I thought I scored a great deal on a Williams 2530 repo of the Lionel baggage car to go with the 2500 series passenger cars I got in a package deal. Thing looks great,,,,,,,,,,,BUT it un-couples on curves, it also derails over Lionel road crossings and switches ??? Any ideas? I could sure use some help on this one? one coupler hangs kind of low the other is spot on but place it either way and they still un-hook?? I have looked at everything and just don't get it. I am pulling the four car set. My min curve is a MARX 34"
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
I have exactly the same problem with my Williams NYC heavyweights. Short of replacing the trucks with die cast Lionels (or using zip ties), I haven't found a viable solution.
Same me, different spelling!
I agree !even on 0-42 curves the Heavyweights seem to have a great deal of rolling friction and require more voltage than should be the case.
pennytrains I have exactly the same problem with my Williams NYC heavyweights. Short of replacing the trucks with die cast Lionels (or using zip ties), I haven't found a viable solution.
Penny, I also wonder if it has something to do with the fact I am running O27 profile track???
KRM pennytrains I have exactly the same problem with my Williams NYC heavyweights. Short of replacing the trucks with die cast Lionels (or using zip ties), I haven't found a viable solution. Penny, I also wonder if it has something to do with the fact I am running O27 profile track???
I've kind of had the same problem (rolling resistance) with the Williams heavyweights I've got. Lubricating the axles with Tri-Flow solved the problem, they roll much easier now.
As far as uncoupling during the runs I've never had that problem with Williams cars but have had it with others, including Lionels. Since I don't do any switching I just locked them shut with cable ties to solve the problem.
I don't think your using 027 profile track should make a difference unless you're running the trains through 027 curves which you said you're not. Just so everyone knows Williams specified 031 minimum curves on most of their product line. From personal experience I can say sometimes you can get away with running 031 minimum engines and cars through 027 curves, but not always.
Trucks are lubed and run free. Couplers are solid and don't open up. Cable ties will do no good. They just slip out of the Lionel couplers going around a curve. I have never seen trucks like these?
Here is the truck of the Williams Heavyweight passenger car.
Thanks but this is Not a heavyweight 6 wheel car it is a repro of the 1955 Lionel 2500 series passenger cars. The Lionel baggage car has no-lite and has a 490-1 Lionel truck like this. I have seen this style truck on other Williams 2530 baggage cars listed on E-bay but never seen the ones on my car?
KRM I have never seen trucks like these?
Me neither! On anything. Those are darned unusual!
Flintlock76 KRM I have never seen trucks like these? Me neither! On anything. Those are darned unusual!
After looking they seem to be correct for Williams Golden Memories around 1980, Maybe even in the Kit form?
No matter,,,,,they SUCK!
Becky's probably right, replace them with Lionel trucks and couplers.
Mine have uncoupled on O27 (27"), O31 and O31 RealTrax. They uncouple from themselves as often as they uncouple from my Rail King Dreyfuss no matter how wide the radius and how straight and flat the track is.
Stranger and stranger. I've got two sets of Williams heavyweights and I've never had a problem with them uncoupling. I have had uncoupling issues with freight cars of various makes, Lionel, Atlas, and Menards for example. As I said earlier I went the cable tie route to solve the problem.
As an aside, I've never had uncoupling issues with MTH cars of any kind.
I have a Williams heavyweight that I think is of this same type- a PRR observation, it has the solid plastic couplers and seems to be reproducing the old Lionel design.My best guess is that somehow the couplers are able to wiggle up and down? As in, there's play in the pivot of the coupler that allows it to move vertically.Initial thoughts are to see if you can reduce any sort of play like that. I'll have to check out my car at some point to see if that helps me understand what's going on. I haven't had issues with mine, but it isn't mating with another solid coupler williams car so that might not tell me much.-Ellie
"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"
Working on a set of TCA Anniversery Madisons that I just picked up. Drag was horrible. Solid couplers on some cars had the same uncoupling problem. Carefully removed the wheels ans axles from the trucks. used a dremel with a wire wheel to remove the paint from the end of each axle. Spayed with silocone lubricant. they roll better . While the trucks are apart preen the coupler rivit to tack up the lateral play in the couple. They are still far from perfect, but better.
I'll have to try that paint removal from the axle truck!
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