Hatfields vs. McCoys

[C&NW]

Not trying to re-create the above, but I'm relatively new to the hobby (O-gauge).  Lionel was the household name when I was growing up.  I was recently at a local hobby shop that carried both Lionel and Williams (by Bachmann).  The shop owner, while not pushing Williams, was certainly communicating his being impressed with the line.  At the monthly train show I go to I see Lionel, MTH, Weaver and Atlas, but not much Williams.  Is Williams a good value for the money? 

I'm not at the high-end (my wife has been supportive and enjoying the hobby as well, but a $600+ engine would certainly put that to the test), but I am beyond starter/entry level.  Any thoughts would be helpful.  I realize that all the manufactures have their followings, so I'm not trying to start a brawl.

 Thanks much. 

[dougdagrump]

For no frills operating you can't beat Williams, they have within the past year been bought out by Bachmann. But I believe that, in the long run, this will be a plus for the Williams products & product line. Plus the best warranty in the business.

Forgot to say  to the asylum forum.

[rtraincollector]

C&NW

Not trying to re-create the above, but I'm relatively new to the hobby (O-gauge).  Lionel was the household name when I was growing up.  I was recently at a local hobby shop that carried both Lionel and Williams (by Bachmann).  The shop owner, while not pushing Williams, was certainly communicating his being impressed with the line.  At the monthly train show I go to I see Lionel, MTH, Weaver and Atlas, but not much Williams.  Is Williams a good value for the money? 

I'm not at the high-end (my wife has been supportive and enjoying the hobby as well, but a $600+ engine would certainly put that to the test), but I am beyond starter/entry level.  Any thoughts would be helpful.  I realize that all the manufactures have their followings, so I'm not trying to start a brawl.

 Thanks much. 

Well first to the forum. Heres a little bit to think about Williams is nice for manual control ( no TMCC or DCS( later MTH ) Okay now you say your beyond starter/entry level. I recently bought a Lionel Set that had the Engine with Legacey ( oops forgot that one above its the improved TMCC in-case you don't know) CW-80 Transformer, 4 Freight cars plus a caboose, Large oval of fas-track with O-48 curves ( normally you get O-31 curves) now you would still need to goto E-Bay and buy TMCC if you don't have it to run it in command control or ebay /hobby shop to get legacey now again you could run conventional control with the transformer if you wish and grow into command control later but this is an excellent set to go with and it list for $699.99 but I picked mine up brand new for $599.99 plus shipping ( By the way last year it was suggested list price was $799.99 so Lionel dropped it $100.00 this year) here is the link to it on Lionel's web page http://www.lionel.com/products/catalogs/LionelSig_10v1/index.cfm If that don't work goto www.lionel.com then click on signature edition catalog and its on pages 59&60. I really like this set.

Just another idea and this is an advance set I would say. Its basicly what you would call semi scale as the engine is from the lionmaster series

[RockIsland52]

  Welcome C&NW.....don't be a stranger!!!!

Jack

[dwiemer]

Welcome to the CTT forum.  Williams are good, basic models, but are limited by today's standards.  BTW, Williams also had a line of brass trains that were well made and quite a bit more expensive.  For the most part, you will not get too much arguing here with regard to brands.  Most of the manufacturing is from the same factories in China and few of us will only by from "X" brand.  As RT mentioned, you can get some good modern trains with command control for reasonable money.  Some of the auction sites are very good for this, but be careful who you buy from.  The advantage to modern, high tech models is the realistic action/sounds, etc.  Of course, the more bells and whistles, the more likely that something will go wrong at some point.  The advantage of older, post war type is that they are basic, but easy to fix.  Either way, the point of this hobby is to have fun.

Dennis

[Cheese]

And may I also repeat, Welcome to the forum.

It seems that you and i are similar in our restrictions (while not married I am a college student, so I have to watch what I spend)

As an onwer of a williams locomotive (the 773 hudson, i say they are a good value for your money and will run forever. I have heard almost nothing but good things about williams locomotives, be they the traditional items of the lionel re-issues (the golden memories line).

Also Lionel has a line of affordable postwar re-issues called the conventional classics line, which are also priced nicely and great runners. And Lionel has a great line of traditional products which are great as well. MTH Railking locos and cars are wonderful too, and are a little more hi-tech than your everyday williams and lionel piece (sound and dcs is a standard in all locos).

So welcome, and have fun!

btw, i am a distant relative of devil anse hatfeild, which i thought you might find interesting haha.

Cheese

[nickaix]

Toy train technology has been advancing steadily over the last 15 years or so.  New trains lose value quickly, not unlike new cars (if not to the same degree).  If you are willing to buy "pre-owned", you can get a lot more for your money.

[C&NW]

Thanks for the feedback on the brand question....and I'm glad no shots were fired!!

[PhilaKnight]

I love Williams. Everyone I got so far has been perfect.

[Train-O]

For conventional running engines they're well made and have little, to no, hassles. I got mine this past Christmas and I love it and I'm very happy with it. It's a Williams full 1:48 scale proportionate sized engine, not a Bachmann/ Williams which recreate the Lionel Post War near scale size items. Ralph