Good news for scottn941: a Timex keeps time just like a Rolex. And a Nissan Sentra will get you to the grocery store just like a Lexus.
Williams gives good value for the money, no doubt about it. And as with anything, if you don't appreciate the difference, it makes little sense to spend more for something better. (It doesn't matter too much to me, though - comparing conventional engines is like comparing manual can openers. No interest, because I run Legacy and command is the only way to go for me.)
I did check out the Bachmann/Williams GP-30s recently at their booth at a train show. They look good for the money and a nice advance for Bachmann/Williams (although with significant color issues), but you won't have any problem telling they're not Lionels. One word of advice: if you get the Bachmann version, get it in a black livery, because on other liveries the colors on these engines is waaaay off. The Great Northerns in person look a good deal worse than the picture above, for example. The orange looks like someone poured milk in it, and the yellow in the UPs is a washed out shade as well. It's too bad, because this makes the engines look cheap. They did a good job on colors with the Golden Memories engines, but these GP-30s are not good color-wise.
Those B&M F units look good in the picture, Chris. Hope you'll do a preview when you get them.
