[%-)] O.K. [%-)]
Does anyone know what happened to life-like and whalters?
MORE INFO!!!
up4
Why, has something else happened to them since Walther’s aquired Lifelike? I don’t know what your asking?
Walthers (note spelling - if you’re looking for “whalters.com” you won’t find what you want) bought Life-Like a while back. Since then, they’ve been slowly adapting some of the models, and, from what I can see, selling off and discontinuing others. I’ve picked up some great deals, but I don’t think it will go on forever.
Some people saw this as a “takeover” where the Life-Like product line would simply vanish. I don’t really have any idea of the financial situation that Life-Like was in, but my guess is that Walthers actually prolonged the existence of Life-Like by taking them over.
Life-Like’s Proto models were their top-end products, and Walthers is still using the Proto name for a number of high-quality models which they’re now manufacturing. Additions have been made to the line as well.
Many Life-Like models made before the takeover had common problems, one of which is the well-known “cracked axle” problem on GP-9’s and similar models. Walthers has assumed the responsibility for these, and will send replacement axles free-of-charge. I think that shows that Walthers is a responsible company interested in the future of the hobby. If Life-Like was indeed a declining business, then this may be the best possible outcome.
Hello UnionPacific4,
I’m assuming that you know Walthers bought out Life Like back in 2005. Walthers has been producing the new locomotives as well the building kits. I just got the Walthers Flyer in the mail. Lot of items on sale. Some are good deals.
Call Walthers during the week. Tell the Customer Service representative that you are a new customer and would like to start receiving the flyer in the mail. Not all, but many hobby shops will honor the prices that are in the flyer, as long as you bring with you and show them the sale item in the flyer. Happy Hobo Trains in Tampa does this.
The phone call is toll free. Here’s Walthers number: 1-800-487-2467
Hope this helps…
Peace and High Greens [8D]
As far as I can remember Walthers only bought the “Proto” line of trains from LifeLike, not LifeLike itself.
The cracked gear problem was limited to Proto’s early models only. That would include the BL-2, GP-18, GP-7 and the FA.
Walthers has done a pretty good job with the line and servicing, especially giving out the replacement gears for those early models (free of charge no matter where or when you bought them).
I think they bought the entire Life-Like Toy and Hobby division. Why else would there be toy spin tops on the Walthers website? Even so, it is kind of strange…
(click on the links) Darda Toys 
http://walthers.com/exec/page/press/2005/lifelike
Exciting News from Walthers!
We’re pleased to announce that Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. acquired the assets of the Toy and Hobby division of Life-Like Products, LLC. on Thursday, July 14, 2005 with the mission of elevating model railroading to a whole new level.
Both parties feel that this transaction will significantly benefit the industry. Jerry Kandel, President of Life-Like comments, “This acquisition by Walthers will allow Life-Like to use its management team and resources to focus on its core business of retail foam, industrial foam, refrigerant gel and gliders.”
Negative, Ghost Rider. Walther’s bought the entire Life-Like line, Proto 1000, Proto 2000, Heritage, standard line, all of it.
What a coincidence. I recently bought two P2K gp-18s at an estate sale. NIB, one runs fine. the other had all four cracked axles. I called Walthers and ordered two new truck sets. I replaced the ones I had and lo and behold both replacement trucks have cracked axles. Guess who’s going to call Walthers tomorrow. Oh and by the way ,do not, I repeat, do not dissassemble a Rivarossi 70’s to 80’s Y6-b motor. All the little ball bearings will fall out, and I don’t see ant way in H’‘’‘’’ you can reassemble the motor even if you can find the 1mm ball bearings… A result of a statement I made that went something like “oh I can fix that”[%-)]
Correct. The “Proto” line of locomotives is now Walthers as opposed to LifeLike. Recently purchased a Union Pacific E-8 A/B from Walthers. It’s a great looker/performer.
ReKlein
Your situation is understandable, but instead of waiting you can just spend $2 and change and simply buy some replacement axles, plus a few extras to keep handy. Don’t forget that the same styled axles are made Athearn and fit perfectly. There are no backorders on these particular Athearn axles so they are available.
I had to order a set of axles for a GP7 and they made me pay for them!! Furthermore, Ive called them twice since then to get some repair parts for P2K engines and they very curtly told me that they will not sell them to me!!! This attitude is what killed Rivarossi sales here in the States.
Dick
Texas Chief
That’s strange. I’ve had no problems getting parts for P2K locos.
Below is a link to Walthers’ press release about the Life-Like aquisition.
Texas Chief,
That’s not good and for Walthers, quite unusual. Like Jeff, I’ve called Walthers before and each time the friendly customer service rep was helpful.
Not doubting your statement but were you friendly towards the customer service rep or did you sound demanding? In my younger days I discovered that often times a “perceived” positive or negative attitude on the telephone makes a big difference when getting service from a business customer service rep (and I admit that at times I could be quite abrasive back then!). Perhaps the rep you spoke with was having a bad day. Call Walthers and try again. Also, calmly let them know how you were treated on your last call.
I think that in the long run the number of “freebies” that we get from Walthers may start to decline due to increasing costs (thanks to increasing petroleum prices). There are manufacturers that still charge for shipping, even on small warranty items and Walthers may eventually feel the pinch in this area.
It is quite possible, even likely that the parts are not available. The tooling is all in China and no one keeps a large quantity of parts around especially if you need something odd. Factories will not set up to run just a few parts. Many times there are multiple parts in a mold so to get one part you may have to run 12 or more. There is no law saying spare parts need to be made available.
Actually I been hearing of crack gears on some of the NEW GP30s…I can only confirm one case though…I showed the guy-a fellow club member-how to change gears…This may have been a isolated case because the newer geeps seems to be ok judging from the ones I been seeing-mostly sound equipped-at the second HO club I am a member of.
OK, I just got off the phone with Walthers and ,after telling them my sad tale about the broken GP-18 axles, they are sending me six sets of axles FOC. The next time however the axle sets will cost me $3.00/pr. Pretty good deal I’d say. To bad Life-Like screwed up on those things the first time around. I have 6 or 7 P2K locos and this is the first problem I’ve had.
That’s great news, Reklein. Very glad that the situation worked out positively.
Chances are that you won’t have axle problems with the new replacements.
[:D]