Milwaukee, Wis. - Walthers newest series of HO Scale kits are perfect for modelers upgrading older elevators, or modeling contemporary grain handling operations. The series launches in February 2008, and will include four all-new structure kits, four sets of photo-etched details, plus Walthers and Life-Like rolling stock and locos.

Since the 1970s, the grain industry has turned to a wide range of steel structures to increase storage capacity and speed handling. Durable and cost-effective, they are often added to older elevators, or used for all-new facilities.

Modelers will find Walthers newest kits offer the same flexibility of design as the prototypes. They can easily be adapted to existing elevators, or combined to model a contemporary operation. The selection will include four common structures: Wet/Dry Grain Bins (#933-2937, $44.98 - parts for two complete bins), Conveyors (known as "Legs" #933-2936, $39.98), Surge Bin (#933-2935, $34.98) and the Head House with Silos (#933-2942, $44.98).

For modelers who like extra details, photo-etched brass parts will be available for these buildings, including the Conveyor Bridge & Support Tower (#933-2940, $29.98), Platforms & Walkways (#933-2939, $19.98 - designed for use with the Grain Bins and Conveyor, both sold separately), Support Trusses for Guywires & Piping (#933-2955, $19.98 - with 60 parts to simplify adding the piping supports found at modern operations), and Caged Ladders & Safety Cages (#933-2956, $19.98 - easily added to a variety of modern buildings).

Moving grain from these facilities is a big job for railroads, and Walthers has a variety of new models to handle the job on layouts.

Perfect for switching and wayfreight duties, the latest run of PROTO 2000™ GP7/9 diesels features authentic paint and lettering for nine different railroads from the grain belt in both Sound & DCC (#920-40870 series, $224.98) and standard DC (#920-47870 series, $124.98).

For modelers who need more hoppers to keep grain moving, Walthers has single and limited-run two packs of popular prototypes. Eight new roadnames are now available for the Gold Line™ PS-2 2893 Covered Hoppers (#932-7965 series, $22.98 single cars; #932-27965 series, $41.98 two-packs). And, seven new roadnames are being offered on the PROTO 2000 PS2-CD 4427 Covered Hoppers (#920-54675 series, $29.98 single cars; #920-2546745 series, $59.98 two-packs).

For more information on the Modern Grain Industry series in HO Scale, or to locate a dealer, visit Walthers at www.walthers.com. Call 414-527-0770 or write Walthers, P.O. Box 3039, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3039.