After E-mailing Walthers on Wednesday, I got a response from a Tom Schmitd at Walthers this evening. He says that he is also an avid N scaler and is bummed at the lack of new N scale products from them. At the same time he claims that Walthers has been disappointed with the sales of their Cornerstone line in N scale. Tom suggests that we (N scalers) go to the Walthers web site(www.walthers.com) and look for the section ABOUT US, contact Walthers, and finally "easy survey". He claims that he can't guarantee success using this procedure but says that "it can't hurt". This was a pleasant surprise as I did not expect any kind of reply at all. I intend to invite him to Trainboard when I respond to him later.
It ia always refreshing when someone takes the time to reply to criticism. Good idea about inviting him to join trainboard. Maybe you could email him the original topic or even this one?
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by HERMANzGERMAN: After E-mailing Walthers on Wednesday, I got a response from a Tom Schmitd at Walthers this evening. He says that he is also an avid N scaler and is bummed at the lack of new N scale products from them. At the same time he claims that Walthers has been disappointed with the sales of their Cornerstone line in N scale. Tom suggests that we (N scalers) go to the Walthers web site(www.walthers.com) and look for the section ABOUT US, contact Walthers, and finally "easy survey". He claims that he can't guarantee success using this procedure but says that "it can't hurt". This was a pleasant surprise as I did not expect any kind of reply at all. I intend to invite him to Trainboard when I respond to him later. <hr></blockquote> Glad to see a reply from someone at Walthers. I note that Walthers has announced it will be shipping a blast furnace in N scale in the not too distant future. So contrary to an earlier thread it would appear that Walthers is not ignoring N Scale. Hopefully Tom will join the board and perhaps we can get the inside scoop from Walthers.
What is Walthers' address (email), sounds like a good idea for all of us to email Tom an invite to join us here at the TrainBoard. Maybe he can help get better shipping responce to orders too.
The email address is: comments@walthers.com The website address for the "about us" area is: Walthers They also have a survey you can submit.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Grantha: Glad to see a reply from someone at Walthers. I note that Walthers has announced it will be shipping a blast furnace in N scale in the not too distant future. So contrary to an earlier thread it would appear that Walthers is not ignoring N Scale. Hopefully Tom will join the board and perhaps we can get the inside scoop from Walthers. <hr></blockquote>
Somehow the above quote got screwed up. Probably my fault. Anyway....ahem....I really don't consider one or two N scale releases from Walthers this year to be very significant, when all one has to do is crack open any recent issue of Model Railroader to see the plethera of new releases in HO scale. The ratio has got to be about 24:1 in favor of HO scale.
Hermann, Thanks for your feedback. I sent an email to Walthers customers service, inviting them to give more attention to our scale and made two suggestions regarding building kits: a county style brick depot (generic) and a frame built engine house. I know that n-scale version of HO kits are very much in demand and more waited for, but it doesn 't prevent one to ask for more my 0.02 cents... marc
Just hopped on W's website, and saw that the big W will be discontinuing the Kato E8/9's when they are sold out!!! I would say that shocked me.. What would be nice is a Walthers run of Auto racks, like Con Cor is now doing, but in the articulated variety. Make 'em in all the roads thaey are used in, and MSRP 'em for under 20 bucks, and the buyers will come! Esp if they release the auto plant with it.
Walther's isn't discontinuing the E8/9s, Kato is. And they are just letting you know that when they are out of the model, they won't be getting any more in.
Unbelievable Hemi! That is exactly what I put in for a suggestion, The articulated auto rack! I guess great minds think alike.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by HERMANzGERMAN: Unbelievable Hemi! That is exactly what I put in for a suggestion, The articulated auto rack! I guess great minds think alike. <hr></blockquote> I have been asked by quite a few folks to make the new articulated Autoracks. But as they are outside my line of work, I hope we can get Walthers, or another to make some
Hi Alan. I feel that I owe you an appology of sorts. I keep forgetting that you ARE one of the entrepreneurs in N scale. Without persons such as yourself we truly would be 100% at the mercy of the larger entities such as Walthers. It has been easy for me to forget that, because I have not as yet purchased any of your products. I have several friends and fellow N-trak club members who are heavily into intermodal and rave about your products. It is some sort of mental block I have which keeps me from associating the Alan Curtis that I read about in Nscale magazine, and the one on TrainBoard.com. Please accept my appologies.
As a reply to HemiAdda2d : Kato makes their models in batches, so when a batch is sold out, that is it. They may re-run a batch a few years later, but probably with different roadnames etc.
That's sad, as I want a set of GN Empire Builder smoothside cars, and the rest of the 6 Burlington corrugated cars.. I picked up a set of the A/A 'Q' E8's on ebay for 130$. Sounded like a good deal. Now I have 3 Kato E8's! My roster is expanding!
