Founder's Day

Founder's Day

May 10th is pretty important in railroad history, most notably as the day America’s transcontinental railroad was completed. But as a modeler, you might know it was also a pretty important beginning for our favorite hobby. Not only was May 10th Bill Walthers’ birthday, but May also marks the start of what became today’s Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. Born in 1893, Bill’s Milwaukee hometown was a hotbed of railroading, and the seeds of his life-long fascination with trains took root an early age. Inspired by real railroads and studying electronics, he began experimenting with ways to make the toy trains of the era look and run better. He effectively turned his home layout into a laboratory. Through the pages of The Modelmaker (forerunner of today’s Model Railroader), Bill shared his passion and his ideas. Soon after these articles ran, letters would arrive from folks asking questions. Many inquired if he would mind purchasing and sending the needed parts they couldn’t find at home! Like a lot of folks in that Depression year of 1932, Bill found himself out of work, but took a chance and turned his hobby into a small business. While we’re not quite sure if he set up shop on the 10th, we do know he ran the very first Walthers ad that May, offering ways to “Improve Your Toy Railroad” with a catalog offering various track and other components, and the self-published Signal and Control Manual. Bill reported he made $500 in the first year, and his new business was soon up and running. As we mark our 85th year, we’re just as dedicated to helping you find the products, information and supplies that bring your model railroad to life, from first train set to super-detailed scale replica. Looking back, we’re honored and humbled to have been part of so many happy times as the love of the hobby has been passed from one generation to the next, and our sincere thanks for choosing Walthers yesterday, today and tomorrow! Looking forward, we have some pretty exciting new product announcements coming in the weeks ahead! Meanwhile, join us in celebrating Founder’s Day with great deals on select Cornerstone kits – check them out in the May issue of Walthers Flyer available now at participating dealers or online at walthers.com/monthly-flyer.