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Walthers Quality

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Posted by tstage on Saturday, August 29, 2020 10:06 PM

Jeff,

I believe I alluded to that in my "i.e. assuming you purchase a set of 4 tires" statement.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by jeffhergert on Saturday, August 29, 2020 9:53 PM

tstage

 

 
rrinker
Everyday price $5 doesn't sell as well as $10 but on sale 50% off. I guess math is just too hard for most people.

 

It's the same with selling tires, Randy.  Ask 10 people which of these deals sounds better?

"25% off all tires"...or..."Buy 3 tires and get the 4th FREE"

At least 5 out of 10 folks will tell you the latter - even though it's the exact same price - i.e. assuming you purchase a set of 4 tires.

Advertising anymore is just "number games".  If an advertiser can get your ear into thinking your getting a deal out of it (and you haven't done your homework, or thought through the math) - they've won that battle.


Anyhow, back to the topic at hand.  I have one of the newer undecorated Walthers (Mainline) SW1 switchers.  It runs and pulls quite well and has some good detailing, which Walthers leaves off on the undecorated shell.

MSRP for those were $100.  I picked it up for $83 and installed a TCS DP2X decoder into it.  I'm very happy with the purchase.

Tom

 

25% of all tires is the better deal.  The "buy 3, get one free" only applies to those who are going to buy a complete set.  If you only need one, it's no deal for you.

Jeff

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Posted by Ringo58 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 6:43 PM

PRR8259

Well some are saying Walthers motor and mechanism is as smooth as you get 

I agree. I wish I could take my genesis shells and put them on a walthers chassis. 

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Posted by Ringo58 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 6:41 PM

DAVID FORTNEY

Again, KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING, IS IT DCC,DC, OR DCC READY. IS IT DETAILED THOUGH FOR YOU?

If you do your homework before buying you will never be disappointed. 

Dave

 



I believe you misread the original post. I know what I bought. all I'm saying is the detail is not up to par with other manufacturer. I know what I bought was DCC ready and I did my homework. 

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Posted by PRR8259 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 5:31 PM

Well some are saying Walthers motor and mechanism is as smooth as you get...that there have been less issues than with some others.  For me Walthers diesels have been just fine.

If it is a model or paint scheme you have to have...they are fine.

John

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Posted by DAVID FORTNEY on Saturday, August 29, 2020 4:29 PM

Again, KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING, IS IT DCC,DC, OR DCC READY. IS IT DETAILED THOUGH FOR YOU?

If you do your homework before buying you will never be disappointed. 

Dave

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Posted by tstage on Saturday, August 29, 2020 2:12 PM

rrinker
Everyday price $5 doesn't sell as well as $10 but on sale 50% off. I guess math is just too hard for most people.

It's the same with selling tires, Randy.  Ask 10 people which of these deals sounds better?

"25% off all tires"...or..."Buy 3 tires and get the 4th FREE"

At least 5 out of 10 folks will tell you the latter - even though it's the exact same price - i.e. assuming you purchase a set of 4 tires.

Advertising anymore is just "number games".  If an advertiser can get your ear into thinking your getting a deal out of it (and you haven't done your homework, or thought through the math) - they've won that battle.


Anyhow, back to the topic at hand.  I have one of the newer undecorated Walthers (Mainline) SW1 switchers.  It runs and pulls quite well and has some good detailing, which Walthers leaves off on the undecorated shell.

MSRP for those were $100.  I picked it up for $83 and installed a TCS DP2X decoder into it.  I'm very happy with the purchase.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, August 29, 2020 1:42 PM

 One wonders what has to give to achieve a price like that - the horrid Digitrax 8 bit sound decoders are about $40, so they're doing the shell and drive for $30? Granted, this is a special closeout - I see most other road names are $100 for the same loco, and original MSRP was $144, which seems much more reasonable.

 If anything, I'd go with the DC version and put my own decoder in it so I know it would have a quality decoder at least. There are just too many compromises on these "value" decoders to make them much of a value. They are, I feel, doing to DCC and sound what cheap train sets did for the hobby in general - attract new people who then discard it out of frustration rather than move up. 

 Walthers, it has always seemed to me, follows the "attempt to fool the consumer" method of marketing by setting really high MSRPs on their products and then selling for a substantial discount. JC Penney, to their detriment, proved this is how the typical consumer works. Everyday price $5 doesn't sell as well as $10 but on sale 50% off. I guess math is just too hard for most people. 

But wow, the price for their new name train. Glad I don't model the 60's Santa Fe in an area that would need that train.

                                --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by Ringo58 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 1:03 PM

rrebell

 What amazes me is the level of detail and DCC and sound in Bachmanns S4 for under $70 at a retail place, not worth it to add a decoder with sound to some other DCC ready  engines.

Ive been thinking about one of those...

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Posted by rrebell on Saturday, August 29, 2020 12:52 PM

Ringo58

 

 
Bayfield Transfer Railway

Bellyaching about a model with sound and DCC for under $200 is just silly.

 

 

 
I'm not complaining about the price, it's the level of detail you get for the price. Example above is 2 models I bought at around the same time. The sd60 from walthers: $125 (With 15% off)
The RTR sd39 : $90 shipped to my door. 
 
What I'm saying is the level of detail isn't up to par with the price unlike other brands.
Also speaking in DC not DCC/sound.
 
 

What amazes me is the level of detail and DCC and sound in Bachmanns S4 for under $70 at a retail place, not worth it to add a decoder with sound to some other DCC ready  engines.

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Posted by Ringo58 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 12:38 PM

Motley

And yes Athearn RTR has stepped up in detail and have good decoders at a good price. I bought some of the Sd40s.

 

 
I was really suprized when I opened the box and saw the level of detail!
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Posted by Ringo58 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 12:31 PM

Bayfield Transfer Railway

Bellyaching about a model with sound and DCC for under $200 is just silly.

 

 
I'm not complaining about the price, it's the level of detail you get for the price. Example above is 2 models I bought at around the same time. The sd60 from walthers: $125 (With 15% off)
The RTR sd39 : $90 shipped to my door. 
 
What I'm saying is the level of detail isn't up to par with the price unlike other brands.
Also speaking in DC not DCC/sound.
 
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Posted by Motley on Saturday, August 29, 2020 12:26 PM

I recently bought a few of the mainline SD60s, and ES44s. I will add the mu hoses and sun shades later. But I plan on having the mainline's in a consist, with my more detailed locos (Athearn Genesis) up front. So it wont matter much to me and saving a few bucks is good.

And yes Athearn RTR has stepped up in detail and have good decoders at a good price. I bought some of the Sd40s.

Michael


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Mile-HI-Railroad
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Posted by Bayfield Transfer Railway on Saturday, August 29, 2020 11:41 AM

A 1956 American Flyer GP7 would cost $240 in today's money.

 

Bellyaching about a model with sound and DCC for under $200 is just silly.

Disclaimer:  This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.

Michael Mornard

Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!

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Posted by DAVID FORTNEY on Saturday, August 29, 2020 11:35 AM

You can buy detail kits for your engines. I don't buy mainline because the lack of detail and the fact I can no longer add the detail because of a medical issue with my hands. 

This is why mainline engines are around $139.00 and proto are about $250.00.

Also do your research before buying anything, know what are buying, price, etc. 

Dave

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Posted by Ringo58 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 10:46 AM

Lastspikemike

Proto is quite a bit more expensive than Mainline.

I was reading that tread and actualy made me think of this. I like their proto stuff I feel like they just ask too much for models that arent on par with other manufactures 

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Posted by Ringo58 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 10:45 AM

Mainline is midgrade, trainline is the low end stuff. I would compare maineline to RTR and RTR blows it out of the water. For example, this is an athearn rtr model

and a mainline

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Posted by rrebell on Saturday, August 29, 2020 9:59 AM

Mainline is their low end stuff.

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Walthers Quality
Posted by Ringo58 on Saturday, August 29, 2020 7:13 AM

Is it just me or does anyone else feel let down with walthers locomotives and rolling stock? I feel like the $139 price tag on the mainline locos are a bit much for they quality you get. I mean no airhoses? Ditch lights?

I know you can find them on some hobby sights for under $100 but most places still ask $120. I had 2 mainline locos, a CNW SD60 in zito yello and a UP AC4400. Both ran amazing but I felt let down with the detail on both.

Granted the AC4400 had dich lights but nothing else. I felt like I was sold a trainline in a mainline box. Ended up selling the SD60 after I found an older athearn one for $50 and had much better detail. 

I paid $125 at my LHS for the SD60 ( with a 15% off sale ) and $130 for a Genesis GP7u shipped to my door. I feel like it's just worth it to go find an older athearn.

 

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