O-27 Passenger Question

[Anonymous]

I am thinking of buying some passenger cars. Due to limited money ($400) and space I have decided to use O-27 streamliners cars. Currently I have narrowed my choices to the following:
1.Williams Texas Special Set: F-3 A-B & 3 passenger cars.
2. Williams Texas Special: A-A & 4 passenger cars (Williams red and silver)
3. Williams Santa Fe: A-A & 4 passenger cars (Williams red and silver)
4. Lionel (Postwar or MPC) Santa Fe or Texas Special & 4 passenger cars
How does Williams run compared to older Lionel models? How does the horn and bell sound? Which is the best way to go for a conventional layout? Should I consider other models?

[laz 57]

The Williams Horn or TruBlast II sounds ok for running a no frills type engine. The horn is a three blast sound its ok but every engine has the same sound. They do have a bell too. For dependability you can't beat a Williams in conventional running. If I were just running a conventional layout I would definitly go with the Williams, you can't beat the price either.
laz57

[lionelsoni]

Although a 2243 A-B set and 4 2400-type cars were my first Lionel train, I would advise against running the scale F3s with small streamliners. The contrast in height and width is just too great. If you want to use small streamliners, put them with something the size of a 2023 Alco. I have a Weaver 45088 scale ATSF express boxcar that I can run between the F3s and the 2400s, to soften the size difference.

I believe that Santa Fe had their F3s permanently coupled in an A-B-B-A lashup, if that matters to you.

[Dr. John]

May I suggest going with William's traditional (O-27) sized Alco FAs with O-27 cars. With their fall sales you could possibly buy two sets or one set with some add-on cars.

It's hard to beat Williams for value, dependability and fun!

[Anonymous]

I would go with Williams, as well. Very nice trains for a reasonable amount of money, and chances are they'll still be running well 20-30 years from now because they're simple, rugged, and reliable locomotives from a mechanical standpoint.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Dr John. I just bought a set of the Alco FA's to go with a set of the 0-27 2400 type cars. The Semi-scale FA's are a good fit with them. Personally I like the Williams cars and engines better than Lionels versions of the same. They seem to be of better quality to me.
The horn and bell are OK, but you may get tired of the same horn/whistle crossing sounds after a while. The only draw back if one at all.

[phillyreading]

For price and dependability I would go with Williams, I have five Williams locomotives and had no problem yet that was mechanical, maybe running off the track beause of going too fast. I have three GP-9's and am very happy with them, any single GP-9 will outpull a similar Lionel or MTH any day of the week! One other thing the locomotive may not have TMCC or DCS capabilty unless you upgrade, but I see no need to upgrade.
Lee.