Greetings,
So will Athearn be included in the 2005 Walthers catalog?
They need to be or lose alot of business.
Or will there be only one through Horizon?
Curious?
Mark in Texas
Mabey the remainer of Athearn products Walthers still has in stock will be listed in the catalog. This take over crap sucks.
You know, I think it’s just to early to come to any conclusions about what will happen. IMHO, I don’t think it is in Horizon or Athearn’s best interest to cut-off any product outlet. However, seeing how I only have 28 years in business for myself, my opinions probably have no merit with the big time, collage boy, bidness suits!
I am not in the “hobby news” loop. Why wouldn’t Athearn be included in the next catalog?
could be a possibilty because of Horizon took over Athearn
that you could have taken out of some older topics in this forum! it is not only whining what is going on here!
Perhaps we will be looking at the new Horizon Catalog in 2005!
And that catalog will probably pop up in the walthers 2005 lol…
Let’s get thru 2004 then we all can find out what happens in '05. =) It’s time this is put to bed. We need to move on to the next mega buy out by the suits in their ivory towers. I think a fictional scenario would be Wal Mart buys Walthers to reach a untapped income stream.
Keep in mind there will ALWAYS be a few of these kits floating about. I feel that a few millions of these kits are in basements unopened and are destined to be sold on the internet, train shows or bought by dealers at estate sales etc…
I live in Tolono, Il., ten miles south of Champaign. A friend of mine who has worked at Horizon Hobbies for 6-7 years has told me that supposedly nothing should change at all regarding Athearns products (prices, availability, etc.). Let’s hope she’s right!
I’ve heard that Walthers will not wholesale Athearn but will sell it thru the hobby store they have next door BUT who knows until it happens as all the 2005 stuff i see is all pre-order I.E. make only what sold in advance. My LHSO can’t get things as he doesn’t have a set up with Horizon yet but is going to as a backup to his normal wholesalers. I’m worried about the kits as the RTR is too pricey for me
I am more worried about the trend in supplier’s turning to RTR, than the Athearn buy-out! Why would Horizon not want Athearn to continue with their present and substantial market share? If you can’t find Athearn “Blue Box” kits anymore, buy any of the other kit suppliers products! Accurail, Roundhouse, C&BT, Branchline Yardmaster, etc. etc. are all viable and in some cases way better products, anyway.
Agree[:)]
I’d be more worried if Walthers had bought Athearn[;)]
All in all, I don’t think there will be that much of an impact on the overall direction the company was headed. Athearn has always been a leader in providing affordable and quality model railroad products to the consumer and seems to be commited to continue this tradition in the future. In the past, they have found ways to reduce the price and still keep the models reasonably detailed. The new RTR line is a fine example! Two for one! I love it!
I would, however, like to see the same products(now released in the RTR line) released in kit form even if it means a slight increase in price. Or at least reduce the number of parts that are affixed with super- glue (CA?)!
I’m pretty sure there will always be the struggle: Have a kit sit on the shelves in stores, while a RTR version rolls out the door. One hopes the blue box kits don’t fade from the modeling scene all together!