Walthers Water Street building as a kit?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

The building that was at one time the headquarters of Walthers is offered as a pre-assembled building by them. But… was it ever offered as a kit? I typically enjoy assembling building models and would rather assemble my own and save the $$$. So far, I’ve been unable to find any reference to that particular model being offered unassembled.

Anyone know for sure?

Thanks!

dlm

2

I believe it’s been offered by Magnuson (which Walthers has owned for some time) and by Walthers as a kit, though I think right now it’s only available pre-built. Still shouldn’t be hard to find it as a kit on ebay or a flea market.

3

Yes it has been available as a kit.

The 1990 Walthers catalog shows it as a Magnuson Models kit, 1245 N Water Street. Catalog 439-542, $39.95. Magnuson was at that time already acquired by Walthers itself. Their kits were cast polyester.

I recall actually shopping for trains at that location; people complain now that Terminal Hobby Shop does not have much on display for sale, but it was really tiny back then!

My wife performed there when it was an avant guarde theater and music center. It later became a trendy little restaurant called Mr Bears and it has had several incarnations since then.

Dave Nelson

4

Dave,

thanks for that great info I was wondering about that building. My dad picked it up for the layout (of course what else would he have picked it up for right?) Anyway I dont like h ow far Walthers is from New Berlin. I use to kid around with most of the guys Like Dan, Randy, Chris, And Jerry that they should make a store right across from my parents house due to tha tlayout is there.

5

Yes, I saw the old MM kit in an old Walther’s catalog that I have as well. I was thinking that at one point, the building was available as a plastic kit prior to it being done RTR.

Sure wish that ALL of the RTR stuff was available as kits as well. Don’t like to pay someone else to assemble things plus if you want to modify anything, it sure makes it hard to do… : (

I’ve been looking for some old “wood” MDC cabooses for a little kitbash project. Can’t find the kits anywhere but there are several out there in the RTR world. Pretty soon, we are just going to be railroad collectors instead of railroad modelers…

dlm

6

That IS a nice looking building. I was surprised to see the built up is only $22 on sale right. I agree though, I like kits better.

7

The kit was available,I bought one in '95 or '96 since then it’s gone over to the ready to use built up side of things. Funny though I paid $55 dollars for the kit , and now the built up is much cheaper. [banghead] However as many people have said I too prefer to have the kit ,makes bashing ,detailing ,and re-detailing much easier when you don’t have to take it all appart, also weathering is easier if it’s a kit,you have to remove all the window glass when one want’s to use a weathering wash.Oh well they do show up at train shows and on ebay once in a while.

Rob