Harburn Hobbies has a story that stretches across generations of railway enthusiasts, from a small shop in Edinburgh to two locations serving the model railway community in Scotland and Devon.
Today, Harburn Hobbies is part of the PECO family, but the name and the shop both have a history of their own.
A History in Edinburgh
The story of Harburn Hobbies began in Edinburgh in the 1930s.
For many years, the shop became known as one of Scotland's premier model shops under the ownership of Bob and Gill Baird. Their passion for the hobby helped establish Harburn Hobbies as a well-known destination for enthusiasts and modellers.
Following their retirement, the Edinburgh shop became part of the PECO family in spring 2025, bringing together two businesses with a shared passion for model railways and modelling.
The shop remains at 67 Elm Row on Edinburgh's historic Leith Walk, where it continues to welcome modellers, enthusiasts and collectors.
A Long Connection with Beer
Harburn Hobbies also has a long-established home in Beer, Devon.
The Beer shop has been located at PECO headquarters since 1975, creating a particularly strong connection between the retail side of the business and PECO's model railway manufacturing heritage.
Today, the Beer shop offers something visitors cannot experience anywhere else. It is the only place where customers can see the full PECO collection in person, alongside products from many of the leading names in model railways.
That makes the Beer shop more than simply somewhere to buy model railway products. It is a place where visitors can explore the wider PECO range in person while discovering the other products and hobbies available through Harburn Hobbies.
Bringing Two Stories Together
Although Edinburgh and Beer are very different locations, both shops share a common connection with the hobby.
The Edinburgh shop has its roots in the long history of Harburn Hobbies itself, while Beer connects the retailer directly with PECO and its headquarters.
Together, they represent the different sides of Harburn Hobbies today: a specialist retailer with a long-standing history, two physical shops and an online store serving modellers and hobby enthusiasts.
The range extends beyond locomotives and rolling stock to include track, scenery, books and publications, modelling products, toys, gifts and more.
The Hobby Continues
The model railway hobby has changed considerably over the decades, from the products available to the technology used on layouts and the ways people discover and enjoy the hobby.
But the appeal of visiting a model shop remains.
Whether you are searching for a particular model, looking for inspiration or simply enjoying the experience of browsing, Harburn Hobbies continues that tradition both in person and online.
From its beginnings on Leith Walk to its home in Beer and its place within the PECO family, the Harburn Hobbies story continues to develop.
