Williams slow speed performance?

[okiechoochoo]

I have several Williams locomotives but have not run them yet due to the fact the layout benchwork is just going up. My question is about Williams slow speed operation. I have read where they are rocket ships when you start them up if you don't rewire them in series. How fast is fast? Are they really that fast say compared to Lionel postwar are just fast compared to todays scale speed 2 mph locomotives. I have heard that if you use a TPC300 or 400 in conventional that slow speed control is good and you don't need to rewire the Williams locos in series. Anyone know before I start cutting wires.
Thanks

[Jumijo]

Why don't you run them first (when your layout is ready) and see for yourself if they go slow enough before cutting wires? My Williams run at a near crawl when I want them to.

[FJ and G]

Would echo Jim's comments. I ran mine off a Z750 and it could crawl along at perhaps 3smph even with its normal wiring. Yet, I've seen folks with a ZW or the MTH similar one be unable to run theirs as slow as mine.

[4kitties]

It's all relative. I have an old Marx steamer that will blow the doors off of any other engine I own. That said, I have many Williams engines and I haven't felt the need to rewire any of them. They won't crawl at 2-3 SMPH but I didn't buy them expecting that either. I too would recommend you wait until you run them before deciding to rewire. Also, you want to use a power source whose starting output voltage is as close to zero as possible. I'm guessing that the TPC 300 and 400 were recommended because they will do that instead of starting at 5, 6 or even more volts like the postwar transformers of yesterday. Good luck!

Joel

[Jumijo]

Just one more thing to consider - new locomotives, ones never before run, need a little break-in time. Run them some to get all the gears broken in and you will notice a difference in speed performance. Also, a good lube and oil job will help them crawl along much slower than the same loco running "dry".

[okiechoochoo]

I think I will run them and then decide. Jaabat, you didn't say what power source you are using to run yours at a crawl. What are you using. I take it the Z750 is a MTH transformer. Will it handle a dual motored F3 (Williams) and four lighted passenger cars. Thanks

[FJ and G]

easily

[dwiemer]

I have run mine on a 1033 and CW80 with no problem. I think it is very similar to most other Post war engines I have. I am not into the scale thing, so I can't tell about the scale miles per hour. You can tell that they are well made.
Dennis

[brianel027]

The transformer you use for power is as important a factor as any. Most of the DC can motored locos DO NOT need as much current to the track as do the older postwar locos or the newer ones with open frame AC motors.

Many criticized the early K-Line locos for their "jack-rabbit" starts. But these folks were trying to run them with postwar LW, TW or ZW transformers which all put a minimum 6 volts to the track.

Using a more modern transformer - or the Lionel 1033 with the B-U voltage post setting - will a near zero or zero starting voltage will greatly impove the operation of nearly any DC can motored loco.

On the Williams locos, they are geared very well and certainly have the ability to run at slow speeds, all without the additional "speed control" electronics.

[Jumijo]

I have an MRC Dual Controller.

[otftch]

There is an old saying about "keeping your foot out of the carberator".It applies here.With a little care there is no problems.I switch all the time with my Williams and have not had any runaways.
Ed