I've never been impressed with Walthers website. It seems no matter how you enter your search argument, you either get no hits or far more hits than you wanted and have to scroll through page after page to find the item you want. It doesn't speak well of their technology that one can find what they are looking for faster with the printed catalog than they can using their website. I didn't buy their catalog this year but I saved the one from last year. If I want to look for an item, I first find it in the printed catalog and then use the product number to find it on their website to see if it is in stock.
Is anyone else having problems with the Walthers website? I sure am, and have been for a while.
I used to be able to log on to my account and navigate in ordinary ways between pages. Now, every time I leave the page where I logged in I have to log in again on every page I go to, somewhat more than a nuisance. That even includes where I add an item to my shopping cart. It is such a pain in the you-know-what that I no longer bother ordering online from them. Walthers has lost more than a few sales to me for that reason. For a while I thought it might be a problem specific to my computer, but I tried their site on other computers with the same result. I used to use the wishlist system as a convenient place to compare types of items and prices, but it is too frustrating to bother now.
The new search function seems woefully less versatile than the previous iteration. When I said so in an email to them an executive responded reminding me it was a huge chore to ride herd on so many products. That response seemed ingenuine, because they did so just fine with the old search engine, and it also seems they offer fewer prducts than before anyway. Equally frustrating, the last few times I tried searching using the new engine, the result list was front-end-loaded with Walthers products usually completely unrelated to what I was serching for.
Like many others, the printed catalog was a valued resource for me, for several reasons. I learned about products I was unaware of, that met a need I had but had not clearly identified until I saw the perfect product to meet the need. That always generated a sale. I also roamed the catalog all year long, and found a great deal of inspiration to support building my dream, and product-derived ideas about how to do it better than I thought I could. The catalog also reminded me what was likely to be in stock without my having to roam widely online to find it at other outlets. We live rurally and the closest brick & mortar shop, which isn't well stocked at all, is 1.5 hours away each direction, not the sort of option for a run for a quick single item purchase. I do my share of online shopping at manufacturers' websites, but one site where I could get most of what I needed was always handy. With a two year production cycle intended for the catalog no one will ever be able to rely on product availability from Walthers itself.
I hope the company isn't in distress. But I'm not sure they're really doing themselves a favor how things are at present.
When I saw the term flexible busses, I thought it was referring to articulated busses. I first saw these on city busses in Omaha in the mid 1960s. Here is a more modern example:
articulated busses - Yahoo Image Search Results
chutton01Well...I was going to mention the 1969-1973 BritCom "On the Buses", but I think this Flxible Buses ad (located middle of the page) from the 1950s makes the case better...so, at least 60+ years or so. Bimonthly according to some searching I did seems to have had both meanings since the 1840s.
-Matt
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
crossthedogAnd when did the plural of bus become buses instead of busses?"
dentally, I remember Walthers asking me if I would prefer to keep getting the Flyer every month, or get it once every two months, or not get it at all. So they're probably trying to balance printing costs, which must be high, with demand.
chutton01Hmm, it seems the flyer a few months ago went to a bi-monthly (the 'every two months' meaning, not the 'twice a month' meaning - no ambiguity what-so-ever with the definition of 'bi-monthly' Hmm) release schedule.
Incidentally, I remember Walthers asking me if I would prefer to keep getting the Flyer every month, or get it once every two months, or not get it at all. So they're probably trying to balance printing costs, which must be high, with demand. I probably wouldn't read it if it didn't come in the mailbox.
John-NYBWI'd like to see a virtual online version of the catalog where you can flip electronic pages, similar to what you can do with MR's archive issues.
John-NYBW I'd like to see a virtual online version of the catalog where you can flip electronic pages, similar to what you can do with MR's archive issues. I don't know what the feasibility of such a catalog would be from a cost stand point, but I'd prefer that to the current website. It's hard to figure out what the right search argument should be for what you are trying to find. You either get no hits or way more than you wanted. If there was an online catalog, once you found what you are looking for, you could then look up the item number on the website to determine availability.
I'd like to see a virtual online version of the catalog where you can flip electronic pages, similar to what you can do with MR's archive issues. I don't know what the feasibility of such a catalog would be from a cost stand point, but I'd prefer that to the current website. It's hard to figure out what the right search argument should be for what you are trying to find. You either get no hits or way more than you wanted. If there was an online catalog, once you found what you are looking for, you could then look up the item number on the website to determine availability.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
When I was a teen, the Walther's catalog was like a Sears & Roebuck catalog: something with lots of stuff that I couldn't afford but hopefully could someday! I still use my old catalogs as reference but I don't see myself ever buying another one. I do agree that the catalog was easier to use than the website. I guess I'm old-fashioned in that regard.
So here's my 2 nickles worth:
Walthers asked if people still wanted the catalog. The problem has been Walthers has been having a problem off loading them as more and more people go online to search for parts.There used to be a requirement to be an authorized Walthers Distributor you had to buy so many of the catalogs. And hobby shops had to then unload them.
While fewer and fewer people go to the catalog, there's a problem:
As a personal shopper it is a LOT easier to page flip and find then go through the website. And it allows my imagination to flow in other areas. I can see by seeing products by 3rd parties which encourages me to build more.
If you go to Walther's site, it's mainly focused about presenting their products first and there is no particular order. Before you would have dockside stuff organized together, or steel industry stuff, or town buildings. Now it's just a mishmashed hodge podge. And then finding competitors offerings is harder. Basically walthers did a google of prioritizing themselves first and making it harder to find competitors. But in the end I will end up buying less.
When I had the catalog in my hand I bought more...a lot more, because I saw more variety, it was better organized, and I found stuff more quickly. The pictures (while costly to print) allowed my imagination to pick out more models which I could order. I mean could you order a Hulettt without seeing it? Or how many varieties of ore/coal cars are there, or box cars? Without seseing it, you just won't know if it's right or not for your layout. And cross looking them up online is a pain.Any way, Walthers sent the email out they are going to restrict the catalog to every other year now.
When I was first in the hobby I bought almost everything from my local hobby shop. I loved going in so I could look at the Walthers catalogue but I didn't have the money to actually buy one. Then one day when I was in the shop the owner handed my a copy of last year's catalogue to keep. I was in seventh heaven! I'm sure they got a great return on their donation!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The current catalog is the first one in memory I haven't bought. I liked having the catalog because it was easier to browse than going on line but I've gotten to the point where I'm not buying that much new stuff and when I do, I know exactly what I want and can go right to it.
I saved the 50th and 75th anniversary editions. I found it interesting that the price of like items had for the most part stayed pretty much the same when adjusted for inflation. You can't really compare locos because the modern locos have so many more features and much finer detail than what was typical back in the 1980s. Those are definitely more expensive when you compare DC to DC.
1963 Walthers HO catalog and reference manual for model railroaders $1.00.
1967 Walthers HO catalog $1.00.
1969 Walthers HO catalog 120 pages $2.00.
1971 Walthers HO catalog 144 pages $2.00.
The front covers back then were really boring.
The old catalogs are somewhat of a History Lesson for the Model Railroad hobby.
Looks like it was hit and mostly miss for me with the catalogs when HO and N-scale was combined to make a catalog thinner then the old HO-scale catalog.
I have a couple of them, one from 2014 and one from 2018 or so. I can see where Sheldon's collection would be really useful as a reference of what came out when and who made it, so that when things turn up in the used market you could get an idea of what you'd be getting. Or even, find something that isn't available right now but you could keep an eye out for because, as we know, everything comes back around eventually.
But mainly, it's nostalgia for me. My dad splurged on the catalog when it cost 5 clams back in the '70s, which was a lot for us. We thumbed it up for years. It was my window onto the vast world of what was possible. Even though I don't usually buy stuff from it, I get a good feeling all over when I flip through it. Not quite like climbing the rope in gym class in junior high, but pretty close.
MidlandMikeIf I have a specific item from a specific company, then I can go to their website. However, if I want to see what's available generally, then a catalog with various manufacture's products is a convenience.
I agree. While catalogs may be old-fashioned, they sure make it easy to just browse page after page to see some products that one may not find by typing in certain searches.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
If I have a specific item from a specific company, then I can go to their website. However, if I want to see what's available generally, then a catalog with various manufacture's products is a convenience.
NittanyLion NHTX Folks, I don't carry a computer everywhere I go. But 85 percent of the US population does.
NHTX Folks, I don't carry a computer everywhere I go.
But 85 percent of the US population does.
Exactly. I do think one benefit of a printed catalog is that you have an archive of past product available, to kind of take a guess into the future as to what tooling may be re-run someday... but other than that a computer search can direct me to a product I want, where its being sold; and who is selling it... and it opens up markets from overseas if I want to see what is going on there as well... or directs me to secondhand sellers on places like eBay if a product is discontinued... or just to video reviewers who might give me a sense on IF I even actually want the product via them showcasing it on their channels.I have never owned a Walthers catalog in print, and while I certainly like the sound of the novelty I can see why its high past time for it to fade away.
NHTXFolks, I don't carry a computer everywhere I go.
NHTX Another problem relating to the reason I expect an illustrated catalog instead of a stock number or part number listing-0h! Wait. It is illustrated on their website. Or the manufacturer's website. Folks, I don't carry a computer everywhere I go. If I have to go to the mfrs. website, I can usually order it from them also. So what good is the catalog?
Another problem relating to the reason I expect an illustrated catalog instead of a stock number or part number listing-0h! Wait. It is illustrated on their website. Or the manufacturer's website. Folks, I don't carry a computer everywhere I go. If I have to go to the mfrs. website, I can usually order it from them also. So what good is the catalog?
Do you carry the Walthers catalog everywhere you go?
Why would anyone order from Walthers or the manufacturer and pay MSRP? Order from a retailer and pay street price.
I don't think I've ever ordered something based solely on the small pictures and limited descriptions in the Walthers catalog. I've always treated the Walthers catalog (and any catalog) as a guide.
They used to list a lot of stuff trhey didn't have in stock but it let you know it was out there.
Texas Zephyr dknelson is not what it once was, particularly once Walthers started dropping the smaller but still valued lines of detail parts and other secondary (to their mind) items. And not having Athearn and Athearn parts in the catalog made it much less of the "single source" it was a few decades ago. I don't know about the first part. Seems other companies have gobbled up a lot of the smaller shops. BUT as I understand it, not having Athearn is not their choice. Horizon Hobbies are the ones that don't want to list their products in a competitors catalog.
dknelson is not what it once was, particularly once Walthers started dropping the smaller but still valued lines of detail parts and other secondary (to their mind) items. And not having Athearn and Athearn parts in the catalog made it much less of the "single source" it was a few decades ago.
I don't know about the first part. Seems other companies have gobbled up a lot of the smaller shops. BUT as I understand it, not having Athearn is not their choice. Horizon Hobbies are the ones that don't want to list their products in a competitors catalog.
Walthers does not sell Athearn products, wholesale or retail. When Horizon bought Athearn, they made a wise decision to go to single point distribution. All retailers buy Athearn direct from Horizon.
Distributors are almost a dead idea in this business anyway. More and more manufacturers are selling direct to the public and/or are willing to sell to all retailers directly, large or small.
Horizon made that move for several reasons. Athearn prices needed to be stabilized, there were too many "basement dealers". And Horizon was already a hobby distributor and manufacturer just like Walthers, mainly in R/C planes, cars and boats.
Walthers on the other had hand been giving Athearn less and less "quality of presentation" in the catalog for decades ever since they bought Train Minature and got into the plastic freight car business directly themselves.
I would bet, if the truth was known, Walthers would be happy to be completely out of the business of being a distributor of other brands, and only sell their own brands to retailers and still run their retail website.
People said Horizon would destroy Athearn with the various changes. They were all wrong, Horizon saved Athearn and MDC.
The Walthers catalog was a great reference back in the day when manufacturers were actually interested in having products in stock for people to buy. We all know that has changed, and so has the hobby.
I'm surprised they plan to keep the catalog at all.
And I have a historical library of them, back into the 70's.......
Sheldon
NHTX Personally, with most manufacturers/importers having their own websites and selling direct to the consumer, the Walthers catalog will follow the steam locomotive, the caboose, and the X2F coupler into oblivion.
Personally, with most manufacturers/importers having their own websites and selling direct to the consumer, the Walthers catalog will follow the steam locomotive, the caboose, and the X2F coupler into oblivion.
I still want steam locomotives and cabeese for my railroad in catalogs. The horn-hooks, not so much.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
For me, the end of the Walthers' catalog came when I bought the 2017 edition. It had been steadily going down hill, in not illustrating the products they were selling. I saw a boxcar kit that caught my eye but the catalog entry only contained the railroad's name, car class on that road, the stock number and, price. I was interested but figured, I better check the class, to see if the car was what I thought it might be. I chased that class to the prototype and, found it was for a car that was way too old for my era. A wad of cash stayed in my pocket.
Another problem relating to the reason I expect an illustrated catalog instead of a stock number or part number listing-0h! Wait. It is illustrated on their website. Or the manufacturer's website. Folks, I don't carry a computer everywhere I go. If I have to go to the mfrs. website, I can usually order it from them also. So what good is the catalog? I have Walthers catalogs dating back to 1971, and communicated the foregoing to them. Personally, with most manufacturers/importers having their own websites and selling direct to the consumer, the Walthers catalog will follow the steam locomotive, the caboose, and the X2F coupler into oblivion.
dknelsonis not what it once was, particularly once Walthers started dropping the smaller but still valued lines of detail parts and other secondary (to their mind) items. And not having Athearn and Athearn parts in the catalog made it much less of the "single source" it was a few decades ago.
is not what it once was, particularly once Walthers started dropping the smaller but still valued lines of detail parts and other secondary (to their mind) items. And not having Athearn and Athearn parts in the catalog made it much less of the "single source" it was a few decades ago.
Anyway ...
Green River Hobbies in Geneseo IL just had this in their shop email
"FYI, Walthers has decided that the Annual Reference Book (catalog) is going to a 2-year cycle. So the next available catalog will be in Fall 2023. We still have a few of the 2022 catalogs left in stock."
Dave Nelson