Williams trains

[Anonymous]

I am an absolute newby to this hobby. Got interested because of my four year old grand son who absolutely LOVES trains. He and I just recently obtained a ready to run Lionel set and have been having some fun with it. Surprisingly, I find that I am really interested in building an O guage layout and creating my empire. Unfortunately, money does come into the issue. On to my question. I have noticed that Williams trains are substantially less that others. I realize they do not have all the bells and whistles, but what to you guys think of the quality as a basic model. Are they worth what you pay or should I bite the bullet and go with Lionel or K-line, etc. Many thanks.

[Dr. John]

Williams is one of the best values in O gauge period! High quality, reasonable price, nearly bullet-proof, and a company that backs its product - you can't go wrong.

Sure, most of Williams products don't have the detail of high-end O gauge, but they are marvelous runners in a vast variety of road names and paint schemes. For conventional operation, they can't be beat! If you decide to go to command control down the road, there are upgrade kits available for most Williams products.

[3railguy]

Dr John said it well. A Williams engine preforms like top of the line Lionel or MTH engines except without all the electronic features such as command control and sounds. Williams diesels do have digital horns which sound very realistic and sweet.

I own three and will buy more. They are rugged, smooth running, and powerful. They are probably one of the best choices if you are getting young children involved. .

[ChiefEagles]

I just got back into the train "business" after 20 years of storage. I bought two Williams diesels right off. They run great and are easy to operate. I'm headed in the DCS route but can put these on the track and run them and not worry. The old Lionel engines I have are controled by the old "E" unit. Could not la***hem together without doing some fancy wiring. With the newer engines [especailly the Williams], you can put two lashed together and let them run. Williams brings the old Lionel engines [under the Golden Momeries] to you at reasonable prices and yet the quality is there. Enjoy.

[4kitties]

JohnJJ: go for it, I have a bunch of Williams engines and I've had only one problem - the window inserts in my Alco FA's came unglued. Other than that, perfect. I never have to worry that they won't run right when I put them on the track. You dind't say whether your interests lean more to traditional- or scale-sized models (and maybe you haven't been in the hobby long enough to decide!) My interests run to the scale end of things, however, the jewel of my Williams fleet is the traditional-sized PRR S-2 turbine. You want a sweet runner with good smoke and a nice-sounding whistle, this is it. Welcome to this fabulous hobby!

[Anonymous]

Hey guys, thanks for the quick responses. Looks like I can buy Williams without being afraid of getting junk. Makes for more engines on my budget. Haven'g really made up my mind as to traditional or scale. I like realism but will probably just go for what turns me on at the time. Again, thanks for the welcome and the info.

John

[Anonymous]

You put up two of these topics. Check Your other one. I replied there.

Nick

[ben10ben]

My personal preference leans toward the postwar Lionel models that they are attempting to re-create, but they are still excellent models.

[SPFan]

John, While a lot of Willaims is traditional (small) size they do offer many scale size motive power units including a Hudson, GG-1, and many of the diesels like a very nice F-3.

Pete

[Anonymous]

I had the Soo Line geeps by williams, two of them as a matter of fact. One wouldn't run, so I sent it back to Williams TWICE at $15 each shipping rate. Twice it was returned unrepaired, guess what brand I do not buy anymore?

[nitroboy]

I have two Williams engines, A NW-2 Norfolk Southern switcher and a 2331 FM Virginian. I have only had a burnt out light in the Virginian, which I replaced with one of the two extra that came with the engine.

If you want to buy with confidence, buy Williams. They are the best bang for the buck.

[Anonymous]

I purchased the Williams Santa Fe Shark Nose passenger set a while back (I couldn't leave the store without it because the price was so good) and have been very happy with it. It included the A-A engines (powered and dummy) and several very detailed (and scaled I think) madison cars with a great looking observation car. It's my most noticed train.

You can find their current line at http://www.williamstrains.com/

In my opinion, the best deal in "O-Gauge" is the K-Line club engines for $100. I picked up two beautiful GG-1's a couple of years back and have been very happy with them. The 2004 club engine offerings are the New Haven or Great Northern EP-5, but I'm sure they have exhausted their stock and the 2005 club offerings should be coming out in the next two months or so.

Join the club at http://www.k-linetrains.com/

[Anonymous]

I've just got the Williams Catologs and they are great. If you like williams, I recomend buying the catolog.

Nick

[ben10ben]

I have to agree with ogauge4cats that the K-line club engines are some of the best on the market. The Trainmaster is the absolute best 3 rail O gauge model currently on the market, and, with Command Control, Railsounds, and smoke, mine was only a few dollars more than the Williams model with only a horn and bell, as well as no cab figures, etched fan screens, spinning fans, or working drop steps.

[clinchfieldfan]

I recently bought a set of E-7's in C & O colors. Excellent running engines, I believe you could pull a stump out with them! Check out www.mapajunction.com Marty is excellent to deal with and has very competive pricing.