Quality Craft Models was founded in 1965 by Bob Weaver and wife Shirley. What started as an operation
producing Wooden and white metal Craftsman Kits consisting of buildings, rolling stock, etc., in gauges from 'N' to 'O', has grown
into a major manufacturer of ready-to-run plastic (and brass) 'O' Gauge 2-Rail and 3-Rail model trains.
The first location for the business was an old, single story print shop located on Wheatley Avenue in
Northumberland, PA. Joe Hayter, current owner and President of the Company, started in 1969. Joe was for a time
married to Bob Weaver's daughter. In 1974, a newer, more modern facility was constructed near the old print shop.
Prior to 1980, Quality Craft made trains in HO gauge, but dropped out of the HO scale business.
Since then many fine scale 'O' gauge models have been produced. Locomotives such as the GG-1, Baldwin
Sharks, Pennsy Torpedo, SP Daylight, articulated Class R-2s, and the NYC Dreyfuss Hudson are all scale.
The first plastic 'O' gauge model produced was the 2-Bay Hopper in 1980. Originally it was offered
in 2-Rail only, but in the early to mid 1980's the hunger for 3-Rail models was answered by offering
a choice of 2-Rail or 3-Rail. Weaver was one of the first manufacturers to introduce scale models to the
3-Rail market.
With the expense involved to have the tooling completed for plastic injection molding, it was
decided to get the most out of one mold. Therefore, the 2-Bay Hopper tooling was made in
such a way that the side and ends could be interchangeable allowing Weaver to produce a 2-Bay Offset
or 2-Bay Ribbed car with regular, peaked or rounded ends. The tooling and injection molding was
completed by Train Miniature, located in Chicago. Thus, Weaver Models, a division of Quality Craft
Models, was born, and the Ultra Line was created.
Next to join the Weaver Ultra Line Family was the 40' and 50' Tank Cars. Again, with careful
planning and the removal / addition of sections to the mold, Weaver could inject either size tank
from the same mold. Train Miniature also produced this mold for Weaver. Keeping with the times, Weaver tanks
were offered in 2-Rail and 3-Rail from the start. The 50' Rail Box and 4-Bay Centerflows were soon to follow.
Poly-X-Co., out of Philipsburg, NJ did the mold work on these two projects. Soon after, Wilhold Company,
located in Sunbury, PA contacted Weaver regarding tooling needs. They did a fine job on the next release,
the PS-2 Covered Hopper.
Then a former Wilhold employee decided to go into business for himself. Being located only 1/2
mile North on the same road from the Weaver plant was just too convenient to pass up. Besides, he was
very skilled at his trade. The 3-Bay Coal Car was his first project for Weaver. This formed a tooling
relationship that still exists today.
The early to mid 80's also welcomed the first plastic 'O' gauge diesel project - the Alco RS-3 Diesel
Locomotive. In 1990 the connections were made with Samhongsa to enter into the brass 'O' Scale Market.
Weaver's first project was the PRR M1a 4-8-2. Approximately 800 to 900 of this model was produced,
only about 50 being in 2-Rail. With the lack of other 'O' gauge manufacturers, weaver immediately sold
every one. From 1990 to 1993 numerous brass and plastic model projects were successfully marketed by the
Weaver team.
The Samhongsa / Weaver Team also ventured into the plastic market. Numerous plastic diesels were produced:
SD40-2, C628, C630, Baldwin Sharks and E8's. At that time, Weaver was releasing 1,000 to 1,500 diesels per
style. About 100 to 200 were offered in 2-Rail, the remainder in 3-Rail. QSI Sound was introduced into
the models in late '91 / early '92. In the mid 1990's, Samhongsa made a strong connection with
Mike's Train House. From then on, they would no longer produce anything in 'O' scale
for anyone other than Mike's.
It was not until 1997 that Weaver located a brass builder to fill the shoes of Samhongsa, resulting in the
February '98 release of a brass Union Pacific 49er 4-6-2. By this time, numerous other manufacturers
jumped on the 'O' Gauge "Band Wagon", resulting in a variety of choices for the discriminating modeler.
Weaver's lower production quantities of 300 3-Rail (225 with sound and 75 without sound) and 50 2-Rail
was evidence of this. From then on, Weaver has been releasing two to three brass releases each year.
