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 Posted - August 28 2008 : 5:12:12 PM
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I'm sure somebody knows the answer to this right off the bat, but I have no clue so I figured I'd ask.
Is there a reason why Walthers doesn't stock Athearn products?
I love Athearn's products, but Wm. K. Walthers seems intent on leaving them out of the business. That makes it hard for me to get Athearn stuff unless I actually go to a train store.
Anyone know why this is?
    
- Matt -
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 Posted - August 28 2008 : 6:31:13 PM
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| Athearn was bought out by Horizon Hobbies. They and Walther's are bitter rivals.
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Posted - August 28 2008 : 6:33:35 PM
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It's an industry pissing contest. 
Athearn was bought by Horizon Hobby, Inc. about 5 years ago. Horizon was/is a full-line hobby distributor that specialized primarily in R/C stuff at the time.
I have heard both ways that either Walthers saw this as a threat and decided not to carry the Athearn line anymore... and/or that Horizon made it exclusive from the get-go.
Regardless, since then the pissing match has continued with Horizon buying Roundhouse, McHenry, RPP, and other lines, with exclusive distributorship.
Walthers has responded by most recently adding Life-Like / Proto2k to their historical list of exclusive-rights acquisitiions.
Both have shown no qualms with raising prices some 40-70% in the last few years, especially with "new" models. An Athearn RTR freight car can push $30 now, while Walthers' latest marquee building kits go for $300. Unthinkable just 5 years ago! 
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Posted - August 28 2008 : 6:39:07 PM
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BTW the Walthers Catolog, handy as it is, is not the be-all end-all of mail-order railroading. If you can't get stuff from your hobby shop, ask them to use another supplier. NEVER buy direct from Walthers as the prices are the highest you'll pay anywhere, the service sucks, and half the time they're out of stock (I know this both as a end-user customer AND as a former business associate for a model train store).
One of the best places to buy trains online is MB Klein in Baltimore. Their site is www.modeltrainstuff.com. They have virtually everything at near wholesale prices and the service is excellent.
Edited by - GoingInCirclez on August 28 2008 6:40:14 PM
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Posted - August 28 2008 : 7:20:34 PM
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Thanks for the link Tony.
Mike
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Posted - August 28 2008 : 7:42:46 PM
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Wow I had no idea it was like that.
And yeah, I know what you mean when you say service direct from Walthers sucks. It does. 
- Matt -
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Posted - August 28 2008 : 11:33:30 PM
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Matt,
Tony's right about M.B. Klein having the best prices, but another good resource is Trainworld. http://www.trainworld.com/
They have great blowout sales, and their customer is very good. They've been selling the retooled Rivarossi Heislers for only $80 for at least 2 years now.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - August 29 2008 : 01:57:03 AM
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It's true about Walther's buying out Proto...
But, something you may not know is that the place where Proto/LifeLike models were produced now (and has since) Have a new line that's exclusive to Canadian rolling stock... it's called "TrueLine Trains."
TrueLine is responsible for creating the HO 5 axle C-Liner.
I might not have all the exact facts, but I read about this somewhere.
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
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Pierce
Big Six
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Posted - August 29 2008 : 02:11:41 AM
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Here are a few websites I have personally purchased Athearn from and gotton great service...
http://www.traindoctor.com/index.asp (Brasseur Electric Trains)
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/ (Lantz's Hobby Shop)
http://www.procustomhobbies.com/ (Pro Custom Hobbies)
http://www.modelrailcraft.com/ (Model Railcraft Supply Depot)
All of these I have ordered many had to find Athearn parts, if they do not ave them they will try to get them. Most of there prices on Athearn Blue Box are closeouts, I am not sure if they are trying to restock or they can not get Blue Box anymore so they are cleaning house.
Adam
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Posted - August 29 2008 : 2:05:34 PM
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Hi Matt,
All of the above are good sites However, everyone seems to have forgotten that you live in the Canadian Maritimes I suggest that you check out Georges Trains in Toronto http://www.georgestrains.com/index.php It might save you hassles with shipping, etc I note that their store front (web catalog) is down for revision at the moment but, their toll free phone is still an option..
Horizon Hobby has a site http://www.horizonhobby.com/Trains/ to check on new releases, etc.
Loopy
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
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Posted - August 29 2008 : 2:24:56 PM
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hi LoopnHook,georges looks good,any ideas how long it will be down ken
Edited by - catfordken on August 29 2008 2:26:21 PM
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Posted - August 29 2008 : 2:28:50 PM
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Hey Guys:
Been Dealing with George's Train since about `72. Not the cheapest but very knowledgable. Shops been open since just after WW2
-Gareth
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Posted - September 01 2008 : 5:36:52 PM
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Ken Ive no idea when Georges web catalog will be back on line Sign up for their eMail notices Its not really a local call for you
Big G Sometimes, more expensive is cheaper One has to consider international shipping costs and as you mention service and such
Loopy
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
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Posted - December 28 2009 : 2:19:13 PM
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Sorry to bring this up again, but I noticed that Walthers very quietly added Athearn to it's list of manufacturers.
Good news for people like me, since my LHS orders pretty well just from Walthers.
Nevermind, it's just one model being produced by Athearn for Walthers. Durrr.... 
- Matt -
Edited by - MM 1498 on December 28 2009 2:30:53 PM
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