Question on new ZW and Williams engines

[okiechoochoo]

Just wondering how well Williams engines run on the new Lionel ZWs.  Anyone who has run them experience any problems.  How about horn/bell operation.  I have always hooked my layouts up with the common ground wire "U" post on postwar ZWs, going to the outside rail.  However, I have been told with Williams it needs to go to the middle rail.  Is this true with the old postwar ZW and is it true also with the new modern ZW.

Thanks

[Blueberryhill RR]

I have 8 Williams engines. I run them on Gargraves and Lionel 0 guage track. Powered by a PW ZW transformer. The positive ( ABCD posts ), go to the center rail. The U posts go to the outside rail. No problems.

Chuck

[mpzpw3]

I have 5 Williams engines and the modern ZW. I have not had any problem with operation including the horn and bell. U, or common, should be wired up just as you would the postwar ZW, to the outside rail. I would even go so far as to say, that the modern-era ZW runs my Williams engines better than any of my postwar transformers.

[phillyreading]

I agree with Chuck about the wiring of a post war ZW, however not all features on my GP-9's work with just the ZW, I had to get an add on sound button from Lionel # 6-5906 to access the bell feature on the Williams GP-9. 

Not sure if the new ZW's have a bell feature or not as it is out of my price range.   The Z-4000 from MTH should have the bell feature but only has two train controls on it, has auxillary power on the back of it.

If you want all the features to work from one transformer you should get the Z-1000 from MTH as it has separate whistle and bell buttons.

Keep in mind that not all transformers have the features to operate all the new features on the new locomotives being made.

Lee F.