Press Release

HO & N scale model railroading supplies

April, 2008

N scale Flat Car

Walthers is releasing new roadnames for the N scale GSC Commonwealth 54' flat car. These cars will add variety to post-50s to the 90s freight consists, and are perfect for the modeler drawn to weathering.

One of the most common of all flat cars, these rugged designs were in service from th 50s to the 90s and a few still operate today. Built around a large one-piece steel casting, the prototypes could handle a wide range of cargo and were often rebuilt for piggy-back loading. These cars are equally at home hauling machinery, steel slabs, and more. They were also fitted with bulkheads and handled loads such as lumber and pipe, and a few roads even outfitted them with log bunks for hauling freshly cut timber.

Walthers states that the car features authentic, razor-sharp paint and lettering with new roadnames and numbers, appropriate trucks, and Accumate magnetic knuckle couplers. It also features revised diecast bodies for extra weight, reliable tracking and imporved detail, and comes with or without bulkheads as appropriate. The car is available individually and in limited-run two packs for a total of three roadnumbers per roadname. The roadnames for single cars include Rock Island, GN, CB&Q, ACL M7SL, SLSF, and ICG.

February, 2008

Modular 3-in-1 building kit and industrial complex available from Walthers

Walthers has released a Cornerstone Modular 3-in-1 Building for both HO and N scale. Also available now is an Ho scale steam or transitional era industrial complex called Empire leather Tanning.

The 3-in-1 Building Set #2 includes the walls, doors, windows, roofs, and more to build one of three different industrial buildings: a two story office with modernized front office addition, a two story factory with large loading addition, or a two story office with modernized front and twin garage bays - all in a single package.

The HO scale version includes two new additions to the HO Modulars line: walls with metal-sash windows and parts from a modernized office entry front. The N scale version includes original wall panels with two small arched widows and parts to add a modernized building front. Complete instructions show what parts to use, while a separate sheet provides basic assembly steps and helpful modeling tips with plenty of illustrations. Designed for easy assembly and kitbashing, parts come molded in appropriate colors. Modelers can use them right out of the box, or customize them with paint.

From tough an durable tool to high fashion statement, leather products play an important role in our daily lives. With the coming of railroads, everything from green hides to finished goods could be moved by train, transforming leather tanning into a major industrial operation. Empire Leather Tanning makes it easy to model a large tannery or almost any kind of steam or transition era industrial complex.

Based on an American prototype, the HO scale kit includes all the parts needed to build four complete structures: the Finishing Building, Tan Yard, Beam House, and Boiler House. A Smokestack and Water Tank are also included . Colorful decal signs for four different industries are provided and the structures can be used together or separately. Parts are moldwed in appropriate colors and can be customized with other Cornerstone Modulars components.

October, 2007

Walthers has release new roadnames and numbers for their Proto 2000 40-foot Mather Stock Cars. These models will be available as Time-Saver kits or as ready-to-run models. The kits are now available and the ready-to-run cars are scheduled to arrive in October 2007.

Before the 1960s, livestock transportation was big business for North America's railroads. Since most livestock moved from range loading pens to meat processors in the fall months, railroads were reluctant to purchase stock cars because they sat empty for much of the year. The Mather Stock car Company of Chicago had a solution to this problem Mather offered the railroads a lease plan, which included maintenance of the cars. The first cars owned by the Mather hit the rails in 1915.

The Proto 2000 Mather Stock Cars are detailed replicas of the cars owned by Mather. The cars include the distinctive Mather patent sheet-metal roof, open or closed ends, AAR standard underframe with AB brakes, weights concealed by interior floorboards. Proto 2000 50-ton spring-plankless trucks metal wheelsets, and magnetic knuckle couplers. The cars are available in single- and double-deck variations as appropriate for each roadname. With both types offered in B&O and NP.

Mather Stock Cars are available as Time-Saver kits designed for easy assembly, with smaller parts such as grab irons already in place. The cars will also be available ready to run. Each comes prepainted and lettered in authentic schemes that are perfect for steam and transition era layouts and each variation is offered in two roadnumbers for a total of four roadnumber per variation/roadname. The latest double deck releases include ACY, B&O, GSX, and NP. Single deck cars include B&O, GN, L&N, MSCX, and NP.

September, 2007

Walthers N scale RS2

The Rs-2 was Alco's first road switcher to incorporate it new 244 Series prime mover. The 1,500 horsepower units were designed for versatility - they were equally at home working road freights or switch runs. If equipped with a steam generator, they were adept at working commuter and secondary passenger runs. Now N-scalers looking for their own workhorses have another option to choose from with the release of Walther's Proto RS-2.

Walther's model feature laser-sharp printing, all-wheel drive and electrical pickup, Accumate knuckle couplers, dual machined brass flywheels, a heavy diecast split-frame chassis, and RP-25 wheels for operation on Code 55 or larger rail. The models are equipped with a five-pole skew wound armature motor, constant intensity and directional headlights, and a DCC-friendly mechanism with a clip-fit circuit board.

The RS-2 will be available in tow roadnumbers each for the following: Eire (black with yellow wings), GM&O (maroon and red), GN (Pullman Green and Omaha Orange), LV ( green and orange with Half Balloon), NYC (Lightning Stripes black and gray), SAL (green and imitation aluminum), UP (Armour Yellow and Gray), SLSF (black) and an undecorated unit.

June, 2007

Walthers Releases Dairy Complex in N scale

Walthers has added the Sterling Dairy Complex to its line of N-scale Cornerstone Modular buildings The complex is now available.

Milk begins its journey to market at he farm. From there the raw product is trucked to the local creamery where it is pasteurized and packaged as milk or processed into other forms like cheese or sour cream. For nearly a century, railroads served as the fastest way to bring these dairy products from the creamery to the city.

Walthers' Sterling Dairy is a typical American dairy complex combined into one complete kit. The kit includes all the parts needed to build a bottling house/condensary, dairy store, office building, powerhouse, and smokestack. A rooftop water tank, rood details, and track bumpers are included. The buildings can be adapted to fit available space and used together or individually. Colorful decals for a variety of other industries are included so modelers can easily customize the models.

Parts are molded in realistic "brick" colors and engineered for perfect fit and alignment so they can easily be expanded or customized with additional Modulars parts packs.

March, 2007

Walthers releases second run of GP38-2 Switchers

A second run of Proto N EMD GP38-2 switchers are now available in new roadnames. The locomotives are patterned after the extremely popular 70s-era 2,000 horsepower roadswitchers that were owned by dozens of railroads. This version, with an 88-inch nose, was produced beginning in 1977. Each DCC-friendly locomotive features a heavy, split-frame chassis, clip-fit printed circuit board with directional LED headlights, five-pole motor with dual flywheels, all-seel drive and electrical pickup, and Accumate knuckle couplers (Rapido-style couplers are also included). RP-25 contour wheels allow operation on any brand of Code 55 or larger track. The locos come with or without dynamic brakes and feature standard of Hi-Ad truck sideframes, and large or small fuel tanks as appropriate. Other features include thin-profile handrails, see-through corner steps, and a packet that includes an add-on snowplow and winterization hatch. The locomotives feature numberboards, marker lights and their black rubber gaskets; printed warning stickers and builders plates; darkened grille work; aluminum window frames; and headlight and market light casings as appropriate for each color scheme. Available roadnames include ATSF, BN, CNW, CR, CSX, Long Island, MP, SP, UP, and undec.

September, 2006

HO scale Pullman Heaveryweight 6-3 Sleeper Ready to Run Passenger Cars: Pullman - - ATSF - - CB&Q - - PRR - - UP gray - - CNW - - NYC - - UP yellow - - SP - - B&O - - DRGW - - MILW - - GN - - ACL - - RI - - Pullman two tone gray - - Undec

Gold Line Trinity RD-4 Coal Hopper Ready to Run 6-pack: Virginia Power - - NS - - BNSF - - CNW - - BNSF - - UP Building America

Gold Line Bethlehem 4000 Cubic Foot 2-bay hopper Ready to Run 6-Pack: MILW Patched Ex Point Comfort & Northern - - WC patche ex BN - - Upper Merion & Plymouth - - SOO new scheme - - WP Black/White end

Gold Line Pullman Standard Auto Parts Box Car Single Door Ready to Run: UP - - ATSF - - BNSF - - CSX - - NYC - - CR - - Unded

Platinum Line International Steel Bay window Caboose Ready to Run: PC - - RI - - Pittsburgh & Lake Erie - - MILW - - SOO brown

Platinum Line PennsylvaniaN6B wood caboose Ready to run: PRR

N Scale Cornerstone Built Up: Golden Valley Depot: Yellow/Brown - - Cream/Green - - Two tone gray

Y-3 2-8-8-2- Powered Ready to Run Proto 2000 Heritage Steam Series with Sound and DCC: ATSF - - N&W - - PRR - - UP - - Virginian.

Standard DC, No Sound will also be available.

HO Scale Freight Cars

50' GACX Wood Express Reefer Ready to Run: REA - - PFE - - URTX

Also available in two packs.

Walthers expands N-Scale Offerings with Modulars

Walthers has released a new Cornerstone Modulars 3-in-1 Building in N scale. This unique kit allows modelers to easily build one of three different custom industrial structures. The 3-in-1 Building Set includes all the walls, doors, windows, roofsand more to build one of three different industrial buildings: a basic rectangle; small one and two sstory buildings; or a expanded "L" shaped structure - in a single package. Complete instructions show what parts to use while a separate sheet provides basic assembly steps and helpful modeling tips with plenty of illustrations.

Designed for easy assembly and kitbashing, each part also comes molded in a realistic color. Modelers can use them right out of the box. Or customize them with paint if desired. Plus, a special set of decal signss is included to add the finishing touch to the new buildings. And since the parts are Cornerstone Modulars, modelers can easily combine additional 3-in-1 Building Sets, or individual parts packs to customers the fulding for their N railroad.

June 2006 HO Releases Announced

Pullman-Built Heavyweight Paired Window Coach - Ready to run:

B&O - - IC - - Wabash

Platinum Line International Steel Bay Window Caboos:

CNW - - BN

Two packsP CR - - CNW - - BN

Gold Line Tacontie Ore Car - Ready to Run 12-pack:

DMIR - - BN

HO Post-war Express Car Conversions

Walthers announces the release of ready-to-run Express boxcars in HO scale. These post World War II models are based on prototype conversions of Troop Kitchen Cars.

American railroads committed all their resources to mobilizing troops during World War Il. Passenger car fleets were stretched to the limit, so special Troop Sleepers and Kitchen Cars, based on existing boxcar designs, were built. Following the war, the cars were sold to the railroads at bargain-basement prices and rebuilt for a variety of new roles. The Walthers models are based on troop kitchen cars converted into Express boxcars by the Burlington, similar cars were also used by the Motion and other roads. In service, they handled baggage, mail, and express shipments on various trains. Many led long lives, remaining in use until the late 1960s.

The models come fully assembled and feature accurate Allied Full-Cushion Trucks, metal wheelsets, working diaphragms, Flush fitting windows, and molded starter points for installing the supplied wire grab irons. The cars are decorated for CB&Q and Monon, and are available individually and in limited run two packs for a total of three roadnumbers per roadname; an undecorated version is also available. The express boxcars retail for $24.98 as single cars or for $49.98 as 2-packs.

A Pullman heavyweight 36-seat diner has been added to Walthers' line of HO-scale passenger cars. A Santa Fe 1300-series wood caboose has also been released in HO scale. Walthers has added this 36-sealer to its line of HO scale heavyweight passenger cars.

Based on plan #7020-A, this model includes complete dining area and kitchen details. The fully assembled model features: scale dimensions and rivet detail; factory-installed side door handrails (additional handrails are also included); complete end, roof, and underbody detail; working diaphragms; correct trucks with RP-25 metal wheels; factory-installed electrical pickup; removable roof with air conditioning ducts; working McHenry knuckle couplers; swinging drawbars; and car and name decals.

The following roadnames are available: ATSF, CB&Q, PRR, UP (gray), CNW, NYC, UP (yellow), SP, B&O, DRGW, MILW, GN, and undercoated. The diner retails for $41.98 each. Walthers is releasing its 1300-series wood caboose as a single car or as a limited-run 2-pack, allowing modelers a quick and easy way to build a fleet with three different numbers per roadname. The Gold Line model is based on cars built by American Car & Foundry in 1923, but shares many features with much older cars dating to the late 1800s, when the road adopted system waycar standards. Among these were recycled steel underframes from retired boxcars, a metal roof, leaf spring arch bar trucks,and huge underframe toolboxes.

Fewer side windows and narrower cupolas gave the 1300s a unique look among the fleet. Most wore standard mineral red for their working lives, and although lettering was simple, three schemes were used including: A.T.&S.F. before 1938, A.T.S.F. from 1938 to 1943 and ATSF from 1943 until retirement. The 1300s were the last wooden waycars purchased by the Santa Fe, but some are known to have served in lesser roles until the mid-1970s. The caboose is equipped with turned metal 33-inch wheelsets, new McHenry semi-scale couplers, and a complete set of preformed add-on wire grab irons. It will be available as single cars and in limited run two-packs, allowing modelers a quick and easy way to build a fleet with as many as three different car numbers per roadname. Single cars for A.T.&S.F., A.T.S.F., ATSF, and undecorated retail for $24.98 each. Limited-run 2-packs of the above are available for $49.98 each. 

New HO Series for Steam Era

Walthers has announced an all-new Empire Gas Works series of HO Scale structures and accessories. The first releases, the Gas Plant (#933-2905) and USRA 55 Ton Two-Bay Hopper Six-Packs (#932-970 series) are now available. For over a century, the gas works was a fixture of American cities and towns. Long before natural gas and electricity were common, these facilities generated "coal gas" to power street lamps, home appliances, and industrial machinery. The gas was actually a byproduct, made by baking coal to produce coke. Running night and day, a variety of fascinating machinery and structures were needed, along with plenty of rail service.

The first release in the new Empire Gas Works series is a detailed replica of a gas plant. After raw gas was recovered from the coke retorts, it was piped to the plant for cooling and cleaning. This required several pressurized steel tanks, each handling part of the process. As newer methods of producing and improving the energy output of the gas were introduced, the plant was updated and additional larger tanks constructed alongside to handle increased production. Typical of a modernized operation, the new Gas Plant kit is a realistic blend of old and new.

The kit is complete with a large main building featuring brick detailing and older-style arched windows with realistic thin frames. Alongside, a series of steel tanks give the plant its unique identity. The Gas Plant (#933-2905) retails for $59.98. To help modelers build a sizable fleet quickly, Walthers new cars come fully assembled in sets of six with different car numbers. Eight authentic paint and lettering schemes from the popular steam-diesel transition era are available. The cars are complete with turned metal wheels and McHenry knuckle couplers. Roadnames include: Virginian, Santa Fe, Western Maryland, C&O, N&W, B&O, Pennsylvania, Illinois Central, and Nickel Plate Road. The sets retail for $74.98 each.

The 8-1-2 Sleeper, a new series of Pullman-built heavyweight cars, has been released by Walthers for HO scale. These fully assembled and detailed models are based on plan #3979-A and are now available.

The Sleeper cars feature full interiors. All of the seating, walls, and fixtures are molded as separate parts, with upper berths folded against the ceiling and rubber tiles on the floors where they were found on the prototype. In addition, Walthers states parts are molded in realistic colors and some are painted to bring the interior to a new level of realism. For the first time, these cars will come with side door handrails installed, while a complete set of add on handrails and grab irons are provided for those who wish to superdetail their models.

Additional features include: scale dimensions and rivets, a full underbody, removable roof with air conditioning ducts, scale setback windows, machinery semi-scale knuckle couplers, correct trucks with RP-25 metal wheels, factory-installed electrical pickups (interior lighting kits will be offered separately; #933-1087 for DC $10.98 and #933-1088 for DCC $7.98), swinging drawbars to handle layout curves down to a 24-inch radius, and working diaphragms.

By the mid-1920s, the general public was requesting more private accommodations aboard Pullman cars. And many were willing to pay the extra fares for the privilege. As a compromise, Pullman introduced a new plan with an 8-1-2 interior arrangement, which offered a wider selection of sleeping space for every budget while still carrying a large number of passengers.

Most of the interior was given over to eight open sections, which featured upper and lower berths. For those who wanted a bit more space and privacy, two mid-priced compartments were available. These also provided upper and lower berths, along with their own sink and toilet. For those who needed plenty of room, such as a family traveling together, a single drawing room was provided. This was the largest and most expensive of all Pullman accommodations, providing the same features as a compartment, as well as a sofa. If needed, small doors between each private room could be unlocked to create a larger suite.

A popular car on luxury trains for many years, Walthers' new 8-1-2 is based on the 242 cars built to Pullman plan #3979-A between 1928 and 1930. The model represents cars modernized in the 1930s with mechanical air conditioning, some of which remained in service into the early 1960s. Some retired cars were converted to maintenance-of-way sleepers and were used into the 1980s.

The new 8-1-2 Sleepers are available painted and lettered in the following schemes; car name and number decals are also provided so several can be used in the same train: Pullman (#932-10051); Santa Fe (#932-10052); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (#932-10053); Pennsylvania (#932-10054); Union Pacific - gray (#932-10055); Chicago & North Western (#932-10056); New York Central (#93210057); Union Pacific-yellow (#932-10058); Southern Pacific (#932-10059); Baltimore & Ohio (#932-10060); Denver & Rio Grande Western (#932-10061); Milwaukee Road (#93210062); Great Northern (#93210063); and undecorated (#932-10050). The sleepers retail for $41.98 each.

Walthers debuted its new line of heavyweight passenger cars with the 12-1 sleeper car. This design hails back to the early days of the Twentieth Century, offering 12 curtained off sleeping units which folded down from day seating. One bedroom was also included in these cars, offering sleeping for several, plus a private bathroom. At either end of the car were public bathrooms for passengers of that car. The men's room at one end offered a sofa and chairs to act as a smoking lounge while the women's room featured a three-chair vanity. Heavyweight cars got that moniker because the spaces beneath the floor were filled with concrete to lower the center of gravity. This improved the ride and reduced sway, but required heavy-duty trucks and more effort to pull. The Walthers car recreates the four-and six-axle trucks as required, adds appliances beneath the car, and models the rooflines used during that era of construction. All of the cars feature All dressed up in Pennsy colors with decals for the historic names used on these cars, this sample shows the heavy six-wheel trucks. The inset reveals the gray tiled floors in the bathroom, brown floors elsewhere, green leather upholstery, white porcelain, and cream walls of these new interiors.

plastic knuckle couplers on the Walthers swing arm system. The interior is modeled in a variety of different colors to more closely replicate passenger cars of that period. This wealth of detail can be illuminated by installing the optional lighting kit. While the car comes assembled with passenger door handrails installed, there are other grab irons which purchasers can add. These require drilling with a #80 bit and a small amount of glue. Each car also includes a decal set which covers roadname collections of either names or numbers in the appropriate paint colors.

"Vista" Series Observation-lounge Completes Walthers HO Super Chief

Walthers has announced the release of the eighth and final Super Chief passenger car, the Pullman Standard "Vista" series Observation-Lounge. The Super Chief series features eight cars based on those assigned to Santa Fe's Super Chief passenger train.

One of the grand traditions carried over from the days of heavyweight cars on the Super Chief was an observation car at the rear of the train. Although the modern streamlined cars no longer had an open viewing platform, they more than made up for it with additional creature comforts. When the train was refitted in 1947, four "Vista" series observation-lounges were ordered from Pullman-Standard. These cars combined a traditional lounge area with plush seats for 16 and large windows, with a single bedroom and four drawing rooms. These accommodations allowed the train to carry more passengers and increase revenue (in earlier years, observation-lounges were provided on name trains as a courtesy to passengers, but generated little or no income).

The eighth and final release in Walthers' new Super Chief series is based on the four "Vista" series cars delivered by Pullman-Standard in November of 1947. The HO Scale model has the classic round-end "boat-tail" styling, plus all the features found on Walthers passenger cars, including a working diaphragm, flush-fitting windows, add-on wire grab irons, and more.

As with other Walthers models, the car is designed for easy installation of interior lighting kit (#933-1049), which is available separately priced at $10.98.

Walthers' Super Chiefseries includes eight individual cars.

• 932-9001 Budd "Pine" Series 10-6 Sleeper - $39.98

• 932-9002 73-foot Budd Baggage Car - $39.98

•932-9003 Pullman-Standard 36-Seat Diner - $39.98

• 932-9004 Pullman-Standard 29-Seat Dormitory Lounge - $39.98

• 932-9005 Pullman-Standard "Hotevilla" Series 4-4-2 Sleeper - $39.98

• 932-9006 Pullman-Standard Pleasure Dome -$49.98

• 932-9007 63-foot Budd Railway Post Office - $39.98

The eight cars make a perfect layout-sized train and additional sleepers can easily be added to model an authentic consist.

To complete the Super Chief, Walthers and Athearn Genesis are releasing a special limitedrun of Santa Fe's signature F units in traditional Passenger Warbonnet colors and featuring the road's unique numbering. Two HO scale sets will be offered. The first (#141-99041) includes a powered F7A (#47L) and B Unit (#47A) and is priced at $254.98. The second set (#14199042) features a dummy F7B (#47B) and A Unit (#47C) and is priced at $199.98.

Since the late 1800s, small brick store fronts have been trademarks of business districts small and large. Thousands of these buildings, constructed when every facade received at least some ornamental styling, still line small-town streets and the older boulevards of larger cities. When originally constructed, the structures housed shops on the ground floor while the shopkeepers lived upstairs.
The new Gold Ribbon Series Robert's Used Books kit is patterned after a typical pre-1900 storefront. The model features a brick facade complete with a decorative cornice, storefront with recessed entrance door and a separate stairwell entrance on the left side. Like other Gold Ribbon Series structures, the main parts of Robert's Used Books feature easy, snap-together construction. Many parts come molded in two colors for a painted appearance right out of the box. Windows feature delicately molded frames on clear glazing for added realism. Also included are decals with several business names and an interior light. The finished model (#933-3615) measures 3-1/2 x 41/4 x 4-5/8 inches (8.9 x 10.8 x 11.7cm) and retails for $29.98.

Modern Roundhouse

Walthers has announced the release of the HO Modern Roundhouse and Modern Roundhouse add-on Stalls, the latest in the Engine Servicing Facility series of Cornerstone Series kits. The kit is designed especially for large locomotives.

When railroads began designing and buying more powerful and longer steam locos in the early 1920s, engineers had to consider if their proposals would fit existing roundhouses and turntables. As a result, these new engines were often just the first step in a larger modernization program and many railroads built new facilities to increase efficiency and lower costs. Size was based on the number of engines coming and going in any 24-hour period, with the busiest terminals requiring full-circle roundhouses. Brick was still the favored material for construction since it reduced the chances of fire and allowed for easier expansion. And with the arrival of even larger engines during the late 30s and 40s, some roads extended a few stalls of existing roundhouses to handle these giants.

In operation, roundhouses were some of the busiest of all railroad facilities. Steam locos required frequent inspection and daily lubrication of their many moving parts, and this could be done under cover inside the roundhouse. Many roads also began doing minor repairs at roundhouses, rather than taking engines out of service and sending them to the backshop. Although diesels quickly put an end to coaling towers, water tanks, and other steam servicing facilities, most roundhouses continued in service. Since individual diesels were shorter than steamers, few if any modifications were needed in the building, and some are still used to house and inspect locos today.

Capturing the character of typical North American structures, this new series Roundhouse kit includes parts for three stalls, which are spaced on 10 degree centers to make the most of available space. Locos up to 125 scale feet long (about the size of a 4-8-4) fit easily inside and parts to extend one stall to 145 feet-large enough for a Big Boy-are also included. For more realism, matching roof panels, doors, trusses, interior and exterior brick wall details, fine windows, floor inspection pits and much more are all standard. As built, the kit measures 17-3/4 (20-1/8 if the extension is used) x 16 x 5-1/2 inch. The Roundhouse (#933-2900) retails for $59.98.

To simplify expanding the basic Roundhouse, Walthers offers the Modern Roundhouse add-on Stalls as a separate kit. This model includes matching parts (except outside walls) to build three additional stalls. Parts to lengthen a single stall are also provided. This modular design simplifies kitbashing, as modelers need only combine kits to build a roundhouse of virtually any size, up to a full circle. Walthers has commissioned a special set of figures to populate the Roundhouse. The set comprises often different workers from the steam-era. To add more realism to the finished scene, Walthers has commissioned a special set of Preiser figures. The Roundhouse Figure Set comprises ten different workers dressed in clothing typical of the steam-era. Each plastic figure is molded in a realistic pose and hand painted to bring out the fine details.

Walthers has released ready-to-run 66-foot heavy-duty 4-truck flat cars in HO scale. Based on cars used to carry large or heavy loads, the flat cars are available as individual cars and in a limited-run two-packs.
When massive and heavy loads such as machinery or construction equipment must be moved long distances, railroad flat cars are often the best way to transport them. If the load will clear bridges and similar overhead obstructions, it can be carried on a heavy-duty, straight-deck flat car.
Designed with a load limit (combined weight of the car and cargo) of 240-tons or more, these cars are easily identified by the pair of high-capacity trucks at each end and the large, flat center deck. Each pair of trucks is connected by a span bolster, which pivots on the bolster located on the body. This spreads the weight over eight axles to help prevent overloading. The overall height of the cars is also kept low to ease loading and unloading, and provide more overhead clearance. This leaves no room below the car, so separate air and handbrakes for each pair of trucks are carried on platforms at both ends.
Railroads serving on-line customers who regularly need these flats will often purchase a small fleet to ensure that cars are readily available. Others use cars owned by TTX, which maintains the largest fleet of heavy duty flats in service today.
Fully assembled and ready for service, these HO models feature prototypical paint and detailing, plus heavy diecast metal bodies for improved tracking performance. Single Cars are priced at $29.98 each and will be offered in these roadnames: TTX #1, DRGW, N&W, CR, UP, SOO, and undecorated. A special limited-run two-pack of cars painted and lettered for TTX will also be offered for $59.98.

Walthers has released SP commuter cars in HO scale.

In the 1950s, SP began replacing 1920s-vintage commuter coaches on its San Francisco Peninsula commuter trains with new bi-level cars built by Pullman-Standard. The increased seating capacity of the new cars also lowered maintenance costs, as fewer were needed. Since SP turned engines at the end of each run, none of the cars were equipped with control cabs. This allowed room for a standard-sized window on the upper deck, giving the SP fleet a unique appearance.
The new Walthers Pullman-Standard SP Commuter Cars are replicas of the 1968-built equipment used on Bay Area commuter trains. The models come ready-to-run with interiors, diecast metal trucks with blackened metal wheels, working diaphragms and built-in electrical contacts for drop-in installation of the Walthers passenger car interior lighting kit for bi-level commuter cars (#9331058 $10.98, sold separately). For modelers who want a more detailed car, a set of formed wire grab irons is provided, and molded drill starter points on the body simplify installation. A set of car number decals is also included so a longer consist can be easily modeled. The models are available in the following color schemes: SP (two-toned gray), SP (gray), and undecorated. The crs retail for $34.95 each


Structures - - - -Rolling Stock - - - -

HO Coaling Tower
Steel freight and passenger cars, longer trains, and faster schedules required bigger and more powerful steam locomotives. By the late 1920s, trusty 2-8-2s found themselves dwarfed by new 2-10-2s, 2-G-G-2s, and larger engines. These modern locos consumed greater quantities of coal and larger tenders allowed engines to run further between stops.
The Modern Coating Tower kit is based on one of the huge concrete monoliths constructed after 1920. Because many were built by outside contractors, newer towers of similar design could be found along more than one railroad. The Walthers model is based on a standard Ogle 450-ton capacity design. With its tall stature and unique roofline, it'll be a landmark in any terminal or along the mainline. Designed to serve three tracks, two under the structure and a third on the side, it comes complete with dump house, realistic "concrete" walls, detailed chutes, and appropriate decals. The HO Modern Coating Tower kit (#933-2903) retails for $54.98

Walthers has announced the release of Imperial Food Products, the latest in a series of Cornerstone Series Background Building kits in HO Scale.
The kit is based on a typical early-1900s food processing plant, Imperial Food Products. This Background Building kit can be used on the edge of benchwork, along a shelf or modular layout, and in dioramas. Once installed, it provides a smooth, realistic transition between three-dimensional foreground scenes and
printed or painted backgrounds. It features scribed cut lines molded on the inside (so modelers can cut new angles or reduce the width), and also comes with a variety of add-on details, a partial roof, and colorful sign decals. The kit includes the brick packing house front with canopied loading dock, rooftop water tank, and realistic decals. The Imperial Food Products kit (#933-3184) retails for $24.98.

Vintage Style in a Snap

With their styling and attention to detail, Gold Ribbon Series structures have all the features modelers expect from premium building kits combined with easy construction. Gold Ribbon Series kits are designed for simple snap-together assembly with a minimum of gluing. Major parts come molded in two colors - siding and trim - for a painted appearance right out of the box. Window feature delicately molded frames on clear glazing fro added realism Also included are decals with several business names and an interior light. The finished models are perfect for layouts, dioramas or Christmas Villages.

Midtown Appliance Sales & Service - HO

Thousands of small fix-it shops like Midtown Appliance are housed in storefronts across the continent. Big double doors allow large appliances to be moved inside easily and large front windows let in plenty of light and offer room for sales displays.

Route 66 Motel: A Welcome Rest on the Open Road

For drivers rolling down the blacktop on a hot desert evening, there was nothing more inviting than the colorful dancing lights of a motel sign. In almost every town along Route 66, "motel row" was a welcome oasis. Tucked between the highway and the tracks, the new Built-up Route 66 Motel is ready to put road-weary travelers up for the night. Complete with an animated, simulated-neon sign, office with an interior light and rooftop sign, two matching cabins and a propane tank, it'll add a piece of roadside Americana to your pike. HO. Due November, 2003

Water Tower: Welcome to...

Standing tall above towns and villages across the continent, these landmarks have been part of the North American landscape since the 1960s. Because they're usually the first thing visitors see, most have the village name on the side. Some also have the state, town slogan, village or high school logo, and occasionally, a big happy face. This easy-to build kit includes the tall tower, base and service door, plus realistic decals.

HO Modern Water Tower, 933-3528 $17.98,

A Traffic Source for your Railroad

N scale American Hardware Supply Curtain-wall structures like American Hardware Supply are trademarks of busy factory districts. Featuring a tall, decorative facade, rooftop water tank and elevator headhouse, this detailed building will look great on your steam or diesel railroad. Customizing it is easy using the supplied loading doors, windows or solid brick panels for the end walls. Modular walls allow you to combine kits, making it a natural addition to shelfstyle layouts or module backdrops. Other features include a "concrete" loading dock, a rooftop water tank and decals.

Jim's Repair Shop: Jim'll Fix It!

From damaged wheelbarrows to broken sewing machines, Jim can get anything working again. People in town know his real specialty-repairing things other people tried to fix but couldn't! In his little single story wooden shop he has the parts, tools and supplies to get any job done. On your layout, Jim's Repair Shop is one of those buildings that fits everywhere. It's at home on Main Street; it makes a great factory or mill office; and it could also house a restaurant or store. This easy-to-build kit has parts molded in authentic colors and includes realistic decals.

Golden Valley Freight House: Load 'em Up and Move 'em Out

While most people were familiar with their depot, just a few feet down the track was the railroad's real moneymaker-the Freight House. Its large trackside loading platform and truck-height, streetside loading doors allowed the easy transfer of cargo between box cars or reefers and delivery trucks. The new built-up Golden Valley Freight House is the perfect complement to the Golden Valley Depot and other Built-Up Trackside Structures, right down to its shared color schemes and architectural styling.

Golden Valley Freight House, $29.98 each,

933-2821 Yellow Ochre with Oxide Brown Trim

933-2827 Cream with Railroad Green Trim

933-2828 Light Gray with Dark Gray Trim

A Trackside Classic

Co-Op Storage Shed, 933-3230 $17.98, December delivery

Here's a building that's at home on any siding in any era. Structures like the new Co-Op Storage Shed are found in yards, at team tracks, fuel dealers, lumberyards and other trackside businesses. Featuring box car door-height loading doors, this wooden building will look great on any steam- or diesel-era layout.

Worthington Hotel, 933-3609 $59.98: Before automobiles and superhighways, the hotel was a home away from home. Guests enjoyed comfortable bedrooms, a full-service restaurant and a parlor on the ground floor. The easy-to-build Worthington Hotel captures the look and feel of a hotel built prior to 1900. Snap-together main parts, some molded in two realistic colors, allow quick, easy construction. Designed to fit on a city corner, the Worthington Hotel kit also includes realistic decals and an interior light.

HO The Bralick Building: Urban Renewal

In many cities, progress has brought change to old industrial districts. Old large factory buildings are being transformed into upscale housing and retail centers. New, energy-efficient windows are installed, unnecessary windows are bricked over, rooftop water tanks are removed, and the loading dock is enclosed. The new Bralick Building is based on a typical factory that has been converted into a residential or commercial complex. The kit includes modern windows, wall inserts to close off the dock area and realistic decals. It'll look great in your post-1970s redeveloped neighborhood.

Valley Growers Association -N Kit

Metal elevators like Valley Growers Association first appeard in the early 1900s when fire-resistant corrugated metal siding became a popular building material. Offering a tall tower with ramps, loading tunnel and positionable doors, this new kit brings added variety to your grain-handling scenes. Other features include a wooden storage bin, clapboard scale office, segmented loading pipe and realistic decals. Whether you're loading steam-era box cars or modern-day covered hoppers, Valley Growers Association is perfect for moving grain across your railroad.

Lights . . . Lights . . . Lights!

Coming Soon: A Theater Near You

HO Palace Theater with Lighted Marquee: From the 1920s to the 60s, going out to a movie was a special event. Theater owners understood the glitz and glamour of the silver scree and did everything they could to make their theaters stand out. Chase lights marching across the marquee, starbursts and lot of neon all radiated excitement!

The dazzling light of Hollywood come to your layout with the Palace Theater. Ready to use in any city scene, it features an illuminated marquee complete with spectacular animated chase lights, and a tall name sign that erupts from a starburst arch with changing rays of color. An illuminated entryway with window for posters beckons moviegoers inside. Other details include colorful facade panels, a tall roof over the stage area, a rear stage door and self-clinging letters so you can customize the marquee.

Towering Achievements for your Pile

Wood Water Tank

Whether nestled in the back woods quenching the thirst of Heisler locomotives, at a branchline roundhouse or out along the mainline, the new Wood Water Tank is just the ticket for adding realism to your steam-era layout. Patterned after a typical 50,000-gallon prototype, this layout-ready model features realistic timber supports, concrete footings, a positionable spout and realistic water level markings. For added authenticity, the tank and frost box are colored to complement other Cornerstone Series` Built-up railroad structures. Coming in January

Wood Water Tank,

933-2813 Yellow Ochre

933-2819 Cream

933-2820 Gray

City Water Tower

Every town has its landmarks, and in many, it's the water tower. Emblazoned with the city name, this tall structure proudly proclaims it for miles around. While most towers are part of the city water system, they've also been used at industrial complexes, military bases, college campuses and hospitals since the early 1900s. The new City Water Tower has authentic detailing including latticework supports, a conical tank roof, caged ladders and a concrete base. For added variety, it's available in your choice of two colors and comes with appropriate alphabet decals so you can customize it for your steam- or diesel-era scene. Coming in March

Capture all the Grit and Realism of Railroading

Steel Water Tank (N) With new N Scale steam locomotives coming on the market, it's time to add some realistic servicing structures for your mainline. The new Steel Water Tank is just the facility for handling you steamers' thirst Just add one near your roundhouse, another in your yard and several at important stops or helper stations along your mainline. For added authenticity this layout ready model includes two water columns and an oil column

River City Textiles (HO) Take a tip from the movies and use Background buildings to add depth to your trackside industrial scenes. River City Textiles features the loading dock side of an early 1900s curtain wall factory or warehouse building. Its thin enough to squeeze between your rearmost track and background scene so it'll look like a full sized building behind your other structures, even though it's only 1-3/4" deep. Additional details include a rooftop water tank, elevator headhouse and decals for several business names.

The Unforgettable Story of Life in Rural America

Benson's Five & Dime (HO): You're always likely to run into someone you know at the neighborhood five-and dimes like Benson's. Besides buying sundries, toys and household goods, you might even get an ice cream soda there! Featuring an upper apartment with an exterior stairway, Benson's is patterned after stores found in small towns across America. It includes colorful decal signs, window drapery details and an interior light. Add this charming structure to the row of storefronts in your layout's commercial district.

109 Elm Street (HO): It's a lazy Sunday for the folks at 109 Elm Street as neighbors stop in to exhange pleasantries. The wraparound front porch of this two-story house, with its open railings, and spindles to let the breeze in, is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a cold lemonade and listen to The Shadow on the radio. This easy-to build model offers plenty of details and a separate one-car garage with doors that swing open. It's the perfect addition to any neighborhood.

HO:American Hardware Supply Gives modelers Lots of Choices

Early 20^th century curtain-wall structures like the new American hardware Supply building have housed everything from bakeries to bottling plants. Featuring decorative architectural detailing on its facade and ends, plus an elevator headhouse and rooftop water tank on a concrete support, this Cornerstone Series kit brings new style to your industrial district.

Best of all, customizing is easy, so you can use more than one kit in your scenes without having identical structures. On the first floor, wall openings can be filled with your choice of loading doors, windows or solid brick panels.

Modular walls let you combine multiple kits for a larger building and, if you don't mind fabricating a new roof and base, the three-piece main wall section can be assembled in various combinations to create structures with different sizes and shapes. Other features include a concrete loading dock on the railroad side of the building and realistic decals for a variety of businesses.

N: Dress Up your Right-Of-Way: Real railroads have plenty of interesting buildings along their lines - your N Scale railroad should too! These new Built-up Trackside Structures add a big slice of real life to your right-of-way in minutes. The intricately detailed, authentically colored structures are based on typical railroad building used across the continent. Each Trackside Strictures Set includes an interlocking tower, speeder shed with non-powered speeder, crossing gatekeeper's shanty and two positionable crossing gates. These sets come in your choice of three typical railroad "Company" color schemes. Yellow Ochre Siding with Oxide brown Trim. Cream Siding with Railroad Green Trim. Light Gray Siding with Dark Gray Trim.

A Bumper Cop: Finally, a realistic bumper for your siding: Based on typical steel, end-of-track bumpers, these handy on-piece accessories will keep cars from rolling off your spurs. Each set includes five ready-to- use Bumpers in your choice of dark gray or yellow.

Peterson Tool Specialties is Easy to Build

The businesses in modern trackside industrial parks generate plenty of traffic for the railroads that serve them. Switchers keep busy working the sidings and spotting cars at loading docks inside the big factories. From surrounding streets, truckers back their rigs down ramps leading to floor-level loading docks. Local delivery trucks back up to trailer-height doors, and larger delivery trucks drive through big doors for unloading inside the structure.

Peterson Tool Specialties has all the features of a typical modern factory or distribution center: a rail car door that allows you to move two 50' cars inside, two roll-up truck doors, four floor-level dock doors and three trailer-height loading doors. Like many of the actual structures, the front of the building has an office area. Modular design lets you customize your plant by rearranging some of the wall sections. You can also combine several kits to expand the length of the building for handling more freight cars. Realistic signs provide the perfect finishing touch and your choice of names for the business.

ElectriCorp Supply

For years, ElectriCorp has provided electrical equipment for a variety of industries-mining, lumber and oil companies, as well as manufacturers and the government. Shipping and receiving items by rail and truck, the company has kept up with the "big boys" of the industry and is showing no signs of slowing down. From its stone foundation to its detailed window frames, this Gold Ribbon Series'"' HO Scale kit offers the realism modelers demand. And yet it's designed for simple snap-together assembly with a minimum of gluing.

The kit features a warehouse building; one-story office/shed; overhead crane for unloading gondolas, flat cars and trucks; double loading doors and a loading dock; utility poles; and spools for electrical cable. An interior light, colorful signs and complete instructions are included.

Melissa's Eastside Deli

For decades, delicatessens like Melissa's Eastside Deli were a fixture of city neighborhoods. Offering all kinds of ethnic and specialty foods, they were a vital part of the business district. Today, Melissa's will be right at home on your busy corner or tucked between other buildings. The deli features a side entrance door, handsome bay window and large ground-floor windows. The full-color hanging sign offers a choice of five different business names. This charming model is fully assembled, with detailed trim molded in color, hand-painted insets, and a working interior light.

More then Just a Local Landmark

Walthers Early Headquarters in a Cornerstone Series Built Up: The building at 1245 N. Water Street still stands today. Since being built in 1890, this Victorian structure has housed a variety of businesses including a "hotel" of questionable repute, a brush factory, a restaurant, an acting company called Theatre X and an architectural firm. It also served, from 1958 to 1969, as the headquarters for the Walthers factory and growing wholesale business.

To commemorate our 70^th anniversary year, we're offering Walthers Water Street Building Building as an all-new Cornerstones Series Built-up. With its finely detailed ornate brick facade, this layout-ready structure is typical of those found it cities everywhere. It features a bay window, four chimneys rear freight door, an interior light and realistic, printed Walthers signs. The signs can be left off if you wish to use this versatile model for other businesses on your steam or diesel era layout.

Good Eats and Great Places for your Street Scenes

Silver Dollar Café: You won't find a better place to eat than the Silver Dollar Café. At this friendly little place, the owner treats everyone like family and the food is almost as good as Mom's. Fully assembled and compact to fit any town or city block, the Silver Dollar Café offers a generous helping of realism. Check out the big storefront window, detailed trim molded in color with hand-painted insets, and the hanging sign on the front (choose from five full-color business names). It also comes with a working interior light so you can serve customers any time.

Bulk Industry in a Small Space

Aggregates are big business for most railroads. While quarries, mines and rock crushers like Glacier Gravel Company can fill up entire trains, individual carload shipments also make up a good portion of the traffic mix. All those cars have to go somewhere! That's where the Cornerstone Series Bulk Transfer Conveyor kit comes in. This facility, capable of handling single cars or entire unit trains, is just the ticket for adding a trackside industrial facility in a small amount of space.

One Facility, Many Uses

Pavers, builders and concrete batch plants need crushed stone to stay in business. Hopper car unloaders like the Bulk Transfer Conveyor are quick to add to your layout and can be used for more than just aggregates. Other common materials unloaded at similar facilities include granulated fertilizers, road salt, ores and minerals, coal, coke and some feeds and grains.

Many facilities extend the reach of their unloading facility with additional conveyors. Operations at the unloading facility are fairly straightforward. A hopper car is positioned with one bay over the grate. Rock spills onto a below-track conveyor that feeds a wheeled rotary sorter conveyor at ground level. The wheeled rotary sorer pivots in an arc on a concrete pad, allowing it to dump into several piles. It can be used for different grades of rock or for dissimilar materials.

Blending Bulk Transfer Conveyors into your Scenes Businesses with bulk transfer conveyors receive a variety of hopper cars. At an agricultural supplier, covered hoppers bring in fertilizer and feeds. These materials are sensitive to the weather, so they're usually stored in bins, although some granulated fertilizers can be stored in outdoor stockpiles for short periods.

Municipalities in cold climates receive road salt in covered hoppers; conveyors directly feed stockpiles, trucks or bins. Aggregate receivers usually install their railroad spur and hopper car unloaded wherever materials can be stockpiled or transloaded into trucks. Many facilities are arranged just like the one in the kit. When the spur is not next to the storage area, the pit conveyor feeds a fixed conveyor which, in turn, feeds a rotary sorter, easily modeled by cutting off the semicircular portion of the kit base and placing it at the storage site. Connect the pit conveyor and rotary sorter using pans from the Modern Conveyors kit, 933-3518.

Additional details for the pit area include the office and fencing. Chain-link fencing (provided in the kit) often separates the facility from adjacent roads and public areas; you probably won't find fencing in remote areas. The office is usually squeezed in along the access road.

Hauling Aggregates across your Layout Bulk transfer conveyors can host a variety of open hoppers. The new Walthers Greenville 100-Ton Twin Hoppers and the 40' Onner 100-Ton Open Aggregate Hoppers are ideally suited for use in your scenes.

A Vital Part of any Community

Historically, one of the first structures to be built in or near a rural village was the church. Constructed by the congregation, rural churches were as much a village social center as a place of worship. Their high ceilings allowed for a choir loft, while their tall steeples assured that the bells could be heard for miles around. These features evolved into a very recognizable building type.

The Cornerstone Series Gold Ribbon Series"' Cottage Grove Church captures the rural charm of wooden churches across North America. Take a drive through the countryside and you're sure to pass at least one such structure. They're so common that a layout without one would seem incomplete.

A Building You can Use Anywhere

As with rural, one-room schoolhouses, most churches were built at easily accessible locations so they could serve nearby residents. They were, and still are, found at country crossroads as well as in small villages.

Because churches like Cottage Grove Church were found everywhere from the late-1800s on, they're natural additions to any layout. While some have been replaced with larger facilities as their congregations have grown, many still serve their original function; others have been rebuilt into everything from private residences to antique stores.

Like all Gold Ribbon Series kits, Cottage Grove Church offers quick construction using detailed, snap-together main parts. Walls and contrasting trim are molded as one part, eliminating any need for painting. The kit also includes an interior light and realistic-looking simulated stained glass window decals.

Adding this church to your layout is easy. Just place a parking area next to the building and add a few decorative shrubs or hedges along the stone foundation. Modern scenes might have a paved parking lot and an exterior light post. Finally, because these buildings are usually well-maintained, your church needs only light weathering with chalks.

As communities have grown, some small churches have been replaced or converted to other uses.

Offer Your Road's Customers a New Service

Back when railroads were the only choice for shipping over long distances, business was brisk for less than-carload-lot (LCL) shipments on many lines. In order to reduce handling, sped containers were designed to maximize the number of small shipments per car. The resulting cars and loads were real eye catchers in any freight consist - gondolas filled with small boxes seemed exotic on trains where box cars predominated.

Imagine adding a 46' USRA gondola loaded with LCL containers to your steam- or classic diesel-era freight consists. New Walthers LCL container service models make it easy to simulate this unique system of cargo handling on your HO Scale railroad.

They Offered Great Promise

Before World War I, LCL traffic contributed heavily to most railroads' bottom line; the problem was that it required considerable handling. LCL freight was typically handled in specially designated box cars or cabooses, called waycars, on locals or wayfreights. Express shipments were carried on passenger trains.

LCL Bulk Containers (933-210 series) are patterned after those constructed by Youngstown, carried specialty minerals like dolomite, lime and manganese to steel mills and other consumers.

Normally, an LCL shipment required workers to load and position it on the car as other shipments were picked up along the line. At terminals the shipment was moved into a freight station, then later placed on another car bound for the next destination. There it was unloaded, and sometimes delivered to the receiver. All this was for a simple, one-railroad shipment. Imagine how much handling a shipment received (also risking damage and pilferage) as it traveled across several railroads and through many freight houses! Clearly, things had to change.

Containerization promised to reduce handling and increase security. The concept was simple: shippers and freight forwarders could consolidate loads with similar destinations into LCL containers. They were trucked to an LCL Container Terminal, similar to the Cornerstone Series® model, where a crane loaded them into gondolas. Unlike waycars, which usually carried less than 10% of their capacity, fully-loaded container cars were billed at lower carload rates. The forwarding and consolidation companies made their money on the difference between LCL and carload rates.

Boxes and Bins

The first LCL containers took to the rails in the early 1920s. Specialized versions were developed to haul small packages, merchandise, cement, bricks, powdered chemicals and even refrigerated goods. The earliest containers were developed by the LCL Corporation, an arm of the New York Central, followed by arch- rival Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, infighting between the two roads led to incompatible systems where containers could not be interchanged. Eventually, third-party builders such as Youngstown constructed containers for several railroads.

Although it was a great idea, LCL container service came along a little too late. While it was catching on, trucks were already siphoning away LCL traffic. The inability to interchange containers between two key northeastern carriers also created barriers to widespread acceptance - especially for merchandise traffic. Bulk commodity service, on the other hand, was more successful.

Walthers chose some of the most widely used and longest-lived containers as the basis for its models. Open-top coke containers and enclosed bulk containers, which hauled convenient "doses" of dolomite, lime and other commodities were used primarily by the steel industry reduce handling. Cranes like the one in the LCL Container Terminal kit lifted

the containers out of gondolas and moved them directly to their point of use. LCL Coke and Bulk containers could be seen loaded in gondolas through the 1990s.

Loading Them Up and Moving Them Out

When LCL container service began in the 1920s, railroads constructed unloading facilities in yards and near team tracks. The Cornerstone Series® LCL Container Terminal kit includes the parts you need to create such a facility on your layout. On the prototype, the movable overhead crane traveled the length of the gondolas on crane rails, transferring containers between gondolas and delivery trucks. For better visibility, crane operators rode in an elevated cab.

A brick or paved loading pad for trucks helped keep dust and mud to a minimum. Other features usually included a clerk's office and fencing to control the flow of unwanted visitors.

The new LCL Container Terminal kit is available in two versions: standard and deluxe. Both kits include all of the above components, plus realistic decals, to make setting your scene easy. The limited-run Deluxe kit includes additional resin and metal parts to make three LCL merchandise containers - based on Pennsylvania Railroad DDl prototypes and a 1940s-era local delivery truck.

Getting LCL Containers from Point A to Point B

Out on the high iron, LCL containers traveled in gondolas or on flat cars. Some were essentially truck bodies placed on flat cars - predecessors to today's modern intermodal containers. Other LCL containers, especially coke, bulk, brick and cement types, rode mostly in gondolas. Typical cars included the 46' USRA Steel Gondola, on which the Walthers model is based, and similar cars. By the 1970s, most moved in 50' gondolas.

The prototypes for the Walthers models were constructed following designs adopted by the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) during its World War I-era control of the country's railroads. The USRA developed several standard types of freight cars, including the 46' mill gondola. Thousands were built and allocated to railroads for wartime use; several railroads ordered more after the war and placed portions of their fleets into LCL container service. Most USRA 46' steel gondolas were out of service by the late 1960s.

Like their prototypes, Walthers ready-to-run 46' USRA Steel Gondolas have a distinctive appearance. Designed for hauling up to 70 tons of steel or other heavy loads, they had deep, "fishbelly" underframes and low sides. The models have simulated drop-ends in the closed position (container service cars had their ends welded shut). Whether carrying LCL containers or hauling steel or aggregates, they'll add realism to any steam- or classic diesel-era freight train.

Big Steel's Definitive Structure comes to N Scale

No other structure cries out "steel" like the Blast Furnace. In many cities across the continent; these massive, fire-breathing dragons stand tall against the skyline. Running continuously, they consume many tons of coke and iron ore each day and ship out carload after carload of molten iron and slag. From a modeler's perspective they're an ideal industry - almost everything moves in or out by rail.

For the first time ever, a realistic blast furnace comes to N Scale from Walthers. This new model, based on the crown jewel of the steel industry, brings creating an impressive, rail-dependent heavy-industrial scene within easy reach of all N Scale modelers.

Steel on your Layout or Module

The Cornerstone Series° Blast Furnace, 933-3249 $129.98, gives you a great opportunity to design a realistic scene packed with operation. In fact, some modelers might base an entire layout or NTRAK module on this one business. The kit includes the parts you need to create a realistic blast furnace: a detailed top platform, complete with bell levers and explosion valves, gas washers, heating stoves, cast house, highline and skip hoist. Realistic decals and complete instructions also come with the kit.

At many locations, the blast furnace is a stand-alone facility. In your railroad's operating scheme it can provide plenty of action. At a nearby yard, loaded ore cars and hopper cars of coke and limestone flux arrive. A switcher moves them up the highline where they're dumped into underground pits. Empties are moved back to the yard for interchange to the mainline railroad. 

On the cast house end of the structure, hot metal cars and slag cars are pulled by another switcher every few hours when the furnace is tapped. These can be hauled to a facility off the layout; at a large integrated mill, they would be hauled to other locations for conversion into steel. Slag cars are routed to a slag dump where the material is processed for industrial use in cement, pavement, and even railroad track ballast

Additional Detailing

Several manufacturers produce N scale steel industry cars for use at your blast furnace. Atlas and Model Power make ore cars; open hopper cars are available from most major manufacturers. Minitrix (Marklin) produces hot metal and slag cars.

The Blast Furnace is sometimes part of an integrated steel mill - one that melts iron, makes steel and produces steel ingots, coils of rolled sheet or other products. If you're into kitbashing or scratchbuilding, the large corrugated metal buildings of an electric or basic oxygen furnace (the destination for the hot metal cars)

and a continuous caster are relatively easy projects. The upcoming Cornerstone Series N scale Rolling mill, 933-4350, is a natural addition to a scene surrounding the Blast Furnace. Because of their immense size - some large rolling mills are over a quarter mile long - many modelers use these structures as 3-D backdrops for their mill scenes.

Finally, paint doesn't last too long on the actual structures because of the intense heat, so you'll want to paint them a good rusty brown color. Many real mills do this so dirty or bare areas aren't too conspicuous. Streak the parts with weathering chalks of various browns, grays and blacks. On the highline where limestone is dumped, add some light gray chalk along the tracks. Use reddish-brown chalks on the skip hoist to simulate rusty iron ore dust. Take a look at the prototype photos for weathering ideas.

Union Station: At one time, every medium and large city across the continent had at least one major train station. In the golden era of rail travel, these grand terminals were regarded as a city's welcome foyer; this was where travelers got their first taste of the city. Over the years, the voices of excited travelers and the whistles of steam locomotives echoed off their vast concourses. Following the frantic pace of wartime troop train moves in the '40s, the '50s brought gawkers hoping to catch a glimpse of Hollywood-bound movie stars boarding sleek Budd-built streamliners amidst the popping of flashbulbs. In the modern era, tall Amtrak Superliners share the platforms with Heritage Fleet cars, Viewliners and in some cities, Double-Deck Commuter Cars.

LCL Container Terminal: Back in the first half of the 1900's, less-than-carload (LCL) containers were an innovation which offered easy handling of small shipments. The LCL Container Terminal is where they were transferred between gondolas an trucks for local delivery.

Deluxe LCL Container Terminal: Includes resin and metal parts which bring realism to your scene! Merchandise containers and delivery trucks allowed railroads to offer door-to-door service for small shipments.

Fire Co. No 4 Built up: The firefighters at this firehouse keep your community safe. With its classic styling and tall hose-drying tower, Fire Co. No. 4 brings instant realism to your 1900 - through modern-era layout. All you need to do is place it on your pike, attach the tall hose-drying tower and dispatch your favorite fire apparatus

 HO Cornerstone Columbia Feed Mill: includes a brick feed mill with canopied truck dock and trackside doors; a two-story clapboard storage building with an angled end wall; positionable loading ramps; and realistic deals. The buildings can be positioned to fit either straight or curved sidings.

HO Kitbasher's delight: These new brick sheets, featuring a 7^th row lock brick pattern, match the brick used on Cornerstone Series buildings. Designed so you can combine them horizontally and vertically, these 5 X 9", 1mm-thick styrene sheets come four to a pack and are available in three typical brick colors as used in Cornerstone Series kits: Light Brick Red - - Dark Brick Red - - Dark Cream Brick

HO Old time coal conveyor: makes your sidings more versatile. Make any spur suitable for unloading hopper cars with this Old time coal conveyor.

HO Armstrong Electric Motors: includes modular wall sections which allow you to build a 5-3/4", 11" or 16-5/8" long background building 1-1/2" deep and 6-5/8" tall, making it ideal for use on narrow sections of your layout or module. Use it alongside other Walthers Cornerstone Series Background Buildings to add depth and variety to your background scenes.

HO Modern Conveyors: Estend the reach of your rock crushers, mines or loaders with these Modern Conveyors. Each kit includes 21" of conveyors and supports matching those indluded with the Cornerstone Series Western Coal Flood Loader.

HO Wood Plank Fencing: a scenic accessory you can use anywhere, includes 45" of fencing which matches the fences in Goldenflame Fuel Co.

HO Lake Forest Cottage: A retreat for your railroad, perfect for a weekend getaway or a summer home, Lake Forest Cottage is equally at home along a lake or deep in the woods. Great for both steam or diesel era layouts, this sharp-looking cottage includes a trellis, table, chairs, umbrellas and hedgerows to help you complete your scene

HO Truck Loading Rack: New Truck Loading Rack Offers Quick Tanker Loading. Load your oil tanker trucks at the HO Loading Rack. Found at most refineries, these loading racks are the interface between refinery or tank storage piping and tank trucks. Kit includes piping, rack and awning for two loading lanes. Just place it at a convenient location along the main truck road in your refinery complex.

Oil Pumps: Get Oil moving on you railroad with these new Oil Pumps. Add motion to your oil filed with this horsehead-style HO oil Pump. Based on typical medium-sized pumps used in oil fields across the continent, these pumps draw crude oil from underground. The familiar "horsehead' is a pulley sector which moves a pair of pump cables reaching into the ground. The HO kit includes the oil pump with tripod leg assembly, base, motor mounting bracket, gears, screws, chain link fencing and decals. The completed Oil Pump can be positioned in you scene of motorized. Also available in N Scale

Motorizing Kit: Make your oil pumps move with this motorizing kit. This fully assembled universal gearbox includes a 12-volt motor with a 360:1 ratio gearbox. Designed for easy installation in the HO and N Scale Oil Pumps, this kit will bring the excitement of moving pumps to your pike.

Plastic Pellet Transfer Facility: You'll find plastic pellet transfer facilities everywhere along the continent's railroads. These trackside facilities unload plastic pellets from hoppers into storage silos using a pneumatic piping system. From the silos, plastic pellets are either piped or trucked to plastic molding plants. Use the new HO Scale Cornerstone Series Plastic Pellet Transfer Facility as a stand-alone terminal or put it next to a larger industry as its unloading point. Similar facilities have been around since the 1970s at tire an rubber plants for unloading carbon blacks; bakeries use them to unload flour and other industries use them to unload bulk powders. This new kit includes four silos, unloading piping for two cars, walkways and railings, a corrugated metal compressor shed and realistic decals. The kit base has molded-in cut line so you can customize the size or arrangement of the facility. Kits are easily combined for a larger terminal The finished kits measures 20 x 4 x 8.

Double Track Swing Bridge: Before 1910, swing bridges were the most common type of movable railroad bridge. Supported on a center pier, these wood or steel structures rotate on the center pivot to allow tall boats and ships to pass through the channel on either side. Working on the same principle as a turntable, steel truss swing bridges can range in length from just under 200' to as long as 500'. From its 27" span to its drop-sided bridge tender's shanty, this impressive, movable structure will be the focal point of a realistic river crossing on your layout. The Cornerstone Series HO Double-Track Swing Bridge is a model of a typical double track Warren truss-style swing bridge with a plate girder deck. The kit includes a 196' steel span, concrete center pier, abutments and track-level operator's cabin. Patterned after an early 1900s prototype, the Swing Bridge looks great on any steam-era railroad. Like many prototype bridges, it can also handle the heaviest coal trains and tallest double stacks modern railroads have to offer. The finished model measures: 27 x 6 3/8 x 7 9/16.

Walthers HO Wally's Warehouse: Add a versatile business to your Layout with Wally's Warehouse. While based on a typical 1890's wooden structure, buildings like this are still in regular use across the land. Over the years, many have been expanded by adding offices and outdoor storage bins. Blacksmiths, distributors, machine shops, mechanics, produce suppliers and feed mills all use wooden buildings like this, making Wally's a great addition anywhere on your steam or diesel era layout. This all-purpose building is easy to work into scenes along the tracks or in the older part of your industrial district. Wally's includes the main building, office building and outdoor storage bins. Detail parts include a light pole (nonoperational), pallets, bricks, pipes, a gas pump and realistic decals for a variety of businesses. When complete, Wally's Warehouse measures: 3 x 8 1/8 x 8 7/8

The new HO United Petroleum Refining Deluxe lets you add a detailed centerpiece to your oil industry scene. The refinery is at the heart of the process which breaks down crude oil into usable products. Use this realistic structure as a stand-alone industry or group several together for a larger scene. Refinery districts are usually surrounded by pipelines, tank farms and a maze of private truck roads, railroad spurs, loading terminals and support buildings. Paper mills, raw plastics manufacturers and chemical companies also use similar facilities to refine byproducts into usable materials.

United Petroleum Refining Deluxe includes a main fractionating tower, furnace, piping group, heat exchangers and vacuum still. Thin-profile platforms, brass handrails, caged ladders and realistic decals round out the detailing of this easy-to-build industry.

Build a Realistic Tank Farm On Your Layout: Entire fields of these 500,000 gallon tanks surround refineries and pipeline terminals. Under- or above-ground piping connects tanks with rail and truck loading racks. Each tank is usually surrounded by earth berms high enough to contain the entire contents of the tanks in case of a rupture. Tall and wide HO storage tanks feature one-piece tank bodies with easy-to-apply stairways and handrails molded to fit the tank contours. Modular retention berms, crossover stairways and realistic decals let you build multiple tanks into a true-to-life scene

HO and N Scale Western Coal Flood Loader: Here's a great way to add a huge industry to your layout without using a lot of space. Clean burning western coal has become the fuel of choice for many power plants and industries in the midwest. Underground conveyors move coal from mines or storage piles into tall loading silos. Coal flood loaders can load a hundred-car train of Bethgon Coalporter gondolas or 49' Quad Hoppers in just a few hours. That's 10,000 tons of black diamonds! Needless to say, flood loaders are important components of modern coal mining operations. Out in the western coal fields, their tall towers and long, angled conveyors create a graceful skyline against the prairie. These big, modern silos have also caught on in the east where you can see their silos peeking over Appalachian and Allegheny hilltops. With the new Western Coal Flood Loader kit it's easy to simulate a modern mining operation on your HO or N Scale Layout. This new structure is great for loading unit trains on any modern era layout. The Western Coal Flood Loader includes a ground-level, metal conveyor shed, four sections of covered, open sided conveyor; a silo with a loading tunnel; and realistic decals. Sectional construction allows you to customize the flood loader height to fit your scene. HO Overall dimensions: 32 x 4 ½ x 16. N Overall dimensions: 19 x 2 11/16 x 9 5/8

Amtrak Heritage Sleepers and Super Chief - - due September 2004

Walthers has announced a new series of ready-to-run HO scale passenger cars based on equipment originally built for the Santa Fe and later acquired by Amtrak. The first, a Budd 10-6 Sleeper from the "Pine" series, is now available. Also available is a new version of the 73-foot Budd Baggage Car based on equipment assigned to Santa Fe's Super Chief in the mid-1950s.

When Amtrak took over operation of most railroad-owned passenger trains in May 1971, the fledgling company used the best cars from member railroads' fleets. Among this group were 24 of Santa Fe's "Pine" Series 10-6 Sleepers that were once assigned to the legendary Super Chief. During the next 30-plus years, these cars served on various long-distance runs and some are still in use today. Walthers' new models come pre-painted in four different Amtrak schemes covering the service life of the cars from the 1970s to the present. An undecorated version is also offered. Each is complete with working diaphragms, flush-fitting windows, add-on wire grab irons, and more. Each car is priced at $39.98 each. Since hauling snail helped pay the bills for the Santa Fe, the Super Chief carried a "full" Railway Post Office (RPO), so-called because the entire car was used to sort mail en-route. With no on-board mail storage area, a baggage-express car was also assigned to the train for this purpose. Coupled directly ahead of the RPO, mail clerks could easily retrieve bags of mail for sorting as needed. Walthers' second release in the new Super Chief series is based on the 73 foot Baggage Cars built by Budd. The model comes prepainted and lettered for the Santa Fe, and a set of matching number decals is provided so additional cars can be modeled if desired. The model has all the features found on Walthers passenger cars, including working diaphragms, flush-fitting windows, add-on wire grab irons and more. The baggage car (932-9002) retails for $39.98. For added realism, modelers can add Walthers' Passenger Car Interior Lighting Kit (#933-1049) sold separately. These drop-in units come fully assembled and include complete instructions for installation. To complete the Super Chief, Walthers and Athearn Genesis are teaming up on a special run of Santa Fe's signature F units. Resplendent in traditional Passenger Warbonnet colors and featuring the road's unique numbering, two HO Scale sets will be offered. The first, 141-99041, includes a powered F7A (#47L) and B Unit (#47A) and is priced at $254.98. The second set, 141-99042, features a dummy F78 (#47B) and A Unit (#47C) and is priced at $199.98.

New Walthers SP C-30-1 Cabooses

HO - Walthers has announced the availability of its new, ready-to-run Southern Pacific C-30-1 Caboose in HO scale.The new Walthers SP C-30-1 Wood Caboose is a replica of those built between 1917 and 1928. The prototype featured a wood body on a steel underframe, a narrow cupola with slanted sides, and running boards along the cupola sides. The cars became the backbone of SP's wood caboose fleet and a few lasted into the 1960s.The models feature detailed plastic bodies with molded-in drill starter points that simplify installation of the wire handrails and grab irons, which are included. The cars also include interiors, caboose trucks, and working knuckle couplers. Walthers models come decorated in four different lettering variations: SP (Reporting Marks Only), SP (Roman with bars), SP (Modern Gothic Lettering), SP (Texas & New Orleans Reporting Marks), and undecorated. The caboose is available individually for $24.98 or in limited-run two-packs for $24.98 offering a total of three roadnumbers per color scheme.

Walthers has ---release of the 4-4-2 Pullman-Standard Sleeper in HO Scale, based on equipment assigned to Santa Fe's Super Chief. Typical of long-distance luxury trains, passengers aboard the Super Chief actually rode in sleeping cars. Accommodations ranged from a single roomette to a large drawing room; by day the beds folded into comfortable seats.

The train typically carried the latest 10-6 (represented by Walthers #9339001, "Pine" Series cars) and 4-4-2 sleepers.

Walthers' third release in the new Super Chiefseries is based on the "Hotevilld" series sleepers used after World War II, but decals for newer "Regal" series cars from the 1950s are also included. The model has all the features found on Walthers passenger cars, including working diaphragms.

932-9005 Pullman-Standard "Hotevilla" Series 4-4-2 Sleeper - $39.98
932-9007 63-foot Budd Railway Post Office - $39.98
932-9004 Pullman-Standard 29-Seat Dormitory-Lounge - $39.98 May 2004
932-9003 Pullman-Standard 36-Seat .Diner- $39.98 June 2004
932-9006 Pullman-Standard Pleasure Dome - $49.98 July 2004
932-9008 Pullman-Standard Nista' Series Observation-Lounge - $44.98 August 2004

Reefers

Hustle fruit and perishables to market in reefers. Designed and built by the Pennsylvania Railroad, these cars operated on passenger trains across the country as part of the Railway Express Agency car fleet.

Limited-Run 2-Packs, $49.98

Pullman-Standard 4-4-2 Sleepers

Considered some of the most luxurious cars on the rails, 4-4-2s offered plush accommodations on trains across the land. September delivery Pullman-Standard 4-4-2 Sleepers, $34.98 each

932-16701 Pullman Pool Scheme (two-tone gray)

932-16702 IC

932-16703 CN

932-16704 PRR "Fleet of Modernism"

Colorful, Classic Cars for your Passenger Consists

Walthers passenger cars bring great realism to your passenger trains. Pullman-Standard cars feature four body styles-smooth or fluted sides, with or without skirting. Budd models feature steam-heat or Head-End Power underbody details and as-built or Amtrak' Heritage Fleet car ends. P-S cars ride on GSC 41-HR trucks (Budd cars on GSC Commonwealth) with diecast sideframes and blackened-metal wheelsets. Other features include flush-fitting windows, full interiors, working diaphragms, wire handrails, magnetic knuckle couplers, plus car number and name decals All cars, unless noted, have built-in provisions for the Walthers Passenger Car Interior Lighting Kit 933-1049, $10.98 (sold separately).

Prototype photo from the C&0 Historical Society Collection Pullman-Standard 52-Seat Coaches

Large windows and comfortable reclining seats allowed passengers on long-distance trips to recline and watch the countryside roll past. October delivery

Pullman-Standard 52-Seat Coaches, $34.98 each

932-6761 GN "Empire Builder" 932-6768 DRGW "Four-Stripe" Scheme

932-6762 ATSF 932-6769 C&0

932-6763 CNW 932-6770 Rack Island

932-6764 Amtrak Phase 1 932-6771 UP

932-6765 SP 932-6772 NYC (two-tone gray w/single band)

932-6766 NP (two-tone green) 932-6760 Undecorated

932-6767 PRR Late Scheme

Pullman-Standard 10-5 Sleepers

These 1940s-era sleepers featured 10 roomettes and 5 double bedrooms-ideal for comfortable overnight travel. August delivery

Pullman-Standard 10-5 Sleepers, $34.98 each

932-6741 GN "Empire Builder" 932-6748 DRGW "Four-Stripe" Scheme

932-6742 ATSF 932-6749 C&0

932-6743 CNW Early Scheme 932-6750 Rock Island

932-6744 Amtrak Phase 1 932-6751 UP

932-6745 SP (silver, red stripe) 932-6752 NYC (two-tone gray w/single band)

932-6746 NP (two-tone green) 932-6740 Undecorated

932-6747 PRR Late Scheme

Pullman-Standard 6-6-4 Sleepers

Assigned to overnight schedules on dozens of railroads, 6-6-4 Sleepers had six open compartments, six roomettes

Budd Dome Coaches

With large, wrap-over windows and comfortable upper-level seating, these cars offered passengers virtually unobstructed views. December delivery

Budd Dome Coaches, $39.98 each

932-16481 D&H

932-16482 IC

932-16483 VIA (Modern Scheme)

Add interior lights with the Budd Dome-Car Lighting Kit 933-1065 $12.98, (sold separately).

Thousands of these cars are kept busy hauling pulpwood from reloads, yards and cutting sites to patper mills. This new, layout-ready model is perfect for your pulpwood fleet. Based on 1970s era cars, these feature a realistic V-deck designed to carry two rows of pulpwood cut to five-foot lengths. Available in CSX, NS, Maine Central, Atlantic Coast Line, SOU, Seaboard Coast Line, MP, Chattahoochee Industrial Railroad, and Undecorated.

72' Centerbeam Flat Cars - - coming April 2003

These specialized flat cars serve your modern sawmills and lumber yards. They come with standard or opera window-style centerbeams as appropriate for each roadname. Available in Trailer Train, CP, and WC/DSSAM.

Greenville 7,000 Cubic Foot Wood Chip Hoppers

Huge hoppers like these have hauled chips from sawmills and wood chippers since the early 1970s. The new model captures the unique embossed side panels and tall stature of the prototypes. Other features include hopper door latch details, interior bracing and a heavy diecast chassis. Available in CSX, MP, NS, and UP.

HO Scale 40' R-T-R Meat Reefers

Up through the early 1970s, long trains of ice-cooled meat reefers were some of the "hottest" trains on any railroad. These trains hauled carloads of refrigerated meat from slaughterhouses to processors on expedited schedules. The steel reefers used are the prototypes for these Walthers freight cars.

Although outwardly similar to produce reefers, 40-foot meat reefers were specially built to haul their cargo. Some cars were equipped with hooks riding on overhead rails, identical to those used in the slaughterhouses and processing plants they served, to simplify loading and unloading. Meat reefers were cooled with ice, or a brine mixture of ice and salt, loaded through rooftop hatches into bunkers on the ends of the cars.

Meat traffic was big business for many railroads in the 1950s and 60s. Solid reefer blocks were given top priority, not only because of the perishable cargo, but to avoid re-icing, which was an added expense.

The new, ready-to-run Walthers 40-foot meat reefers are based on a Walthers freight car kit offered several years ago. The belt rail on the side and full-height doors distinguish these cars from other meat reefers. The models feature knuckle couplers and include optional wire grab irons, which modelers can add if they wish. Molded-in drill starter points are also added to aid modelers in applying these details.

Other features include applied roofwalks and brakewheels. The cars are available individually and in 2packs for a total of three roadnumbers per roadname. Roadnumbers on these models are different than those offered in previously released kits. One car, Raskin Packing, features a new orange paint scheme. Sioux City Dressed Beef is an entirely new roadname.

General American 40 foot meat reefers were some of the most colorful cars ever, with many wearing billboard-style logos and lettering schemes. Since the cars operated from the 1940s to the 70s, they're natural additions to any transition- or diesel-era layout.

Single cars are available for the following roadnames: Swift, American Refrigerator Transit, Armour (ARI.X), Wilson Car Lines, MILW/ URTX, Raskin Packing - orange, Rock Island, Sioux City Dressed Beef, and Undecorated. The cars have a suggested retail price of $14.98 each.

Express service on your Pike

Modernize your Amtrak Superliner, Amfleet and horizon Fleet long-distance trains with these ready-to-run HO Scale models. Each Express Box Car comes fully assembled and includes separately applied door latch bars, ladders and door release wheels. Working knuckle couplers and metal wheelsets are standard equipment. Scheme: Amtrak phase V

Express Reefers

Rushing priority perishables between stations, express reefers were found at the front of the fastest passenger runs, as well as specialized mail and express trains. Ready-to-run models features a handsome one-piece body with separately applied details, authentic underbody, high-speed trucks with metal wheelsets and working knuckle couplers. Roadnames: San Luis Central - - SFRD Santa Fe Freight - - Railway Express Agency (striped scheme)

40' Meat Reefers Moved Valuable Commodities

Many reefers were equpped with hooks like those used in slaughterhouses to simplif loading and unloading. They had top priority because of their perishable cargo and to avoid re-icing coasts. Roadnames: Swift - - American Refrigerator Transit - - Armour (ARLX) - Wilson Car Lines - - MILW/URTX - - Raskin Packing - - Rock island - - Sioux City Dressed Beef - - Undec

HO Single Sheathed 40' Ready-to-Run wood box car with interior grain doors: These cars feature sliding exterior doors, interior grain door detail and knuckle couplers.

ATSF - - GN - - NP - - MILW - - CB&Q - - UP - - CNW - - SOO - - Undec

 HO Ready-To-Run Doodlebug: The new Electro-Motive Corporation 60' Gas-Electric Doodlebug features a flywheel-equipped mechanism perfectly suited to the slower pace of secondary runs. Other features include a detailed body with separate grab irons, a working headlight, car interior and rear working knuckle coupler.

CB&Q - - LV - - NP - - UP - - GN - - Boston & Maine - - CNW - - Maryland & Pennsylvania - - B&O - - SOO - - Undec

HO Ready-To-Run Thrall 56' All-Door Box Cars, new names: Green Bay Western - - Illinois Central Gulf - - Seaboard Coast Line - - D&H - - British Columbia Railway

HO Tri-Level Enclosed Auto Carriers, new names: SSW (Cotton Belt) - - Seaboard Coast Line - - Rock Island - - Florida East Coast

HO Ready-To-Run Gunderson 60' Box Cars: New Walthers Gunderson 60' Box Cars are models of cars that haul paper products, metal stampings and other light, bulky cargo. Ready-to-run cars feature free-rolling trucks and working knuckle couplers: NS - - International Bridge & Terminal CO

HO Ready-To-Run 16,000 Gallon Funnel-Flow Tank Cars, new names: Georgia Kaolin - - KT Clays - - Engelhard - - EDD - - JM Huber - - Dupont - - Thiele - - HC Spinks

Ready to Run Budd Passenger Cars Diners: Cook up something special. Here's where passengers can sit down to a hot meal. The Budd Diner is typical of those which Amtrak transformed into Heritage Fleet food service cars. These cars operate wherever single-level diners are necessary. To be available in Amtrak (Phase I, II, III, IV), PRR, CB&Q, NYC, CP, ACL, SOU, SP, and Undec

New Heritage Fleet Budd Passenger Cars Have Features You Might Expect Only In Brass Models: Starting at each end of the cars, you'll find as-built or Amtrak style car ends with working diaphragms as appropriate for each prototype. An interior vestibule gives car ends a realistic appearance, especially when you run them on the rear of a train where you can see in through the diaphragms and windows. Speaking of windows, these new cars feature realistic flush-fitting windows which give you a great view of each car's full interior detail. Add-on wire grab irons, die-cast metal GSC Commonwealth trucks, blackened metal 36' wheelsets and working knuckle couplers to round out the detailing on these realistic replicas.

Coaches are the workhorses of any passenger train. Budd 48-Seat Coaches allow passengers to recline, stretch out and watch the countryside streak by. Available in: Amtrak Phase I, II, III, IV - - ATSF - - PRR - - CB&Q - - NYC - -CP - - ACL - -SOU - -ROCK - - SP - - Undec

The Budd 10-6 Sleeper, with ten roomettes and six double bedrooms, became Amtrak's chosen standard for Heritage Fleet rebuilding. Today, these cars run on eastern trains mixed with Viewliner Sleepers, Amfleet and Horizon Fleet cars. Available in: Amtrak Phase I, II, III, IV - - ATSF - - PRR - - CB&Q - - NYC - - SP - - UP - - Undec

Funnel Flow Tank Cars: Developed in the 1960s by Union Tank Car Co., Funnel Flow Tank Cars feature tank bodies which are higher at the ends than at the middle so liquids are forced to outlet valves on the car bottom. Perfect for hauling liquids and slurries, you'll find these cars at refineries, asphalt plants, chemical plants and paper mills. Some cars are outfitted with heater coils under their outside shells so the contents can be heated for faster unloading. Available in: UTLS (Union Tank Car) - - HOKX (Occidental Chemical) gray/black - - AFPX (Allied Signal Sulfur) black/yellow - - PROX (Procor Sulfur) black/yellow - - MGSX (Martin Gas Sulfur) black/yellow - - -TGOX (US Rail Leasing) yellow - - Undec

Ready to Run 64' Plastic Pellet Hopper: These big ready-to-run National Steel Car 6245 cu. ft. Plastic Pellet Cars are just the thing for hauling plastic pellets from manufacturers to molding plants. Pellet hoppers are everywhere plastics are hauled - and that means everywhere! Ready-to-run cars have the features you want; separate roofwalks, pneumatic piping, brake piping, control valves, brake cylinders, brake wheel, air reservoir and hatches, wire grab irons, and working knuckle couplers.

Available in Huntsman - -Union Tank Car - - -Montell - - - -Chevron - - - -CGTX Co - - - National Car - - Procor - - - GE Railcar - -Undecorated

HO Ready To Run 75' Auto Train Car Carriers: Walthers new Amtrak 75' Auto Carriers are just the thing for building your Auto Train consist. Built in the 1950s to haul new cars for Canadian National and rebuilt for Auto Train Corporation, Amtrak acquired these cars for its very popular Auto Train between Washington D.C. and Florida.

Available in Amtrak Phase III - - Phase IV - - CN/Auto Train - -Auto Train Corporation - - Undecorated

HO Ready To Run 40' Ortner Aggregate Hoppers: let you add a realistic rock hauling car fleet in minutes. Cars come complete with a simulated load, molded end railings and working knuckle couplers. Starter points for wire grab irons (sold separately) are molded into the body for those who want added realism.

Available in Chesapeake & Ohio - - Golden West - - Western Paving Co

HO 54' GSC Flat Car Kits: Commonwealth Flat Car Kits are handy for hauling lumber, machinery and other large item across your layout. Thousands of these cars have been in service since the 1950s on railroads across the continent. Easy-to-build kits include detailed bodies, bulkheads, trucks and working knuckle couplers. Available in CSX - - NS - - BNSF

HO Ready-To-Run 33,000 Gallon Liquefied Petroleum Gas Tank Car: these big cars haul compressed, liquefied petroleum gas created from the refining process. You'll find these cars at refineries and regional propane distributors. These ready-to-run cars come equipped with metal handrails, free-rolling trucks and knuckle couplers. Available in UTLX (Union Tank Car) - - AGFX (Anchor Gas) - - CONX (Conoco) black - - CITX (Cities Service) black - - AMOX (Amoco) black - - TXPX (Texas Petrochemical) black - - - Undecorated

HO Dynamometer Car: This working model is a must for your steam or diesel era railroad because it actually tests the pulling power of your locomotives. With these tests, you can find out exactly how much your locomotives can pull over every section of your layout so you can tailor your power assignments to fit your pike. Based on a typical 1920's era design by Standard Steel Car Company, the Walthers Dynamometer Car will look great coupled between your locomotives and train. These cars usually enjoy long lives; many remained in use through the 1980s and a few are still active. Ready-to-run Operating Dynamometer Cars feature working testing equipment with a readout on the car; separate ladder, underbody and roof details and working knuckle couplers. Available in Nickel Plate Road, CB&Q, C&O, NYC, PRR, MILW, Kansas City Southern, UP, SP, N&W, SOU, and undecorated

Modern, Ready-To-Run Walthers HO Intermodal Well Cars Are Here

National Steel Car 3-Unit 53' Well Cars are just the thing for modelers who love the latest intermodal cars for their railroads. Like the prototypes, these new models feature three drawbar-connected platforms capable of handling 53' containers. With their detailed, diecast bodies and applied plastic details, these cars look as great as they run and are $39.98 each.

932-3941 TTX 1 932-3942 TTX 2 932-3943 TTX 3 932-3944 CP 932-3940 Undecorated

New Walthers Exclusive: Limited-Run, Manufacturers Railway Co. HO Scale Alco S1s

These new Walthers exclusive models are based on the classy fleet of green switchers operated in the St. Louis area by Anhaeuser-Buschowned Manufacturers Railway Co. This is the same railroad many modelers had the opportunity to visit during the 2001 NMRA National Convention last summer. Atlas Alco S1 switchers feature smoothrunning mechanisms and highly-detailed bodies, making them very popular units. Add to this fine model an exquisite paint scheme with two roadnumbers and you've got a collectible locomotive that won't sit on the shelf long. The new engines sell for $84.98 each and are expected in April, 2002.