I’ve had Lionel trains for almost 10 years, but I only used them for Christmas layouts. I really enjoy it and every year I have to put it up at the end of the holidays because of space constraints, but this year I’m going to change that and build a year round layout.
I’ve been looking on eBay for a used loco and everything I like has been selling for over $300 so I decided to look at what’s available new and closer to what I want to spend right now. Things on eBay sometimes tend to be over priced and I did buy a couple of older Lionel steamers, but I really would like a newer Diesel.
Anyway I came across Williams O-gauge trains that are more in my price range. I’ve never even heard of Williams Trains before. How would you rate them, are they any good?
Williams trains are a very good buy right now. Price increases are pending. A very reliable engine that is affordable. Go to mapajunction and check them out.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
SleeperN06 Anyway I came across Williams O-gauge trains that are more in my price range. I’ve never even heard of Williams Trains before. How would you rate them, are they any good?
I own a little bit of everything and the only locomotives that have never been returned to the shop for any type of repair are my four Williams engines. They are ran hard, too, especially my Genisis Amtrak that pulls a dummy, three baggage/mail and five MTH passenger cars up a 3% grade without slowing down.
I have bought my last three Williams engines from Ma & Pa Junction. Marty has the best prices that I know of for Williams.
BTW, I first learned about Williams at a small museum that ran them real hard to the extent that the hollow rail track had holes worn through the top of the rail.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Hey thanks guys, I’m thinking about buying their Santa Fe RTR Set to get started, but I don’t need the track or the transformer.
I really like the GM 60'Streamliners SF/4pk w/ aluminum bodies and the GM F3 A-A SF/red&sil loco.
I was hoping to find a UP passenger set with loco, but I’ll settle for a SF anyway I’m going to take my time to decide.
Another plus to williams as long as it doesn't look mishandled or fell off a 3' high train table they will repair any problems with them for life. You pay like a $25.00 handling fee and to ship it to them but thats it.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
rtraincollector Another plus to williams as long as it doesn't look mishandled or fell off a 3' high train table they will repair any problems with them for life. You pay like a $25.00 handling fee and to ship it to them but thats it.
Thanks for the info. That’s definitely a big, BIG plus!
Williams is the BEST thing out there for the money. I have 3 right now and plan to buy more. They look great, run forever, and Bachman has great service. Mine have run for hours at a time at train shows without problems.
Roger
Sounds like your getting the bug
Im really warming up to the Williams stuff. I dont have any of their big diesels yet. But they seem to have something for everybody. I predict more Williams are in my future.
Another plus for Williams I have the Virginian FM Trainmaster and when I ran it on (Friends layout ) Lionel fastract my Friend couldn't believe how much quieter it was running than the Lionel's and mth engines on the same track I didn't notice as it wasn't my layout and didn't have fastract at the time.
So there a quieter running enmgine to I guess
I also have a scale GG-1 by williams its tuscan in color with 5 gold stripes
Quieter! Oh now I like that. I’ve spent years trying to get my Christmas trains to quiet down with not much luck.
I’m still trying to decide if I want the starter set or pay the extra money for the passenger car set and loco set separate. When I 1st got into N-scale I started with 2 starter sets, but I never was really happy with either of them and I almost gave up on the whole thing. The whole experience with the starters did help me decide on what I did like.
One thing for sure is that I only want passenger trains this time around. I got bored with freight trains, unless they are like cars in a pure consist.
I got my first Williams at York. It doesn't have speed control yet, but it's a very nice runner...I also got mine from Marty...
A GE F3 is going to run you in the $300's + +. Rather look into a GP-7 or GP-9 Lionel and it will have the same drive chassis of that year. Look for one with 2 traction motors. I was not that fortunate, I only found one traction motor, but its all I could find at this time of year locally.
The guy at the store told me they are not near as popular as the F3's and do not bring the high bills.
As all the other GYZ says go with WILLIAMS. I have 4 that I run for hours with the nephews and nieces and they just keep on going and going. ENJOY!!!
laz57
Buckeye Riveter SleeperN06 Anyway I came across Williams O-gauge trains that are more in my price range. I’ve never even heard of Williams Trains before. How would you rate them, are they any good? I own a little bit of everything and the only locomotives that have never been returned to the shop for any type of repair are my four Williams engines. They are ran hard, too, especially my Genisis Amtrak that pulls a dummy, three baggage/mail and five MTH passenger cars up a 3% grade without slowing down. I have bought my last three Williams engines from Ma & Pa Junction. Marty has the best prices that I know of for Williams. BTW, I first learned about Williams at a small museum that ran them real hard to the extent that the hollow rail track had holes worn through the top of the rail.
I checked out your link to that site and you weren't kidding about the prices! Yeah Williams engines are very nice and the quality is better than there original postwar counterparts. Plus the boxes are a hundred times nicer with soft foam inserts yes they are the best things out there for the money. One warning about them though....DON'T LOOK DIRECTLY AT THEIR HEADLIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah there headlights are super bright. Just make shure if you buy a steamer from them you use only Seuthe smoke fluid or just buy the stuff that comes with them if you run out.
Give me steam locomotives or give me DEATH!
Berkshire Junction, bringing fourth the cry of the Iron Horse since 1900.
I’ve pretty well made up my mind to buy the GM 60'Streamliners SF/4pk and I like the GM F3 A-A SF/red & sliver, but are they from the same era? I know the f3 is from the late 40’s, but I think the passenger cars are from the 60’s.
I’m still undecided on the Loco. I prefer UP but SF will work, but it has to be from the Southwest.
A Williams Texas Special set should meet the Southwest requirements.
Bill T.
My wife did some checking and she was impressed with Williams' trains, which are solid built, detailed, have an over-all smooth performance, and of course she was impressed of the local area, color scheme, and road name for which the train represents..."Erie-Lackawanna".She was at John Merlino's Pittston Train Shop and put in an order with Santa Claus, for this Christmas, for me.
They're Alco FA-1, 'A'-'A' Diesels (Powered and Dummy) Big 1/4" Scale Units with Digital True Blast II Horn and Bell, Op. Front Coupler, Illuminated-Interior,Head Light, Markers, Six Ampres Reverse Unit, Twin Motors, Traction Tires and both units weigh a ton. Plus the colors match my Lionel FM TM Lackawanna Diesel, except the Twin roofs are black and the FM's roof is a very dark grey-close to black, as some prototypes might be.
Already, I have them up and running and I love them, and their beautiful color scheme and roadname.
Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year,
Ralph
I own 3 Southern Pacific Cab Forwards made by Williams .... SUPER ENGINES to say the least . Just looking at them shows the quality ... and I think they could pull a load of train cars made of bricks ... LOL . What was fabulous those were the full BRASS ones now selling for about 3 times what I paid .... lionel and mth never made any full brass cab forwards .... .... or any other large steamers I know of . The one thing the original owner/developer insisited on was extreme quality and super value ... which I hope bauchman keeps alive .
Train-OShe was at John Merlino's Pittston Train Shop and put in an order with Santa Claus, for this Christmas, for me. Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year, Ralph
I came across a Williams AMTRAK GENESIS Locos #805 & 810 + 4 Aluminum Amfleet couch cars on eBay. It was $150 less than the SF Passenger train I was going to buy.
I troubled over it for a while manly because I could not find any information on it and I don’t know how many motor’s it has. Only one Loco is powered and the other is a Dummy. I hope I did not make a mistake, but anyway it’s now a done deal.
Here is a Photo
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