Williams F-3s

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I was thinking about getting a pair of new Williams F-3 A units. I’d like some input from owners of these products on the following.

How realistic are the horn sounds?

The Alco PA’s I just bought have a great bell. Boy is it loud! But the horn is terrible. I wonder if the same horn is used in all the Williams diesels?

Jim

2

I just got two Williams F3s, WP and RGW. I have not got a layout yet to run them. I was wondering if they run ok thru Fastrack switches. Anyone done that yet. I haven’t bought track yet and want one that is smooth for WIlliams F 3s

3

Why are you so concerned about the Williams F-3s going through FasTrack switches? Have you heard of a problem?

Jim

4

EVERYTHING goes great through FasTrack switches… my prewar, postwar, and brand new, including a Williams GG-1. Joe

5

I have heard of a problem with FasTrack from another post concerning Williams locomotives, not sure how big a problem, the other post is still under a week old.
Personally I have had problems with Williams locomotives and Lionel switches made about eight to ten years ago, Lionel # 6-23011&6-230110-DO NOT USE WITH WILLIAMS!!! You may experiance instant derailments at the switch regardless of what side you enter from!
I use GarGraves track with Williams and the only problem I have is in the wiring of the switch as the screws are very small on GarGraves switch solenoids & the wire may fall out.
Lee Fritz

6

Jim, If your Alcos have True Blast 2 I think the horn sounds will be the same. As far as I know Williams only has steam whistle and generic diesel sounds. True Blast 2 horn is a grade crossing signal, 2L 1S 1L horn. I am not familiar with the earlier TB1.

Pete

7

I have many of those Lionel switches (about 12, 6-23011 and 6-23010) and I’ve had no problems with anything derailing thru them. I’ve got a Williams BL2 and a GP7 and they run fine. Also, a Weaver RS11 and some other Lionels go good thru em, too. The Tru- blast horn isn’t the best but it’s easy to overlook because Williams gives a good deal.

8

Jim,
I have a Baldwin Shark, Alco AA, and the wonderful GG1. All three have the same TB2 horn and bell. The two steamers I have are the S-2 turbine and a Berkshire. Both with TB2 whistle and bell. Both steamloco’s have very different whistles. I kinda like the horn myself, but it does get a little montonous after a while. If Williams doesn’t offer a different horn. I’d hope they will sometime in the future. You could always replace the horn later if you like.
Dave

9

I ran my Williams Alco AAs through the FasTrack switch countless times last night and not only did it go through it, it went through as smooth as silk at all speeds.

I’ve noticed that the rear truck on my dummy A unit is a little off. One of the wheels doesn’t quite touch the rails, and the whole truck is noticably crooked. In other words, the truck sits higher where the wheel doesn’t touch the rail. I hope it’s an easy fix.

Jim

10

qqqman,
I am running Williams GP-9’s or attempting to run Williams thru the switches I mentioned. How do you keep the switches from going bonkers with the solenoids?
The problem I have ONLY occurs when using a Williams locomotive with the switch, Lionel or K-Line do fine thru the switch so it is not a pin placement problem as some people have told me. It doesn’t matter if the locomotive is enterring or exitting the switch
as the problem is the same with all my Williams, the locomotive is three track sections away from the switch when this occurs, so in my opion it is an electronics issue with this model of Lionel swich. Other problem I have with this type of switch is that on occasion the light in the switch housing starts blinking & after five minutes the power to the switch goes out. I have followed Lionel’s instruction sheet & am using about 13 volts to power the switch thru auxillary power screw, similar to the constant voltage plug on the 022 switches.
Lee Fritz

11

I have the problem with the Williams Trainmaster. When the switch is "open ", that is when the path is set for a left hand turn into a diffrent route,the switch changes diection,mid stream. So the front part of the loco takes the turnout,but the rear end goes straight. What gives with that??? This usually happens when it enters the turnout at a slow speed. fast speed,I have no problem. Easter

12

easter, to solve the problem I have replaced the Lionel switches with GarGraves switches and track sections. It is my opion that Lionel track & Williams trains don’t mix!!
The only solution I can come up with is to replace any Lionel switch when it gives you the first problem or it will haunt you until you do replace it.
Lee Fritz

13

There have been reports on another forums about the Williams F3s having problems going thru certain switches. No one had reported on Fastrack switches so I was just wondering, that’s all.