What are Williams Trains like?

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind fellas that RMT, Williams, and Weaver only produce engines and rolling stock... Lionel and MTH do those as well as accessories... so their production facilities are tooled for both, and most likely that impacts what they can produce.  Not that I agree with this, but I would venture to guess that would be the 'excuse' floated if one were to REALLY press for answers and those answering were to slip up and answer...

This is why I have pretty much given up purchasing ONLY Lionel items.  I have found that I can get what I like by other manufacturers, run them with my Lionel items, and guess what... you really can't tell the difference (at least I can't).  Most of my engines are Lionel (I have 1 MTH Diesel set and 1 MTH Steamer), so as the livery expands that may change.  I really want the Lionel B&O F7s, mostly because they come with the Legacy control equiped and will wait till they are released to get the F7s.  But Williams also manufactures the B&O Baldwin Sharks (which I have always liked the look of), so I will get those in a few months as I doubt highly that Lionel will ever manufacture them... one thing that bothers me about Lionel is they seem to release EVERYTHING in NYC and PRR, but any other roadname is a crap shoot... MTH seems to do the same as well... Did the PRR run everything under the Sun?  (I'm not old enough to remember the golden age of railroading, and haven't the time to research as much as I would like)

[bfskinner]

Davidvd59, Deputy,

I symphathize with both of you. If I had a local dealer who would not order for me I'd let Jerry Williams know about it. It is frustrating to get a big shiny catalog only to find that the item you want is not available. (By the way, I haven't received my new catalog yet....)

Some of the terminology is confusing. At their not-necessarily-current website (is anybody's?) Williams uses the terms "In Stock," "Back Order" and "Out of Stock." As I read it, Back Order means that Williams has ordered the item from it's Chinese supplier but when it will arrive remains a mystery; Out of Stock means that there are none even in the works and there may never be any more. You are welcome to your own interpretation, but that's mine.

In addition, the stock of a given dealer is subject to similar "rules." I've found that I have to ask whether Out of Stock refers to the dealer's stock only, or to the dealer and Williams central, or the entire Williams dealer network. If you really want something you may have to  badger them, so to speak.

While we're at it, will someone explain the difference between "pre-order" and "order"?

I personally love Williams, although much of their rolling stock is too large for my needs. I prefer the size of Industrial Rail, for example. I doubt that many fanatical "Hi-Rail rivet counters" would be happy with a lot of Williams; and those who are looking for "prototypical horns" or elaborate sound systems will have to do without or make some modifications. For example, I pull a stand-alone RailSounds diecast tender behind my Williams steamer, and a RailSounds boxcar behind my Williams diesel. (I installed a microswitch to temporarily cutoff the built-in Williams horn and bell.)

Since the bulk of my "collection" is old Lionel postwar stuff I am delighted with the Williams "Golden Memories" series because I can replace some of my decrepit stuff inexpensively with brand new locomotives. I consider my trains to be toys, not models, and Williams fits the bill very well for me.

As to sources, I have to agree with Allan Miller on this one, as difficult as that is for me. I have also dealt directly with Williams. You pay a bit more, but sometimes there are advantages to going directly to the right end of the horse.

Hope this helps.

 

[FJ and G]

I run my williams trains outside in snow, rain, sleet and sunshine

 

and my loco  below is williams gp9

 

 

[Jumijo]

JusTrains offers very fast, FREE shipping on Williams products. They also have the lowest prices I've found. I've bought from them and highly recommend!

Jim

[Anonymous]

BF wrote: "While we're at it, will someone explain the difference between "pre-order" and "order"?" -------------

Sure thing, BF (even though you apparently don't often agree with me).  Ouch! 

"Pre-order," as the term is applied in the hobby, generally refers to ordering an item that has not yet been made.  "Order" applies to anything else that is not sitting on the dealer's shelf or in the stockroom. 

[bfskinner]

Allan,

Although the question about "pre-order" was intended to be rhetorical, you get full marks for the answer, which (alas) agrees with many dictionaries, both online and off.  I can almost accept it as a noun or in an adjectival form, but I balk at using it as a verb. I don't "pre-order" anything. Either order it or I don't; and I refuse to "pre-board" an airplane, as in "We will now pre-board people in wheelchairs." Does that mean ushering them onto a plane that hasn't been built yet? Whenever anyone tries to "pre-board" me,  I take the train instead. Just try to imagine a self-respecting conductor crying "All pre-board?"

[phillyreading]

David,

Have you tried either Ma & Pa Junction or the Williams website?  May be easier to order Williams over the internet from a reliable source.  I get most of my Williams from an independant dealer in Stuart FL that I met at a train show in Port St. Lucie FL.

I personally don't trust ebay anymore!!

Lee F.