VERY Upset with Williams!! (Long Post)

Classic Toy Trains Forum
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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 bo

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I was wondering if I got a set of SOO F7 Units would they be worth repainting?

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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.

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mpz - nice post and the title certainly led me down the path. I have a set of the Williams 0-27 Alco yellow UPs and I think they are just great. I had the same experiance as you. The new ones sure are smooth!

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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

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About the only negative comments you’ll ever hear about Williams come from those who are not really familiar with the current Williams products. Great trains at affordable prices for those who are happy with conventional operation or willing to add the more sophisticated electronic gizmos themselves. And the best warranty in the business; not that you’ll often need to make use of it.

My recommendation to those who haven’t yet tried them: Go for it! You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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I had to read what kind of trouble someone was having with Williams. I was completely fooled, and happily so. Williams makes wonderful trains. I try to buy one locomotive a year. The SF F3’s are very nice. I have a 671 and a set of 2023s. Jim

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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.

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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.

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Like K-Line did. [^]

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Well I think that shells from postwar F-3’s can be swapped to the Williams chassis.Just get a couple potwar shells,repaint them in The Santa FE blue and yellow freight scheme,decal it and mount it on the Williams chassis.


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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.

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If I were to repaint a Williams F3, I would watch for a blowout sale on a drab scheme that doesn’t sell well or was overproduced.

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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

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I am sorry about your dad. I lost my mom last month.

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Williams electric trains are some of the most reliable locomotives available. Never have had a problem with the locos that I have purchased.

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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.

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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!

KennyG

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I bought a Willams set 0f F units, ABA CSX, to repaint in the blue and yellow ATSF scheme. Had to beat for the money, run and look good.

PS 1st post on the CTT BB…

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Like you I love my Williams. My wife thinks they are the most reliable and most train like as we often now turn the sound off on other engines by other companies.