Reposted from the Kalmbach website May 31 ********* Walthers to distribute Rivarossi Product line expected to be available in the U.S. again this summer MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – After breaking off a distributor agreement with Model Expo earlier this spring, Italian model railroad manufacturer Rivarossi has entered into a new marketing and distribution agreement with hobby giant Walthers. Walthers announced the agreement in an e-mail sent Thursday afternoon. Rivarossi has produced a large selection of detailed American steam locomotives available in HO and N scales. Its most recent offering debuted at February's Nuremberg Toy Fair, the HO scale Chesapeake & Ohio Allegheny 2-6-6-6 locomotive. Walters describes this model of the most powerful single-boiler steam locomotive ever operated in the U.S. as the crown jewel of Rivarossi's American locomotive line. This new model is DCC-ready and has fine superdetailing including free-standing piping, operating butterfly doors which reveal a glowing firebox, and RP25 wheel flanges allowing operation on code 70, 83 or 100 rail. Under the new agreement, Walthers becomes the exclusive U.S. distributor of current and future Rivarossi HO, N and O Scale American prototype models produced for the U.S. market. All Rivarossi North American models will be backed by Walthers' distribution network and customer service. In addition, Walthers will carry a full line of replacement parts and provide warranty replacements for current production American models. According to the e-mail press release, Walthers expects Rivarossi's current product line to be available late this summer. Bob Gallegos of the Walthers promotion department said he expects Rivarossi to release it's model of the Allegheny by the end of the year. In addition to locomotives, Rivarossi also produces an extensive line of passenger cars in HO and N Scales. These cars are decorated for popular name trains like Southern's Crescent Limited and Norfolk & Western's Powhattan Arrow. Rivarossi was founded in 1946, and over the last few years, Rivarossi has acquired Lima, Jouef, Arnold, Pocher and Idee Commerciali. Walthers announced that more information on the Rivarossi line would soon be available at its website at http://www.walthers.com **** eNjoy Don B
This is great news. After just having Model Expo take my order for one a couple of months ago and then cancel it abruptly, I couldn't be more pleased with this news. With Walther's distribution, getting new Rivarossi models and parts should be easier than having to deal with Model Expo.
I just hope that Walthers keeps the price like Model Expo did or close to. Not OVER priced! I guess we'll all see!
Well I have confirmed that Walthers is the new distributor. I have been out of town lately and havne't posted in a while. However, do not expect the price to close to the Model Expo prices. Walthers prices are quite high and this new Allegheny is quite a bit more detailed than their previous offerings. Still looking at the $300.00 range. I will probably get one, but only one. Should have gotten more from Model Expo while the prices were good!
