Big void now felt in the hobby by Weaver closing

Arthur posted:

Brandy posted:

I wished that someone would run the Wagon Top Box Cars again.....I do believe that Weaver was the only company that made them in O Gauge.....

 

In the Atlas 2017 catalog, 2nd quarter release, so coming soon.

The only drawback to the wagon top boxcars is that they are specific to B&O, so that limits the market somewhat. I would also like to see the H30 covered hopper too. My favorite steam loco was the New Haven I4. I'd like to find one of those some day.

Don

Closing Weaver Models was a very difficult decision. I approached Lionel a few years ago to see if there was any interest. Jerry Calabrese was very interested but informed me that his people didn't think it was in their best interest at the time.

The last few years it became more difficult to produce a new model due to the cost versus the sales. Tooling is very costly to produce these models. Same issue with the brass locomotives, the builder wanted bigger numbers and we wanted smaller. The builder wouldn't build any less than 250 pcs. the last 4 or 5 we produced it was difficult to sell 125. Kind of  a no brainer very difficult to digest brass.

We did very well with our rolling stock and our Scalecoat business was on the increase. I was 68 years old when I decided to do this and felt it was time. Since 1970 I've had one week vacation a year not complaining, just wanted more time for myself.

My main objective was to sell the business as a whole unfortunately it didn't work out. Had no intension to screw  up the O gauge industry.  Fortunately over time many of our great products will return to the market since Lionel and Atlas acquired all of the tooling. The truck and coupler tooling is still available if anyone has any interest.

Business decisions are never easy and this was one of them. Great industry, great hobby and great people. Thanks to my customers and great friends I've made over the years.

Joe Hayter

Hi Joe, I'd like to personally thank you for making such great products that we as well as generations to come can enjoy. Weaver was and always will be by far my favorite rolling stock. IMO you set the standard for all others to follow.

Tom

To Joe Hayter,

I want you to know that my most prized locomotive models are Weaver's New Haven I-4, I-5, Boston & Maine P-4, and B&M and MEC die-cast 2-8-0s. The brass steamers are in a display case in my den and I admire them every day. I also have Weaver rolling stock and a brass PRR caboose. You offered very fine products and I would still be buying Weaver if possible. Thank you for your efforts and best wishes in future endeavors.

MELGAR

Joe H,

I wonder if you could elaborate a bit more on the former Bowser roadrailers. Is that still a Bowser product or did Lionel obtain the toolings for that item?

Joe,

How about Menards?  They may need the tooling for the trucks and couplers.

Joe,

I want to say thank you for all these years manufacturing the rolling stock that we all enjoy from this very day and many years in the future. The one car that is a favorite is the one you made for the Boston Metro High Railers. I was able to acquire two of the box cars that  the club sold at thier open house many years ago. We all pray that you will enjoy your retirement. Thank you for being part of our lives over these many years.

ICRRE8

Weaver's beautiful streamlined Southern Ps-4  4-6-2 "Tennessean" is certainly the stand out among my  collection of locomotives. Weaver's technician installed TMCC in it years ago.

I miss them greatly.  I ordered direct from them and had them weather everything I purchased.  Missing the rolling stock and I love my B&M Pacific I purchased at my last York.  Sad, very sad.

Joe Hayter,

Thanks for posting your thoughts. 

I consult in the hobby biz and FULLY understand. I have a TON of Weaver stuff and thank you for it. 

Weaver Guy posted:

Had no intension to screw  up the O gauge industry. 

You never did.  Weaver made a great contribution to O scale and made scale modeling accessible for a reasonable price tag while maintaining quality.

mwb posted:

Weaver Guy posted:

Had no intension to screw  up the O gauge industry. 

You never did.  Weaver made a great contribution to O scale and made scale modeling accessible for a reasonable price tag while maintaining quality.

I absolutely agree.  And thank you Joe for making the Lackawanna Pocono and Lackawanna cabooses.  Your willingness to produce models for smaller roads is what made Weaver a great company.  It's too bad no one else shared your vision and stepped in to keep the company going.