I usually at one of the two or three fall train shows. Normally I can get the book for around $16. Although I ofter visit the Walthers website, many products in the book are not easily found on the website. More than a few times I have found items in the book that I never saw listed in the new products section. The book is a little pricey but I beleive that it is a valuable resource.
No I would rather put the $ on something for the layout…Cox 47
I have several annual issues and I might buy the 2006 version. I also use the website to check availability.
No one has mentioned the other interesting parts of Walthers catalogs: the pictures and sidebar articles. I get a lot of information from these features, and I enjoy them. I don’t think it’s worth the price of the catalog just for these features, but together as a package, it’s a good deal. For me, anyway.
I use the catalog as a retail price reference when I am contemplating a purchase. I want to know how much the items sold for new so I know if the asking price is fair. Since Walthers updates their catalog annually, many items are dropped that are no longer in production or Walthers doesn’t carry anymore. Having back issues gives me the prices on those items, albeit somewhat out-dated. At least it’s a good reference point when considering a purchase of new/old store stock.
Darrell, quiet…for now
I buy one at least every other year and as mentioned it is more portable, (it’s tuff to get that desktop in the throne room[:D])
I also find it more convenient as a quick reference and the pics and illustrations are very helpful. I do use the website to check for availability and current MSRPs.
For me, the $20 is no more a waste of money than buying rolling stock, glue, paint or any other mr supplies.
Oh sure I buy it but just not annualy. I keep my old one and go through it from time to time. I can usually find what I need, if not is’s always on eBay.
I bought it several times when staying in the USA, and the last time when I was there was in 2000. Over here this catalog is simply too expensive.
I used to be an ‘every other year’ buyer, since, I don’t know, 1976 (my first one, I think that’s the correct year - it had the Washington Metro posed next to the E60.
The central spread was ‘The interurban layout’, and I memorized that catalog - Oscar and Piker, Ulrich vehicles, my first look at Vollmer and Heljan buildings, a sidebar ad for Walthers Goo every 3rd page [:D], Revell buildings [I think it was the Print shop which had an Eko early 1960s Dodge Dart posed next to it just like our neighbor had - cool] - 30 years on its still memorable to me (as a contrast, the ‘Magic of Model Railroading’ sections from the 90s issues are kinda forgotten, except for some that I clipped and saved here and there…)
Anyway, the 2004 issue is currently the one I own, as the 2006 does not list Athearn and Roundhouse for obvious reasons - not sure if I’ll buy another one anytime soon, but alas I know if I do I won’t be studying it cover to cover like that 10 year old boy 30 years ago did …
I normally get one every other year. My LHS has them for $20. It’s so much easier to flip through the cataloge looking for ideas then to sift through web pages.
Nick
Yes, I don’t have an Internet connection in the bathroom![(-D][(-D][(-D]
Trevor
I buy one every other year. I can usually find them for $15 at the shows. And I keep the old ones for reference.
Yeah, I buy one every other year. It is a good resource, probably covering 75% of what’s available (excluding brass.)
Walther’s Terminal Hobby Shop is very reputable, although many items you can get cheaper elsewhere, and don’t forget to support you local hobby shop if it is deserving.
Yes. I’m in the planning stage and found the following in the 2006 version very helpful.
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=47356
I buy it every 2 years. There is always a lot of repeat info and most of the time there is one available to reference at the hobby shop.
RMax1
I could not have said it better.[:D][;)]
Brakie seems to think that everything shown in the catalog is on the Walthers web site. Me thinks Brakie overstates his case a wee bit.
I put it on my Christmas wish list every second year. I like looking at the pretty pictures. And as someone pointed out, I can’t curl up in the living room chair with my computer which won’t fit in the throne room either. I still supplement it with their online catalog.
I get one every other year, just to stay current. The older ones were donated to the club and…surprise…we had visitors from Germany at the club about 5 weeks ago and a big discussion got started about something, so we whipped out the 2002 version of “the BOOK” to look something up and the visitors got real-l-l-l quiet. They practically drooled over the catalog. The club members ended up giving these visitors our 2004 version of the catalog. It took us a minute to find it, but we didn’t need it…so the catalog has other uses as well!! Promoting the hobby!!
Consider how much money you “blow” on silly things like cigarettes ( if you smoke ), coffee at work over the course of a year, doughnuts or other treats annually, or any other non essential, and you will be surprised how you can come up with $20 for this great reference for a hobby that you obviously enjoy.
I recently picked up the 2006 HO edition. The last one before that was the 2000. I’ve got catalogs back to the 70s around here somewhere. They do make great references for old, out-of-production stuff. Based on trying to order some things over the years, some of the older stuff may never have been produced more than once…
;>)
Nah, really, I think things have improved in recent years. At least you can look up online to see if something is in stock. Still, there is no way to really get good info on a particular item or if it will ever be re-run directly from the website. It would be great if they had a way that users could indicate interest in an item, which might prompt re-runs.
I may be a bit old-fashioned, but it’s a lot easier to browse the catalog than it is on-line. I’m pretty good at searches and poking around on-line, but the Walthers site leaves me baffled at times.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Yes, at least every other year.