How does Williams steam engines compare to others?

I think the Williams brass ran good for the most part (with a few early ones being the exceptions). You would probably be better off going with one of the MTH/Lionel etc ones if you want detail though. The Williams engines were OK, but the new engines have a lot more detail.

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty detailing engines there are no better than Williams brass.

Also if you're interested in mechanics and would be interested in improving the operating performance of your engines to your own specs there are none better than Williams brass steamers.

They are hand-made scale models that are very easy to "super detail."

Just don't forget to lubricate them. Lubing the exposed moving parts of your steamers is extremely important.

No you know why diseasals replaced steam so quickly.

My main concern with the Williams line is the running/appearence quality. I can add detail with no problems and improving the running quality be it remotoring or special machining is not a problem. I take it that they are true scale, not a shrunken version to take sharp radius track. I understand that the pre- Bachmann engines are the ones to have,and the first series are to stay away from. The cost of these brass engines in O scale are cheaper than N scale units of the same engine,there has to be something wrong with them that I haven't seen or heard about. The same engine in cast potmetal is 2 or 3 times the cost of the brass, hand assembled model. I guess I have to live and learn about O scale!
Thanks
Frank

Steer clear of early Williams brass, they were terrible runners. Only buy the "Crown Edition" ones in the shiny grey box.

I have both the streamlined and regular K4s that were made in the late 1980s. The detail is not as good as today's scale diecasts. The motors are smooth running, smoke units may as well not exist, they cannot be set to run "forward-only", and no whistle or bell. If you plan on running them as-is, the cost is fine. If you want to upgrade, I think you'd be better off buying something that already comes with the features you want.

I like what I see comming from MTH and Lionel.My cab forward is Lionel and runs/looks great. This is a detailed cast metal loco but it looks great! Hope that the new casting company can do as good a job as the old one. Korea has put out good brass locos so cross your fingers.
Frank

I recently purchased the Williams Crown Edition of the NYC Niagara and Jersey Central Camelback. Both locos run like fine watches and put out volumes of smoke. There is no better bang for the buck.

Williams engines just run and run and run.  Whey you are operating 4 engines at once no one can listen to the crew talk.  Great pullers and just enjoy operating them without the worry of a dead battery, fried board or if it flips over.  Nothing fancy, just durable.  You cannot  go wrong on the old Crown Edition from Williams as they were built to operate and keep on operating ala Timex. 

No experience with Williams steam, but my E-7 pulls like a beast.  I had it converted to PS2 and it is now a refined animal, but at 80 SMPH, it isn't even breaking a sweat.  Detail is good, but not "great"; that works for me = not fragile.  It is a favorite.  

If you like plane janes, the new 4-6-0 is a great locomotive.  A lot of bang for your buck.

Al

O31 curves are no task if running lite.  Loads and elevation as well as electrical connections can make it slow down, more like the proto-type.

Al

 

 

Yes, its a fantastic runner.  Very plain though, but again, you can detail it yourself if so inclined.  Maybe the best slow steamer (inc conventional) I have ever seen, with the exception of the vision Hudson.

I wish someone would post a video of the new WB 4-6-0 running on their layout, I am curious if it slows down a lot on curves etc...such as a 36 curve. i have MTH with proto 2 steamers but was really interested in this loco. I once owned an Atlas 4-4-2 but was disappointed in the slow speed performance. Seems like everyone loves the new 4-6-0 and for the price looks like a bargain. 

I have 4 Williams PRR locomotives (a B6sb, an L-1, and 2 K-4s).  They are Crown Edition engines from the 1990s that I bought for $350-475 in 2001-2003.  They run great and pull really well.  They are very smooth runners.  All 4 engines have TrainAmerica installed TMCC and electro-couplers on the tenders.  The B6sb has an electrocoupler up front.  The L-1 and both K4s have EOB and Railsounds 4.0.

 

Below is a photo taken by my friend Mike Mattei.  This was taken at an open house I held in January 2011.  This Williams locomotive ran pretty much continuously for 2 hours.  Again it's a great runner and very durable.

 

Ogauger - would you contact me off list about super-detailing these engines?  I would like to know more.

 

 

Thanks,

 

George

Williams convention diecast steamers are some of the most powerful trouble free locomotives available. For the price of a basic conventional steamer, hard to find anything comparable.