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 thirty-nine week period ended September 27, 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 September 27, 1997
      --------------                       -------------------------

Common Stock $0.01 par value                       4,405,269

                                       1


                          THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY

           QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
                               September 27, 1997



                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  Financial Statements                                               Page
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of  September 27, 1997               3

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the thirteen
and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 1996 and September 27, 1997        4

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirty-nine
weeks ended September 28, 1996 and September 27, 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                                   12


SIGNATURE PAGE                                                              13

EXHIBIT INDEX                                                               14

                                       2

                 THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (Unaudited)

                                     ASSETS

                                                      September 27, 1997
                                                      ------------------      
CURRENT ASSETS:
      Cash and cash equivalents                          $    455,941
      Merchandise inventories                               7,669,111
      Accounts receivable and other
      current assets                                        1,112,035
                                                       ---------------
                Total current assets                        9,237,087

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
      Store construction and leasehold improvements         4,006,914
      Furniture, fixtures, and equipment                    2,412,977
                                                       ---------------
                                                            6,419,891
      Less - Accumulated depreciation and
      amortization                                        (1,914,829)
                                                       ---------------
                Property and equipment, net                 4,505,062

DEFERRED TAXES                                                254,658
OTHER ASSETS, net                                             504,692
                                                       ---------------
                Total assets                              $14,501,499
                                                       ===============


                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities           $ 2,558,148
      Borrowings under line of credit                        551,000
      Sales taxes payable                                    136,441
      Current portion of capital lease obligations           103,600
                                                       --------------
                Total current liabilities                  3,349,189

CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, net of current portion            233,748
OTHER LIABILITIES                                            836,838
                                                       --------------
                Total liabilities                          4,419,775
                                                       --------------
COMMITMENTS
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
      Preferred stock; $.01 par value; 2,000,000
      shares authorized; none issued and
      outstanding                                                  -      
      Common stock; $.01 par value; 18,000,000
      shares authorized; 4,405,269 shares issued 
      and outstanding                                         44,053
      Paid-in capital                                     10,267,361
      Accumulated deficit                                   (229,690)
                                                       --------------
        Total stockholders' equity                        10,081,724
                                                       --------------
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $ 14,501,499
                                                       ==============

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           For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                           Sept 28, 1996      Sept 27, 1997      Sept 28, 1996        Sept 27, 1997
                                          ----------------    --------------    ----------------    -------------------

                                                                                                       
NET SALES                                     $ 3,596,861       $ 5,010,210         $ 8,783,692          $  12,915,336

COST OF SALES                                   1,882,389         2,622,657           4,620,660              6,793,173
                                          ----------------    --------------    ----------------    -------------------
             Gross profit                       1,714,472         2,387,553           4,163,032              6,122,163
                                          ----------------    --------------    ----------------    -------------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
       Store operating expenses                   904,333         1,266,977           2,312,727              3,457,768
       Occupancy expenses                         570,315           902,857           1,516,058              2,532,378
       Selling, general and
             administrative expenses              450,688           631,957           1,265,103              1,928,204
       Depreciation and amortization               88,403           179,330             251,016                540,806
                                          ----------------    --------------    ----------------    -------------------
             Total operating expenses           2,013,739         2,981,121           5,344,904              8,459,156

OPERATING LOSS                                   (299,267)         (593,568)         (1,181,872)            (2,336,993)
                                          ----------------    --------------    ----------------    -------------------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
       Interest expense                           (38,942)          (62,674)           (102,279)              (134,174)
       Interest income                             27,149             8,569              56,794                 52,915
       Other income                                 7,099           252,168               7,391                258,572
                                          ----------------    --------------    ----------------    -------------------

             Total other income
                  (expense), net                   (4,694)          198,063             (38,094)               177,313
                                          ----------------    --------------    ----------------    -------------------
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                         (303,961)         (395,505)         (1,219,966)            (2,159,680)
INCOME TAX BENEFIT                                      -          (146,336)                  -               (799,081)
NET LOSS                                   $     (303,961)     $   (249,169)       $ (1,219,966)          $ (1,360,599)
                                          ================    ==============    ================    ===================
NET LOSS PER SHARE                         $        (0.08)     $      (0.06)       $      (0.36)          $      (0.31)
                                          ================    ==============    ================    ===================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING             3,952,634         4,404,953           3,430,024              4,397,234
                                          ================    ==============    ================    ===================



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 Thiry-Nine Weeks Ended
                                                                               September 28, 1996               September 27, 1997
                                                                               ------------------               ------------------
                                                                                                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
       Net Loss                                                                 $    (1,219,966)                $    (1,360,599)
       Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
        cash used in operating activities:
              Depreciation and amortization                                             251,016                         540,806
              Amortization of unearned compensation restricted stock                      6,524                           4,125
              Deferred taxes                                                                  -                        (799,081)
              Changes in assets and liabilities:
                    Merchandise inventories                                          (2,450,623)                     (1,545,759)
                    Accounts receivable and other current assets                        165,089                         750,749
                    Other assets                                                        (78,135)                       (304,089)
                    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                          1,139,744                        (581,369)
                    Sales taxes payable                                                (148,480)                       (268,193)
                                                                            --------------------             -------------------

                    Net cash used in operating activities                            (2,334,831)                     (3,563,410)
                                                                            --------------------             ------------------- 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

       Purchase of property and equipment                                            (1,241,257)                    (1,365,949)
                                                                            --------------------             ------------------
                    Net cash used in investing activities                            (1,241,257)                    (1,365,949)
                                                                            --------------------             ------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

       Net proceeds from stock issuance                                               5,582,264                         69,398
       Borrowing under line of credit                                                         -                        551,000
       Repayment of notes payable and capital leases                                   (958,621)                       (99,637)
                                                                            --------------------             ------------------
                    Net cash provided by financing activities                         4,623,643                        520,761
                                                                            --------------------             ------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                  1,047,555                     (4,408,598)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period                                        3,237,698                      4,864,539
                                                                            --------------------             -----------------  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period                                     $        4,285,253               $        455,941
                                                                            ===================              =================
SUPPLEMENTAL NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Assets financed through capital lease obligations                            $         155,000               $              -      
Interest paid                                                                $         147,158               $         69,299



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

                                       5

                 THE GREAT TRAIN STORE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying  unaudited consolidated financial statements of The Great Train
Store Company and  subsidiaries  (the  "Company") as of and for the thirteen and
thirty-nine  week periods  ended  September 28, 1996 and September 27, 1997 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.

Prior year balances include certain  reclassifications to conform to the current
year presentation.

During  October of 1997, the Company  accepted  letters of commitment to replace
the Company's  existing  revolving credit facility with a term loan and expanded
revolving credit facility.  Funding of such new credit  arrangements are subject
to, among other things,  negotiation of definitive credit agreements.  There can
be no  assurance  that credit  agreements  containing  terms  acceptable  to the
Company will be negotiated and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that such
credit will be available to the Company.

During  1997,  the Company has opened nine new stores,  the most recent of which
opened on  November 4, in San Diego,  California.  Other  stores  opened in 1997
include Paramus, New Jersey; Peabody, Massachusetts;  Westbury, Long Island, New
York; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Waterbury, Connecticut;  Grapevine, Texas; Syracuse,
New York; and Cincinnati,  Ohio;  along with five The Great Train Store Express,
temporary holiday stores located in Dallas,  Texas; Olathe,  Kansas;  Nashville,
Tennesse;  Tulsa,  Oklahoma;  and Columbia,  Maryland.  Leases for new The Great
Train Stores to be opened in 1997 have been signed in Aventura (Miami), Florida;
Youngstown,  Ohio; and Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  In addition, the Company will
reopen a store in  Indianapolis  with the  anticipated  November 1997 opening in
Circle Center to replace its store in Indianapolis Union Station which closed on
July 20, 1997 after the City announced the Station's closing.  A 1998 opening in
West Nyack (Rockland County), New York has also been announced as well as a 1999
opening in Providence, Rhode Island.

                                       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                       For the Thirty-nine
                                                                Weeks Ended                             Weeks Ended
                                                     Sept. 28, 1996     Sept. 27, 1997      Sept. 28, 1996       Sept. 27, 1997
                                                     --------------     --------------      --------------       --------------
                                                                                                            
Net Sales                                                100.0%             100.0%              100.0%               100.0%
Cost of Sales                                             52.3               52.3                52.6                 52.6
                                                         -----              -----               -----                -----
     Gross profit                                         47.7               47.7                47.4                 47.4
Store operating expenses                                  25.1               25.3                26.3                 26.8
Occupancy expenses                                        15.9               18.0                17.3                 19.6
Selling, general and administrative                       12.5               12.6                14.4                 14.9
     expenses
Depreciation and amortization                              2.5                3.6                 2.9                  4.2
                                                         -----              -----               -----                -----
     Operating loss                                       (8.3)             (11.8)              (13.5)               (18.1)
Interest expense                                          (1.1)              (1.3)               (1.2)                (1.0)
Interest income                                             .8                 .2                  .7                   .4
Other income                                                .2                5.0                  .1                  2.0
                                                         -----              -----               -----                -----        
     Loss before income taxes                             (8.4)%             (7.9)%             (13.9)%              (16.7)%
Income tax benefit                                           -                2.9                   -                  6.2
                                                         -----              -----               -----                -----
     Net loss                                             (8.4)%             (5.0)%             (13.9)%              (10.5)%
                                                         -----              -----               -----                -----


Comparison of Thirteen Week Period Ended September 28, 1996 to the Thirteen Week
Period Ended September 27, 1997

Net sales increased  approximately  $1,413,000 or 39.3%,  for the thirteen weeks
ended September 27, 1997,  compared with the corresponding  period last year. Of
this increase, approximately $205,000 was attributable to net sales generated by
stores  opened  subsequent  to the  third  quarter  of  1996  and  approximately
$1,433,000 of the increase was  attributable to net sales  generated  during the
first part of 1997 by the stores opened during the third quarter of 1996.  These
increases  were  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  of  approximately  $103,000
attributable to the Indianapolis  location which was closed on July 20, 1997 and
approximately  $122,000 was attributable to a 3.8 % decrease 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  $673,000 or 39.3%, for the thirteen weeks
ended September 27, 1997, compared with the corresponding period last year. As a
percentage  of net  sales,  gross  profit  remained  constant  at 47.7%  for the
thirteen weeks ended September 27, 1997, compared with the corresponding  period
last year.

Store operating  expenses  increased  approximately  $363,000 or 40.1%,  for the
thirteen weeks ended September 27, 1997, compared with the corresponding  period
last year. Approximately $374,000 of the increase resulted from the operation of
the stores  which were not open in the  comparable  period in 1996,  $102,000 of
which related to pre-opening expenses incurred in the setup and opening of these
stores.  This  increase was partially  offset by a decrease in comparable  store
expenses of approximately $11,000. As a percentage of net sales, store operating
expenses  increased to 25.3% for the thirteen  weeks ended  September  27, 1997,
compared with 25.1% for the  corresponding  period last year.  The increase as a
percentage of net sales is primarily  related to new stores.  This increase as a
percentage of net sales was primarily related to lower than anticipated sales.

Occupancy expenses increased  approximately $333,000, or 58.3%, for the thirteen
weeks ended  September  27, 1997,  compared with the  corresponding  period last
year.   Approximately  $297,000  of  the  increase  in  occupancy  expenses  was
attributable to the stores which were not open in the comparable  period in 1996
and  approximately  $16,000 was due to an increase in comparable store occupancy
expenses. In addition,  approximately $20,000 of the increase was related to the
company leasing substantial  additional central office space in order to support
future growth and leasing  additional space,  adjacent to an existing store, for
the purpose of  redistributing  a small portion of  merchandise  which could not
economically or otherwise be shipped directly to the stores.  As a percentage of
net sales,  overall occupancy expenses increased to 18.0% for the thirteen weeks
ended September 27, 1997, compared with 15.9% for the corresponding  period last
year.

Selling,  general and administrative  expenses increased approximately $181,000,
or 40.2%,  for the thirteen  weeks ended  September 27, 1997,  compared with the
corresponding   period  last  year.   The  increase  in  selling,   general  and
administrative   expenses  was  primarily  due  to  approximately   $136,000  of
additional  expenses  related to salaries and related  expenses  for  additional
central  office  personnel in  anticipation  of future growth of the Company.  A
significant  portion of such  increase  related to the  Company's  promotion  of
certain of its Store  Managers to Regional Sales  Managers.  These new positions
are a new  level  of  management  created  to  supervise  the  operation  of the
Company's rapidly growing number of existing stores and assist in the opening of
new stores as part of the Company's  increasing  expansion program. In addition,
the Company  expended more  significant  funds than in prior years in aggressive
marketing  programs in several  locations  in an effort to enhance  sales.  This
program  included  the  existing  train hobby store  location  which the Company
acquired in November,  1996. 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  increased to 12.6% for the third quarter of 1997, from
12.5% for the same period in 1996. The Company  anticipates  that, as additional
stores are opened, selling, general and administrative expenses will increase at
a slower rate than the rate of sales growth.

                                       8

Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  increased  approximately  $91,000,  or
102.9%,  for the thirteen  weeks ended  September  27, 1997,  compared  with the
corresponding period last year.  Approximately  $56,000 of this increase was the
result of depreciation of assets in stores which were not open in the comparable
period  of  1996.  In  addition,  the  comparable  stores  had  an  increase  of
approximately  $19,000 and the central  office had an increase of  approximately
$16,000,  both  related to the  expanded  asset base,  primarily  related to the
upgrading of and additions to the Company's  management  information systems and
to the central office  expansion which occurred in January 1997. As a percentage
of net sales,  depreciation and amortization  expense  increased to 3.6% for the
thirteen   weeks  ended   September  27,  1997,   compared  with  2.5%  for  the
corresponding  period last year. This increase was the result of several factors
including   enhancements  to  the  Company's  management   information  systems,
primarily in the central office, as well as the Company having received a higher
proportion  of tenant  allowance  in the form of abated  rent  rather  than cash
received at the time of construction  in 1997,  which resulted in an increase in
the  proportion  of store  construction  costs paid by the Company,  net of cash
tenant allowance.

Other income  increased  approximately  $245,000  for the  thirteen  weeks ended
September  27, 1997  compared  with the  corresponding  period  last year.  This
increase was primarily due to a $250,000  settlement  the Company  received from
the City of  Indianapolis in connection with the closing of Union Station during
the term of the lease.

The  Company's  pretax loss  decreased to 7.9% of sales for the  thirteen  weeks
ended  September 27, 1997 from 8.4% of sales for the  corresponding  period last
year. The Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $146,000 based
on the Company's effective tax rate of 37%.

As a result of the foregoing,  the Company  recorded a net loss of approximately
$249,000 for the thirteen  weeks ended  September 27, 1997,  compared with a net
loss of  approximately  $304,000 for the  corresponding  period last year.  As a
percentage  of net sales,  net loss  decreased to 5.0% for the third  quarter of
1997, from 8.4% for the third quarter of 1996.

Comparison  of  Thirty-Nine   Week  Period  Ended  September  28,  1996  to  the
Thirty-Nine Week Period Ended September 27, 1997

Net sales  increased  approximately  $4,131,000,  or 47.0%,  for the thirty-nine
weeks ended September 27, 1997 compared with the corresponding period last year.
Of  this  increase,  approximately  $3,328,000  was  attributable  to net  sales
generated  by  stores  opened  subsequent  to the  third  quarter  of  1996  and
approximately  $1,260,000  of  this  increase  was  attributable  to  net  sales
generated  during the first part of 1997 by stores  opened during the first nine
months  of  1996.  These  increases  were  partially  offset  by a  decrease  of
approximately $199,000 attributable to the Indianapolis location which closed on
July 20, 1997 and  approximately  $258,000  attributable  to a 3.2%  decrease in
comparable  store  sales.  Comparable  store sales are  calculated  based on the
stores opened during both of the entire months being compared.

Gross profit  increased  approximately  $1,959,000 or 47.1%, for the thirty-nine
weeks ended  September  27, 1997,  compared with the  corresponding  period last
year. As a percentage of net sales,  gross profit remained constant at 47.4% for
the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 1997,  compared with the corresponding
period last year.

                                       9

Store operating  expenses increased  approximately  $1,145,000 or 49.5%, for the
thirty-nine  weeks ended  September 27, 1997,  compared  with the  corresponding
period last year.  Approximately  $1,280,000  of the increase  resulted from the
stores not opened in the comparable period in 1996, $136,000 of which related to
expenses  incurred in the setup and opening of these  stores.  This increase was
partially  offset by an  approximate  decrease of $135,000 in  comparable  store
operating  expenses.  As a percentage  of net sales,  store  operating  expenses
increased to 26.8% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 1997,  compared
with 26.3% for the corresponding  period last year. The increase as a percentage
of net sales is primarily  related to new stores.  This increase as a percentage
of net sales was primarily related to lower than anticipated sales.

Occupancy  expenses  increased  approximately  $1,016,000,  or  67.0%,  for  the
thirty-nine  weeks ended  September 27, 1997,  compared  with the  corresponding
period last year.  Approximately  $911,000 of the increase in occupancy expenses
was  attributable  to the stores not open in the  comparable  period of 1996 and
approximately  $39,000 related to comparable stores. In addition,  approximately
$66,000 related to substantial  additional central office space which was leased
during  January  1997 in order to  support  future  growth  and the  leasing  of
additional   space,   adjacent  to  an  existing  store,   for  the  purpose  of
redistributing  a small portion of merchandise  which could not  economically or
otherwise  be shipped  directly to the  stores.  As a  percentage  of net sales,
overall  occupancy  expenses  increased to 19.6% for the thirty-nine weeks ended
September  27,  1997,  from 17.3% for the  corresponding  period  last year.  As
discussed  above,  this  percentage   increase  resulted  from  the  leasing  of
substantial  additional  central office space, as well as space  established for
the distribution of certain  product,  both of which are expected to happen only
infrequently. These charges account for .5% of the 2.3% increase as a percentage
of net sales and the  Company  believes  the  current  central  office  space is
adequate for the foreseeable future.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $663,000 or
52.4%,  for the thirty-nine  weeks ended  September 27, 1997,  compared with the
corresponding   period  last  year.   The  increase  in  selling,   general  and
administrative   expenses  was  primarily  due  to  approximately   $366,000  of
additional  expenses  related to salaries and related  expenses  for  additional
central  office  personnel in  anticipation  of future growth of the Company.  A
significant  portion of such  increase  related to the  Company's  promotion  of
certain of its Store  Managers to Regional Sales  Managers.  These new positions
are a new  level  of  management  created  to  supervise  the  operation  of the
Company's rapidly growing number of existing stores and assist in the opening of
new stores as part of the Company's  increasing  expansion program. In addition,
the Company  expended more  significant  funds than in prior years in aggressive
marketing  programs in several  locations  in an effort to enhance  sales.  This
program  included  the  existing  train hobby store  location  which the Company
acquired in November 1996.  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  increased  to 14.9% for the  thirty-nine  weeks  ended
September  27,  1997,  from 14.4% for the  corresponding  period last year.  The
Company anticipates that as additional stores are opened,  selling,  general and
administrative expenses will decrease as a percentage of net sales.

                                       10

Depreciation and  amortization  expense  increased  approximately  $290,000,  or
115.4%,  for the thirty-nine  weeks ended September 27, 1997,  compared with the
corresponding period last year.  Approximately $216,000 of this increase was the
result of depreciation of assets in stores not open in the comparable  period of
1996.  In  addition,  the  comparable  stores had an increase  of  approximately
$34,000 and the central  office had an increase of  approximately  $40,000  both
related to the expanded  asset base,  primarily  related to the upgrading of and
additions to the  Company's  management  information  systems and to the central
office  expansion  which occurred in January 1997. As a percentage of net sales,
depreciation  and  amortization  expense  increased to 4.2% for the  thirty-nine
weeks ended  September  27, 1997,  from 2.9% for the  corresponding  period last
year. This increase was the result of several factors including  enhancements to
the Company's management  information systems,  primarily in the central office,
as well as the Company having received a higher  proportion of tenant  allowance
in the form of abated rent rather than cash received at the time of construction
in 1997,  which resulted in an increase in the proportion of store  construction
costs paid by the Company, net of cash tenant allowance.

Interest expense increased  approximately  $32,000 or 31.2%, for the thirty-nine
weeks ended  September  27, 1997,  compared with the  corresponding  period last
year.  The increase was primarily  the result of expense  related to the line of
credit which was established in May of 1996. This increase was partially  offset
by a decrease in the average outstanding principal balance on other notes.

Other income  increased  approximately  $251,000  for the  thirteen  weeks ended
September  27, 1997  compared  with the  corresponding  period  last year.  This
increase was primarily due to a $250,000  settlement  the Company  received from
the City of  Indianapolis in connection with the closing of Union Station during
the term of the lease.

The Company's pretax loss increased to 16.7% of sales for the thirty-nine  weeks
ended September 27, 1997 from 13.9% of sales for the  corresponding  period last
year. The Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $799,000 based
on the Company's effective tax rate of 37%.

As a result of the foregoing,  the Company  recorded a net loss of approximately
$1,361,000 for the thirty-nine  weeks ended September 27, 1997,  compared with a
net loss of  approximately  $1,220,000 for the  corresponding  period last year.
Similar to many retail  companies,  the Company  typically  incurs  seasonal net
losses in the first  part of the year.  As the  number of the  Company's  stores
continues  to grow,  the  Company  anticipates  that the  total  amount  of such
seasonal  losses may  become  larger.  As a  percentage  of net sales,  net loss
decreased  to 10.5% for the first  three  quarters  of 1997,  from 13.9% for the
first three quarters of 1996.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's primary uses of cash have been to fund  construction  expenses and
purchase initial  merchandise  inventories in connection with the opening of new
stores,  purchase upgrades and additions to the Company's management information
system, and to fund seasonal net losses.

For the  thirty-nine  weeks ended September 27, 1997, net cash used in operating
activities was approximately $3,563,000 compared to approximately $2,335,000 for
the  corresponding  period last year. The increase in net cash used in operating
activities  primarily  results  from the opening of new stores in the period and
funding of seasonal operating losses.

As of  September  27,  1997,  the  Company's  total  debt and lease  obligations
(exclusive of trade credit)  consisted of  approximately  $337,000 payable under
capital  lease  obligations  related  to  the  management  information  systems,
fixtures and equipment.  Of such debt obligations,  approximately  $40,000 under
the fixtures and equipment financing arrangements are payable during 1997. As of
September  27,  1997,  the Company had  $551,000  outstanding  on the  Company's
$8,000,000 revolving line of credit.

During  1997,  the Company has opened nine new stores,  the most recent of which
opened on  November 4, in San Diego,  California.  Other  stores  opened in 1997
include Paramus, New Jersey; Peabody, Massachusetts;  Westbury, Long Island, New
York; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Waterbury, Connecticut;  Grapevine, Texas; Syracuse,
New York; and Cincinnati,  Ohio;  along with five The Great Train Store Express,
temporary holiday stores located in Dallas,  Texas; Olathe,  Kansas;  Nashville,
Tennessee;  Tulsa,  Oklahoma; and Columbia,  Maryland.  Leases for new The Great
Train Stores to be opened in 1997 have been signed in Aventura (Miami), Florida;
Youngstown,  Ohio; and Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  In addition, the Company will
reopen a store in  Indianapolis  with the  anticipated  November 1997 opening in
Circle Center to replace its store in Indianapolis Union Station which closed on
July 20, 1997 after the City announced the Station's  closing. A 1998 opening in
West Nyack (Rockland County), New York has also been announced as well as a 1999
opening in Providence, Rhode Island.

The  Company   intends  to  finance  a  portion  of  its   anticipated   capital
expenditures,  working  capital needs and debt  obligations  for the foreseeable
future from cash from the Company's operating  activities,  landlord allowances,
the  available  line of credit,  possible  fixtures  and  equipment or inventory
financing,  trade  credit  and/or  public  or  private  sale of  debt or  equity
securities.  During October 1997, the Company  accepted letters of commitment to
replace its existing  revolving  credit  facility  with a term loan and expanded
revolving  credit  facility.  There can be no  assurance  that  definitive  loan
agreements  will be  executed  or that funds  thereunder  will be  received  and
sufficient to support the Company's growth strategies.  As of September 27, 1997
there was $551,000  outstanding  on the  $8,000,000  Bank One revolving  line of
credit.

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 thirty-nine week period ended September 27, 1997.

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                                   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



Date: 11/12/97                    /s/ Cheryl A. Taylor
                                  Cheryl A. Taylor
                                  Vice President - Finance and Administration,
                                  Principal Financial Officer

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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.                      Description                               Page

      11          Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings           15

      27.1        Financial Disclosure Schedule                             16

      99.1        Cautionary Statement Identifying Important 
                  Factors that Could Cause the Company's Actual
                  Results to Differ from those Projected in 
                  Forward Looking Statements                               17

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