U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                   FORM 10-QSB

     Quarterly  report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934 for the thirteen week period ended March 29, 1997

Commission file number 1-13158


                          The Great Train Store Company
        (Exact Name of Small Business Issuer as Specified in Its Charter)


         Delaware                                           75-2539189
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                           Identification No.)


14180 Dallas Parkway, Suite 618, Dallas, Texas                  75240
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                      (Zip Code)

                                 (972) 392-1599
                (Issuer's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


     Check  whether  the Issuer:  (1) filed all reports  required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Exchange  Act during the past 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the  registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                    Yes X No


     State the number of shares  outstanding of each of the Issuer's  classes of
common equity, as of the latest practicable date:

                                               Number of Shares Outstanding
     Title of Class                                as of March 29, 1997
     --------------                                ---------------------

Common Stock $0.01 par value                             4,396,719




                                       1


                          THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY


           QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
                                 March 29, 1997



                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  Financial Statements                                               Page

         Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of  March 29, 1997            3

         Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the thirteen
         weeks ended March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997                         4

         Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirteen
         weeks ended March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997                         5

         Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements                  6

ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis                                  7
  
                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                     10


SIGNATURE PAGE                                                                11

EXHIBIT INDEX                                                                 12


                                       2


                 THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (Unaudited)

                                     ASSETS
                                                                 March 29, 1997
                                                                ----------------
CURRENT ASSETS:
      Cash and cash equivalents                                  $    1,938,431
      Merchandise inventories                                         6,154,837
      Accounts receivable and other current assets                      721,779
                                                               -----------------

               Total current assets                                   8,815,047

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
      Store construction and leasehold improvements                   3,752,813
      Furniture, fixtures, and equipment                              1,857,677
                                                               -----------------
                                                                      5,610,490
      Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                 (1,541,905)
                                                               -----------------

               Property and equipment, net                            4,068,585

DEFERRED TAXES                                                          217,280
OTHER ASSETS, net                                                       291,103
                                                               -----------------

               Total assets                                      $   13,392,015
                                                               =================


                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
      Accounts payable  and accrued liabilities                  $    1,845,337
      Sales taxes payable                                               102,409
      Income taxes payable                                               40,321
      Current portion of capital lease obligations                      119,353
                                                               -----------------

               Total current liabilities                              2,107,420

CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, net of current portion                       277,474
OTHER LIABILITIES                                                       111,994
                                                               -----------------

               Total liabilities                                      2,496,888
                                                               -----------------

COMMITMENTS

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
      Preferred stock; $.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares
           authorized; none issued                                            -
      Common stock; $.01 par value; 18,000,000 shares
          authorized; 4,396,719 shares issued and outstanding            43,967
      Paid-in capital                                                10,235,882
      Retained earnings                                                 618,887
      Unearned compensation - restricted stock                           (3,609)
                                                               -----------------

               Total stockholders' equity
                                                                     10,895,127
                                                               -----------------

               Total liabilities and stockholders' equity        $   13,392,015
                                                               =================

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                       3



                 THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                               For the Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                          March 30, 1996           March 29, 1997
                                                        -------------------       ---------------

                                                                                       
NET SALES                                                   $  2,421,011            $  3,890,121
                                                                

COST OF SALES                                                  1,284,884               2,063,709
                                                           --------------           ------------

              Gross profit                                     1,136,127               1,826,412
                                                           --------------           ------------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
       Store operating expenses                                  725,226              1,117,710
       Occupancy expenses                                        456,737                799,144
       Selling, general and administrative expenses              377,330                560,792
       Depreciation and amortization                              73,292                163,735
                                                           --------------           ------------

              Total operating expenses                         1,632,585              2,641,381
                                                           --------------           ------------

OPERATING LOSS                                                  (496,458)              (814,969)
                                                           --------------           ------------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
       Interest expense                                          (30,909)               (34,097)
       Interest income                                            17,442                 32,424
       Other income                                                2,429                  3,908
                                                           --------------           ------------

              Total other income (expense), net                  (11,038)                 2,235
                                                           --------------           ------------

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                        (507,496)              (812,734)

INCOME TAX BENEFIT                                                     -               (300,712)
                                                           --------------           ------------

NET LOSS                                                   $    (507,496)           $  (512,022)
                                                           ==============           ============

NET LOSS PER SHARE                                         $       (0.16)           $     (0.12)
                                                           ==============           ============

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING                            3,145,000              4,387,148
                                                           ==============           ============





     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



                                       4



                 THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                                                    For the Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                                              March 30, 1996           March 29, 1997
                                                                            -------------------       -----------------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                                                                                                            
       Net Loss                                                                 $ (507,496)             $   (512,022)
       Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating  
         activities:
              Depreciation and amortization                                         73,292                   163,735
              Deferred income taxes                                                      -                   (22,553)
              Amortization of unearned compensation - restricted stock               4,249                       516
              Changes in assets and liabilities:
                    Merchandise inventories                                       (926,529)                  (31,485)
                    Accounts receivable and other current assets                    74,613                   401,855
                    Other assets                                                   (28,511)                  (86,353)
                    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                      (153,373)               (1,734,017)
                    Sales taxes payable                                           (174,365)                 (302,225)
                    Income taxes payable                                                 -                  (261,280)
                                                                                -----------             ------------

                    Net cash used in operating activities                       (1,638,120)               (2,383,829)
                                                                                -----------             -------------   


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

       Purchases of property and equipment                                        (327,058)                 (556,548)
                                                                                -----------             -------------   

                    Net cash used in investing activities                         (327,058)                 (556,548)
                                                                                -----------             -------------    

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

       Net proceeds from stock options exercised                                         -                    37,833
       Proceeds from notes payable                                                   6,731                         -
       Repayment of notes payable and capital leases                               (64,715)                  (23,564)
                                                                                -----------             -------------   

                    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities            (57,984)                   14,269
                                                                                -----------             -------------    

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                       (2,023,162)               (2,926,108)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period                                   3,237,696                 4,864,539
                                                                                -----------             -------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period                                        $1,214,534                 1,938,431
                                                                                ===========             =============

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:


       Interest paid                                                            $   60,469              $     35,687
       Income taxes paid                                                        $   31,447                   261,280


The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.



                                       5

                 THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES


              NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying  unaudited consolidated financial statements of The Great Train
Store Company and subsidiaries  (the "Company") as of March 29, 1997 and for the
thirteen week periods ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996 have been prepared
in accordance  with the rules and  regulations  of the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission  ("SEC")  and do not  include all of the  information  and  footnotes
required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete  financial
statements.

In the opinion of management,  all adjustments  considered  necessary for a fair
presentation of the results of the interim periods have been included. Operating
results for any interim  period are not  necessarily  indicative  of the results
that may be expected  for the entire  fiscal  year.  The  Company's  business is
heavily dependent on fourth quarter sales. Historically,  the fourth quarter has
accounted for a significantly  disproportionate share of the Company's sales and
earnings.  These  statements  should be read in  conjunction  with the financial
statements  and notes  thereto for the year ended  December 28, 1996 included in
the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB as filed with the SEC.

In March 1997, the Company increased its revolving line of credit with Bank One,
Texas to  $8,000,000.  The line of credit is secured  by  certain  assets of the
Company, including inventory. Outstanding borrowings bear interest at Bank One's
base  lending  rate plus 1.0% and a  commitment  fee of 0.5% is  charged  on the
unused portion.  The revolving  credit facility  provides a source of additional
liquidity to manage cash flow and provide capital for expansion. As of March 29,
1997, there was no amount outstanding on the revolving line of credit.

As of the date of this  report,  the Company  has opened two new stores,  one in
Garden State Plaza in Paramus,  New Jersey,  in 1997 and a second in North Shore
Mall in Peabody,  Massachusetts.  In addition, the Company has signed leases for
an  additional  new store to open in 1997 in The Source  located in Westbury New
York on Long Island and with  Providence  Place in  Providence,  Rhode Island to
open a store in 1998.


                                       6

ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis

Results of Operations

Operating  results for any interim period are not necessarily  indicative of the
results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. The Company's  business
is heavily  dependent on fourth quarter sales which  historically have accounted
for a  significantly  disproportionate  share of the Company's  annual sales and
earnings.  The  results of  operations  in any  particular  quarter  also may be
significantly impacted by the opening of new stores. Prior year balances include
certain  reclassifications  to conform to the  current  year  presentation.  The
following table sets forth, for the periods  indicated,  selected  statements of
operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales:

                                            For the Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                       March 30, 1996            March 29, 1997
                                       --------------            --------------

Net Sales                                  100.0%                   100.0%
Cost of Sales                               53.1                     53.0
                                           -----                    ----- 
Gross Profit                                46.9                     47.0

Store operating expenses                    29.9                     28.7
Occupancy expenses                          18.9                     20.5
Selling, general, & administrative
  expenses                                  15.6                     14.5
Depreciation and amortization                3.0                      4.2
                                           -----                    -----
   Operating loss                          (20.5)                   (20.9)
Interest expense                           ( 1.3)                   (  .9)
Interest income                               .7                       .8
Other income                                  .1                       .1
                                           -----                    -----
   Loss before incomee taxes               (21.0)                   (20.9)
Income tax benefit                             -                      7.7
                                           -----                    -----
   Net loss                                (21.0)%                  (13.2)%



Comparison of the Thirteen Week Period Ended March 30, 1996 to the Thirteen Week
Period Ended March 29, 1997

Net sales increased  approximately  $1,469,000 or 60.7%,  for the thirteen weeks
ended March 29, 1997, compared with the corresponding  period last year. Of this
increase,  approximately  $1,432,000 was  attributable to net sales generated by
thirteen  stores  which  were not open in the  comparable  period  in 1996,  and
approximately  $37,000 was  attributable to a 1.6% increase in comparable  store
sales.  Comparable  store sales are calculated based on the stores opened during
both of the entire months being compared.

                                       7



Gross profit increased  approximately  $690,000 or 60.8%, for the thirteen weeks
ended March 29, 1997,  compared  with the  corresponding  period last year. As a
percentage of net sales,  gross profit increased to 47.0% for the thirteen weeks
ended March 29, 1997, compared with 46.9% in the corresponding period last year.
The increase in gross profit margin resulted from several factors, none of which
individually had a material effect.

Store operating expenses  increased  approximately  $392,000,  or 54.1%, for the
thirteen weeks ended March 29, 1997, compared with the corresponding period last
year.  Approximately $449,000 of the increase resulted from the operation of the
thirteen  stores  which  were not open in the  comparable  period in 1996.  This
increase was  partially  offset by a decrease in  comparable  store  expenses of
approximately  $57,000.  As a percentage of net sales,  store operating expenses
decreased to 28.7% for the thirteen  weeks ended March 29, 1997,  compared  with
29.9% for the  corresponding  period  last year.  

Occupancy expenses increased  approximately $342,000, or 75.0%, for the thirteen
weeks ended March 29, 1997,  compared with the  corresponding  period last year.
Approximately $305,000 of the increase in occupancy expenses was attributable to
the  thirteen  stores  which  were not open in the  comparable  period  in 1996.
Comparable store occupancy expenses increased  approximately  $7,000 and central
office and  redistribution  center occupancy  expenses  increased  approximately
$30,000  as the  Company  leased  additional  central  office  space in order to
support  future  growth and  established a  redistribution  center to distribute
certain  product  from  vendors  which cannot  provide  direct  shipments to the
stores. As a percentage of net sales,  overall occupancy  expenses  increased to
20.5% for the thirteen  weeks ended March 29, 1997,  compared with 18.9% for the
corresponding  period last year. This percentage  increase resulted from several
factors  including  the  leasing  of  additional  central  office  space and the
establishment of the redistribution  center,  both of which are expected to only
happen  infrequently.  These  changes  account for .5% of the 1.6% increase as a
percentage  of net sales and the Company  believes  the current  central  office
space is adequate for the foreseeable future. In addition,  real estate costs in
comparable  stores  increased  at a  slightly  higher  rate than sales for these
stores.  The  Company  has also  been  opening  stores  at an  increasing  rate.
Accordingly,  in the first quarter of 1997,  there were more stores not yet open
for a full year which may not have reached their full sales potential.

Selling,  general and administrative  expenses increased approximately $183,000,
or 48.6%,  for the  thirteen  weeks  ended  March 29,  1997,  compared  with the
corresponding period last year. The increase is due to the overall growth of the
Company  including an  approximate  $47,000 in  additional  expenses  related to
salaries  and related  expenses  for  additional  central  office  personnel  in
anticipation  of future growth of the Company.  The remainder of the increase is
primarily due to administrative expenses which relate to the increased number of
stores.  The  Company  anticipates  that  selling,  general  and  administrative
expenses will increase further as a result of increased staffing and other costs
in anticipation of opening additional stores pursuant to the Company's expansion
strategy.  As a percentage of net sales,  selling,  general,  and administrative
expenses  decreased to 14.5% for the first  quarter of 1997,  from 15.6% for the
same period in 1996. This percentage  change resulted from the relatively  fixed
nature of selling,  general and administrative  expenses and the increase in net
sales experienced by the Company in the period. The Company anticipates that, as
additional stores are opened, selling,  general and administrative expenses will
continue to decrease as a percentage of sales.

                                       8

Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  increased  approximately  $90,000,  or
123.4%,  for the  thirteen  weeks  ended  March  29,  1997,  compared  with  the
corresponding period last year.  Approximately  $71,000 of this increase was the
result of  depreciation  of assets in new stores opened  subsequent to the first
fiscal quarter of 1996. The remaining increase is a result of an increased asset
base in both  existing  stores  and the  central  office,  primarily  related to
management  information  system  enhancements.  As a  percentage  of net  sales,
depreciation and amortization increased as a percentage of net sales to 4.2% for
the  thirteen  weeks ended March 29, 1997 from 3.0% for the same period in 1996.
This increase was the result of several  factors  including the  enhancements to
the Company's management information system, primarily in the central office, as
well as an  increase  in the  amount  of store  construction  costs  paid by the
Company net of tenant allowance.

Interest income increased approximately $15,000, or 85.9% for the thirteen weeks
ended March 29, 1997,  compared with the corresponding  period last year, due to
the investment of remaining proceeds from the warrant exercise.

The  Company's  pretax loss  decreased  from 21.0% of sales in the first  fiscal
quarter  of 1996 to 20.9% for the first  fiscal  quarter  of 1997.  The  Company
recorded an income tax benefit of approximately  $301,000 based on the Company's
effective tax rate of 37%.

As a result of the foregoing,  the Company  recorded a net loss of approximately
$512,000 for the thirteen  weeks ended March 29, 1997,  compared with a net loss
of  approximately  $507,000  for  the  corresponding  period  last  year.  As  a
percentage  of net sales,  net loss  decreased to 13.2% for the first quarter of
1997, from 21.0% for the first quarter of 1996.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

For the  thirteen  weeks  ended  March  29,  1997,  net cash  used in  operating
activities was approximately  $2,384,000 compared with approximately  $1,638,000
for the  corresponding  period  last  year.  The  increase  in net cash  used in
operating  activities  primarily  resulted  from the timing of payments  and the
increased   activity  due  to  the  larger  number  of  stores,   a  payment  of
approximately  $261,000 in income  taxes and seasonal net losses as adjusted for
non-cash items.

In May 1996, the Company entered into a $3,000,000 revolving line of credit with
Bank One, Texas,  which was subsequently  increased to $8,000,000 in March 1997.
The line of credit will be used to provide a source of  additional  liquidity to
manage cash flow and provide capital for expansion.  As of March 29, 1997, there
was no amount outstanding on the revolving line of credit.

As of the date of this  report,  the Company  has opened two new stores,  one in
Garden State Plaza in Paramus,  New Jersey,  in 1997 and a second in North Shore
Mall in Peabody,  Massachusetts.  In addition, the Company has signed leases for
an  additional  new store to open in 1997 in The Source  located in Westbury New
York on Long Island and with  Providence  Place in  Providence,  Rhode Island to
open a store in 1998.

                                       9

The Company intends to finance anticipated capital expenditures, working capital
needs and debt  obligations for the foreseeable  future,  from the cash from the
Company's operating  activities,  landlord  allowances,  the available increased
line of credit,  possible fixtures and equipment and inventory financing,  trade
credit and/or the public or private sale of debt or equity securities.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

          (A)   See Exhibit Index.

          (B)   No current reports on Form 8-K have been filed during
                the thirteen week period ended March 29, 1997.


                                       10

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                    THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY



5/13/97                             /s/ Cheryl A. Taylor
- ------------                        -------------------------------
Date                                Cheryl A. Taylor
                                    Vice President - Finance and Administration,
                                    Principal Financial Officer






                                       11

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.                       Description                               Page
- -----------                       -----------                               ----

    11          Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings              13

    27.1        Financial Disclosure Schedule                                14

    99.1        Cautionary Statement Identifying Important Factors that 
                Could Cause the Company's Actual Results to Differ from 
                those Projected in Forward Looking Statements                15






                                       12