Williams train steam locomotives how are they?

I got kicked off there forum for comments made on there does that tell you anything. 

As I have said in the past, we can kiss our lifetime warranty good bye.

The old Williams line and it's keep it simple concept are gone.

Well that a let down.

"I went to check out the steam locomotives and they have is that little 2-6-0."

I can't find the 2-6-0 on their website. Got a picture?

Here you go right here.
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com...ex&cPath=491_515

Just about everything Williams ever made can be found on the secondary market including all of their diecast Post War replicas. Many of the forum sponsers have them as well as all of the auction sites.

Pete

I've got a few, F3's, Alco's and a Hudson, the only things I don't like are the fact that you can't lock out the E-unit's and the suethe smoke units are terrible.  They are great pullers and very smooth runners and the best part is they are very affordable, you really can't go wrong with a Williams locomotive.

Paul

That smoke unit spits out the smoke stack.I have read story were the smoke unit was replaced by by mth or lionelsmoke unit.I think I,ll check around.

I only wish Lionel and MTH had half the current warranty Bachmann now provides!!!! 

For rhe first year an locomotive breaks and they repair or replace for FREE!!!!

After one year the make ANY repair or REPLACE any O scale locomotive for $55!!!!!

If MTH and Lionel did that I'd not have 20 of my locomotives I have now.....bought DOA at train shows or ebay for pennies on the dollar and fixed by me.......

I will NEVER understand the anger and negative attitude against Bachmann. If Jerry Williams didn't want out of the business he'd not SOLD......It was not forced on him.....it's not a plot against O scalers.......

Regardless of what some might say, I love my BbW!

Bill

I have five or so Williams engines. All great runners, smooth and always dependable. I even have baldwin Christmas train set.I did replace the sueth smoke unit in a 671 with a lionel powered unit.

Rob

Two of the last three WbB locos I purchased in the last year have been dead on arrival.  That being said, the retailers quickly made good on it.  All in all I have 6 WbB ) locos, 2 FM Trainsmasters, AA set of Baldwin Shark demonstrators, 45 toner switcher, a 4 - 8 - 4 semi scale northern and my most recent purchase a 4-8-4 scale hudson ... and all run fine!  Additionally, I have one Williams ( Jerry Williams era ) scale GG1 loco since 2008 and it runs fine .... never a problem!  

I agree with AMC Dave, the WbB warranty is as good as it gets in this hobby.... no other manufacturer even comes close.  No complaints here.  WbB is a bigger bang for the buck.

I will purchase other WbB locos in the future.

I am a very happy WBB and Williams model railroader.  I think you get a high quality product for a decent price.

I have one of their postwar style PRR turbine units. Very solid loco. Strong, smooth puller. Had to replace the Stock smoke unit with a fan driven unit from Boxcar Bill however.

I had several of the 4-6-0 Baldwin ten-wheelers.  It is a good basic loco and a smooth runner, very durable (I had minor problems with only one of three), but frankly their price point isn't as impressive anymore.  I think LC+ steamers are a much better loco for only a tiny amount more money: roughly the same non-scale, traditional size as WBB steamers, with equal level of detail, but with good sound, cruise, excellent and smooth slow speed control, and so far durable as the dickens, all the LC+ steamers I have (six) have been perfect and I run them a lot.

I have a Williams Scale Hudson and like it a lot.   No running issues.   The secondary market seems to have pretty much all the steamers in mint condition for good money.  The 2-6-0 is harder to find.   I wanted the C&O model, but ended up buying a whole set called the Lakeshore Limited with a NYC 4-6-0, freight cars, 80w transformer and track from one of the forum sponsors for only about $20 more shipped than just the C&O.  Couldn't beat that!

Gentlemen,

   I have about 8 real nice Williams original engines & some full trains also, is WBB still honoring our original life time Warranties, on our original Williams trains or not?

I have often wondered about this, does anybody know for sure.  When one company purchases another usually they by law are responsible for all warranties and guarantees of the purchased companies products.

PCRR/Dave

I agree to an extent. The MSRP for WbB 4-6-0 has gone up a good bit.....to the point I'd not pay it any longer.

But there are plenty out there...new or close to new for a great deal. The Christmas set off Amazon I got last week was $104 delivered ($9 out of pocket for me) was a good price for the loco alone....but was a complete set....so I'll sell off some and make some back. But there are plenty out there.....got a NYC version a while back for under $100 no box but new otherwise. I am not sure about LC+ I don't understand how I could use it and run conventional on the same layout. And going scale now....not much offered unless I do like you and modify!!!

Bachmann's current policy is on their website now. I posted it the other day. After a year (IE Williams locos) there is a $55 charge to fix or replace unit. The issue now becomes parts for older Williams locos not produced under Bachmann. You'd have to ask them what happens there.

I spend less time worrying about my Williams warranty than the color of that dress that went virial the other day......so the whole thing is a none issue to me. 

AMCDave,

   Man I wanted one of those WBB Christmas sets at your kind of cost very badly, however I missed getting one.   Dave I would purchase that WBB Christmas Train from you, if you would give me a good deal.  I love the looks of that particular WBB Christmas Train set.

PCRR/Dave

My daughter tells me all the time about 'flash' deals she gets. This is the first one I ever got!!! Probably the only one too.......when I logged onto Amazon it said 6 in stock at that price.....by the time I paid it said 1 left....refreshed the screen and it was gone.

Just luck this time....

I agree with Lee.  The WBB engines have historically been a great value and reliable, but the LC+ bring so much more for a new buyer without a lot of muss and fuss.  I'm sticking with TMCC because I own so many and already have two CAB-1s, but if I was just starting now, I'd opt for LC+ for the small price difference over conventional WBB.  That may be THE reason for the fall off in WBB offerings.