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6452 Industry Way • Westminster, CA 92683

714-893-1015

Arnie's Trains
6452 Industry Way
Westminster, CA 92683
714-893-1015

ORANGE COUNTY'S TRAIN STORE

The Story:

Arnie's Trains was started by Jerry Arnold and (Son) Greg Arnold (aka "Arnie") in 1975 on Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA. Jerry was a retired employee of the Great Northern Railroad and Greg was looking for an escape from the corporate world (AT&T).  Jerry and Greg walked into a little Hobby shop on Westminster Ave. and it just happened to be for sale. We could not pass the deal, $3000.00 dollars for lock, stock and barrel and Arnie’s Trains was born. Jerry worked the store full time and Greg worked part time for the first years with the store increasing sales every year. The original store was 800 sq. ft, and we were able to expand to adjacent spaces on two occasions to a total of 2400 sq. feet. Now the store was too large for Jerry to handle with only Greg’s part time help. By a stroke of fate AT&T was in the process of divestiture spinning of all of their Baby Bells and Ma Bell offered all of their management a buy out package. Greg could not pass another great opportunity and took the buy out package. Now Jerry and Greg were able to devote full time on expanding and improving the store. In 1985 Arnie’s Trains moved to the corner of Edwards St. and Westminster Ave into a brand new larger space. Our business was blessed and it continued to grow and prosper .We stayed in that location for a ten full years with each year’s business gradually improving. In 1997 it was time to expand and move to our current 3600 Sq. Ft show room at 6452 Industry Way. Unfortunately Jerry passed away just as Arnie’s Trains was opening the new location. Greg continued doing business in the manner Jerry had always believed. Arnie’s has always and will always give the customers the old fashion honest and courteous good service. The new store’s business took off immediately being again blessed with the help of employee Dave Rickhoff and his wizardly knowledge of model trains. Greg’s good fortune continued when a young man by the name of Matt Haynes joined the Arnie’s team with youthful enthusiasm. Matt became a co-owner in 2009 and helps manage our operation. Greg gives thanks everyday for the opportunity to make a prosperous living selling model trains to a wonderful customer base. Great Customers, Great Employees, Great Business, Great Life. Thank you God.

Greg Arnold “Arnie” was born North Dakota but grew up in Garden Grove and attended Westminster High. He worked for the Pacific Bell and AT&T as a personnel manager for 10 years before deciding he wanted to be his own boss. In 1984 Greg took a management buy out from the Bell System and found himself very busy with making store improvements and bringing Arnie’s Trains to where it is today.  Greg’s hobbies include golfing, gardening, traveling with his wife Denise and collecting Franklins.  Several years back Greg and Denise purchased land on the Big Island of Hawaii. Each year they go to Hawaii and work on the land planting trees, shrubs and building trails.Greg's Grand Father and Father worked for many years on the Plains of North Dakota for the Great Northern Railroad. Greg has a deep appreciation for the railroads of this country and the people who built and worked on them.

Matt Haynes was hired by Greg in 1997 while attending Huntington Beach HS. Matt continued working at Arnie’s while being a college student until 2006 when he completed his Bachelor’s in accounting at CSULB. Matt worked at a big accounting firm for 2 years and continued to stay in touch with Greg. Arnie’s Trains was really kicking well and Greg needed a full time guy to help with the work load. Greg offered Matt full time employment with an ownership offer to leave the accounting field. In 2008, Matt returned to Arnie’s Trains and pushed for a well needed re-model which was completed by the end of the summer. In 2009, Matt became an owner and continues to help change Arnie’s into the premier train store in So. Cal.

Matt started off in O gauge, mostly modeling Scale Amtrak equipment from all O gauge manufactures. He specializes in MTH DCS and has an extensive knowledge on MTH and Lionel products. After realizing that O gauge was too big, he switched to N Scale and still models Amtrak equipment, including some very rare brass California Amtrak sets. 

Rocky has been with Arnie’s since 2007. He specializes in N scale mostly modeling all passenger roads, streamlines and heavyweights and has been known to run a few freight. His favorite roads are SP and PRR. Rocky is part of the local N scale club, East Valley Lines in Travel Town and has been a member for 10 years, 3 years as Secretary and 2 years as President. Rocky is very helpful with coupler conversations, custom paint, and custom cars. Before joining the Arnie’s team, he worked at Prestige Hobbies for 6 years. Rocky has been married to his wife Julie for 32 years and has three daughters and one son along with seven grandchildren.