Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor

Distributor

A distributor is a device in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine that routes high voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plugs in the correct firing order. The first reliable battery operated ignition was developed by Dayton Engineering Laboratories Co. and introduced in the...

 of model railroad supplies and tools.

Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., was founded in Milwaukee in 1932 -- but really, it started years earlier, when seven-year-old Bill Walthers got his first taste of the hobby with a small, wind-up toy train for Christmas. He continued with the hobby and eventually had an attic layout composed primarily of his own scratch-built creations. After he wrote a series of articles on building train control and signaling systems, he got so many letters from other modelers that he began manufacturing them. The first ad (in the May issue of The Model Maker) offered a 24-page, 15¢ catalog that listed rail, couplers, and electrical supplies. Sales were over $500.00 for the first year, and the fledgling company was off to a strong start.

Within five years, Walthers had grown so much that larger quarters were needed. Space was found on Erie Street, where everything -- from milled wood parts to metal castings to decals -- was made in-house. 1937 also saw a new line in HO Scale, featured in its own catalog. Bill brought operating layouts to the 1939 World's Fair, which gave the hobby a big boost. Soon, though, the growing possibility of war overshadowed these successes, and supplies were becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.

The next twenty years brought great change. In 1958, Bill retired and his son Bruce took over. Just as full-size railroads were being hard-hit by new technology, so too were model railroads. Leisure time was spent in front of the TV set, not the train set. In 1960, Walthers became a full-line distributor of other manufacturers' products while continuing expansion of the Walthers lines. By the start of the 1970's, business was booming again, and Bruce's son Phil joined the company.

Expansion and diversification continue under Phil's tenure. The establishment of the Walthers Importing Division added several international lines. The manufacturing plant was modernized. Code 83 track was introduced in 1985, giving layouts more realistic proportions. In 1990, the Cornerstone Series buildings were unveiled. Combining a freight car with a related industry, the Cornerstone Series makes it possible for modelers to duplicate authentic operations, enhancing layout realism. The Train Line Deluxe Sets and locomotives debuted in 1994. These sets feature the detailing of serious models and an affordable price -- allowing newcomers to get started, and then build-on to their first set, rather than replacing it.

Today, Walthers continues to expand, improve and develop a wide range of products. The latest selection can be found throughout walthers.com and the printed catalogs, along with items from over 300 other manufacturers. From tiny screws to large structures, there are literally thousands of products to make your model railroading easier and more fun. Behind the scenes, Walthers is constantly striving to provide excellent service to you and your local hobby shop, to ensure that model railroading will be fun for generations to come.

On July 16–18, 2010, Walthers was part of Milwaukee's celebration of the National Train Show

National Train Show

The National Train Show or NTS, is held as part of the annual National Convention of the National Model Railroad Association. It is held in a different city each year . It consists of industry exhibitors and club layout exhibitions...

, presented by the National Model Railroad Association

National Model Railroad Association

The National Model Railroad Association is a non-profit organization for those involved in the hobby or business of model railroading. It was founded in the United States in 1935, and is now active in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands...

 (NMRA) which was founded in Milwaukee in 1935.

Products

Walthers is a large manufacturer and distributor of model trains. As of the company its self, it produces mostly HO scale

HO scale

HO or H0 is the most popular scale of model railway in the world.According to the NMRA standard S-1.2 predominantly used in North America, in HO scale, represents 1 real foot ; this ratio works out to about 1:87.1. According to the MOROP standard NEM 010 predominantly used in Europe, the scale is...

 locomotive

Locomotive

A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...

s, and rolling stock

Rolling stock

Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...

. Walthers is also considered the main manufacturer of passenger cars from the 1930s to the present.

New Walthers Brands:

WalthersMainline cars and locomotives are perfect for any railroad. They are built for frequent use and handling and will provide years of dependable service. Ready to run right out of the box, these products are fully assembled and beautifully detailed.

WalthersProto engines, passenger equipment and freight cars build on the tradition of excellence established by the Proto 2000 Series, Walthers Platinum Line and Walthers passenger cars. Each WalthersProto model is superbly detailed to match its prototype.

Walthers Trainline will help anyone get started in the World's Greatest Hobby! With Train Sets, Locomotives, Rolling Stock, Structures and Accessories Trainline products offer everying you need to set up a running train layout!