Where can I find Walthers Shinohara#5

[rexhea]

Well, once again my progress has been put on a side track by a supplier running out of inventory. The item I need is Walthers Shinohara left Turnout #5 (DCC Friendly). I need about 20 of these and about 10 rights. I have checked just about everywhere on the net with no luck. Walthers doesn't expect another shipment unitl mid December. Warning to all that use these: They just got a batch in a month ago and they are all gone or distributed. [:(]

Any suggestions on where I may "track" these down? [banghead]


Thanks REX [:)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

I guess if you're in a panic for turnouts, maybe you should grab your copy of MR and look at the dealer listings in the back. Also check some of the advertisers. The first place I would call is Caboose Hobbies in Denver. They may have the stock to cover you. Actually, I'm not sure if anyone is going to have that much stock on hand. You may need to hit a half dozen places to get that many.

[rexhea]

Thanks Elliot.
I know its a lot of one kind of turnout to find at any one dealer. I have changed my yard design and was wanting to get started with the installation. You know how a yard gobbles up turnouts fast. I thought about the new Peco code 83 turnouts, but Gads there expensive.

Just an added note Elliot: I went to my first train show today in Birmingham. It was really great seeing all the goodies and meeting fellow modelers. A kid in a toy shop could not have had a better time, Ha!

REX

[Big_Boy_4005]

Yeah Rex, with those quantties I figured you were doing a yard. I was just looking in the Walthers catalog, but I didn't see a price on the Pecos. The Shinohara list at $15.98 ea. I'm guessing that the Pecos will be slightly higher at $17.98 - $19.98. That adds up fast with those quantities.

Glad you enjoyed the show. I wish I could go to train shows these days, but with no budget for trains, they're just a big tease. I have enough trains to last me a while.

Good luck in your quest.

[dickiee]

Rex,

I know just how you feel. After re-joining the hobby after an absence of about 20 yrs. I was excited to see all the improvements in the products. That said, tho, my hopes were soon dashed by being unable to purchase most of them. It seems the manufacturers are big on their advertising but incredibly slow on the delivery side of things. I am very disappointed...almost to the point of giving up. The only things that seem to be available are the things nobody wants. Walthers is a very good example. Their 2004 catalog got me excited about building an engine service facility that was featured on the front of the catalog. Guess what ....No Turntable available. I am getting too old to scratchbuild everything even if I had the ability. I finally reach a point in my life when I can afford to have some of the "shiny new things" and all they do is tease with ads. It is beyond frustrating. I have spent the last year building a layout room in my barn and now seem unable to fill it with a layout. Kind of like building a bridge and leaving out ten feet of the center. I sure wish I could figure out what is going on with these suppliers. Oh, well, I will try and remain as optimistic as possible. Good luck to you in your search for the turnouts. I did manage to get 2 each of the #5's before the supply dried up. But, if you are building a yard, that's not much. Sorry I don't have any help for you.

dickiee

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dickiee

Rex,

.... Walthers is a very good example. Their 2004 catalog got me excited about building an engine service facility that was featured on the front of the catalog. Guess what ....No Turntable available....
dickiee

Good Morning Dickiee:

If it's the 90' TT that you'er looking for I've got one still in the box. I decided to go with the 105' from Custom Model Railroad and don't need the 90', my locos are to long. Are you interested?

Thanks
Bob

[dickiee]

Hi Bob,

Welcome back from your trip...I hope you were successful and enjoyed yourself. Thanks for the offer of the 90' TT but I am looking for a 135' model. However I am interested in how you like the one you bought from CMR. I have been looking at their website and their kits LOOK magnificent. I had read from one of your previous posts that you were considering purchasing one of their TT's but at the time were a little leery of doing it. I would also like to know if you are planning on motorizing it and/or using the very expensive indexing control that is offered. My plan right now is to wait a while and see if Walthers can come up with their TT. I am one of those idiot's that recently got burned by purchasing one of the "Lionel Challengers" for $600 and now everybody else is giving them away for less than $300 or even $200. You can't imagine how PO'ed I am about that. Live and learn, I guess. I'll get over it but meanwhile till my fingers (and pocketbook) recover I am a bit leery about any major purchases until I check things out more carefully. You strike me as a man with careful judgement so I will appreciate comments or critiques that you have to offer. If you prefer, you may e-mail me directly.

Thanks,
Richard

To all others:

Would also like to hear from anyone else with comments/critiques about CMR products!

[rexhea]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Yeah Rex, with those quantties I figured you were doing a yard. I was just looking in the Walthers catalog, but I didn't see a price on the Pecos. The Shinohara list at $15.98 ea. I'm guessing that the Pecos will be slightly higher at $17.98 - $19.98. That adds up fast with those quantities.

Glad you enjoyed the show. I wish I could go to train shows these days, but with no budget for trains, they're just a big tease. I have enough trains to last me a while.

Good luck in your quest.

Would you believe $25.99 for the Peco code 83 Insulfrog at the Walthers Web page? I am sure that my LHS would discount it quite a bit, but probably not enough. I understand that Peco makes a good product and it may be better in the long run. That is a lot of money tied up in just the yard. I know what you mean about going to train shows. I quit going to boat shows a long time ago because it just made me drool all over the place and was not ever able to leave with anything. [:D]

dickiee
Your story sounds exactly like mine. I'm a re-born MRR from the late 60's and have been so excited about the huge advancements. But, I'm getting to old to handle all the teasing by the manufacturers. They love to hold the carrot out in front of us. [:D]

REX

[Anonymous]

Good Afternoon:

Dickiee:
I just couldn't get as far north as you live to see your layout because of the time restraints, but I really do appriciated the offer. The reason that I was leery of buying it was, I'm a feely - touchy person and like to see what I'm laying out that much money for. I was at CMR over four hours before I bought the TT. I've read the instructions three times and looked at the kit for several days while on the road. If this TT looks half as good as I think it will, I'll be very pleased. Cliff (CMR owner) talked to me about this product and also told me where to be carefull when putting it together. It looks like a 16 to 20 hour construction project. I've built a Diamond Scale and I think that this one will be better.

I haven't decided how to power it yet, as it sits on the edge of the layout so I don't have to have the indexing kit even thou it would be nice. I'm going to wait and see how much use it gets, in the mean time it will be powered with the 0-5-0. It's going to be a couple of months before I start this project as I want to finish my mainline.

I also got to look at three of the layouts he was working on and was very much impressed. I didn't get to see any operations but the track was straight, well laid, turnout placements were well thought out, and well excuted. I think that quality of work carries through from one project to another as a way of life.

If you have any other questions let me know.

Rex:
I just got back off vacation and visited several forum members from as far away as Halifax, Nova Scotia, I live eighty eight miles east of Houston on I-10. I was in Digitrax, catching up on gossip and meeting people that I've been talking to for over four years and decided to go down I-85 and spend the night in Montgomery. If I had known about you and been able to set up a visit, I could have gone on I-20 and spent the night in Birmingham, and then come see you. I went to your webb site and was impressed with your layout.

Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[Big_Boy_4005]

Just remember guys, it takes a while for that stuff to get here from China. [swg]

Rex, that price disparity is outrageous. It makes me think that Walthers doesn't really want to sell Peco, but rather their own. The markup for dealers is not as big as you think, and has been shrinking over the years. This means less room to discount to consumers.

Just one more thought on China, Peco is made in England. Perhaps that accounts for part of difference in price. Is there that much difference in quality?

[rexhea]

Hi Bob,
That would have been nice and you would have been very welcome.Thank you for the compliment on the layout. I have much to do, but I can't think of a better hobby to have. FYI: My daughter and her family live in Spring, Texas. Her husband is a rock geek ( that's what my grandsons call him [:D] ) with Kerr-McGee.

Elliot,
Yes, there is a heck of a price difference and I would suspect that where they are made is why. I just can't believe the quality difference, if any, warrants a $10 difference. I have been very pleased with Walthers Shinohara line and guess I just have to bite the bullet and wait. I have about 7 turnouts that I was going to use elsewhere, but I can get started with them. Thanks

REX

[twhite]

Rex--the last time I checked, my LHS had a pretty good stock of Walthers/Sinohara #5 turnouts. I don't know if it's the quantity that you'd need, but it might help. It's Bruce's Trains here in Sacramento, CA. I don't have their website--I THINK it's www.brucetrains.com, but the phone number is [phone]. They're a good bunch of guys, and if they have stock, they'll definitely help you.
Tom

[rexhea]

Tom, Thanks a bunch. Now I know there's hope.
Haven't been able to connect with that web address. I haven't been able to find a Bruce Trains in a search either. Would you check on the name again for me. I would really appreciate it. I will call them when I get up tomorrow anyway, but thought I would like to look at their site first. Found a good site while looking though. You can buy RR hats, signs, mugs, and etc. http://www.railwayshop.com/

Well, time to hit the bed. I am having difficulty spelling. [(-D][:D][:)][|)][zzz]

I'll check back on here in the morning. REX

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

Rex, my hobby shop filled my order for Walthers #5's just before I went on vacation. The name of the shop is Papa Ben's in Houston, TX. Their phone number is [phone], they also have an ad in the dealer directory in MR.

Your right about the pricing but the reason that I went with the Walthers switches was the variety. In my layout I've used every size curved turnout that is availavle except the 24/18.

Is a "rock geek" a geologist? My wifes sister and her husband live in Spring - too crowded for me

Why don't you come over to the coffee shop and get a cup of tea and join in the banter. We talk about anything and everything, you never know where the conversation is going.

Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[rexhea]

Tom,
Appreciate the lead. I called Bruce's Train Shop and was able to get 4 lefts. That's a big help. FYI the web address is http://www.brucestrainshop.com/
Thanks Very Much

Bob,
Thanks a bunch for the tip. I called Papa Ben's and was able to get 9 ea. lefts and rights. They were very friendly to work with. Didn't get much of a discount this time, but it's a lot better than the price for Peco. My Son-in-law is a Geophysicist. Actually, at 6'4' and 260 lbs, he is far from being geeky with a love for motorcycles, fishing, etc... Just way beyond my smarts [:D]

Thanks again all for the leads. I have enough to keep me busy, but will continue to look for the rest.

The BEST, REX

[twhite]

Rex: Tom here, gave you the wrong website. It's www.brucetrainshop.com. Like I said, last time I was in there (last week) they had a supply of Walthers code 83 #5's.
Tom