Walthers Warehouse Sale

[pjm20]

Just to let you boys know, while glancing at this, they have straight DC GP38-2s at $42 and Centipedes at $285:

https://www.walthers.com/products/scale/n-scale/on-sale-today/the-warehouse-sale?utm_campaign=Warehouse_Sale_060617&utm_content=the-warehouse-sale&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Exact+Target&utm_term=Warehouse_Sale_060617

Why do sales happen when I have no money? 

[MK]

How are the Walters locos when compared to, say, Atlas or Kato, etc.

[bman]

How are the Walters locos when compared to, say, Atlas or Kato, etc.

I've 4 of the DCC ready last release and I am happy with them.  IMHO they are right up there with Atlas and Kato. 

[ai5629]

I picked up four of the CR GP38-2's about 3 weeks ago when they were going for 46.  I plan on placing the Walthers mechanisms under my Atlas Conrail GP38-2's so that they will finally have the proper 2600 gallon fuel tanks.  From what I have read, the only modification needed is to file down the four nubs that hold the mechanism to the shell.  I have not run my Walthers units from the first release in a while, but I thought they ran quite nicely IIRC.  Thanks.

Jeff

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wait, these are DCC ready now? Oh damn. I might grab some to power my non-ready pair that have been sitting in the "manana" box for... years.

[btrain]

I have their RS2 and it's a pretty good runner, much better than my Atlas GP9s.

[ai5629]

Wait, these are DCC ready now? Oh damn. I might grab some to power my non-ready pair that have been sitting in the "manana" box for... years.

If you are going to replace the mechanisms of the first run models with the second run ones, you will need to swap out the truck frames.  The Walthers' second run Conrail models come with Type M trucks (1 brake cylinder and 1 shock absorber).  Conrail built GP38-2's (8163-8281) were built with trucks that had two brake cylinders (typical Blomberg truck).   These were the ones included on the first run Walthers' models.  The type M trucks were used on Penn Central's second batch of GP38-2's (CR nee PC 8040-8162).  The Atlas GP38-2 models fall in this range, which is why I am swapping in the Walthers mechanisms with the correct fuel tanks.  Thanks.

Jeff

[peteski]

How are the Walters locos when compared to, say, Atlas or Kato, etc.

They are basically Life-Like units  in new packaging. Spookshow has a good review of all the releases.
http://spookshow.net/loco/llgp38.html

[MK]

Thanks Pete, lots of info in that review.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

If you are going to replace the mechanisms of the first run models with the second run ones, you will need to swap out the truck frames.  The Walthers' second run Conrail models come with Type M trucks (1 brake cylinder and 1 shock absorber).  Conrail built GP38-2's (8163-8281) were built with trucks that had two brake cylinders (typical Blomberg truck).   These were the ones included on the first run Walthers' models.  The type M trucks were used on Penn Central's second batch of GP38-2's (CR nee PC 8040-8162).  The Atlas GP38-2 models fall in this range, which is why I am swapping in the Walthers mechanisms with the correct fuel tanks.  Thanks.

Jeff

So... when can we get you writing quarterly articles??

[jagged ben]

The containers were a total steal.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Yes, good deal on the Rolland containers! I would have picked up a few 20' sets but the $12 minimum shipping (or $150 for free shipping) is a bit much for a few.

The containers were a total steal.

[peteski]

Yes, good deal on the Rolland containers! I would have picked up a few 20' sets but the $12 minimum shipping (or $150 for free shipping) is a bit much for a few.

If you changed your way of thinking and think of the total price of items and shipping, you would get over your aversion to $12 shipping.   Even with $12 shipping you still end up with a bargain. Right?    Actually $12 for shipping is not that outrageous nowadays.  But in our mind we still compare it to the shipping prices 20 and 30 years ago.

[ryan_wilkerson]

The shipping charge helped me resist the purchase. Trying to reduce spending in general so it was the transaction friction I needed.
I know they are a business so the shipping pays for the labor to pack, etc.

It is amazing that I was able to ship 8 oz. of N scale items in a 210 cu in box for $2.85 from California to Florida and it says it'll be there in 3 days.