Hello All (Amtrak Modelers; especially!),
The sad news was brought to my attention yesterday and I checked for myself. Apparently Walthers has listed their Amfleet I line as retired(all phases and paint schemes).
Even though the Bachmann model still exists, the quality of their paint jobs is nowhere near that of Walthers'. The interiors and lighting are all nice but I prefer that being an add-on (like Walthers drop-in lighting kits for their passenger cars) rather than being something I have to gut out.
I always found Walthers' Amfleets to be more appealing (even without the interiors). The paint and lettering has always been more believable and accurate compared to what Bachmann has produced in the same regard.
Although this is sad news, there does leave room for an opportunity. Walthers can decide to upgrade the tooling of their amfleets to be more accurate. No siginificant re-tooling has been done since their initial release (as far as the shell/body goes). I have already written to Walthers expressing my sincere hopes that they consider re-tooling the model to be more accurate. I would encourage others to do the same. Who knows; perhaps they'll do the same thing they did with their Superliners (which were/are very successful).
Please contact Walthers and ask for their consideration of a newly tooled Amfleet I passenger car now that the old cars are retired. My source says that no re-tooling is planned at this time. If we can have model railroaders express interest perhaps this will get the ball rolling for its consideration!
The sad news was brought to my attention yesterday and I checked for myself. Apparently Walthers has listed their Amfleet I line as retired(all phases and paint schemes).
Even though the Bachmann model still exists, the quality of their paint jobs is nowhere near that of Walthers'. The interiors and lighting are all nice but I prefer that being an add-on (like Walthers drop-in lighting kits for their passenger cars) rather than being something I have to gut out.
I always found Walthers' Amfleets to be more appealing (even without the interiors). The paint and lettering has always been more believable and accurate compared to what Bachmann has produced in the same regard.
Although this is sad news, there does leave room for an opportunity. Walthers can decide to upgrade the tooling of their amfleets to be more accurate. No siginificant re-tooling has been done since their initial release (as far as the shell/body goes). I have already written to Walthers expressing my sincere hopes that they consider re-tooling the model to be more accurate. I would encourage others to do the same. Who knows; perhaps they'll do the same thing they did with their Superliners (which were/are very successful).
Please contact Walthers and ask for their consideration of a newly tooled Amfleet I passenger car now that the old cars are retired. My source says that no re-tooling is planned at this time. If we can have model railroaders express interest perhaps this will get the ball rolling for its consideration!
