Williams trains are cool!

[FEClionel]

Wow went to my dealer today and he got in a Williams NJ FM. I must say that I am very impressed. How well do these engines run with can motors? All my Lionel are pullmore powered except my Silver Spike Amtrak starter-set(first non MPC set I got as a kid) and I really don't like how that set runs. I'm a die-hard Lionel guy but I hate newer TMCC & RS stuff. I like the simpler designed stuff. Plus they have FEC which is amazing, I would have to wait a life-time for Lionel to make anything in that road name. I'm a poor post-college kid and I think I found my new operating diesels I want the GM&O E7, FEC Geep, and Wabash FM. Are these engines as great as they look?

[Big_Boy_4005]

I have a few Williams engines, and like them so much that I am considering retrofitting them with TMCC boards. They are good looking, and run well, but very much no frills, but I like that fact. The large can motors are nice, and provide a lot of pulling power, and require virtually no maintenance, compared to Lionel's pullmores. You really can't beat them for the price.

This is my 250th post.

[brianel027]

Ah ha, see FEC, told you Williams stuff is A-OK. And as you saw for yourself, looks better in person than on the website. Yep, as Big_Boy said, they pull probably better than the Lionel's with the open frame AC Pullmor motor. The big difference is the open frame Lionel motor can be maintained: cleaned, brushes replaced, lubricated, etc. When a DC can motor goes on you, it's dead and will have to be replaced. But keep in mind the vast majority of trains today have DC motors in them. So when you compare the prices and features of a similar Lionel unit to a Williams, there's really no tough decision.
PLUS you get one in your favorite roadname!
Williams has been making slow and steady improvements over the years while slowly expanding the line up. And for us guys who can live without the electronic extras, Williams is the only real choice these days. I really wanted the Lionel Conrail U36B from last year. I jumped for joy until I read the features: single motor, plastic everything except for the frame. For a few dollars more I can get die-cast features and quality with dual motors from Williams... it's not that I don't like Lionel... I just want quality for my limited money, and that spells Williams.

brianel, Agent 027

[Big_Boy_4005]

The truth is, when I had the mall display 10 years ago, the trains ran for up to 11 hours a day, every day. During that time, I don't recall a single can motor failing. There were a lot of other things that went wrong, but not with the Williams engines.

The problems were mostly with Lionel equipment, especially the pullmore motors and the old postwar steamers. Brushes, gears, and even commutators went out on the Lionel equipment. In order to keep things going, and cut the down time, I decided to try the other brands available at the time. K-line and Williams both performed very well with their can motors under those demanding conditions.

Its true, if a can motor goes bad, you throw it away, but I doubt that most operators will ever wear one out. Beside, they are cheap at only a few bucks each.

[mpzpw3]

I too,have a few Williams engines and you can't beat the price and reliabilty. They are quiet (compared to the open frame ac motors) and will pull quite a bit. My Williams engines use about half the voltage as my old postwar F-3s. One thing to remember about the can motor, it is cheaper to replace than an open-field motor (see Williams "power up a dummy" kit).

[brianel027]

One thing I'll add here is the normal in-truck mounted can motors are about $7.00 each. You would think that everything being made in China, all things would be equal, but I'll say from experience that the motors from Lionel seem to work a little better than the ones from K-Line for whatever reason. They look identical. But a single motor Lionel unit works a little better than a single motor K-Line unit. Of course nearly all K-Line units include dual motors. The Williams motor mounts through the frame and is a little bit bigger and I would assume a little more powerful. I haven't looked into replacement prices on those. In 13 years I've only had to replace one DC motor in one K-Line unit. Not bad really considering how much I run trains.
brianel, Agent 027

[Big_Boy_4005]

Brian, I was rumaging around the trainroom last night, and I came across a can motor that was used, and had to be replaced. The problem was not with the motor, but with the gear on the shaft. It had its teeth worn down, and had to be replaced because there is no way to change the gear only. Or at least no easy way. I think it was a K-line.

The Williams engines that I have all have their motors mounted vertically over the truck, and the newer ones have a good heavy flywheel on them.

[Anonymous]

I suspect Williams will be the winner many years down the road after everyone's electronics have fizzled out. You can't seem to beat then as far as quality.


...keep the rails polished...

[Anonymous]

Williams regular trains will never be collectible, but 20 years from now they will still be running, while the more technicallyi advanced models will probably be "shelf queens".

[SPFan]

Keep in mind that Williams locos are not free of electronics. Their DC motors require diodes and reversing circuitry to allow them to run off conventional transformers. "ANY" DC powered engine can be converted down to this method for about $35 with products from QSI and Dallee or by simply wiring the motor to the rollers and frame you could power it like an HO engine. In 20 years these "shelf queens" might be a real buying opportunity for folks who like the simple stuff.

Pete