It's probably a good idea. It will control printing costs and make it economically feasible for Walthers to continue offering that catalog, at least for a few more years.
(queue the wistful music, perhaps an instrumental version of "Moon River" ...)
The Walthers catalog is a reminder of a kinder, gentler, more peaceful time. It was a time when customers would collect at the local train shop (not "hobby" shop... the TRAIN shop), and trade stories. If they needed anything, they'd ask the shop owner to "order me in one of those". And the customer would pick it up next week when he came in for a visit.
Nobody was in a hurry. Nobody was feeling pressured to save every penny on their train purchases.
(...the music abruptly ends as the needle is dragged out of the run-out groove by a gruff hand *1)
Yes, now the catalog is a dinosaur. But I am not surprised that it is still being printed. For many, it can still be a "dream book" just to see a broad spectrum of what is available and what is possible. Sure, they leave many vendors out. And yes, many of the products in the catalog aren't actually available when you try to order them. But I still think it can be a valuable tool, especially for new model railroaders.
I loved that book for many years, and it did indeed fuel my imagination of what was "possible". Even as the years went by and I found much better, more easily accessible sources of products elsewhere, I still can't say a harsh word against that book.
I think the last one I bought was in the late 1990s.
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*1 "Needle" and "run-out" groove are elements of a now-defunct method of delivering recorded music known as the "phonograph record". Readers may find one readily in the homes of current purchasers of the Walthers catalog.
