Hey guys, im looking to try and get an idea of what is out on the maket these days, as far as structers and accesories and whatnot, and im looking for a catalog with pictures of everything. Now i notice that Walthers has a large catalog that they are calling a “reference book” on their website. Is this the book i am looking for??? Are the products listed in this book acompanied by pictures???
Are there other good catalogs out there i should get my hands on?
Thanks for thew help!
—Joe
Yes, if you want a book, as opposed to a web site, then the Walthers catalog is for you. If you want a web site, www.walthers.com is probably the best in that department, too. Sign up for the free monthly sales fliers while you’re there. They come in the mail around the beginning of each month. I love browsing through mine, and I enjoy it as much as my MR subscription.
Lol, i cant seem to figure out how to browse the sight. It doesnt seem to be orginized all that well, or maybe im just looking in the wrong place.
Anyhow, their catalog has pictures of all the products? If so i think i will pick it up. I spend enough time on the computer, and im sure it will be much easier browsing through the book.
Thanks for taking the time to respond!
When you are done with it you can cut out some of the larger building pictures and use them on your backdrop for filler.
Joe,
Yes, do yourself a favor and stop down at your LHS and pick up the Walthers catalog for $10. Worth every penny - just for the “browsing” aspect. You’ll see plenty of product in it. No one else even comes close to the selection.
Tom
I know what you mean. It’s not really “page oriented” like a print catalog. It’s based on the search function, which has two layers. If you enter a search like “Red Caboose” you will first get all items where the words “Red” and “Caboose” both appear, sorted alphabetically by manufacturer. Then, they will re-start the alphabet and list all items for which either “Red” or “Caboose” appear.
I’ve gotten used to the Walthers system, but I still sometimes go to www.discounttrainsonline.com just because they have a more intuitive search system, and you can specify things like manufacturer, scale and type of product (structures, figures, rolling stock, etc.) to constrain the search. Discount Trains Online generally has lower prices, but they don’t stock as many items as Walthers. In fact, many items they don’t stock at all, and only order from their own supplier after you place an order with them. That’s one reason it takes a while for them to get things out the door. If Discount Trains doesn’t have a picture, by the way, copy the item number and then go back to Walthers. Put the same item number into the Walthers search box, and you’ll probably go right to their entry for that item. Chances are, it will have a picture.
I have found using the various online stores as a catalog is helpful for two reasons. One, you get various selections of vendors and two, you get variable pricing information at the same time.
In my favorites I must have 20-30 online stores to browse through when I am looking for something. It’s been very helpfull.
Bill
…but it’s not rocket surgery. For general browsing for structures:
Click ‘advanced search’ in the homepage’s left menu.
Select ‘Structures’ from the scroll-down categories menu, top left in box.
Select your scale from the scroll-down menu, top right in box.
Click the radio button ‘show all items, regardless of availability’, middle left in box.
Click ‘Search’ button, lower left in box.
Items presented by manufacturer, manufacturers presented alphabetically (well, sort of), click highlighted item on manufacturers’ lists to see item; not all items are linked to pictures.
What an excellent idea.
I was always opposed to spending the money on ordering the Walthers catalog then I went out of town to a show in Dec. and seen the 2008 catalog for $10. The catalog is way better than trying to find something on there site, not that there’s anything wrong with there site.[:)]
http://www.sceneryexpress.com/inforequest.asp
This company will send you a free scenery catalog if you fill out the form. Full color thick catalog. Trees, grasses, accessories, figures, rocks, plaster castings, roads, etc…
Click the “request catalog” in the green menu on the left.
Use catalogs…Keep a printer in business![;)]
^^^ hey, thats great! Thanks for the head up.
And thanks to the others that replied. I am going to order the Walthers catalog right now!