WALTHERS TO ANNOUNCE NEXT PASSENGER TRAIN...

[Steven Otte]

Yes, the George Washington was confirmed ... a year and a half ago. Walthers' HO scale GW has since been manufactured, shipped, and sold out.

And the opener of this thread was posted almost 7 years ago. 7 name trains ago. Before anyone else gets the wrong idea about this discussion being about an upcoming train, I'm locking the thread.

If you have any information about what Walthers is planning on releasing in the future, rather than the past, start a new thread. This one's done.

[DigitalGriffin]

The Jet Clipper

I personally think that it's going to be an NYC train. Think about it;

Nope.  It's "The George" Confirmed.  And it's doubtful you see a New York Central next year either.  Walthers alternates east and west every year.  Two east coasters in a row would be doubtful.

https://www.walthers.com/blog/co-george-washington/

They are going to model years where they have motive power.  (In this case E-8 Units)  Designing steam is no longer in walthers/proto's roundhouse *takes hat off*

[The Jet Clipper]

****, this is quite an old tread!

Lemme add my two cents into this...

I personally think that it's going to be an NYC train. Think about it;

Back when the 1953-era Broadway Limited in 2011ish (I don't know the exact year), the 20th Century Limited was already out for 2-3 years. Hey, how long has this current Broadway run? 2 years? Interesting...

Seeing that they seem to be fond of the late 50's trains (Broadway, Capitol Limited, George Washington), I say a 20th Century/Commodore Vanderbilt is on the horizon.

Also, they cancelled all of the NYC Cigar Band E8's that were supposed to be released with the C&O, Southern and Illinois Central units. Coincidence; I THINK NOT!

[DigitalGriffin]

Well the new name train is the C&O's George Washington. It's a fine choice. But toward the later years, "The George" became somewhat of a mutt.  It becomes a cool excuse to add different configs.  I just wish they had a dome car on it.

I much prefer the earlier years of "The George" when it was pulled by steam. But that would mean Walthers would have to make steam again.

http://www.trainweb.org/fredatsf/C&OGW50.htm

 

[steemtrayn]

ManOWar

Sorry to be such a late comer to this conversation but I'm curious about the reason why Walther's won't touch the Nancy Hank's?

 

Probably due to its Jim Crow segregation.

 

[ManOWar]

Sorry to be such a late comer to this conversation but I'm curious about the reason why Walther's won't touch the Nancy Hank's?

[NittanyLion]

I'd wager the Nancy Hanks is poisoned as a prospective Walthers name train for one major reason.

[W Rusty]

Just wish Walthers had taken your advice.  I am presently modeling the Central of Georgia and esp. the ¨Nancy Hanks¨ as my wife went to see the last running of the Nancy Hanks II which used a pacific 4-6-2 to pull the carriages from Atlanta to Jonesboro back in 1971 (the last run of the Nancy Hanks II).  From Jonesboro, GA, the e-7 diesels took over the job and pulled the carriages from Jonesboro to Savannah.  Sure wish I had been there for that last run, but I was in Vietnam during that time.  Now my wife wants me to add some carriages with the Nancy Hanks and/or Man of War heralds.  I will try to find some undecorated carriages, pullman, lounge, combine and a Wabash dome to add to the consist.  I already have a Mantua heavy pacific that I will letter with the number 750 which was the steamer used from Atlanta to Jonesboro;  I´ll have to add a Central of Georgia herald to the tender to keep the wife happy with my railroad layout.  It is getting hard to find Nancy Hanks´ decals with the horses´ head with the horse shoe beneath.  I was searching and came across this article while I was searching for the Nancy Hanks´ heralds and passenger car striping.  Cheers to all who model the southern US railroads eventhough some are now defunct.  It is my understanding that the CofG was bought by Southern railroad which was then sold to Norfolk Southern.

 

I already model the Southern Railroad Crescent Ltd. and have a nice Mehano Mikado to pull my three carriage consist.  Since I´ve been modeling the Crescent Ltd. I´ve decided to add the Central of Georgia at the whims from my wife to model the Nancy Hanks.  Guess I´ll have to find some sorta E-7A to repaint to add it to the Central of Georgia.  I seem to have a folder full of information on the Central of Georgia, which includes the roster of all the steamers and diesels they ever owned, including maker and types of engines. 

[PM Railfan]

Im still waiting for a Pere Marquette.

[AntonioFP45]

Imho, if Walthers desides to have a "south" or "southeastern" based passenger streamliner it would likely be the Southern Crescent (post 1950s). This beautiful prototype train featured mostly Budd cars (which Walthers already produces) and can be run in mulitple railroad time periods (1950s-transition era, 1960s-horsepower wars era, and 1970s Amtrak era) which means a greater variety of modelers. Sadly, there had been specualtion that had it not been for the fatal wreck of the Southern Crescent in 1978 in Virginia, President Graham Claytor would have continued running it as it did produce a small profit.

[ManOWar]

Funny Qrider, I submitted an idea to Walther’s about ten years ago and got absolutely nothing back in response.  My premise was founded upon the basic Walther’s core passenger car frame; Budd, PS or heavyweight style, and a simple yet unique product consisting of scale panels in varying lengths; 10’ 20’ 30’ and so on, that would marry up with the Walther’s car frame.  Each panel would have corresponding features like vestibules, baggage doors, postal doors, various window arrangements, blank sections, and an assortment of window arrangements for coach, Pullman, and dining car accommodations.  With my concept the modeler was now free to construct a specific prototype or concoct a freelance car of their liking.  Guess you have to be part of the model railroad inner fraternity or special clique to present an idea to these guys.

[QRailrider]

RedGrey62

 

 

Pamela

Streamliners of the West, North and East are way over represented in model railroading. I am still hoping and waiting for Walthers to model long overlooked trains like The Crescent (1950 edition), The Tennessean (1950 edition), and The Texas Eagle (1952 edition). As a child I never understood why the model train industry had a blind spot in the South and Southwest when it came to modeling passenger trains. >:-(

 

 

 

 

I agree (mostly) with your assessment (I would consider all the various Santa Fe trains in the southwest).  I think it comes down to marketing as almost all the trains that are mass produced are transcontinentals or originate/terminate in high population cities.  Therefore the manufacturer has a broad base of modelers that may want the train as it ran through their territory.  Even the road I model, the CB&Q, one would think they only ran the Pioneer and California Zephyr.   Fortunately there are options to model the various trains but some cannot be modeled without tracking down, and paying for, high end brass models or serious kitbashing.

I believe if a manufacturer would come up with a "modular" way to build streamlined passenger cars, either Budd or Pullman Standard, they could build the majority of cars of the various trains.  The basic shell for a Budd car (aside from diners, baggage and domes) is the same for sleepers and coaches.  The differences are the window arrangement, undercar applinaces, skirting (full, partial, or none) and roof vents.  Of course the interiors would be arranged differently but they could be modular too.  I know there are other subtle differences but the cars would be anywhere from 95-100 percent correct as opposed to another Santa Fe prototype with another RR name on the side.

After all that, I would love to see more southern and additional southwestern roads done.  While I was in Tennessee, I was seriously considering modeling the Hummingbird.  However, I think the smaller trains need to be even more accurate than the transcons and I just couldn't find anything close enough.

Ricky

Walthers had modular passenger car kits back in the ‘80’s.  They were heavy weight cars.  One kit had blank sides so you could cut your own window arrangement.    It was called  “DO IT YOURSELF 80’ PASSENGER CAR”  (w/Molded Roof & Super details) No opening in side-cut where you what.  Walthers number 933-6600 (1980 Edition). I suggested this to them back over twenty years ago for lightweight passenger cars.  There is a small company called brass car sides that Walthers carries and the price is about $35 a pair. A very good friend that owned a hobby shop had close ties with Walthers told me the answer is few modelers want to build these days.  They want it right out of the box to the track.  Think, how many train models are kits? They now even attach the hand rails. Does Athearn still make their shake the box kits today?

 

I’m a C.B.&Q. person and I am looking for N.P. dome and duplex sleeper, travel rest lounge, observation, and even a head end car. I suggested the N.P. trains to Walthers as they already had close to half the cars. I also suggest two Q trains.  The Twin Cities (Morning/Afternoon Z.) seven cars.  They would need to make two new cars a baggage lounge and domed observation. For the DZ they would need just the blunt end dome observation.  Yes their dome coach is the C.P. dome lounge. Their answer on this was marketing, need to sell.  I was told that they took it in the neck on the Milwaukee equipment.

 

[ManOWar]

Yes Zepher.  That is the old Terminus Station across the street from Rich’s Department store in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.  The bridge is the Mitchell Street Bridge which by the way was totally rebuilt as part of the America Restoration and Recovery Act.  I figure that the photo is about 1962 maybe early 1963 because tavern-lounge Fort Benning is missing (pulled from service on the Man O’War in 1958 and mothballed in Savannah) and one of the coaches is to.  Most likelyFortMcPherson due to a freak accident inColumbus when a run away SAL cement car crushed the vestibule in the impact.

 

The station was raised after Amtrak took over in 1971 and the Russell Federal Building now sits on the site. 

 

 

Truly a Pike-Sized Passenger train if there ever was one.

 

John    

 

[Geared Steam]

I guess I'll pull the trigger this round. 

[caldreamer]

ITS OFFICIAL!!! I just got my new Walthers flyer and they and announed the Empire Builder as their next passenger train.  10 cars with an F7 A-B-B-A set of locomotives for power.

See pages 26 and 27 of their new flyer.

    Ira

[green_elite_cab]

wjstix

I would think Walthers Pere Marquette train wouldn't be interesting to that many modellers, at least I'd think there would be more people interested in a train on the SAL, ACL, Southern, CofG etc. - especially one of the long-distance trains running from the North to Florida. Yet Walthers did the Pere Marquette train.

 

I agree,  It also helps that Walthers already has a few SCL prototypes (such as their Budd round end observation tavern lounge, Budd 52 Seat Coach, and others).  

[wjstix]

I would think Walthers Pere Marquette train wouldn't be interesting to that many modellers, at least I'd think there would be more people interested in a train on the SAL, ACL, Southern, CofG etc. - especially one of the long-distance trains running from the North to Florida. Yet Walthers did the Pere Marquette train.

[green_elite_cab]

personally, I love these name trains.  As an early Amtrak modeler,  everytime they come out with a new name train, its usually a car I can use for my own prototype consists.   If i'm lucky, they even make the car in Amtrak phase I,  though i've had to custom paint a few. 

It beats building core kits!

[Texas Zepher]

ManOWar

the Central of Georgia, the Georgia RR and affiliates A&WP, WRofA)

John, That is a great photo.  Do you know the location? 

[ManOWar]

Thank you Zephyr, I am not crazy.   Have had similar conversations with Walther’s and the MR staff about modeling in the Deep South (specifically the Central of Georgia, the Georgia RR and affiliates A&WP, WRofA), and felt their indifference.  It is kind of like there is a giant black hole radiating out of Atlanta for several hundred miles and to them (Walther’s and MR) nothing worth while exist there.  Guess I’ll just have to keep building my own equipment and make the best of a bad situation.  Shame, there is a lot of great trains to model down their and I genuinely feel that a lot of model railroaders are missing out on something special. 

 

John

 

[jmbjmb]

Texas Zepher

  They candidly told me they were shy of doing any trains from the Southeast.   Apparently SE road names don't see well in general. 

I suppose SE road names don't do well becasue they do so few of them that they never get a following.  Kind of like everyone models ATSF, UP, or Pennsy because that's they mostly make.  Self fullfilling and so forth. 

[Texas Zepher]

Left Coast Rail

I assume you're an HO modeler. I'd look to Broadway Limited for Zephyr cars.

You are thinking of the California Zephyr and Rio Grande Zephyr, a completely different train.

Walters Proto 2000  pretty much is the PA leader and there are plenty out there.  The Faribanks Morse are more of a brass item.

That is my point exactly.  They have the tooling for both the PA and FM but have not yet used them for road specific power for a named train.   A special run of PAs would have been perfect for the latest San Francisco Chief set, but NOOOOO another stupid set of F units.

[Left Coast Rail]

I assume you're an HO modeler. I'd look to Broadway Limited for Zephyr cars.  I've seen that Walthers  are going to come out with a U.P. Executive train although the E units won't have ditch lights and only a few of the cars are close to being accurate for the rivet counters amonst us.   Walters Proto 2000  pretty much is the PA leader and there are plenty out there.  The Faribanks Morse are more of a brass item.  The manufacturers like to make and sell stuff that uses molds which require slight re-tooling and accessories in order to keep production costs down. 

[Texas Zepher]

I talked, at length, to the Walther's representatives at a train show in March (RMD TCA March 1 in Denver).  They candidly told me they were shy of doing any trains from the Southeast.   Apparently SE road names don't see well in general.   When I pressed they did say a re-run of the UP Cities of was a very good possibility as it had sold out so quickly, but they did not give any hints of what the next new thing would be.   I dropped a hint for the Denver Zephyr.

When I told them they were coming out with stuff too quickly, it seems they had also never thought of people like me who model the trains not a specific road.  Apparently they figured someone who bought the El Capitan would not consider buying a Broadway Limited.  So they overlapped them making it too expensive for me to buy all of each.    

I also said they needed to get off the E and F unit motive power and get some PAs or FM units to pull the named trains.

(no idea why this font is so small!?)

[riogrande5761]

Zombie or walking dead topic - never heard that before - maybe I need to find that forum and read it more.  Other - non-train forums call it "necro-ing" a topic, in some forums it's against the rules to "necro" a long dead topic.  I always thought it an odd term; necro meaning dead basically so to necro a topic in plain terms would be to make it dead?  Not raise it from the dead?  Who knows.

[AntonioFP45]

Interesting seeing this thread. Imho, as mentioned, there's nothing wrong with bring up an older topic as long as the newer posts add new info or interesting points to the discussion.

Anway, I realize the chances are slim, but I hope that Walthers would consider running another batch of Metroliners in the Penn Central scheme. There were a number of modelers interested as this was the version that the Metrolinenr first entered service in with a number of them remaining in that scheme well into the Amtrak era.

I would have purchased the Pennsy set and changed out the decals, but the price tag was far too steep.  Purchasing the Amtrak version to disassemble and strip the shells was suggested, but it's not a scenario that I relish. 

For me, it's ironic as I was one of the modelers requesting Walthers and other manufacturers to produce the Metros starting in the mid 2000s. 

[ManOWar]

Yes it’s sad; we Central of Georgia modelers are a lonely lot.  Kin to the Maytag repairman I guess.  It has been getting better over the years.  I remember back in the 70’s if you wanted any CG equipment you pretty much had to buy an undecorated kit, paint it and apply some Walther’s or Champion Decals.  My first attempt in modeling the Man O’War was a disaster.  The motive power was an old Athearn F7 (there was no commercially available E7 model except for the option of a Hobby Town drive and a Cary metal shell) decked out in the classic blue-gray but with red pin stripes because the Walther’s decal set only had red.  The passenger cars were Athearn 72 foot corrugated side baggage (I tried to splice a baggage door into a coach but it was a total mess) two coaches and an observation.  Fabricated a tail sign out of some old scrap plastic and used a CG herald from one of the diesel switcher decal sets because there was no Man O’War drumhead available at the time.  It looked good but boy was it a historical basket case.  Fortunately for me I belong to the Southside Model Railroaders in East Waymouth, MA and they were more interested in the Flying Yankee or the East Wind than some old streamliner from peanut land way down south. 

 

[ACY Tom]

I know Walthers likes to concentrate on a particular train, and doesn't show any interest in the whole roster of any single railroad.  However, their new P-S 10-6's seem to be breaking that pattern.  They're not doing entire trains for most of the roads that used these cars, such as NKP, D&RGW, B&O, etc.  I'd like to think this is the way they want to go in the future, but I'm not getting my hopes up.  They did the Broadway Ltd., which gave us several usable PRR cars; but the lounge and tail car were unique to the Broadway and were not quite the same as the much more numerous lounges and tail cars used on other PRR trains such as the Spirit of St. Louis, the Liberty Limited, and the Cincinnati Limited.  A P-S 14-4 would also be nice, lettered for MoPac, T&P, SL-SF, Katy, B&O, KCS, and perhaps a few others.  That would take us a ways forward in putting together a Penn-Texas.  And lest we forget, Walthers never released its Plan 4140 sleeper in L&N lettering on a Tuscan red car for interliner service over the PRR.  That was a lost opportunity.   

[csmith9474]

The Nancy Hanks would be awesome. I have a good friend that is a former engineer on the CofG, and has been really wanting some prototype Central passenger equipment in plastic.