Frequently Asked Questions
Navigating walthers.com & Shopping
Where can I find sale items?
See what items are On Sale by clicking here. You can choose to see all items that are currently on sale or view items in different sale categories by filtering further.
When searching for items on our website, you can also check a box to show only sale items that meet your search criteria.
How do I create an online account and link it so I can view my order history, tracking information, etc.?
If you do not have an online account and want to create one, just go to walthers.com and click on the blue Log In button located in the upper right corner of any page (or from a mobile device, click on the blue Account button, then the Log In button) . Click on the blue Create an Account button and provide your first and last name, email address and a password. You can also create an online account during checkout by clicking on the blue Register and Checkout button in Step 1 of checkout.
To access to your order history, tracking information, current backorders and more, you will need to link your online account. If you use the same email address as you have with us on file, you don't need to do anything more.
If you don't have an email address on file you will need to have your customer number and a recent order number to do this step.
You can link your online account at the same time you create it by entering your customer number and a recent order number in the Link an Existing Online Account section. Press the blue Submit button and you are all set.
If you want to link your account after you have created an online account, simply log into your online account, go to My Account, then Account Information and scroll down to the Link an Existing Online Account. Enter your customer number and a recent order number. Press the blue Submit button and you are all set.
How do I view or download a digital version of the Walthers Flyer?
View the Walthers Flyer online or download it as a PDF.How do I create a Wishlist?
Creating a Wishlist on walthers.com is easy! Simply search for any item you are interested in. When you find an item you want to add to your Wishlist, just click on “Add to Wishlist”. If you are not already logged into your online account, you will be prompted to log in or create an online account. Once logged in, your chosen item will be added to your Wishlist. If you do not have an online account, you can create one by clicking here or by clicking on “Log In” in the upper right corner of any page on our website. You will be prompted to log in (if already registered) or create an online account.
When in My Wishlists, you may create additional Wishlists by clicking on the blue “Create New Wishlist” button.
How can I allow others to view my Wishlist(s)?
First, access your Wishlist(s) by logging into your online account, navigating to the “My Account” menu on the left side of the page and then clicking on “My Wishlists.” Select the Wishlist that you want to share and then click on the blue “Share Wishlist” button. Once on the Share Your Wishlist page, in the 1st box, enter one or more email addresses that you want to email your Wishlist to. In the 2nd box, you have the option to add a personal message. When finished, click on the blue “Share Wishlist” button. A confirmation message in a green box will appear stating “Your Wishlist has been shared.”Need help with the new site?
See some helpful tips here:
About the new Walthers.com
Browser IssuesClick the above links or call us at 1-800-4-TRAINS. We are here to help.
How do I know what train to purchase?
Check out our Choosing the Right Train Set feature. It will help identify which train set will be perfect for you!What does the “Availability” status shown for each item mean?
Please note that an item’s Availability status will change as we have updated information. Please check our website regularly for the most current information.
“Advance Reservation”: An Advance Reservation item is a new item announced by the Manufacturer well in advance of its planned availability. When the date we expect the item to be in stock has been provided to us, that date will be shown with the product information. These items will show a "Reserve" button as you add them to your cart.
“Back in Stock Soon”: Item is temporarily out of stock due to a spike in demand. We are in the process of placing an order with the Manufacturer and the availability status should be updated soon.
“Cancelled”: The project was cancelled and the item will not be produced.
“Disc When Sold Out”: Item will be Discontinued When Sold Out. We have been notified by the Manufacturer that this item is being discontinued, but we still have limited stock available in our Walthers warehouse. Once we are out of that stock, that item will be labeled as Discontinued, meaning it is no longer available for purchase.
“Discontinued”: Item has been discontinued by the Manufacturer and is no longer available for purchase.
“In Stock”: Item is currently in stock and available immediate ordering.
“In Transit”: Item is in transit to us from the Manufacturer.
“Limited Run”: Item is being produced in a limited quantity. Once orders reach the limit, the item will no longer be available to purchase from us.
“New Arrival”: Item has been received in stock by us for the first time within the last 90 days.
“New Arrvl Temp Out”: Item has been received in stock by us for the first time within the last 90 days. There has been a spike in demand for the item, causing it to be temporarily out of stock. We are in the process of placing an order to replenish stock of this item.
“No Info From Vendor”: We have the item on order with the Manufacturer and the delivery date (when we had expected to have the item in stock) has passed. We have yet to receive any updated information from the Manufacturer on when we can expect to have the item back in stock.
“No Longer Carried”: Item may still available from the Manufacturer, but we no longer carry it.
“Retired”: There are currently no plans for item to be put back into production. There is a chance it will be run again at a future date. If you are interested in the item, you should place it on backorder. Often times, decisions to bring an item back into production are based off of backorders on hand.
“Ships in “X” Weeks”: Item is not one that we normally stock. When you place your order with us, we will order it from the Manufacturer. We expect to be able to ship the item from our warehouse within a certain period of time. For example: “Ships in About 2 Weeks” means that we expect to have the item from the Manufacturer and on its way to you in about 2 weeks.
“Special Order”: The Manufacturer hasn’t confirmed that they can ship this item to us immediately. When you place your order with us, we will order the item from the Manufacturer and ship it to you when we receive it.
“Sold Out”: The item has sold out. We currently do not have inventory above and beyond any orders that are already reserved in our system.
“TBA”: Availability for this new item is To Be Announced. We are still waiting to find out the arrival date from the Manufacturer.
What does the “Expected” information shown for each item mean?
Specific Date listed…In example: “March 25th, 2016”: This item is on order with the Manufacturer and we expect to receive it on the date shown.
“Winter”: This is the season in which we expect to receive the item.
“Fall”: This is the season in which we expect to receive the item.
“Spring”: This is the season in which we expect to receive the item.
“Summer”: This is the season in which we expect to receive the item.
“2017”: Item is expected to be in stock at some point during 2017.
“2018”: Item is expected to be in stock at some point during 2018.
How do I enter the Magic of Model Railroading Contest?
We are always interested to see your work and are happy to receive your entries. Click here to enter and learn more.I added an item to my cart that showed it was in stock. When I added it to my cart, I received a message that indicated “the requested quantity is not available, and this item is not backorderable.” What does this mean and how did it happen?
We apologize for the inconvenience. While the availability information on the site is updated periodically during the day, the shopping cart makes a “real time” inventory check when an item is added. The item in question has become unavailable since the last periodic update and we will not be able to get any additional merchandise from the vendor.Want a printable Walthers Order Form?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Online orders: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. We also accept PayPal orders of in-stock merchandise.
Phone and fax orders: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. Walthers Gift Certificates may also be used for orders of in-stock merchandise.Mail orders: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. We also accept personal checks (drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars) or money orders for orders of in-stock merchandise. Unless certified, checks $200.00 or more will be cleared before the order ships, which can take up to 10 business days. Additionally, Walthers Gift Certificates may be used for orders of in-stock merchandise.
Where can I find information on shipping options?
How do I find my nearest hobby shop that sells model train products?
Our Find Hobby Shops feature will help you find the hobby shop closest to you! It can also be found at the top left of our website.
Why doesn't Walthers include 'era specific' information relating to the products in their reference books?
Walthers does include helpful product 'era' information in regards to our own products. We list this information in our reference books, printed materials and on our website. We encourage our vendors to do the same. However, not all vendors provide us with this information. Please keep in mind, that it may be difficult at times to provide 'era specific' information. Heavyweight passenger cars and automobiles are two examples of products that are sometimes difficult to categorize by era. While most steel heavyweights were built in the 1920's and were used in regular revenue service into the 1950's and occasionally into the 60's, many of these cars found useful, extended lives in maintenance-of-way (MOW) service. Moreover, many classic antique autos are lovingly restored each year by collectors everywhere.
General Technical
What is the difference between a kit and a built up?
A kit is something that will need to be assembled by the buyer, while a built up has already been assembled and is ready to be added to your layout!
What is the difference between scales?
Train sets come in a variety of different sizes, called scales. Each has an alphabetical name, but they can also be expressed as a ratio. For example, G-scale trains are 1/22nd the size of an actual train. While there are many scales available, G, O, S, HO, N, and Z are the most popular. Click here for more information about the particular scales.
Can Walthers recommend a Digital Command Control system, DCC decoder, or sound system for specific locomotives?
Walthers carries a wide variety of Digital Command Control systems, DCC decoders, and sound systems. Each modeler’s need is different. Kalmbach Publishing publishes many books that will help you get started in Digital Command Control.
Once you’ve decided on a Command Control system, you can contact the manufacturer to get the details on decoder installation, wiring instructions, and which type works best for your model. Many vendors have websites that list locomotives and recommended decoders.
Can you give me layout design advice?
The layout design process is a very personal thing. This is what truly makes the hobby exciting. The miniature world that you create should be an extension of your imagination.
We sell a variety of how-to books that cover topics such as benchwork, track planning, wiring, scenery, and detailing. We are positive that we will have a book that will work for your application. It is best to first do some research on the geographical area and the time period that you with to model.
In the Railroadiana section of each Walthers reference book and website you will find many useful books on building a layout. Click here for a quick link
Where can I find instructions for Walthers Cornerstone kits?
Enter the kit number (i.g. 933-2900) in the search box in the upper right corner of our website. Click on the item to bring up more item information. If a download is available, it will be listed.
Customer Service
How do I get in touch with Customer Service?
We are here to help! Just click here to contact us. You can also navigate to customer service by going to the bottom of our website and clicking on Customer Service.How do I create an online account and link it so I can view my order history, tracking information, etc.?
If you do not have an online account and want to create one, just go to walthers.com and click on the blue Log In button located in the upper right corner of any page (or from a mobile device, click on the blue Account button, then the Log In button) . Click on the blue Create an Account button and provide your first and last name, email address and a password.
NOTE: If you have an email address on file, and use the same one to create an account, you don't need to do anything else.
You can also create an online account during checkout by clicking on the blue Register and Checkout button in Step 1 of checkout.
To access to your order history, tracking information, current backorders and more, you will need to link your online account. You will need to have your customer number and a recent order number to do this step.
You can link your online account at the same time you create it by entering your customer number and a recent order number in the Link an Existing Online Account section. Press the blue Submit button and you are all set.
If you want to link your account after you have created an online account, simply log into your online account, go to My Account, then Account Information and scroll down to the Link an Existing Online Account. Enter your customer number and a recent order number. Press the blue Submit button and you are all set.
How do I return an item for exchange or credit?
Please visit our Returns section on our website for instructions and to see our policy. You can also get here by going to the bottom of our website and clicking on “Returns”.
Be sure to obtain a Return Authorization Number (RAN), as items returned with a RAN will have priority over those without a one. Unauthorized returns will have a longer processing time.
For product returned for credit with a RAN, Walthers will process a refund via the original payment method, usually within two business days of product receipt. Per PayPal policy, refund transactions must be processed within 60 days of the initial PayPal transaction. Refunds may take a few days to show up as a credit on a credit card or PayPal account. If refund is by a mailed check, it may take two to three weeks for the check to deliver.
For product returned for exchange (same product) with a RAN, the replacement item, if in stock, is generally shipped within three business days of the date the RAN was obtained. For higher value items, we may require receipt of the returned item before we ship the replacement.
How do I check on the status of my order or track my order?
Order History can be viewed from your online account as long as it has also been linked. Linking is automatic if you have an email address on file. If no email is on file you will need to link your account manually with an order number and your customer number.
Once logged in, go to My Account, then Order History List. To check on an order’s status, click on the View/Track Order link. If you place an online order outside of business hours, status information may not be available until sometime on the next business day. Once the Order Status indicates Completed, you can view the tracking number in most cases (some international orders do not have tracking number). Go to the Shipping Details section and you will find a link with the tracking information.
Not all of my payment was used on my order. What happens to the extra money?
For orders paid by check, money order or an account credit, if the overpayment amount is $10.00 or more, we will mail you a refund check. If the overpayment amount is less than $10.00, it will be placed on your account as a credit for future use. The credit is good for one year from the date it was issued.
What is my old train worth? What is the current value or vintage of my Walthers or Life-Like model or set?
Walthers does not buy or sell discontinued products. Therefore, we cannot provide information regarding value of a product that is no longer in production. Our website will show the original MSRP of some of the discontinued products that we carried.
Life-Like Products did stamp a date code on the locomotive and instruction sheets of their basic starter sets. For example, a number of 18794 would indicate that the set was produced on July 18th, 1994; however, date code stamping has not been done since 2005.
Who should I contact for a warranty or replacement part for my Life-Like Racing product?
Walthers still supports the High Iron and Burnin' Rubber set (item 433-9142). You can contact our Parts and Warranty Department at 866-833-1468 for support on that product.
Harden Creek Slot Cars should be contacted at the below for warranty or replacement part requests for all other items:
Harden Creek Slot Cars
Phone: 863-450-9835
Fax: 863-644-2682
Web: hcslots.com
Product Availability
How accurate is the availability information on walthers.com?
To keep our online product offering as current as possible, we update our database multiple times a day. Please note that we rely on the delivery estimates of the manufacturers that we purchase from. The information that we receive from them is subject to change.The product I want is out of stock. How long until you get another shipment in?
This can depend on a number of factors, including consumer demand and the delivery date set by the manufacturer. If we know when a product is expected in, the estimated arrival date will be listed on our website. These dates can change, so check our website often for updated delivery information or contact us on our website or by phone 1-800-487-2467.What happened to Walthers Life-Like Racing?
Life-Like Racing is still a vibrant brand. It was purchased on November 9th, 2015 by Harden Creek Slot Cars.
Their contact information is:
Harden Creek Slot Cars
Phone: 863-450-9835
Fax: 863-644-2682
Web: hcslots.com
Product Technical
Why do manufacturers issue models in road names that never ran the prototype?
Hobbyists have a wide range of interests, and their desire for prototypical accuracy varies greatly. To some modelers, historical accuracy is of prime concern, whereas another modeler is more interested in obtaining a particular road name no matter what type of product it is on. Also, the demand for a particular item is not always tied to its prototypical accuracy. Manufacturers make a product because people want it and are willing to buy it. If that changes, the manufacturers will change as well. Finally, simple economics plays a role. Tooling for any plastic model is very expensive. By increasing the number of available road names, manufacturers sell more kits and make better use of the tooling over a larger production run — so now they can price the item affordably — and allow a product to go into production.What turnouts (switches) can I use on a digital (DCC) layout?
Any turnout that works with DC will work with DCC. It is all in how you install the turnout that makes it friendlier to DCC. The term “DCC Friendly” is normally associated with turnout manufactures that have made the "Power Routing" turnouts before with metal frogs as their primary product. Such is the case with the Shinohara code 100 and code 70 turnouts. The Walthers code 83 turnouts are a new version of the same turnout, but they no longer have “Power Routing”. By eliminating the potential for short circuits it is “DCC Friendly”, but still has a metal frog.
Since there are many different ways of wiring turnouts there is no additional paper work included with the Walthers or Shinohara products A great source of installation information can be found on the turnout section of Allen Gartner’s Wiring for DCC website.
Walthers also carries the Kalmbach Publishing books that will show the basic layout wiring techniques.
Will Walthers HO passenger cars negotiate a 22" radius curve even though Walthers recommends 24" on the box?
For best results and performance it is recommended that you operate the products on the suggested size or larger curves. However, the modeler can make some modifications to the underside of the car body to allow for more clearance. These modifications are typically spelled out in the instructions that come with the model.Can I use the Walthers LED passenger car lighting kits on my DC or DCC layout?
Since the Walthers interior lighting kits use LEDs, the board has a regulator to maintain the correct voltage and current. There will be some slight variance when used on DC. The LEDs light up at about 4 volts and stay at a constant brightness until they reach about 10 to 11 volts, then the intensity increases. On a DCC system, the LEDs are bright and constant because the voltage is constant. Please note that regular maintenance is necessary with either system to insure constant electrical pick-up.What do you mean by the "code" of a model railroad track? Can I use different "code" rails on the same layout?
The real railroads use a sturdier, taller rail for their main lines, and smaller, shorter rail on spurs and sidings. On lesser-used trackage, where weight is not as critical, the railroad may even use older and even smaller rail. Therefore, the manufacturers of model railroad track will make track in various heights so that modelers can duplicate this.
If you are modeling in HO standard gauge, the distance between the rails always stays the same no matter which code you are using. You can use code 100, code 83, and code 70 all on the same layout. Code 100 is more of a model industry standard and is taller than Code 83. Code 70 rail is shorter than code 83. The numbers indicated are the actual height of the rail in thousands of an inch. Using transition tracks, like Walthers #948-897 "Code 83 to Code 100 Transition Track", or transition rail joiners will help you in keeping the top of the rail level.
If you are modeling in N standard gauge, the distance between the rails again stays the same no matter which code you are using. You can use code 80, code 55, and code 40 all on the same layout. Code 80 is more of a model industry standard and is taller than code 55. Code 40 rail is shorter than code 55. The numbers indicated are the actual height of the rail in thousands of an inch. Using transition tracks or transition rail joiners will help you in keeping the top of the rail level.
Is the radius relating to your Code 83 curved turnouts listed in your HO reference books accurate?
All turnouts by Walthers and Shinohara comply with the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) standards and recommended practice. The measurements that we list are based from those standards. On the NMRA website you can see the NMRA recommended practice for turnout dimensions (RP-12).Now that you are producing a third generation of built-up turntables that is capable of being controlled digitally, is there an upgrade considered for those of us who have bought the turntables in the past?
The Walthers Cornerstone ® Built-up 110’ turntable (933-2851) uses completely new technology that is very different from any of the previously released Walthers Built-up turntables. Therefore a conversion kit is not available.The Walthers Proto locomotives equipped with SoundTraxx Sound Value or Tsunami sound are quieter than the older ones equipped QSI Sound. How do I turn up the volume?
First of all, the two vendors that supply our decoders have their own recording for their sounds. Therefore, they are going to be different. To turn up the sound on your SoundTraxx Sound Value or SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder, you need to increase the value of CV 128. The default value is 192. You can do this on the mainline or on a programming track with a PTB-100 (678-829002). You need to set CV 128 to a value of 255. This is the maximum value that you can go.What are, and how do I use, the extra functions that come with my locomotive?
Extra functions are lighting effects on the locomotive. Example a Beacon, Mars Light, Gyro Light, or Ditch Lights. The extra functions are turned on by pushing F5, F6, or F11 on your DCC controller. On DC locomotives some of these extra light functions are automatic when the locomotive is operated.Where can I find a manual for my product?
For Walthers products, search on your item and if a manual is available, a PDF of the manual will be listed the Product Detail information. For other manufacture manuals, you may need to contact the manufacturer to obtain one.How do I reset Tsunami equipped locomotive?
You can reset your Tsunami equipped locomotive two different ways:
1) The Tsunami decoder can be reset by changing CV8 to a value of 8. Now turn off the power to the track and turn it back on. (The easiest way to do this is to tilt the locomotive so that the wheels on one side come up off the rail.) The lights should flash 16 times. This tells you that the Tsunami decoder is reset.2) You can also reset the Tsunami decoder by removing the shell of the locomotive and pushing the reset button on the decoder. Hold it for 5 seconds, release the button and turn the track power off and turn it back on or tilt the locomotive. Now the lights should flash 16 times. This tells you that the locomotive is reset.
How do I reset SoundTraxx Sound Value equipped locomotive?
The SoundTraxx Sound Value decoder can only be reset by changing CV8 to a value of 8. In programming mode change CV8 to a value of 8. Now turn off the power to the track and turn it back on. The lights should flash 16 times. This tells you that the Tsunami decoder is reset.
How do I change the horn on my Tsunami equipped locomotive?
To change the horn on your Tsunami equipped locomotive you need to change CV115. In programming mode change CV115 to a value of 0 thru 4. There are up to 5 different horns programmed into the Tsunami decoder.
Where do the extra details go on my Proto locomotive?
The placement of the extra details will vary with each locomotive. The best thing to do is to contact a Historical Society for that railroad.
How do I remove the shell of my locomotive?
The placement of body mounts varies with each locomotive. It is best to contact Walthers Product Support.
How do I lubricate and maintain my locomotive?
To maintain your locomotive you only need to put a drop of plastic compatible lightweight oil (Labelle 108) on each wheel axle every 16 hours of run time.
How do I turn the master volume up or down on WalthersMainline or WalthersProto Locomotives?
To turn the master volume up or down on a WalthersMainline or WalthersProto locomotive you need to change CV 128. The range of this CV is 0 to 255 with 0 being off and 255 being the max volume. The typical default for this CV is 192.
Check your DCC system manual for programming on the main or the programming track. If you use the programming track you will need a programing track booster. For example the SoundTraxx PTB-100 (678-829002).
How do I find the default CV values for WalthersMainline or WalthersProto Locomotives?
To get the complete list of CV for these locomotives, you may contact productsupport@walthers.com, call Walthers Product Support at (866) 833-1468, or visit the SoundTraxx website at: http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM_pages/walthers/walthers.phpIs there a detail or grab iron kit available for WalthersMainline Locomotives or Freight Cars? You state that these are sold separately.
The WalthersMainline Locomotives and Freight Cars come with basic, factory applied details. At this time, Walthers does not offer specific detail or grab iron kits. You can check for detailing kits that are available through our partner vendors such as Details West and Detail Associates.Why does the control box for the 3rd generation Cornerstone turntable have CW and CCW, but the instructions say Up and Down? Which is correct?
The CW (clockwise) button will increase numbers and is therefore the same as “UP”. The CCW (counterclockwise) button will decrease numbers and is therefore the same as “DOWN”.
Model Technical
What color or paint was used on a particular Walthers locomotive, passenger car, or rolling stock item? Do you have paint samples or recommended color formulas utilizing existing model paints?
Modelers must match paint through trial and error or by eye, using available model railroad paints. The technical and/or historical society of the railroad in question could actually be of more help. They have online modeling forums that suggest particular paints and colors.
We are not able to specify a particular color from a particular manufacturer. Typical model railroad paints are not suitable (or economical) for mass production. A paint chip is matched locally and the information is sent to the factory site offshore. There a large volume container of paint is made up. This paint is not suitable for bottling in small quantities and the color numbers do not relate to the part numbers given by modeling companies that produce modeling paints. The paint that is used is a solvent-based paint that is airbrushed on.
What painting or weathering technique did Walthers use on a particular Cornerstone® Series model?
There are numerous methods to painting and weathering models. Our modelers use the technique that they feel most comfortable with. Walthers carries the Kalmbach Publishing books that will show the various painting and weathering techniques.How do I accurately mimic an industry or railroad on my layout?
There are two organizations that can provide an enormous amount of useful information to those modelers looking to accurately mimic an industry or capture their favorite railroad during a particular era in miniature: the National Railroad Historical Society (NRHS; http://nrhs.com/) and the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA; http://www.nmra.org/).
As an example, the NRHS offers its members use of its research library featuring such works as the CAR BUILDERS AND LOCOMOTIVE CYCLOPEDIAS. The NMRA, on the other hand, offers its members use of its extensive Kalmbach Research Library. In addition, their web site also includes a complete listing of railroad historical societies.
In the Books-Videos-Railroadiana section of each Walthers Reference Book, and on our website in the Railroadiana section you can find many useful prototype reference materials for the model railroader such as photo books by such vendors as Morning Sun Publications (#484) and MBI (#503), in addition to DVDs and videos by such companies as Pentrex (#561) and Green Frog (#302).
What kind of glue is best used with Walthers kits?
Any brand of liquid cement for styrene will work. Click here to view our adhesives.