I’m looking at getting a good diesel for my O27 set & I noticed that Williams says thiers will run O27. Does anybody have any of them or know if they are a quality product? You can’t complain about the sale prices Ma-Pa Junction has on them right now. And…is Lionle & MTH the only ones that make diesels that smoke?
Essentially the Williams line is a very good basic diesel engine. I say basic because they don’t offer any of the hi-priced fancy electronics with their locos. Detailing is not the highest but again we are talking just a basic engine that will last for quite a long time.
drums,
027 Yes - I have the Williams Alcos and they are great!
Williams quality and customer service - great! They sent me free replacement traction tires for a steamer a while back.
Diesel smoke - Atlas have smoke in their locos.
Regards,
Roy
K-Line units also have smoke (as long as there still is a K-line).
I recently purchased a Williams GP-9 off of E-bay and it’s the only engine that I have that can stop on my 4% grade with a string of cars behind it and then continue on up the grade without any slipping or hopping. Right now I have 14 cars behind it.
I have a Lionel Dash 8, 40C with magnetraction and it will start to slip near the top of the grade with the same amount of cars behind it.
The sounds with this Williams engine are OK but not super. Kind of a generic sound but still a nice product for being a lower cost product.
Hope this may help.
Lyle R Ehlers
I have a Williams two unit FA (Reading) which is about 4 or 5 years old and it has run great. Recently added TMCC to it from TAS and it is even better. Running mine on 042 and larger but they will run on 027 as well. They have lots of weight (the fuel tank has a lead weight in it) which helps in the traction department. Also have a williams GG1 which also runs good.
John
I forgot to mention that TAS also has a smoke unit. I guess it will work in a diesel, you would have to check, if you want to add it.
John
Williams has some good quality without all the high tech sound systems, usually on diesel engines there is a whistle or horn from the factory. I have three Williams GP-9’s
and run them on 027 track, one engine is unpowered, road numbers 8798 & 8797 Pennsy led by an 8490 Reading. One GP-9 by Williams can pull about 24 cars on a flat or level layout without any trouble. I purchased my Wiliams locomotives from somebody here in south Florida & got really good prices on them, $200.00 for the Pennsy set & $123.00 for the Reading. Also I have an S-2 steam locomotive, number 671Pennsy, by Williams and can pull 27 cars before I have any problems with it, mainly derailing of the train as I have too many cars for the curves on my layout.
Also have two Williams SD-45’s, one with traction tires and one without traction tires, together they can pull about 55 cars, the one SD-45 is about 12 years old & runs great.
The only problems I have noticed is with one of my SD-45’s not having a switch to control the direction on it. Over all I would rather buy Williams than Lionel at this time as I feel that you get more for your money with Williams & don’t have to worry about repairs.
Lee in West Palm Beach.
Drums,
Back to original question. Yes, Williams’ quality is tops and (2) Ma & Pa is an excellent source. That’s where I got mine.
The GP9 runs on 027. I also have the SD45 and the U-boat but will be using larger curves as they look better running on them, from a personal aesthetic perspective.
95 percent of my diesels are from williams from GG-1’s to Ep-5’s and they are great runners.And most of them I purchased from Ma-Pa junction.Marty is top notch and very honest. And a total train nut like us.Hes not just a seller but an operator as well.Highly recomended.
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I have several Williams units, and yes, for the price (plus some) they are the best deal in TT operating. Sure, there’s no fancy electronics, and such, but, in reality, who needs all that crap!
Buy 'em, run the wheels off of 'em, and enjoy them!
You can’t beat Marty at Ma Pa Junction for prices and service…Tim
I bought a set of the single motor 0-27 Alco FA’s last year. I love them and they are beautiful. The quality and detail is better than Lionel’s FA’s (Personal opinion.)
My next diesel purchase will be a Williams. Probably an F3 or F7 set. Nuff said?
Jim
Thanks all for the responses. they’ve been very helpful. I’m still new to this, so excuse me for all of the questions. What is the difference between one with a single motor & one with dual moters? Right now I leaning towards the GP9 or the GP38. And, since I’m still a Toys ‘R’ Us kid, is it possible to later on add a smoke generator to any of these? I still love to sit & watch my steam engine smoke as it goes around.
Lee (Drums)