MRID inducts new members into Hall of Fame, recognizes leadership change at Walthers

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Aug 31st, 2018

Stacey Walthers Naffah and Phil Walthers share a fist bump at August’s Model Railroad Industry Division/Hobby Manufacturers Association breakfast at the NMRA National Convention in Kansas City. Walthers Naffah is assuming direction of the company in early September.

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Model Railroad Industry Division of the Hobby Manufacturers Association took time at the August NMRA convention to honor three who have made an impact on model railroading and recognize the retirement of an industry leader.

Two HMA members were inducted into the Model Railroad Hall of Fame, another was bestowed the Bobbye Hall Distinguished Service award, and new officers were inducted into the MRID. And next week’s transfer of leadership at the most recognized family-run business in model railroading earned a fist bump.

Phil Walthers and Stacey Walthers Naffah shared a few light moments leading up to next Tuesday’s transition at Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., which has served model railroaders since 1932. Walthers Naffah will succeed Walthers, who is retiring after 34 years as president of one of the industry’s largest distributors and direct sellers of model trains, accessories and related items.

The father-daughter team marked the company’s fourth change of leadership with a knock of the fists.

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U.S. model manufacturers scramble to find new producer after factory in China closes unexpectedly

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Aug 1st, 2018

This story has been updated since its original publication date

A factory in China that manufactures model trains has closed, leaving some U.S. model railroad companies seeking a new supplier and facing delays.

InterMountain Railway Co., Atlas Model Railroad Co., Bowser and Fox Valley Models announced this week that some new locomotives and rolling stock will be delayed or canceled because of the unexpected closing of one of the industry’s top manufacturers.

None of the companies said what products will be delayed.

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Atlas Model Railroad Co. acquires Walthers N Scale Locomotive and Rolling Stock Tooling

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Jun 22nd, 2018

Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc., and Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. have reached an agreement under which Atlas will purchase all N-scale locomotive and rolling stock tooling owned by Walthers, including the Walthers and Life-Like lines.

Atlas will incorporate the tooling into its Atlas Master, Atlas Classic, and Trainman N scale lines, the company said in a statement today. Walthers will continue to offer N-scale items in its Cornerstone, SceneMaster, and Walthers Controls brands, including new items as well as items currently in those lines.

“We feel that this tooling has found a great home with Atlas,” Wm. K. Walthers President Phil Walthers said. “They have a strong N-scale offering and these tools will help them bring some exceptional products back to the market.”

Tom Haedrich, Executive Chairman at Atlas said the tooling fits right in with the company’s existing N-scale lines. “We are committed to producing them with the latest technology, prototypical accuracy, and high quality you’ve come to expect from Atlas,” he said.

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Presentations on UP steam, Ski Train to highlight events at March’s Rocky Mountain Train Show

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Mar 1st, 2018

Model railroaders can brush up on their skills and learn about prototype rails at the Rocky Mountain Train Show March 3-4 in Denver.

More than 30 clinics, headlined by Union Pacific’s steam operations update, are scheduled over both days of the show, which will cover nearly 130,000 square feet at the Denver Mart. Manufacturers, dealers, layouts and representatives from museums and historical societies will also be on hand.

UP’s widely popular session forced show officials to move the presentation to a larger room in the Forum area. Last year, a standing room only crowd of more than 100 heard Ed Dickens Jr., senior manager of UP’s Heritage Operations, update the restoration of Big Boy No. 4014 and offer insight on Northern-class steam locomotive No. 844.

Dickens will do it again at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

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