Store Spotlight: The Short Line Model Railroad Supply

Model train enthusiasts, or “railfans” range from serious collectors to fans of train-themed movies and books, to children (and adults) who love Thomas The Tank Engine. At The Short Line Model Railroad Supply, this week’s Store Spotlight, you’ll find a wide selection of items for all types of railfans, young and old.

Since 2000, Short Line owners Cat and Don Cook have specialized in providing a wide variety of merchandise—including DVD’s and Blue-Rays, HO and N scale model railroad supplies and scenery, apparel, books, gift certificates, and many other items to their customers online. In 2009, they launched their Miva Merchant store and saw their inventory, and their customer base expand.

“We were looking for something that could handle the large amount of individual products we would eventually be carrying,” says Cat Cook. “A service that would be easy to interact with and manage. Something that would look and feel professional for our customers. We also looked for something that would continually be updated to grow as technology and our business developed.”

“Once we found a designer and host,” adds Cook. “We felt confident. Site Turn Networks in Sacramento helped direct us towards Miva Merchant and we have been happy with that situation.”

Today, the Cook’s ecommerce store currently carries 2,000 products and growing.  In addition to selling train-themed products, Cat and Don also visit train shows throughout the Pacific Northwest, and publish a quarterly newsletter and a blog designed to educate and inform people about the history of both actual, and model trains.