby shop, walking in feels a lot like coming home.
Every Scale From N to G
Tiny N scale cars no bigger than a stick of gum. Mid-sized HO models.
Hefty O scale Lionel engines. Big G scale and LGB sets built to run outdoors in the backyard.
Shoppers say the range here covers just about all of it.
N scale fans in particular mention a nice selection, while another visitor sums it up simply: if you want HO or O scale, they probably have it. One returning hobbyist was amazed by how much was on hand for building a full layout from scratch.
Fair warning on pricing, though. Most visitors find N, HO, and O scale prices reasonable, and some say certain items cost less than online.
At least one G scale collector felt the larger pieces were priced too high, so compare before you commit.
Bring your list, but expect it to grow.
Wooden Railways and Friendly Blue Engines
Little conductors, this aisle is yours. The shop stocks both preowned and new-in-box Thomas wooden railway pieces, along with Chuggington and BRIO items that toddlers can grab and roll right away.
Collectors get excited here too. One devoted fan notes that the store occasionally carries Whittle Shortline Railroad pieces, a name that makes wooden railway enthusiasts sit up straight.
Tony, the owner, is said to know a remarkable amount about Thomas wooden railway and Whittle Shortline.
Younger visitors leave happy. A parent shared that their son picked up some really cool trains and cars and could not wait to return.
Another young shopper was thrilled to spot original TrackMaster gear.
Fun fact: plenty of grown-up model railroaders started with a simple wooden track loop, so this aisle may be launching a lifelong hobby.
Paint Racks and Plastic Model Kits
Not every builder wants a train. Some come for the paint, and the paint wall here earns real praise from visitors.
Shoppers point to an excellent assortment of acrylic and enamel hobby paints, which matters when you need that one exact shade for a tank tread or a vintage car fender. Nearby, a large collection of Tamiya model kits waits for patient hands and steady tweezers.
Staff get special credit in this corner. One regular says the team is especially knowledgeable about plastic model kits, tools, and supplies, which can save a beginner from buying the wrong glue or brush.
Model cars, die-cast pieces, and kits of many kinds round things out. One happy visitor called the whole place a model person’s paradise, and standing in front of these racks, it is easy to see why that phrase stuck.
The Other Side of the Store
Turn around from the train aisles and a whole different world opens up. One regular describes the other side of the store as a spot packed with cool older LEGO sets, Playmobil, and those fancy collectible horse dolls.
LEGO and Playmobil come up often when people talk about this shop. A longtime visitor even joked that if you are hunting a missing Playmobil set, they probably have it.
Hunting for retired sets can be half the fun. Older boxes that vanished from big-box stores years ago sometimes turn up here, waiting for the right builder to spot them.
Families appreciate the variety. While one person studies track switches, another can browse building sets or toys, so nobody ends up stuck waiting by the door.
That mix is a big reason group trips here tend to stretch on and on.
Helpful Hands Behind the Counter
Forty years. That is how long one shopper had gone without setting up his old train around the Christmas tree.
He came here for all the parts and pieces and found a staff described as extremely helpful and easy to talk with.
Stories like that pop up again and again. A returning hobbyist with plenty of questions says the team was more than generous with their time and clearly as passionate about trains as anyone.
Another customer praised the train service and support, adding that the crew helped him finish a layout running along his ceiling. He said the visit made him feel like a kid again.
Whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned modeler, the advice comes freely. Asking a question here rarely feels silly, and it often leads to a great conversation.
Why Hours Slip Away
Come prepared to stay for hours. That advice from one visitor might be the most honest tip anyone can give about this shop.
Every shelf seems to hide a surprise. Shoppers describe the store as jam-packed with every possible model train accessory, and one mentions that there is so much to look through that you are pretty sure to find something interesting.
Not everything is shiny and new, either. Some boxes show sun fading from years on display, which some shoppers note and others see as part of the old-school charm.
It feels more like digging through a beloved collection than strolling a polished showroom.
First-timers often say the same thing on the way out: it will not be their last visit. Couples arrive together, kids drag parents back, and that quick errand quietly turns into an afternoon gone.
Hours, Phone, and Planning Your Trip
Timing matters, so here is the schedule. The shop opens Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Sundays are closed, so weekend road-trippers should aim for Saturday.
Need something specific before making the drive? Calling ahead at 630-467-1102 can help you check whether a certain part or set is on the shelf.
The store also lists its website as libertytrains.com.
Itasca sits in DuPage County, an easy trip from much of the Chicago area, which makes it a handy outing for families across northern Illinois. Getting there early on a Saturday gives you the most browsing time before the 4 PM close.
Bring a list of your track, scale, and missing pieces. You will likely still wander, but the list keeps the budget honest.
A Rite of Passage for Illinois Train Lovers
So, is it worth the drive? For anyone who lights up at the sight of a locomotive, the answer leans strongly toward yes.
Visitors keep using words like paradise and favorite, and one hobbyist simply said that if electric trains are your thing, you can stop searching. The selection covers every budget, from simple starter pieces to extravagant setups.
It is not flawless. Some boxes are faded, and big G scale buyers may want to compare prices first.
Still, those quirks fit a family-friendly, independent shop that feels refreshingly real.
The best way to enjoy it is slowly. Bring a kid, a grandparent, or your own inner child, and let the shelves do the rest.
Chances are you will walk out with a box under your arm and a plan to come back soon.
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