Updated: 12 Feb 2001, 13:50 ET
[Ref: This is willis.html (URL http://home.att.net/~Berliner-Ultrasonics/willis.html)]
WILLIS HOBBIES
(since 1949)
Willis now has its own separate site
and URL "http://www.willishobbies.com";
click HERE to visit it.
(but c'mon back, y'heah?)
This Courtesy Page is provided by S. Berliner, III
Consultant in Ultrasonic Processing
I (SB,III) bought my first brass locomotive from Willis founder, the late Karl Boehringer,
for a whole, whopping $7.50 ca. 1961. Karl later took on an assistant, Al Ford,
who took over (with his wife, Linda,
who ran a crafts department in back) and whose sons Steve and Ken
now run the business (and very well, indeed!).
Here she is (the loco, NOT Linda), today, still cranking on her original brushes:
(photo by and © 1999 S. Berliner, III - All rights reserved)
Note the price stamped on the original box ($10.75);
now THAT was a bargain for brass, even at full price!
By today's standards, at that deep discount, it's a miracle
(and a testimony to his outstanding service)
that Karl survived in the business!
For more on this engine, see my Model RR page.
This site has now been visited 
times since the counter was installed.
Trains: LGB, Lionel, HO, N, Märklin HO & Z
300 Willis Avenue
516-746-3944
Radio Controlled Cars, Boats, Planes
Rockets, Die-Cast Cars, and much more.
Willis moved:
They are just across the street from their old location
(at 285 Willis Avenue)
on the east side, just north of Jericho Turnpike)
Mineola, New York 11501
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Technical and Historical Writer, Oral Historian
Popularizer of Science and Technology
Rail, Auto, Air, Ordnance, and Model Enthusiast
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To contact S. Berliner, III, please click here.