Walther's selling tooling

[Mark5]

This is fantastic news about the wally passenger cars - they are some of the best ever done in n scale.

Hopefully, we can count on more than Walther's "one and done" release.

Mark

[seusscaboose]

Hmmm . . . Lowell Smith produces low-volume custom special runs (read: expensive and collectible). It would have been better if the tooling was picked up by a "regular" model train manufacturer. But I guess this is better than having the tooling sit idle with no models available at all. Maybe Lowell will change his operating methods and will offer standard lower priced models, or even undercoated models.

I disagree

This gives Lowell another line to sell (expand) his business to a different market

Also gives him flexibility to continue to offer unique items he didn’t have going for

Probably got it at a good price (Walthers looking to get out)

Sounds like a positive step for n scale

[peteski]

This is fantastic news about the wally passenger cars - they are some of the best ever done in n scale.

Hopefully, we can count on more than Walther's "one and done" release.

Mark

I think that will depend a great deal on how well they sell. I seem to recall that Walther's MSRP was quite unreasonable (like it is with their structure kits). Few bought them at the original price but most waited until the sale prices kicked in.  IMO, if the cars are priced reasonable then they should sell quite well.

[peteski]

I disagree

This gives Lowell another line to sell (expand) his business to a different market

Also gives him flexibility to continue to offer unique items he didn’t have going for

Probably got it at a good price (Walthers looking to get out)

Sounds like a positive step for n scale

I sure hope that this is his business plan.  Then like you said, this is a very positive step for N scale.

[CBQ Fan]

The big issue was no road numbers and unreliable delivery schedules.

[sirenwerks]

My concern with Lowell would be price point and distribution.


Still, when I started modeling blue boxes were always available. These days, with this constant limited run cr@p, it's often a challenge to have the money to build the roster one wants, when releases are stacked one on top of another, or just when domestic life takes up budget for a while. Commitment is not Walthers' strong suit, I guess. But I wish the manufacturers would be smarter about looking into why a product doesn't meet its sale expectations, before slapping on the "N scale doesn't sell" sticker for the rest of the world to read.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I really, really want to see the LL engine line go to someone who will do it justice. Espesially the "transitional" engines before they went to split frame. The SD7 was really good looking but needed a better chassis. The F40PH could make a great starter model with a new chassis and refined fans. GP38-2 and GP60 could use new fans too. And what about a re-run of the low-nose GP18? That hasen't been released since the 90's.

It would be nice to see the freight car line get picked up too. Some of it was garbage, but I wonder what would be done if a company put effort into improving the tooling like FVM has done with the old RC line. That PD5125 could really use etched end cages and walkways.

[johnb]

I really, really want to see the LL engine line go to someone who will do it justice. Espesially the "transitional" engines before they went to split frame. The SD7 was really good looking but needed a better chassis. The F40PH could make a great starter model with a new chassis and refined fans. GP38-2 and GP60 could use new fans too. And what about a re-run of the low-nose GP18? That hasen't been released since the 90's.

It would be nice to see the freight car line get picked up too. Some of it was garbage, but I wonder what would be done if a company put effort into improving the tooling like FVM has done with the old RC line. That PD5125 could really use etched end cages and walkways.

it would be a perfect fit for MTL...

[Joetrain59]

ALCo C424's!

 Joe D

[tehachapifan]

Daniel, what's wrong with the fans on the GP60? To me, all the shell details on that model seem spot-on. I may even go as far as saying the relief detail on that models is as good as anything else I've seen.

[SirTainly]

Would love to see their bulkhead flats be produced by someone else, I could use a few of them, lets hope they go to a good home.

[thomasjmdavis]

it would be a perfect fit for MTL...

Maybe we should take up a collection and get them something nice for Christmas...

[u18b]

I have 2 10-6 sleepers.

Was I the only one disappointed with the trucks?

It's been a long time ago..... but they were too high friction for my taste.
I replaced them.  don't remember with what. 

[Rossford Yard]

There has always been some tooling transfer, although usually when a cottage industry gives up the ghost and sells to a bigger outfit, not the other way around.  Maybe in a declining industry, it makes sense to transfer it to lower overhead cottage makers again.

Hope for the best for Lowell, and hope he didn't overpay for tooling that had unproven sales, and which probably needs some updating to meet modern standards anyway.  IF I were him (and I understand I have no say in the matter) I would have paid a very low number, and agreed to give Wally approx. $1-2 for every car sold, for the first few years, to avoid a big upfront check, and taking all the risk. 

Hope its NOT like the restaurant biz, where the third owner makes the money? 

[Catt]

Since Lowell uses a lot of MTL product for his cars I wonder if he will have MTL do these cars for him.Setting up your own casting shop is a expensive proposition to say the least.