(13 Dec 2014, 9:30 pm)aureolin wrote What are the actual shops like? Never been in either.
I used to be interested, but model railways are a very expensive hobby. I've still got my Pacer model in TWPTE livery mind!
North East Model Centre is an old chapel - a massive building for what little stock they have, when you compare the two. More of a kit shop than a model railway store, in my opinion. The odd model bus or car too.
Durham Trains of Stanley is absolutely tiny. Just after the Royal Hotel, and is basically just model railway items with the odd kit.
In my opinion, some of the stores across the country like Hatton's and S&J Models are amongst the best.