For the past year I've been compiling a list of model train stores for my model railroading website. These shops all look like fantastic places to visit, but what are the most popular? Here is a list for the great state of Texas.

The most popular model railroading shops (based on online chatter) in the state of Texas are:

10. Model Train Crossing in Hurst

9. Papa Ben's Train Place in Houston

8. Rebel Hobbies in San Antonio

7. Midlothian Hobbies in Midlothian

6. RC Hobby Shop in Sugar Land

4. Victoria Hobby Shop in Victoria (tie for fourth place)

4. Larry's Hobbies in Houston (tie for fourth place)

3. Collectible Trains and Toys in Dallas

2. King's Hobby in Austin

...and the most popular shop for model trains in Texas is...

1. G and G Model Shop in Houston

Hobby shops not quite making my top 10 were Collectible Caboose in Cedar Park, Dibble's Hobbies in San Antonio, Hal's Hobby Warehouse in El Paso, Kerbey Lane Doll Shoppe in Austin, Mikes Hobby Shop in Carrollton, and Wild Bill's Hobby Shop in Irving.

Nice to see that the four biggest cities in Texas all have great train shops with Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antionio all in the top 10. However, Houston looks like "train city" in Texas with almost a third of the top stores being there.

Also in Texas be sure to visit some of the great railroading museums including Amarillo Railroad Museum in Amarillo, Greenville Railroad Museum in Greenville, and Railway Museum of San Angelo in San Angelo.

I compiled this list by searching for the hobby shops listed on a number of search engines and ranking them by the number of web pages, discussion forums, photos, videos, etc that are available online. I further screened this list to include only pages that mentioned model railroading.