Shipping:

TopHobbyTrains generally ships in-stock items within 4 days of order placement. Shipping charges are generally $9.00-15.00 for most Continental US ground orders. Hawaii and Alaska may be higher. TopHobby reserves the right to cancel any order it deems as inappropriate. Shipping is determined by weight and destination. It is calculated on the website on line at the time of purchase. From time to time shipping costs may be above the billed amount due to large packaging not accounted for in the on line system. TopHobby may charge separately for this additional shipping cost. TopHobby does not provide shipping quotes outside the website online system.

Please note: TopHobby is not responsible for packages/merchandise that are lost or damaged in shipping, once they leave our shop. For this reason Tophobby offers the option to purchase Domestic Shipping Insurance. Click here to go to our Shipping insurance page.

• For shipment of locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, track pieces (not including flex track) there are 4 methods of shipment. Shipping is calculated by weight automatically by the system. You can gauge the shipping by putting in your zip code in the lower right of the screen and pressing calculate. You can then select the most economical shipping method. This can also be done at checkout.
  • Less than 14 oz First class mail. Generally a couple of N Scale cars, Decoders etc. These items generally will ship in a bubble pack.
  • Over 14 OZ Priority Mail, UPS Ground Home Delivery, UPS 2nd Day.
• Our experience has been very good with USPS Priority mail and First Class Mail to all points in the U.S.
• For flex track Priority Mail should be used since this ships separately in most circumstances. If orders are a mix of Flex track and other items an additional charge may apply if all can not be shipped in a single package.
  
  Split Orders:
  Orders may be split in the case of large bulky items such as flex track or some large/heavy scenery items. In this case the split item will incur a separate charge and be billed as such. All books and publications will ship USPS Media Mail.
  
  Next Day/2nd Day Shipping requests:
  TopHobbyTrains, at the customer's request, will ship next day, 2nd day or 3rd day via UPS. A $2.50 handling charge for this type of shipment will be added to the actual shipping cost. Please note that only in stock items can be ordered with this type of priority. Next day and second day orders placed on Friday after 11AM, Weekends or holidays will ship out on the next business day. ie. An order placed on Friday at 11:15 AM will ship on the following Monday.
  Special Order Items:
  Special order items will ship within 7 days of receipt from the manufacturer.
  
  

Free Shipping Specials:

From time to time TopHobbyTrains may offer Free Shipping or Flat Rate Super Saver Shipping sales. This type of shipping is limited to in stock items being shipped to the continental United States only for orders totaling $100.00 or more. Choose Super Saver Shipping at checkout. Free shipping or Flat Rate Shipping can not be combined with other sales programs being offered at TopHobbyTrains. DCC installations, special orders and international shipments are not included in the free shipping offer. The shipper method is the choice of TopHobbyTrains and does not include shipping insurance. If you wish to have your free or flat rate shipment insured you can purchase shipping insurance from our site. Click here to go to our Shipping Insurance page. If you want a specific shipping method such as UPS or USPS Priority etc.. and choose it at checkout, the normal shipping charges will apply.

Please note: At any time if there is a problem at check out you can email us and we will try to correct the issue real-time. Shipping costs are automatically calculated real-time by weight and destination using the shipping vendor on-line rate systems.

International Orders:

• We will ship to Canada.  The buyer is solely responsible for all applicable duty's, fees and import costs. We use USPS services as our primary shipping vendor.
• We strongly suggest that items ship USPS Priority International Mail. Use First Class Mail International for shipments total value less than $20.00 USD.  If you do choose shipping without tracking such as USPS 1st Class Mail we will require your release for non delivery claims.  By completeing your order of items totalling over 20 USD with USPS 1st Class Mail International you agree to release TopHobby and TopHobbyTrains from any non delivery or breakage claims.
• In all circumstances the purchaser will purchase the appropriate shipping to ensure proper adherence to their payment company shipping protection policy such as PayPal or Credit Card.
• All international orders will ship with actual values. We can not ship with lower values. This would put the shipment at risk impacting the customer and TopHobbyTrains.

Our sole reason for being in business is to have customers that are completely satisfied their purchase. After all the hobby is supposed to be fun and relaxing. We, at TopHobbyTrains, pride ourselves in personal service and go the extra mile for you our customers.