Williams FM Trainmaster Pulling Power

[Anonymous]

My birthday is coming up and I strongly suspect a Williams FM Trainmaster is coming my way. Southern, of course. Good news.

I was wondering, though. Obviously the Lionel PW FM has a rep of being one of the most powerful-pulling engines of the era. How does the Williams stack up, those of you who have it? In other words, would a Williams FM with two can motors be any more powerful than, say, a Williams GP9 with two can motors? Thanks for any comments.

[Anonymous]

  While I cannot say for a fact, I would suspect them to be close to equal. They have the same motors. I can tell you that the Williams FM I own is a wonderfull puller and not suprisingly can outpull my postwar F3s. While I prefer the pullmore motors due to their vintage feel, the modern can motors are much better runners, bite my tounge.

[phillyreading]

I will second what trainsandmusic said about the Williams locomotives being good at pulling power.  I don't have a Williams FM Trainmaster but their other diesel locomotives have great pulling power.

The Williams does not have TMCC or DCS installed from the factory, may have the True Blast horn & bell feature.

Lee F.

[Blueberryhill RR]

I have a Williams Jersey Central Trainmaster and it is the most powerful engine that I own. It will pull 12 PW cars with no problem.

Chuck

[MA and PA JCT]

It does not matter which 2 motored WILLIAMS engine you buy, they ALL pull a ton of cars. At trains I have attended as a DEALER, I've seen consists of 20-35 cars.

 If you need any WILLIAMS, let me know.

 

Marty

MA&PA JCT

[jefelectric]

I have a Williams Jersey Central Trainmaster and it is the most powerful engine that I own. It will pull 12 PW cars with no problem.

Chuck

I have one just like that Chuck, and it is a very good puller.  Don't run it a lot as I am trying to find time to install TMCC in it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. I had suspected it would be a strong puller, as my Williams GP9 is a brute. I am looking forward to getting the engine.

[stubbsO]

It does not matter which 2 motored WILLIAMS engine you buy, they ALL pull a ton of cars. At trains I have attended as a DEALER, I've seen consists of 20-35 cars.

 If you need any WILLIAMS, let me know.

 

That's what I'm talkin about! I have 2 of them and I wish I had more cars for them. There kinda like the "Energizer bunny".

[Anonymous]

I just ran 3 different Williams FM Trainmaster locos today on a layout with a very steep grade. They all pulled great with no problems and a 15 car consist. Very reliable, they run on a large layout all day long!

[Jumijo]

Williams trains are awesome. My next one is going to be a 2332 GG1.

Jim 

[Anonymous]

I just ran 3 different Williams FM Trainmaster locos today on a layout with a very steep grade. They all pulled great with no problems and a 15 car consist. Very reliable, they run on a large layout all day long!

That's what I wanted to hear! My FM will normally pull long freight trains but will also be pressed into service pulling seven MTH Premier Southern streamliners.

[Brady]

RaleighTrainFan

My Williams FM has no problem walking away with any train, including ten 6456 hoppers loaded with aquarium ballast (rock).  They're very heavy diesels and have traction tires.

I don't know if the Southern ran long or short hood forward, but you can reverse the body shell.   

Brady 

 

 

[lionelsoni]

The Southern ran short-hood forward.  A 5-chime horn was mounted on the roof, over the cab.  There was a bell on a bracket above the headlights.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that information! I was actually wondering about the long hood/short hood issue.

Of course, you know what this means: I am now going to have to spring for about ten of those Atlas Trainman Southern hoppers and load them with Scenic-cemented sawdust (the hopper cargo of the South, at least in North Carolina). Then the FM will step out proudly.