It never hurts to put the ID number of what you're looking for (the manufacturers number, or just find it's number in the Walthers online catalogue) and do a Google search. Sometimes you find some retailer somewhere has it in stock as Brent alludes to above.
Plus a reality of the pandemic is many 'brick and mortar' stores now have websites and now do online orders, even if they didn't do it before. With things the way they are, if you find someplace that has something you're willing to buy, they'll find a way to get it to you!
Try looking a little farther afield. When the great Atlas track shortage was on some years back, the hobby stores up here in the great white North were still awash in the stuff. Also, when people were trying to hunt down the Walthers barge and/or apron kits that were no longer available, a couple of friends found some in Germany and promptly ordered them.
What are you looking for?
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Unfortunately, between "Pre-Orders" being the new normal, shipping issues from overseas, supply issues for certain components, factory issues overseas, and the pandemic, it created this "perfect storm" of "out of stock" that you are seeing.
Even "Pre-Orders" were impacted, as a locomotive "scheduled" for release March 2021 I had pre-ordered way back before COVID is still "Pending", and a different one I had pre-ordered simply got cancelled altogether, both due to "factory issues" that have occurred, some issues from the pandemic, some of "other" sources.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
The reality of model railroading today is that almost everything is made in China, and must be shipped across the Pacific in shipping containers. With the pandemic and oil price increases etc. supplies have been at best hit-and-miss.
If you find something you really want at a good price online, but it's "out of stock" or "sold out", it won't hurt to e-mail the online seller to find out if they expect to get more in the future. Perhaps you could get in on a pre-order for the next batch. I know some seller's websites allow you to set it up so a notice will be e-mailed to you when an item comes back into stock, and then you can decide whether or not to buy it.
BTW now that train shows / railroad flea markets are starting up again, don't overlook them as a possible source.
Frankly, the model train market is usualy all preorder and manufacturers only produce what is ordered. Add to that the pandemic, and well, you've got yourself a little situation. I check, I kid you not, daily, even hourly on eBay for certain items, waiting for something to pop up.
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
Right now everthing is in short supply from time to time, shipping costs are way up and so is the backlog. I saw this coming so I bought all my electronic needs a while back.
Hi Folks, I'm really trying to get into model railroading. I'm leaning towards N scale right now due to available space.
Here's my frustration. When I go to retail websites looking for locomotives (especially) almost everything says SOLD OUT, especially the really cool stuff I want to buy. It is very frustrating. Is this part of the hobby? Or a great demand for trains? Will these retailers re-stock or when something is sold out it's gone for good?
Getting into a new hobby should not be this frustrating. Even local hobby dealers have limited stock on hand.
Any thoughts, folks?