My favorites are the postwar locos, but they do require quite a bit of maintenance. When I want to run trains for long periods of time or let my grandchildren run trains, I generally put on a Williams engine.
The Williams engines are very geed locos and their reproductions are my favorites. The paint on all my Williams locos are outstanding. I have never had to return a Williams loco for repair. The most work I ever had to do on their engines is tighten a loose screw in a 44-Tonner. I really like the fact that they are much simpler without all the TMCC or DCS electronics. They are just plain fun to run.
Enjoy...
Earl
I posted these photos just yesterday on another topic.
This is a Williams Genesis Locomotive where I added TMCC and RS. This brute can pull stumps. The bulb is the only thing that has needed replaced in the last five years.
Note the antenna on the shell.
We added the black tape later and it keeps everything nice and tight especially during a derailment.
We had this open to add tint to the front windows.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Well, of course, this is really your personal call... especially in comparison to other brands. In my opinion, they are wonderful: reliable, near bullet-proof, and a great price - they are what I want: a modern equivalent to what Lionel offered in the 50s-70s.
I would describe them largely as reproductions - not as detailed nor complex electroncially as the equivalent models of other brands. There are a few exceptions to this of course.
I would judge TrueBlast sounds to be adequate - not authetic - my 027 GG1 has a strangled-sounding bell and only a long-long-short-long horn - just like other Williams dis-easels.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Have 4 of them and all good runners and pullers. No problems. Some people have used them only to run on layouts that allow children to run the trains, and they have held up just fine even after all the abuse.
laz57
SchemerBob,
Williams trains are very well built; metal gears, can motors, prototypical designs, reliable, excellent pulling power for the money. For the price you do not get TMCC or DCS control system.
I have six Williams locomotives and have only repaired one once in about nine years. As for True Blast sounds there are at least three differant sound boards that have been made for True Blast, one is a basic, one is for a diesel loco, one is for a steam loco.
Personally I would rate Williams Trains above Lionel & MTH in quality, also I have never had to use the warrenty on a Williams product!
Lee F.
I own several Williams locomtives. They are inexpensive, but they are built well with all metal gears. They are extremely reliable, smooth runners that will pull almost anything you put behind them. The decoration (paint and graphics) is first rate. I think they are an incredible deal for the money. The Trueblast II sounds are ok, but truthfully, I'd prefer either an air whistle option for the steamers or an electronic horn like in the old post war diesels.
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
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