Williams What scale is the Golden Memory Series vs the Traditional Line? What are the differences?

[jimhaleyscomet]

What scale is the Golden Memory Series vs the Traditional Line? What are the differences?

Jim H

[wrmcclellan]

Jim,

Williams Golden Memory series units are the same size as the equivalent Lionel units. Lionel called their PW and modern era non-scale trains traditional sized, but some items such as the Alcos, Pennsy Turbine, and 9 inch boxcars were even smaller - closer to S gauge that O. Lionel traditional sized F3s were a just a bit smaller than O scale.

[mpzpw3]

I would say that the Williams traditional line is closer to scale than the golden memories series. I can't think of anything except the F-3's that come close to scale in the golden memories series. A lot of the engines in the traditional line, on the other hand, are close to scale, such as the GP-7/9s (These are also postwar remakes, but not included in the golden memories series.), the Alco PAs, SD-45s, etc. Although closer to scale, I would still consider them "traditional". Concerning rolling stock, Williams offers both 60 ft. and 72 ft.passenger car versions. Obviously the 72 ft. version is closer to scale. Williams boxcars are a little odd. They are bigger then the Lionel 6464 type cars, yet just a little smaller than the "scale" version cars I have from Lionel's warhorse set. Williams products are great, but they are more toys than absolute scale models.

[lionelsoni]

Lionel F3s were quite close to scale:

In width, excluding grabirons, the prototypes were 9'10, which is 2 15/32 inches in 1/48 O scale, exactly what I measure on the models.

In height, excluding fans, the prototypes were 14'0.5, 3 1/2 in O scale.  I measure the models at 3 3/8, just 6 scale inches too high.

In length, from the back of the carbody to the lowest point on the sheetmetal, the A-unit was 48'5, 12 3/32 in O.  I measure 12 1/8, only 1.5 scale inches too long.  The B unit was 47', 11 3/4 in O.  I measure 11 31/32, 10 1/2 inches too short and the greatest discrepancy--but still not much at all.

[rogruth]

Aren't the Golden Memories  re-issue/copies of post-war Lionel that are meant to be for those who like that style but can't afford the originals and/or want trains that run very  well?

The "scale" is O-27 as advertised.

[Jumijo]

They are copies, but not exact copies of post war Lionels. Small differences can be found, but for the most part, they look like what you remember from the old days.

Jim