80 Years and Counting: Henning’s Trains in Lansdale Continues to Thrive

Keith Heffintrayer•

Video killed the radio star. The internet killed the hobby shop.

And then there’s Henning’s Trains in Lansdale, where they’ve continued to somehow buck trends and evolve on the fly over their 80-year run in the borough.

The humble, multi-generational shop traces its roots back to 1939, when Harry Henning Sr. opened what was then a train repair store. At the time, the former Woolworth’s Department Store on West Main Street was a big-time seller of model trains, but when those trains eventually broke or malfunctioned, they needed a place to go.

Over time, the store made a series of moves to become a full-fledged train shop, while also maintaining their supply and repair services, which is how they exist today.

"I enjoy it. I enjoy the people who come in here every day, young and old,” said Bill Henning, who runs the shop with his father, Harry Jr. "It’s a great hobby, because it deals with electric, mechanical, artistic; there’s so many different aspects of the hobby that make it interesting.”

Bill said that he returned to his family’s store roughly 10 years ago, after being laid off from his job. Since then, he’s reignited his passion for all things trains.

"I love that there’s no age limit for the hobby,” Bill said. "Whether they’re a 4-year-old or an 84-year-old, they’re just as passionate about trains.”

The shop draws about half of their revenue from internet sales and the remainder by way of in-store sales, according to Bill. The top selling item is overwhelmingly the basic train starter sets, though their inventory spans multiple eras of model trains, from pre-WWII to modern.

Other services include repair, paint matching, and on the unique side, they are one of the only shops in the country that manufactures and distributes replacement rail wheels.

Henning’s Trains was also recently recognized by Pennsylvania state Senator Bob Mensch on the day of their 80^thAnniversary. Mensch—a model train enthusiast himself—presented Harry Jr. and Bill with a Citation of Congratulations, and spent some time enjoying all that the shop has to offer.

"I appreciated the opportunity to present a citation to Harry and Bill Henning at Henning’s Trains,” said Mensch. "Congratulations to the Henning family for their remarkable achievement.”

As for what the future holds for Henning’s Trains, Bill said they want to continue to provoke a sense of wonder and passion in customers of all ages. Though model trains have taken a back seat to high-end consumer electronics at retailers across the country, Bill said that when kids see Henning's elaborate train layouts—be it in store or on display at events such as Lansdale Founders Day—their eyes light up, signaling a new generation of model train enthusiasts.

In the interim, Henning’s Trains has a few events coming up in the next few weeks, including a visit from Santa Claus following the Lansdale Mardi Gras Parade on Nov. 23, and National Lionel Train Day festivities scheduled for Dec. 7. And Henning's Trains sponsors the annual reading and movie showing of The Polar Express at the Lansdale Public Library on Dec. 13.

Henning’s Trains is located at 128 South Line Street in Lansdale. For more information, visit www.henningstrains.comor follow them on Facebook by clicking here.