Weaver Brass Steam after 1996 & their O Scale diesel engines starting in 1995 with the GP38-2 Who did it?

I checked several of my Weaver Quality-Craft brass steam engines and could not find any information about the company who made them on the boxes, in the instruction manuals, or on the engines and tenders themselves. The boxes say "Made in China" and a small label on the engines and tenders says "Weaver Models - Northumberland, PA."

MELGAR

I was under the impression the initial 1988 Alco FA-2s, RS-3s and later Geep 38s along with the vast majority of freight cars were all made here in the USA and continued to be until Weaver closed its doors.  They used to throw a neat little paper in the box that told the story of the development of the model and injection molder that they used. The Chinese made stuff seems to be the RS-11s, sharks and "super detailed" freight cars they offered towards the end. Then there is the Korean made (probably Samhongsa) E8 units, SD-40s, passenger car sets, brass buildings, steam locos etc.  Not sure who made the China stuff since my focus is on the early USA stuff with the horizonal motor.

@Cadillac Mike posted:

I was under the impression the initial 1988 Alco FA-2s, RS-3s and later Geep 38s along with the vast majority of freight cars were all made here in the USA and continued to be until Weaver closed its doors.  They used to throw a neat little paper in the box that told the story of the development of the model and injection molder that they used. The Chinese made stuff seems to be the RS-11s, sharks and "super detailed" freight cars they offered towards the end. Then there is the Korean made (probably Samhongsa) E8 units, SD-40s, passenger car sets, brass buildings, steam locos etc.  Not sure who made the China stuff since my focus is on the early USA stuff with the horizonal motor.

The early FA-2, RS-2 and I believe you are correct about the GP38-2 where made here by Weaver.  The E-8s  and pre 1996 21" passenger cars were part of the MTH/Samhongsa deal.

@MELGAR posted:

I checked several of my Weaver Quality-Craft brass steam engines and could not find any information about the company who made them on the boxes, in the instruction manuals, or on the engines and tenders themselves. The boxes say "Made in China" and a small label on the engines and tenders says "Weaver Models - Northumberland, PA."

MELGAR

The early brass steam engines, prior to 1996 were MTH/Samhongsa engines made in Korea.  The brass from 1998 forward was probably made in China.  After the MTH deal expired I would guess that most of the brass production had moved to China, but only a guess.

Shouldn't this discussion be in one of the O scale forums?

Mark in Oregon

There can be several diverging pieces of information, starting  with "Made in USA" or "Assembled in USA".  IMO Weaver had a very good to excellent graphics, paint/ stamp printing shop. Blank/non-painted cars, or base locomotives, most likely were finished here, Northumberland, PA.  Another story was the Williams, or K-line, (excuse the foggy head), bankruptcy. Weaver purchased a diecast 2-8-0, from the China manufacture/Williams or K-line??, and did final graphics, and marketing.   At the time the product was sold relatively cheap,?? $495??.  There was some electronics activity, where several of the models were upgraded to early speed control, an emerging hot market, at the time. IMO,  Mike CT.

@Strummer posted:

Shouldn't this discussion be in one of the O scale forums?

Mark in Oregon

I don't know.  Things unrelated to operating tend to be removed over there.