Lionel F3 very good+ or new Williams set?

[FEClionel]

I have a delema were I'm wondering if I should sell a complete 1951 Lionel 2343(plus cars) frieght set and purchase either the congressional, super chief or western pacific set. I want a set to run around the tree with my 2321 FM 1955 set. Help I'm confused - limited budget and I want achieve the most postwar 1951-1956 diversity of Lionel roling stock and locomotives.

[mpzpw3]

Tough question. I have a pair of 2343 postwar engines that I just retired. I found a set of MTH proto-1 engines that fit my price range, and make a good replacement. I own 4 Williams engines, the 5th to arrive soon. My Williams engines are good simple runners. They are well decorated, and work relatively problem free. I've read the reviews on the new Williams F-3s, and they are positive. Williams chose a different pilot than the original units, so bear that in mind. My opinion would be, that the new Williams engines will probably drop in price as time goes on. That being said, I also, in my opinion, think the postwar units will also drop in price. In my situation, I retired my postwar engines, not for any reliability issues, but for noise issues. Can motors are quiet, open field motors are loud, as are the e-units. Williams engines are much quieter (ask my wife). I would never sell my postwar units (nostalgia reasons), to buy a modern version, but that is me. For running trains on a day-to-day basis, I guess I would probably go with the Williams version. I do think the price will drop on the Williams engines (Please, oh please don't take my word on this, as this is my opinion!!!), and the engines will be available a little cheaper in the future.

[ben10ben]

Personally, I would keep the postwar one. To me, a can motored engine can't top the sounds and operation of a postwar engine.

[3railguy]

Alot depends on the condition of the 2343's and how much you love postwar. If your 2343 set is in excellent or better condition, I wouldn't do it. You say yours are very good plus condition? I wouldn't sell them cheap and pay full price for a Williams set. The Williams golden memories sets are experiencing a "rush" at this time. Give them some time to cool off and you'll find some deals on them. You can give yourself some time to get a decent price for your postwar set too. These are my personal feelings but why buy a copy when you already have the real Mcoy.

[SPFan]

If I didn't have a SF set and wanted one I'd get a Williams set but if I already had the original post war version I don't think I could part with it. Consider what your net profit/loss would be if you traded for Williams and consider that you can get a Williams SF 4 passenger car set new for <$200 and probably less than that on ebay or the buy/sell boards.

Pete

[FEClionel]

I know it might be a downgrade...but a new set would be so cool! I have a 3 postwar freight sets and I think a passenger set by williams would be soo cool. You can only run so many sets under the tree. I like the Canadian set but the colors are too close to my 2321 Lackawanna. I'm not sure what to do. I'm only 24 and I think opening a Williams Golden Memories set and running it under the tree is the closest I will get to having a likenew Lionel set around the tree. Plus I would feel too bad if it falls off the tracks. My 2343's are nice condition (red is bold and shiney- silver has alittle shine left and no battery damage) but the early 50's freight cars are a little boring and look funny compared to my 1955 plus more-scale cars running with 736 and 2321.

[daan]

If you are 24, KEEP THOSE POSTWAR LIONELS!! Sorry for shouting. Those williams will be better when you think about it now, but when you are 10 or 20 years older you'll never be able to find back a postwar F3 by lionel and still will be able to buy a neat williams set. Those 1951 2343's where the best of that era and only will get scarce to get in the future. There are less of them then there will be williams in a few years time.
Besides that, the can motors will never give you the grunt and O3 smell back which are typical for the old lionels.

[3railguy]

QUOTE: My 2343's are nice condition (red is bold and shiney- silver has alittle shine left and no battery damage) but the early 50's freight cars are a little boring and look funny compared to my 1955 plus more-scale cars running with 736 and 2321.

I agree a Williams pass set would be good under the tree. Smooth, good looking and quiet. If it were me, I would sell off the boring cars, keep the 2343's and use the money from the boring cars to start saving for Williams set. It doesn't have to be this XMAS. There are many ahead of us. Or buy some streamline coaches for your 2343's. My fear is once the "newness" of the Williams set wears off, you may regret selling your 2343's. I've been there. It's not a good feeling.

[ChiefEagles]

I agree with Daan and 3rail. Hold on to those earleir F3's and you will still be able to buy a Willaims set later. Your Kids and Grandkids will be amazed. I held on to my John Deere tractor and equipment as well as my Lionel from the early 50's. Now look at what I have. I even have my cast John Deere pedal tractor from 1953 [needs new paint job, decals and tires, all I can do this winter]. I even have my Roy Rogers guitar from when I was 8. Those things like that might seem nothing to you now, but later in life, they will be valuable.

[FEClionel]

Thanks guys! I think your right. I can get over the noise, sell the "lame cars" and the newness will wear off. I think that finding an un tampered set of 2343 that are not destroyed yet not perfect is mor fun than a new set that might latter seem to be cheesie imatation of the original. I think I will purchase some passenger cars for it...once I sell the freight cars. Imust admitt I still think the Williams Western Pacific set is very nice...I just wish Lionel had made it a set back in the 50's.