I'm so mad I could scream! This mess all started about 4 months ago...
I'm thumbing through some old CTT issues, and run across a review of some K-line blue-and-silver F-7's. I think to myself, I would sure like to have those, as I run mainly Santa Fe equipment. I check e-bay out and find nothing. In hindsite, even if I had found them, I couldn't afford them. I had just purchased a Lionel Warhorse set, a new ZW, and a command control set-up.
Been working a lot of overtime at work, no end in sight. All household commitments have been met, need those blue-and-silver F-units, and can't find them. What to do? Well, I have 4 Williams engines, and the Golden Memories F-3's have been reviewed favorably by both major magazines. I say to myself, buy the Williams 2343 repro's, and repaint the red to blue. Should work perfectly. So, I go to the ONLY Williams dealer, Marty at Ma and Pa Junction. Pretty decent price, so I order a set. In the meantime, I order a set of Santa Fe decals from Stan Orr, and practice painting a couple of junk shells I have laying around in silver and blue paint. Everything is ready for the repaint.
Early this week the Williams F-3's arrive. I unpack them, and compare them to the Lionel 2343's I allready have. My Dad bought these for me my eight grade year of school ( there were some tough times the year before, and he was trying to make it up to me that year). This was in the early 80's, and the units were used. All lines matched. The lettering and paint were much better than the 50's Lionel version. My weatherworn 2343's were upstaged, minus the growl, that only the postwar version can create. My first reaction was, "they don't look right". I had been so used to seeing my old F-3's, that the Williams units looked to "new".
Well, stupidly, I put a set of MTH repro's of the Lionel passenger cars on the track behind the new Williams F-3's, and ran them. Boy, what a joy! I had been going more scale in recent years, purchasing a used set of MTH F-3's in both red and silver and blue and yellow, which are much more detailed than the postwar Lionel versions. Watching the Williams F-3's pulling those aluminum cars with passenger sillouetes in the windows took me back to a simpler time. I don't run my original Lionel F-3's because after my Dad died last year, the have become gold. They run well, but have a special place on my desk.
Back to the Williams F-3's. I can't repaint these! The lettering and graghics are much better than the originals, while keeping the "look" of the originals. I should have known better than thinking I could repaint them. They remind me of an era I can't place ( I wasn't alive in the 50's, so I can only guess), and they are toy trains through and through, which in this modern age, as I look for more "scale realism", remind of the fun of toy trains. These engines have ruined me...
I was wondering if I got a set of SOO F7 Units would they be worth repainting?
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
Answer: Just get another set of Williams F3s to repaint...or maybe williams sells the shells for a repaint. I think in one of the magazine reviews, that the author says he now runs his Williams, while the PW lionels have a retired, well earned place of honor on the wall.
I'm sure the Williams line is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who experienced the PW era. Even though those PW models are being surpassed in detail by the modern scale models, they still have a certain charm and appeal. Sometimes I think even the tinplate O gauge rails have a certain appeal over more modern scale track. I guess those items are just truly classics.
Regards, Roy
Hmmm, I have heard nothing but good things about Williams. I am looking at a set of these red and silver F3's for my son this Christmas maybe I can afford these along with a Hellgate Bridge
I would add the Electric Railroad TMCC upgrade and Sound Commander as I have this set up in a Beep and it works great.
Maybe if I ask nicely Santa will bring me a Williams 773 Scale Hudson.
Regards
Nick
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
About the only negative comments you'll ever hear about Williams come from those who are not really familiar with the current Williams products.
When I was doing repairs for a major Mail Order House, I got in one Williams FM with a messed up paint job. (Smeared with finger prints) But for the most part these trains are very reliable with far fewer returns than other brands. I bought the UP 50th Anniversary set and I'm very happy with it. I do own the original 2023 nice but paint slightly faded.. The Williams was like a return to the past.
mpzpw3,
Very few people get upset with Williams quality, nice stuff for the money! I have a pair of Pennsy GP9's and the only problem is that the horn is a basic one. My other GP9 has a much better horn & bell system in it. Have a 671 Pennsy steam locomotive and almost ran out of rolling stock to put behind it, excellant pulling power for under $230.00. Also have the El Capitan Santa Fe set, a three unit diesel F7's(ABA) one powered A unit one unpowered & the B unit has the sound system in it, horn bell and diesel locomotive sounds with an announcement about leaving on track ten. There are six passenger cars with the set & two are vista domes, got the set for $400.00 from a friend here in south Florida about four years ago. The only drawback is that I have to run the powered locomotive in reverse putting it as the third locomotive in the setup, sometimes to run it faster I use a GP9 as the powered unit removing the F7 powered unit.
Have heard that Williams makes a 150 watt transformer with brake feature. I know that Williams is into producing and selling track now.
Lee F.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
I've heard a lot of good things about williams trains. I guess I'll find out soon enough, just ordered my first williams locomotive ( NS GP38 ) from Ma& Pa junction.
Stan.
THE SOUTHERN SERVES THE SOUTH.
I recieved a set of Williams FA-1's in B&O colors, and I am pleased to report I LOVE THIS LOCOMOTIVE! The paint, size look, and feel is everything that I always wanted in a train. The only thing that I am not excited about is the horn, bell and lack of diesel sounds. I'll be looking to add an Electric RR Sound Commander chip in the not too distant future ( tips on installation would be appreciated). My next purchase is a N&W 4-8-4 J Class steamer. I just love the look of that locomotive. Any suggestions on a consist for the FA -1 would be appreciated..
Keep 'em on the rails!
KennyG
Bill T.
Kenny G,
I recently converted a Williams Berkshire to the Electric RR. steam sounds. I'm not sure about converting the diesels, but the steam engine can't be easier. The fact that Williams uses wire nut to make electrical connects made it a solder free installation. Electctric RR. also has a link to the instructions on their website. Not having to have a reed switch for diesel sounds should make it about a 10 minute installation I would guess. Hope this helps.
Thanks foir the reply! I sent an email to Jon at Electric RR and he told me that he was working on a new sound commander to be rerleased in the not too distant future. I took the shell off today and saw a small card piggy back on a larger card. Electric RR requires the removal of the williams card. I hope to do it in the not too distant future. thanks for the replay!
I bought 2 NS Sd90 Mac off of DA CHIEF, and they run great. I sandwich them on the outside and put another GP38 NS in between, they put everything that I have. No foolin. Great engines.
laz57
Williams has great trains and thier tech support is very helpful. Now that Williams is making track maybe this will help me with some of my problems that happen with Lionel switches. Somebody was asking about a Williams locomotive going through a Lionel Fastrac switch on another post, can only hope that the Williams loco and Fastrac are compatable!
Lee Fritz
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