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Pre-Order The Best Model Trains in The World!

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Pre-Order The Best Model Trains in The World!

Preordering is as easy as 1-2-3:

Preorder any item with a red "Preorder item". Date flag indicates anticipated arrival.
We will email your invoice approximately 30-45 days before your preorder items land at the warehouse. With the interactive invoice you can select your preferred shipping method and pay the balance of your order right online!
We'll ship you your preorder once your invoice is paid online.

It's that simple!

PLEASE NOTE: Prices shown in red reflect your 10% Down Payment.
Preorders used to be $0. What happened?

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Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 35573 GE U25B SP 6737

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 35573 GE U25B SP 6737

$35 $349.96

Browse reviews for PREORDER Rapido HO 35573 GE U25B SP 6737

Preorder item

PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2642 GP38-2 Diesel Locomotive, Soo Line #4416

Athearn PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2642 GP38-2 Diesel Locomotive, Soo Line #4416

$25 $249.99

Browse reviews for PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2642 GP38-2 Diesel Locomotive, Soo Line #4416

Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 45548 ALCO C-425 PC 2457

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 45548 ALCO C-425 PC 2457

$38.50 $384.96

Browse reviews for PREORDER Rapido HO 45548 ALCO C-425 PC 2457

Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 138502A F30D 50' Wheel Flat Car, Canadian National MOW

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 138502A F30D 50' Wheel Flat Car, Canadian National MOW

$6.32 $63.15

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Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 1048007 SD70MAC DC BN 9679

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 1048007 SD70MAC DC BN 9679

$24.30 $243.01

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Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 38068 EMD GP38 Low Nose Locomotive, New England Central #9537 (Standard DC) | 237.45

PREORDER Rapido HO 38068 EMD GP38 Low Nose Locomotive, New England Central #9537 (Standard DC) | 237.45

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 38068 EMD GP38 Low Nose Locomotive, New England Central #9537 (Standard DC) | 237.45

$24.30 $243.01

Browse reviews for PREORDER Rapido HO 38068 EMD GP38 Low Nose Locomotive, New England Central #9537 (Standard DC) | 237.45

Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 226115 H-S Commut Coach AMT 1057

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 226115 H-S Commut Coach AMT 1057

$14.58 $145.79

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Preorder item

PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2690 GP38-2 Diesel Locomotive, Iowa Interstate #706 (DCC & Sound Equipped)

Athearn PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2690 GP38-2 Diesel Locomotive, Iowa Interstate #706 (DCC & Sound Equipped)

$35.50 $354.99

Browse reviews for PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2690 GP38-2 Diesel Locomotive, Iowa Interstate #706 (DCC & Sound Equipped)

Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 115175 Budd Coach, Rock Island #323

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 115175 Budd Coach, Rock Island #323

$12.15 $121.49

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Preorder item

PREORDER Bowser HO 26061 Alco C424 Low Nose Diesel Locomotive, Green Bay & Western #312 (LokSound V5 DCC & Sound-Equipped)

Bowser PREORDER Bowser HO 26061 Alco C424 Low Nose Diesel Locomotive, Green Bay & Western #312 (LokSound V5 DCC & Sound-Equipped)

$36 $359.95

Browse reviews for PREORDER Bowser HO 26061 Alco C424 Low Nose Diesel Locomotive, Green Bay & Western #312 (LokSound V5 DCC & Sound-Equipped)

Preorder item

PREORDER Walthers Proto HO 920-48818 EMD GP60, BNSF Railway #186

Walthers PREORDER Walthers Proto HO 920-48818 EMD GP60, BNSF Railway #186

$21.25 $212.48

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Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido N 1111532 SD70MACH METRA 500

Rapido PREORDER Rapido N 1111532 SD70MACH METRA 500

$29.16 $291.63

Browse reviews for PREORDER Rapido N 1111532 SD70MACH METRA 500

Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 82527 Rebuilt F40PH-2D Locomotive, Via Rail #6403

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 82527 Rebuilt F40PH-2D Locomotive, Via Rail #6403

$35 $349.96

Browse reviews for PREORDER Rapido HO 82527 Rebuilt F40PH-2D Locomotive, Via Rail #6403

Preorder item

Bowser PREORDER Bowser HO 71013 N9 Transfer Caboose, Pittsburgh & Lake Erie #554 (Jade Green, white, NYC Cigar Band Logo)

$13 $129.95

Browse reviews for PREORDER Bowser HO 71013 N9 Transfer Caboose, Pittsburgh & Lake Erie #554 (Jade Green, white, NYC Cigar Band Logo)

Preorder item

PREORDER Atlas N 50007052 85'Trash Flat RSGX 30064

Atlas PREORDER Atlas N 50007052 85'Trash Flat RSGX 30064

$5.86 $58.61

Browse reviews for PREORDER Atlas N 50007052 85'Trash Flat RSGX 30064

Preorder item

PREORDER Atlas N 50007070 20'HC MSW Cont USWX Set 1

Atlas PREORDER Atlas N 50007070 20'HC MSW Cont USWX Set 1

$2.46 $24.61

Browse reviews for PREORDER Atlas N 50007070 20'HC MSW Cont USWX Set 1

Preorder item

PREORDER Walthers Mainline HO 910-21302 GE P42 Diesel Locomotive, Amtrak Phase IV #8 (DCC & Sound Equipped)

Walthers PREORDER Walthers Mainline HO 910-21302 GE P42 Diesel Locomotive, Amtrak Phase IV #8 (DCC & Sound Equipped)

$20.40 $203.98

Browse reviews for PREORDER Walthers Mainline HO 910-21302 GE P42 Diesel Locomotive, Amtrak Phase IV #8 (DCC & Sound Equipped)

Preorder item

PREORDER Athearn HO ATH-2625 40ft Superior Door Box Car, Elgin Joliet & Eastern #60999

Athearn PREORDER Athearn HO ATH-2625 40ft Superior Door Box Car, Elgin Joliet & Eastern #60999

$3.40 $33.99

Browse reviews for PREORDER Athearn HO ATH-2625 40ft Superior Door Box Car, Elgin Joliet & Eastern #60999

Preorder item

PREORDER Atlas Master Line HO 10004752 Gold Series Alco C420 Low Nose, Family Lines L&N #1358 (DCC & Sound Equipped) | 269.96

Atlas PREORDER Atlas Master Line HO 10004752 Gold Series Alco C420 Low Nose, Family Lines L&N #1358 (DCC & Sound Equipped) | 269.96

$25.50 $254.96

Browse reviews for PREORDER Atlas Master Line HO 10004752 Gold Series Alco C420 Low Nose, Family Lines L&N #1358 (DCC & Sound Equipped) | 269.96

Preorder item

PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO ATHG-3247 GEN GP7u Locomotive w/DCC & Sound, ATSF 'Kodachrome' #1316

Athearn PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO ATHG-3247 GEN GP7u Locomotive w/DCC & Sound, ATSF 'Kodachrome' #1316

$33 $329.99

Browse reviews for PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO ATHG-3247 GEN GP7u Locomotive w/DCC & Sound, ATSF 'Kodachrome' #1316

Preorder item

PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2791 ACF 4600 Covered Hopper, Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe #313906

Athearn PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2791 ACF 4600 Covered Hopper, Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe #313906

$6.50 $64.99

Browse reviews for PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO G2791 ACF 4600 Covered Hopper, Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe #313906

Preorder item

PREORDER Bowser HO 60591 EMD SW-1001 Locomotive Conrail 9402 (Standard DC)

Bowser PREORDER Bowser HO 60591 EMD SW-1001 Locomotive Conrail 9402 (Standard DC)

$25.41 $254.07

Browse reviews for PREORDER Bowser HO 60591 EMD SW-1001 Locomotive Conrail 9402 (Standard DC)

Preorder item

PREORDER Atlas N 50007078 20'HC MSW Cont LWT Set 1

Atlas PREORDER Atlas N 50007078 20'HC MSW Cont LWT Set 1

$2.46 $24.61

Browse reviews for PREORDER Atlas N 50007078 20'HC MSW Cont LWT Set 1

Preorder item

PREORDER Rapido HO 1137007 H21G Hopp PRR #1 6/

Rapido PREORDER Rapido HO 1137007 H21G Hopp PRR #1 6/

$34.97 $349.71

Browse reviews for PREORDER Rapido HO 1137007 H21G Hopp PRR #1 6/

Factory Direct Hobbies is a family owned business based in Ormond Beach, FL that began in 2006 as Factory Direct Trains. For 20 years, we've focused on bringing our customers the finest, cutting edge model railroading products available. During that time, we've expanded our model railroading inventory to one of the widest and most up-to-date in the world. But we've also grown our customer base and offerings to include hobby products that go well beyond trains, like Tamiya, AMT, Bandai, and more! Our goal is to provide the best selection of hobby products in the world, at prices that make purchasing from us easy.

9 Tower Cir E

Ormond Beach, FL 32174

tel: (828) 818-1404

WE ARE ONLINE ONLY: no in-person shopping or store pickup.

Factory Direct Hobbies strives to make our website accessible. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and meeting the needs of all of our customers, including those with disabilities. We are continually improving our website to comply with the accessibility guidelines in WCAG 2.1 Levels A and AA. Further accessibility efforts are under way and we continue to update our website to improve accessibility. In the meantime, if the format of any material on our web pages interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact us to request assistance or if you have questions or comments about our web site’s accessibility. Please call (828) 818-1404, e-mail ask@factorydirecthobbies.com, or submit an inquiry using the gold chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of our website.

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Preorder FAQs

How preorders work

How do preorders work?

Guarantee your reservation on any item marked with the red "Preorder item" flag, by paying just 10% down. Preorder items also display a date badge indicating the anticipated arrival.
We will email your invoice approximately 30-45 days before your preorder item lands at the warehouse. This interactive invoice will allow you to select your preferred shipping method, and pay the balance of your order, right online!
We'll ship you your preorder once your item arrives at our warehouse. Preorder fulfillments are queued in the order in which they were paid for.

Preorders used to be $0. What happened?

Recently, our suppliers have made a major policy change and are no longer accepting product returns for non-paying end customers. After much consideration, we unfortunately must also change our policies to align with the realities our suppliers have created.

As our preorder offerings have grown, we’ve found that a large percentage of preorder reservations are canceled or left unpaid without notice. We pay our suppliers for every preorder item that arrives at our warehouse, so when a customer does not pay for their item, we are left no choice but to absorb that cost. We have tried our best to cope with the effects of this change; however, after more than a year of trying, we have found we cannot continue to do so.

We understand that this is an unwelcome change, and no one wants to pay earlier than necessary. However, this is unavoidable in order for us to be able to continue to offer the wide variety of preorder options you’re used to getting from Factory Direct Hobbies. We must now ask that customers pay a 10% good-faith down payment toward the price of their item. This non-refundable good-faith payment is applied to the price of the product, and the balance (plus shipping and any applicable taxes) will be invoiced approximately 30-45 days before the item is slated to arrive at our warehouse.

We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or would like further clarification, feel free to contact us through the gold chat bubble.

Is my 10% down payment refundable?

The good-faith down payment is not refundable if you choose to cancel your preorder or do not pay your invoice.

However, if a manufacturer cancels a project for which you have made a down payment, you will receive a refund for your down payment.

If the manufacturer cancels a project, will I get my 10% down payment back?

Yes. We know that paying ahead of time can be unnerving when delivery dates are distant, and not every project makes it to the production line. Rest assured that, in the event the manufacturer cancels your preorder project, you will be refunded your 10% down payment.

Hobbies should be fun, not stressful!

If my item gets delayed, can I get my 10% down payment back?

The manufacturing process involves many different moving parts, and this complexity often renders production timelines unpredictable. Therefore, some level of unpredictability in timing is inherent to preordering hobby products. Down payments are not refundable in cases of routine manufacturing, delivery, or other short-term delays.

However, we know it can be frustrating when a project gets delayed for many months. In the event a project is delayed more than 6 months beyond the delivery window originally estimated by the manufacturer, we will handle refunds of down payments on a case-by-case basis.

Friendly Reminder: Should you choose to cancel a preorder, it will no longer be reserved for you; in the event the item becomes available on our website, all customers will have equal access to purchase the item.

I preordered items for $0 before this policy change. Do I owe a down payment?

Nope! The policy is not retroactive: if you already made a preorder reservation before this policy update, you do not owe a down payment for that reservation. However, any future preorders you make will require the 10% good-faith down payment.

When will I get my preorder item?

We make every effort to keep our website updated with information that reflects manufacturers' current estimated delivery schedules. To find the estimated delivery month of an item, you can visit our Preorder Section and use the filters to narrow down your selection.

However, we encourage you to directly visit the manufacturer's site for the most current delivery dates.

How do I pay the balance of my preorder?

Approximately 30-45 days before your preorder items land at the warehouse, we'll email your invoice to you to pay in full. At this point, you'll be able to provide your shipping address and select your preferred shipping method.

Your item will be reserved for 7 days, beginning when your invoice is sent. After 7 days, your preorder will be canceled.

Why do I have to pay for my preorder before it arrives at the warehouse?

Recently, our suppliers have made a major policy change and are no longer accepting product returns for non-paying end customers. We have tried our best to absorb the effects of this change; however, after more than a year of trying, we have found we cannot continue to do so. After much consideration, we unfortunately must also change our policies to align with the realities our suppliers have created.

As a result, we must now ask that customers pay in full prior to the supplier finalizing shipment to FDH, about 30-45 days ahead of product arrival. This gives us the time we need to cancel with our suppliers any unpaid orders prior to shipment.

We understand that this is an unwelcome change and no one wants to pay earlier than necessary. However, this is unavoidable in order for us to be able to continue to offer the wide variety of preorder options you’re used to getting from Factory Direct Hobbies.

One silver lining is that this change will result in preorder items getting to your door even faster, as all payment processing will be well out of the way and the usual several day wait after product has arrived will be eliminated. We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or would like further clarification, feel free to contact us through the gold chat bubble.

What if my preorder item gets delayed after I pay my invoice?

Manufacturing schedules can sometimes be unpredictable. In the event your preorder item does not arrive at our warehouse within 60 days of your invoice payment, then you will have the option to cancel your preorder and receive a refund OR you may elect to continue waiting for the item.

Friendly Reminder: Should you choose to cancel a preorder, it will no longer be reserved for you; in the event the item becomes available on our website, all customers will have equal access to purchase the item.

I need a bit more time to pay. Can my reservation be extended?

We know life happens, and missing out on a great item can be a drag!

We're here to help; just contact us via the gold chat bubble and we'll do all we can to work with you!

How do I view all of my preorders?

If you have an account with factorydirecthobbies.com, you can view all your preorders, as well as your active orders. Login to your account, and select the “My orders” option. All your preorders and active orders will be listed along with the current status of each order. If you have further questions about your order, please feel free to reach out to us through the gold chat bubble.

Where can I find the most up-to-date information on preorder statuses?

Although we try to keep our preorder arrival estimates as accurate as possible, we encourage you to visit each manufacturer’s website to find the most up-to-date delivery information.

For instance, with Athearn and Walthers, you can enter the part number into their websites and navigate to the item. Most of the time, the delivery date will be listed there. Broadway Limited has a published delivery schedule, as does Rapido.

Rewards and Preorders

Can I use rewards for preorders?

Yes. Rewards can be used on both your 10% good-faith down payment and on the balance of your preorder at invoicing time.

Can I earn rewards on preorders?

Yes! Preorders are awarded reward dollars at the same 5% rate. You'll receive your reward within several days of paying the balance of your preorder invoice.

Still more questions?

Contact Us

If we still haven't answered your question, please click the gold messaging bubble in the bottom right of our site, and we'll help in any way we can!

Scottgibs

I have waited a long time for this locomotive. And I am not disappointed. To be fair. With four very short stroke pest in cylinders, the sounds a little bit funny compared to a long stroke cylinder.. the horn reminds me of a cruise ship. Lol. The detail, the lighting and all the sounds. I do love and very happy that I purchased this locomotive. I would recommend this to anybody who really loves steam engines.

Ready to Ship BLI (Brass Hybrid) 4375 PRR S1 6-4-4-6 Duplex, #6100, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, Smoke, HO

Anonymous

Kato unitrack is 1 of best track plan you can setup in short time

Kato USA 2290 HO R867mm 34 1/8 CURVE TRACK

Grimscale Studios

This is a great model kit. It went together well and turned out great. I print soldiers for dioramas and the tanks are useful for displaying these pieces. There were a few places where the instructions could have been a little more clear but that’s not a big deal. This one looks great in the diorama!

Tamiya 1/35 U.S. M48A3 PATTON TANK

Gary Rieder

I love the engine and the details are very good. The only issue is the brass stack on top is bent. It was that way in the box.

BLI 7858 USRA Light Mikado, NYC 6362, Two-Tone Gray, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N (NP)

Anonymous

Your shipping is great.

Factory Direct Hobbies

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J

Chooch HO/O 8252 Flexible Medium Random Stone Wall (3.25" x 14")

John Czerwinski

Very realistic flexible paintable easy to trim and fit good stuff

M

Revell 803303 1/72 TOPO SS-25 SICKLE

Mike Bauer

Received in excellent condition. Thank you. It will be Christmas vacation project.

J

Athearn ATH72248 HO 40' Express Box, PRR #64920

John Czerwinski

Very nice I bought two

J

Rapido HO 163014A 40' Drop Bottom Gondola, Illinois Central

Jason Smith

Great service and awesome product.

J

Micro-Trains N 05400460 61' Bulkhead Flatcar, TTPX #81317

John Czerwinski

Really nice roll well on the track good detail bought 3