Early Williams diesel--No reverse!

Nope, that is not a reversing unit.  The early Williams engines 1983 and back did not have reverse.  They generally had a bracket installed so you could install a Lionel E-unit.

1984 forward they had electronic reverse and traction tires negating the need for the two one pound weights. For a while they did leave one weight in the engine, 1/2 pound if I recall.

Wow, no reverse!  Thanks!  Can you still purchase a Lionel reversing unit?  Are you saying it's a postwar E unit?  What is the black box?

That little black thing is a bridge rectifier, which changes AC to DC. It's not a reversing unit, but you'll need it to use a mechanical e-unit. Somewhere in the forum you'll be able to find a wiring diagram.

@pennsydave posted:

Wow, no reverse!  Thanks!  Can you still purchase a Lionel reversing unit?  Are you saying it's a postwar E unit?  What is the black box?

The black box is a bridge rectifier- a series of diodes that takes ac and converts to dc- so those big dc mabuchi motors can run.

You can add an ERR Cruise omander reverse board in there and add the railsounds later. The Cruise commander board will make that unit operate silky smooth.

You can also add a Williams by Bachmann reverse unit or a Dalee reverse unit. Both are easy installations and you won't need the bridge rectifier since they have one built in.

Ditto on the addition of a cruise commander.  PM me if you want a williams reverse board.  I have one gathering dust after an ERR conversion.

I recognized that frame immediately! Very early Williams, I see a wide body SD45 shell behind the frame. No magnetraction, no traction tires, hence the 2 weights. I second the recommendation of a Dallee reverse unit. Good choice! Do be aware that you have DC can motors without flywheels, again, typical early Williams. The practical side of telling you this is that w/o the flywheels, this engine does not coast when you shut the power off. It stops dead on a dime. W/o traction tires and going fast enough, it may actually skid to a stop. So ease it to a stop to avoid derailing everything it is pulling. BTDT!

Chris

LVHR

I had the FM version from this era......I got rid of it because it had plastic sideframes & pilots.

I knew i would get good advice from the forum, thanks so much.

Necrails:  the Williams reverse board sounds good, how much do you want, i can send check or paypal.  We, or he,e is not going to add sound, just wants basic forward backward engine for a inexpensive train set.  You can contact thru my email.

Thanks everyone for the help!

@artyoung posted:

That little black thing is a bridge rectifier, which changes AC to DC. It's not a reversing unit, but you'll need it to use a mechanical e-unit. Somewhere in the forum you'll be able to find a wiring diagram.

No, Flywheels - Lol -deadly derailing trains stops. I replaced trucks and motors.

added cruise control -  sound a metal hand rails.....

Pennsydave, check your email

I never had any problem with my flywheel-less Weaver E-8's or my flywheel-less Lionel early TMCC Alco PA; partly depends on your driving.

Rob's diagram is the same or similar one that came with our Trainmasters in there original boxes also it shows the large dual pittman motors , underneath frame has a magnet under each truck  these had no added weight as the one pictured by OP.

Yes some early Williams had magnetraction and they are quite the pullers on our tinplate track.

Sure if your running them fast you do not want to suddenly kill the power with our dcs remote i dial the speed down and never had a problem.

As a note it may help others with these if yours has a jerky operation change out the bridge rectifier they are dirt cheap and the problem will go away as was my experience with one of the 4  owned here.

The first run of the Lionel Trainmaster reproductions started out with magnets in the trucks.  It apparently proved to be difficult to keep them in place so they were discontinued mid run.  I have #1796 Green Pennsy and #1810 Canadian Pacific that have the magnets.  Don't know at what number they stopped.  Yes it was a 'Limited Edition' run.  Later runs were limited to as many as people would buy.

The engine in this thread is quite a history lesson.  It was released 82-83 and was the second 'NEW' O Gauge engine to come to the market in that time period.  Williams had introduced the E-60, Metroliner(if not engine, something powered) and the Trainmaster(not new) prior to this engine.  It used the Trainmaster die cast trucks, side frames and pilots.  In 1984 he upgraded all his diesels with electronic reverse and traction tires.  Unfortunately he down graded the side frames and pilots to plastic.

The only other player in the 'toy' market making engines was Lionel and they were rehashing post war product and not much of that.  K-Line had no engines, Quality Craft/Weaver was still a few years away from the RS-3.  All in all if you wanted 'new' product it was Williams you turned to.  

I had a green Pennsy FM. It was from the 70’s as I remember. I eventually sold it from too many derailed cars. I still have the passenger cars that went with the engine.

May seem like a foolish question, but have you checked the switch on the bottom of the loco that forces it to travel only in one direction?  RUN_____LOCK

Or didn't the early ones have that switch?

John

@Craftech posted:

May seem like a foolish question, but have you checked the switch on the bottom of the loco that forces it to travel only in one direction?  RUN_____LOCK

Or didn't the early ones have that switch?

John

No switch on the early ones.