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Williams Berkshire

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  • Member since
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  • From: Bristow, VA
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Williams Berkshire
Posted by drums1427 on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:57 AM
Does anybody know of an online retailer that sells this Williams Berkshire? And, will this run on O27? I've searched & can't seem to find it.


http://www.williamstrains.com/Berkshire/BERK_co_model.gif
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Posted by 1688torpedo on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:03 AM
Hello Drums! There is a place called MA&PA Junction & I believe the only product they sell is Williams.They have a website that you can check out & see if they have this particular Berkshire.And they will run on O27. Take Care.
Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 10:16 AM
You can also call Williams directly...

Marty at MA&PA Junction is a very helpful man and lives close to Williams, if he doesnt have it in stock, I am sure he can run over there and pick one up for you if Williams currently has them in stock.

I just checked Ma&PA Junction for you, Marty lists that engine (#berk120) for $230, but it says he doesnt have any in stock.

http://www.mapajunction.com. I would give him a call if you are interested.

P.S. I have the Nickel Plate Road Berkshire, its a very nice looking train.
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  • From: New England
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Posted by Jumijo on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 10:56 AM
Call Williams directly. You might pay a little more, but you'll get what you want faster. That's my experience.

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 11:51 AM
A word of caution here:

The Williams Berk is a spot-on reproduction of the 726, which was a 'premium' locomotive designed to run on O-31.

I would see if someone on this forum has actually run this model on O-27 successfully. I'm not confident that it will. Even Lionel's downscale Berk introduced in 2001 is designed to run on O-31. I think you'll find that anything over six drivers will have serious problems negotiating O-27.
  • Member since
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  • From: Willoughby, Ohio
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Posted by spankybird on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 12:08 PM
HI Rick, Good to see you stop by.

I have many MTH railking burks that run on my 027, of course I do use the k-line switches.

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 12:09 PM
I'm also curious if the Berk will clear O27 switches.

Here's another good source for Williams www.justrains.com They ship very quickly and have great prices. Marty is a fine dealer too.

BTW, Williams really needs to update their website site.
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 6:39 PM
I havent tried to run mine on 0-27 switches, I am merely a collector but have some track and switches laying around, I will see if I can get something together and test it out when I get some time. Wiliams states that "Minimum required Radius: 0-31", but we will see.

ATSF Rock: Wouldnt it be very nice if Williams would upate the site, they have a lot of stuff out that isnt listed there, and the things that say instock or out of stock are usually vice versa [}:)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 7:00 PM
Not much of anything clears 1121 switch machines. I my experience with the steameres it is the eccentric crank that hits the switch machine (1121)cover first. the belly tank on geeps also hits it for example. The later 1122 027 switches have more clearance built into them and may clear a berk, I"ll try to check it out, maybe someone else can too. I think Spanky's Kline switches are wide radius 027 (42")and have even more room for engines to pass the switch motor housing.

Run trains !
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 12, 2006 9:43 AM
I contacted Williams, and they said it wont run on 027
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Posted by spankybird on Thursday, January 12, 2006 10:09 AM
ogage - my K-line switches are 027 with 27" dia. turns.



click on pic to enlarge

Note the very low profile of them

If fact I also run my Allegheny and Challenger thru them.



There is two parts if an engine or car will run on 027 track.

1. clearing the switches

2. will the front and back trucks turn enough to allow the small radius of the track.

tom

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

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Posted by lionelsoni on Thursday, January 12, 2006 11:49 AM
Tom, there is a third problem which can bite you: Will the drivers clear the center rail? This is what stopped my 773 Hudson until I shimmed the axles to eliminate almost all end play and set the gauge just as wide as I could without binding on curves.

I find that steam locomotives typically have less trouble with Lionel O27 switches than do Diesels. The wheelbase of the drivers is too short to produce significant overhang to the inside of the curve; and the rest of the locomotive swings to the outside.

Bob Nelson

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