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Customers have reported increasing rates of “porch pirate” package thefts. Extend™ Shipping Protection replaces any lost, damaged, or stolen packages, and we recommend adding this protection to your order. FDH is unable to recover lost, damaged, or stolen packages that are not covered by Extend™ Shipping Protection.

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PRESIDENT'S DAY WEEKEND-BLOWOUT SALE!

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PRESIDENT'S DAY WEEKEND-BLOWOUT SALE!

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Woodland Scenics WOO2747 Rail Workers - Scenic Accents(R) -- pkg(5), O Scale

Woodland Scenics Woodland Scenics WOO2747 Rail Workers - Scenic Accents(R) -- pkg(5), O Scale

$27.15 $29.99

Earn $1.35 store credit

Browse reviews for Woodland Scenics WOO2747 Rail Workers - Scenic Accents(R) -- pkg(5), O Scale

Walthers WalthersMainline 910-7875 59' Cylindrical Hopper - Ready to Run -- BNSF #421726 (red-brown, white; Circle Cross logo, trough hatches), HO

$27.19 $34.98

Earn $1.35 store credit

Browse reviews for WalthersMainline 910-7875 59' Cylindrical Hopper - Ready to Run -- BNSF #421726 (red-brown, white; Circle Cross logo, trough hatches), HO

Bachmann 74802 50'6" DROP END GONDOLA - BALTIMORE & OHIO #551470, HO

Bachmann Bachmann 74802 50'6" DROP END GONDOLA - BALTIMORE & OHIO #551470, HO

$44.33 $50

Earn $2.21 store credit

Browse reviews for Bachmann 74802 50'6" DROP END GONDOLA - BALTIMORE & OHIO #551470, HO

Tamiya 70257 WALKING & SWIMMING DUCK

Tamiya 70257 WALKING & SWIMMING DUCK

Tamiya Tamiya 70257 WALKING & SWIMMING DUCK

$26

Earn $1.30 store credit

Browse reviews for Tamiya 70257 WALKING & SWIMMING DUCK

Atlas 20007114 Portec 3000 2-Bay Covered Hopper - Ready to Run - Master(R) Plus -- The Andersons Inc. AEX #9352 (gray, black), HO Scale

Atlas Atlas 20007114 Portec 3000 2-Bay Covered Hopper - Ready to Run - Master(R) Plus -- The Andersons Inc. AEX #9352 (gray, black), HO Scale

$73.55 $82.95

Earn $3.67 store credit

Browse reviews for Atlas 20007114 Portec 3000 2-Bay Covered Hopper - Ready to Run - Master(R) Plus -- The Andersons Inc. AEX #9352 (gray, black), HO Scale

Athearn Genesis ATHG75754 HO EMD SD70ACU Locomotive, CPR / Military Heritage #7023

Athearn Genesis ATHG75754 HO EMD SD70ACU Locomotive, CPR / Military Heritage #7023

Athearn Athearn Genesis ATHG75754 HO EMD SD70ACU Locomotive, CPR / Military Heritage #7023

$188.58 $259.99

Earn $9.42 store credit

Browse reviews for Athearn Genesis ATHG75754 HO EMD SD70ACU Locomotive, CPR / Military Heritage #7023

Bluford Shops Bluford Shops 65204 8-Panel 2-Bay Open Hopper with Load - Ready to Run -- Baltimore & Ohio 318505 (Post-1974, black, small Capitol Dome Logo), N Scale

$20.21 $27.95

Earn $1.01 store credit

Browse reviews for Bluford Shops 65204 8-Panel 2-Bay Open Hopper with Load - Ready to Run -- Baltimore & Ohio 318505 (Post-1974, black, small Capitol Dome Logo), N Scale

Preiser HO 45121 Seated Travellers

Preiser HO 45121 Seated Travellers

Preiser Preiser HO 45121 Seated Travellers

$57.50 $64.99

Earn $2.87 store credit

Browse reviews for Preiser HO 45121 Seated Travellers

Woodland Scenics TR1104 Conifer Green - 42/Pkg 2 1/2" To 4"

Woodland Scenics Woodland Scenics TR1104 Conifer Green - 42/Pkg 2 1/2" To 4"

$16.84 $22.99

Earn $0.84 store credit

Browse reviews for Woodland Scenics TR1104 Conifer Green - 42/Pkg 2 1/2" To 4"

Lionel O 2025050 FasTrack Girder Bridge, Merry Christmas

American Flyer Lionel O 2025050 FasTrack Girder Bridge, Merry Christmas

$33.86 $34.99

Earn $1.69 store credit

Browse reviews for Lionel O 2025050 FasTrack Girder Bridge, Merry Christmas

Bowser 25203 Alco RS3 Phase 3 - Standard DC -- Lake Superior & Ishpeming #1609 (maroon), HO

Bowser Bowser 25203 Alco RS3 Phase 3 - Standard DC -- Lake Superior & Ishpeming #1609 (maroon), HO

$209.95

Earn $10.49 store credit

Browse reviews for Bowser 25203 Alco RS3 Phase 3 - Standard DC -- Lake Superior & Ishpeming #1609 (maroon), HO

Bachmann 45621 ROADSIDE STAND, O Scale

Bachmann Bachmann 45621 ROADSIDE STAND, O Scale

$32.81 $37

Earn $1.64 store credit

Browse reviews for Bachmann 45621 ROADSIDE STAND, O Scale

Excel Tools 77020 NEEDLE FILE DISPLAY 60pcs

Excel Excel Tools 77020 NEEDLE FILE DISPLAY 60pcs

$231.16

Earn $11.55 store credit

Browse reviews for Excel Tools 77020 NEEDLE FILE DISPLAY 60pcs

Bachmann 39009 Magnetic Snap & Glue Set

Bachmann Bachmann 39009 Magnetic Snap & Glue Set

$61.03 $84

Earn $3.05 store credit

Browse reviews for Bachmann 39009 Magnetic Snap & Glue Set

WalthersTrainline 931-1444 Tank Car - Ready to Run - Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #98016 (black, Orange & White Stripes), HO Scale

Walthers WalthersTrainline 931-1444 Tank Car - Ready to Run - Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #98016 (black, Orange & White Stripes), HO Scale

$25.49 $26.98

Earn $1.27 store credit

Browse reviews for WalthersTrainline 931-1444 Tank Car - Ready to Run - Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #98016 (black, Orange & White Stripes), HO Scale

Woodland Scenics FS639 Static King

Woodland Scenics Woodland Scenics FS639 Static King

$80.52 $109.99

Earn $4.02 store credit

Browse reviews for Woodland Scenics FS639 Static King

BLI 3976 USRA Heavy Mikado, NH 3104, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N (NP)

BLI 3976 USRA Heavy Mikado, NH 3104, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N (NP)

Broadway Limited Imports BLI 3976 USRA Heavy Mikado, NH 3104, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N (NP)

$285.63 $369.99

Earn $14.28 store credit

Browse reviews for BLI 3976 USRA Heavy Mikado, NH 3104, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N (NP)

TomyTec Co LTD 18018 Straight Track S140 - Fine Track -- 5-1/2" 140mm pkg(4), N Scale

TomyTec Co LTD TomyTec Co LTD 18018 Straight Track S140 - Fine Track -- 5-1/2" 140mm pkg(4), N Scale

$16.19 $16.98

Earn $0.80 store credit

Browse reviews for TomyTec Co LTD 18018 Straight Track S140 - Fine Track -- 5-1/2" 140mm pkg(4), N Scale

Lunde Studios HO QBHO-3 Modular Background Background St

Lunde Studios Lunde Studios HO QBHO-3 Modular Background Background St

$32.77 $34.95

Earn $1.63 store credit

Browse reviews for Lunde Studios HO QBHO-3 Modular Background Background St

Walthers Cornerstone 933-3144 Sawmill Outbuildings - Kit, HO Scale

Walthers Walthers Cornerstone 933-3144 Sawmill Outbuildings - Kit, HO Scale

$43.85 $47.98

Earn $2.19 store credit

Browse reviews for Walthers Cornerstone 933-3144 Sawmill Outbuildings - Kit, HO Scale

Walthers Cornerstone 933-3095 Railway Express Agency (REA) Transfer Building -- Kit - 13-1/8 x 6-1/8 x 6-3/8" 32.8 x 15.5 x 15.9cm, HO Scale

Walthers Walthers Cornerstone 933-3095 Railway Express Agency (REA) Transfer Building -- Kit - 13-1/8 x 6-1/8 x 6-3/8" 32.8 x 15.5 x 15.9cm, HO Scale

$52.99 $57.98

Earn $2.64 store credit

Browse reviews for Walthers Cornerstone 933-3095 Railway Express Agency (REA) Transfer Building -- Kit - 13-1/8 x 6-1/8 x 6-3/8" 32.8 x 15.5 x 15.9cm, HO Scale

Morning Sun Books 6468 Erie Lackawanna In Pursuit of the Cab Unit (Softcover)

Morning Sun Books Morning Sun Books 6468 Erie Lackawanna In Pursuit of the Cab Unit (Softcover)

$40.69

Earn $2.03 store credit

Browse reviews for Morning Sun Books 6468 Erie Lackawanna In Pursuit of the Cab Unit (Softcover)

Athearn Genesis HO G65927 GP50, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (ex-ATSF) #3175

Athearn Athearn Genesis HO G65927 GP50, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (ex-ATSF) #3175

$239.35 $329.99

Earn $11.96 store credit

Browse reviews for Athearn Genesis HO G65927 GP50, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (ex-ATSF) #3175

Atlas HO 703 Water Tower Kit

Atlas Atlas HO 703 Water Tower Kit

$15.55 $19.95

Earn $0.77 store credit

Browse reviews for Atlas HO 703 Water Tower Kit

Factory Direct Hobbies is a family owned business based in Asheville, NC that began in 2006 as Factory Direct Trains. For 14 years, we 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 the Bandai Gundam franchise. Our goal is to provide the best selection of hobby products in the world, at prices that make purchasing from us easy.

7 Glenn Bridge Rd, Unit B
Arden, NC 28704
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!