Weaver advantages?

customer service is the best, made in USA, everything scale dimensioned, and take Kadee couplers the easiest. Probably 80% of my rolling stock fleet. Oh and they answer the phone.

Cars made in USA,usually accurate,very nice people. Will do custom runs,or used to anyway. They were late to the party changing from plastic trucks but older cars can be retrofitted. Made B&O round roof ones not offered elsewhere in scale that I know of.

 

Dale H

Weaver are great cars and scale and i have plastic and diecast trucks on mine haven't had any problems. 

Have several locomotives (Steam and Diesel)  High quality construction, whether die-cast, brass, or plastic.  Detailing generally excellent.  Good runners and have TMCC, though not Legacy.  As mentioned earlier, wonderful people with whom to do business and service second to none. 

I have one of their diesel engines.  I have numerous pieces of their rolling stock.  They will even "weatherize" engines and cars for an extra $15.  They also carry structures, telephone poles and paints.  I've had good experiences with them.  Matt

Not to rain on the parade.....but the newer Weaver cars are made in Asia. The older models are still USA.

 

That said if possible I'd only have Weaver cars on my layout. I buy old version and even broken ones as they are easy for me to fix and/or upgrade. Even the all plastic truck version are still good pieces.  They do make great stuff and yes they have folks that you can call and ask questions or order items.

 

If I won the power ball I'd copy their business model!!

"Not to rain on the parade.....but the newer Weaver cars are made in Asia."

 

The newest cars, the Milwaukee Road ribside boxcars are 100% made in the USA.

 

Well, that isn't exactly true. Only those "special run" B&O wagon top boxcars, and those PRR big covered hopper cars came from overseas. The vast majority of the current freight cars are indeed made in the U.S.A.

 

Now, back to the original poster's question, the Weaver freight cars are all scale size, i.e. no "027 toy" sized stuff. The Weaver die-cast trucks are excellent, and I have used many of them on 2-Rail Scale reefer cars I purchased many years ago.

I agree that they are scale-sized and good detail and accuracy, especially considering the price point. 

 

Watch out for businesses on the internet that swap out the good diecast trucks that come on them and put on plastic ones.  Even though they technically reveal that before you buy, I consider it a bait-and-switch tactic.

 

If they make what you are interested in, I recommend them.

New2this,

   David I purchase Weaver rolling stock and have a complete Weaver Masonic Train

because its made in the USA and the custom detailing is just fantasic.

Stay away from the older rolling stock with the child like plactic trucks, also when they say engineered for certain curves, the mean it.

PCRR/Dave

 

Weaver Masonic Train, being pulled by a Lionel Northern Pacific Engine.

 

new2this,

 

www.weavermodels.com

 

Made in the USA, in Northumberland Pa.

all freight cars,

all diesel engines,

all paint supplies,

all pad printing,

 

All Brass are made overseas, passenger cars are made overseas, SOME freight cars are made overseas.

 

90% of my freight cars are weaver, 3 of my 4 steam engines are weaver.  finally got my brass water tank on the 3rd run of them.

 

 

I really like Weaver freight cars. Even the ones with the plastic trucks. The only problem I have is most of them are too light weight. Not really much of a problem because its too easy to add weight.

You already got the scoop from the previous posts. I just want to echo them because I like Weaver Models Company so much.

 

I can only vouch for their various coal hoppers and for the people there ..... I really like them.

 

My son gave me a set of Weaver-weathered PRR "Buy War Bonds" hoppers for Christmas .... look nice.

 

I really like that they are made in Pennsylvania, too.

 

I pretty much only deal with Weaver and Nicholas Smith.

One thing that I like about Weaver, is like Atlas, they often make rolling stock that the other manufactures haven't made.

 

Jim

Yes I have lots of weaver cars and as far as the older ones go of which I have quite a few I just add large metal washers over the trucks inside the body Besides if they have plastic trucks I normally upgrade them to die cast trucks. 

 

Weaver cars are great cars IMO.

I have a good size fleet of Weaver 4 bay ACF grain hoppers in a bunch of names. They look quite good being hauled around by 2 or 3 diesels.

Petersen Supply in Portland has done quite a few custom run grain cars including Canadian cars over the last 10-15 years. Good value for the money IMO.

Most of mine are plastic trucks and they work just fine.

 

Rod

Very customer friendly.

I have been a Weaver fan for decades.  Good value.Good Service.

 

Side Bar:  Pine Creek Rail Road..Been to the East?

 

Conductor Earl

I have one of their TOFC's as well as a couple hoppers from Weaver and they are great cars.  Look good and made in USA to boot.  Can't beat them, although as mentioned above, my one hopper has plastic trucks and they're not nearly as nice as the diecast ones.

I own around 90 Or so Weaver cars and I really like them. They are generally half of what you would pay for MTH Premier rolling stock and even less than Lionel and Atlas Master Series. Most of mine came with plastic trucks and couplers. I have changed out the couplers for metal ones but kept the plastic (delrin) trucks because in previous experience with HO gauge rolling stock, the factory delrin trucks tended to work just as well and sometimes better than diecast. I have found this to be true for Weaver cars as well. As far as weights go, I just went ahead and bought the factory weights to put in cars that need them.

The paint jobs on them are very good. They tend to be painted with matte or flat finishes and thus look more realistic than MTH cars that are usually too shiney. The best part is the people at Weaver are great to deal with and they always answer the phone, they don't try to avoid their customers. Nice.

I own around 90 Or so Weaver cars and I really like them. They are generally half of what you would pay for MTH Premier rolling stock and even less than Lionel and Atlas Master Series. Most of mine came with plastic trucks and couplers. I have changed out the couplers for metal ones but kept the plastic (delrin) trucks because in previous experience with HO gauge rolling stock, the factory delrin trucks tended to work just as well and sometimes better than diecast. I have found this to be true for Weaver cars as well. As far as weights go, I just went ahead and bought the factory weights to put in cars that need them.

The paint jobs on them are very good. They tend to be painted with matte or flat finishes and thus look more realistic than MTH cars that are usually too shiney. The best part is the people at Weaver are great to deal with and they always answer the phone, they don't try to avoid their customers. Nice.

I have a number of the recent freight cars offered by Weaver including the B&O Wagontop, PRR H30 Hopper, 40' Woodside Gondola and the Milwaukee Road Ribbed Side Box Car. I don't have a layout up yet to determine how well they run but they look nice. I don't anticipate having any problems. I support Weaver's interest in finding and producing prototype cars and engines that have not been done in O gauge or have only been done in brass.

 

I do have two sets of the 20" aluminum passenger cars and they are very nice. The fit and finish is excellent.

 

The real gem in my collection is my Weaver F6a 4-6-4 Milwaukee Road Baltic. I really like this engine! It is highly detailed brass and looks fantastic pulling any of my passenger sets.

 

And, yes, made the USA is a plus.

 

Andrew

I like Weaver and although I prefer diecast trucks, I have had no problem with plastic trucks on boxcars and hoppers where I normally add weight. Weaver's 2-8-0 is one of my favorite engines which I bought undecorated and had numbered/lettered and I relocated and replaced the bell with a Cal Scale . 

 

My all-time favorite Weaver model is their Limited Edition Southern Ry Streamlined P-4 4-6-2 Pacific.

ditto on the positives of scale and customer service, AND I HAVE FOUND THE WEATHERIZING OPTION TO BE QUITE GOOD AND REASONABLY PRICED

I AM A BEGINNER AND IT HELPS TO SEE SOME SAMPLES TO WORK FROM

 

     j

 

Weaver is made 35 miles up the road from me, in Northumberland Pa., and are outstanding in products made.  I called up there over Christmas a few years ago and they gave my friend and me a tour of the plant and watched the workers doing what they do best, making cars and testing products.  A number 1 operation and a nice paint booth too.

laz

I concur with ALL of the positive points mentioned here.  I particularly like all of their products being correct scale size and none being "over-priced".  Look for especially good bargains at the larger train shows (such as York, of course, and Allentown, PA twice-a-year meets).

          paul m.

Weaver Baldwin Pennsy BP 20

Weaver UP Alco C630's

Weaver CP Hudson

Weaver E8's

Weaver Baldwin Consolidation Grand Canyon

Weaver Pennsy M1a

M1a and CP Hudson.

Weaver Pennsy  C1 0-8-0

Weaver Pennsy H10 2-8-0 Consolidation

Weaver Pennsy L1s Mikado

Weaver Pennsy A5 0-4-0 and Rich Yoder's GE 44 tonner

Weaver Alco RS3

Weaver GP38-2

Weaver GE U25B

Weaver Alco RS12

Conductor Earl,

   Having spent time in the east you now need to own the Supreme Architect's Masonic Train.  This is one of my favorite trains, the detailing is just fantastic, right down to the lighted caboose with the man walking with the child in his arms, carring his cane.  When Weaver designed this Masonic Train, they got every detail perfect.  Will you be off or From?

PCRR/Dave

 

Weaver a Pa Train Company that makes Great Custom Trains

 

 

weaver models pacific pulling weaver models freight cars. 

Well, since I asked the original question here I have been impressed with the responses.  You guys, collectively convinced me to try some so I went o the Weaver website.  Seems they have no NS,  NW, nor Virginian hopper cars in their line.  Do I canvass Dealers now?

 

Any suggestions on how to find some?

Baffled- perhaps I just don't understand how Weaver operates?

D

DL&W Pete,

   The Weaver US Army Flat cars with the Copters, Tanks & Trucks, where did you get them and are they still available?  Fantastic Weaver Video!

PCRR/Dave

 

If I was you, I would call Weaver and ask them when was the last time they made hopper cars with the road names you want. Then ask them which of their dealers purchased them.

Here is something you can look at weaver site see all the cars they made in road name order. http://weavermodels.com/Ultra%...%20Production%20.htm

Dave,

 

weaver did that run of military flat cars 9 years ago, try calling dealers for these.

 

they were in the fall 2004 catalog.

 

glad you liked the video, all of those weaver cars have the 2 rail plastic trucks. 

I like their cars, but not in love with their trucks. 

 

I bought a VGN Northeast caboose a few years ago and the wheels would get hung up on straighaways and I couldn't get them right.

 

I replaced them with Atlas caboose trucks and now it runs as good as it looks.

 

They have some of the best customer service around...and not just within the model railroading world.

First step would be the Weaver Archives and see if the offering you're looking for was ever made, sometimes the end source/hobby shop or distributor of the product was listed.  From there knowing model/number you may be able to do an E-bay search if not available on the primary market.

Weaver Archives Ultra-line    

There is also a Weaver Archives Gold.  Access via Weaver Archives and click on Gold.

as to the va and n&w cars

 

i called weaver to see if they would make a run or point me in the right direction

 

no luck on dealers, but weaver will make a special runs (i believe they said 75 to 100 car minimum)

 

too much for my pocketbook but still have an interest in a series of virginian hoppers with unique numbers

 

if we could fine a few people with that specific request we might be able to put together the quantities and ask for a special run

 

let me know if you wish to try to make it work

 

 

Hey Mr Sutter

 

You wouldn't have any of those Altoona Lager Beer woodside reefers that Weaver did for you .... squirrled away in your basement, would ya? Be happy to buy one or two from you.

 

 

Thanks for that link, Chessie1971 .... I never saw it on their website.

 

Jim Ledet