Westside landmark sold *

Allied Model Trains, which opened in 1946 and calls itself "the largest train store ever built," has been sold by longtime owner Allen Drucker. A version of the store will reopen under new management across Sepulveda from its Culver City location, a 12,000-square-foot replica of Union Station that opened in 1989. There's a final sale going until May 12 that is probably a big deal for aficionados, since it includes a "vast selection of old, collectible Lionel, American Flyer and other toy trains, our Dinky & Matchbox cars and our Department 56 Villages. As we clean out our warehouse building, we will be bringing more and more merchandise over to the store daily, especially old collectible trains and toys." An LA Observed correspondent remembers when Allied Trains used to be located on Pico near what is now Westside Pavilion.

* Late media angle: Drucker is interviewed by host John Rabe on this Saturday's Off-Ramp on KPCC.