Jerry Willams (Williams Reproductions) passes

Jerry Williams may not be classified as a "pioneer", but what he has done for so many should put him in the same bracket as any of the great O gauge pioneers, because he made great trains at a price that people of modest incomes could afford to own and enjoy, and the truth is his stuff will probably last as long as any others'. Thanks to Williams and W by B, I can put together great engines for my sets that run and look better than the stuff that costs so frigging much more!

After all these years my Daylight still competes with the newer steamers in color and detail.  RIP  Jerry.

Mr. Williams was a true giant in the hobby, who helped lead the charge toward scale-sized steamers with his line of hand-crafted brass engines.  His life's work definitely improved the enjoyment of the hobby for many of us.  That's a wonderful accomplishment.

Sad. I have many Williams engines. Hope he's playing trains with Gilbert and Cowen.

Very sorry to hear about Jerry's passing and may I extend my condolences to his family, his friends and to the hobby in general.   Jerry was certainly an innovator and was the first manufacturer of quality tinplate reproductions before he went into true scale hi rail models.  I believe that he was responsible for getting Lionel on the road to present management, he gave the inspiration and knowledge to Mike Wolf who went on to develop MTH trains plus other influences.

We owe Jerry Williams a debt of gratitude for  what he singularly has done for our hobby.  Very sad news.

Paul Fischer

Rthomps, made me think. They were the first non-Lionel trains I bought also. I bought two then three "Little Joes" in milwaukee colors. They were much larger than Lionels and had three wheel trucks. Bought them from Just Trains and got the sound system they sold with them. Bought the scale brass Daylight, Cabforward and a couple of other brass engines. The one dud I bought was the New York Central streamlined steamer. It never ran and started falling apart almost the first month. If anyone wants it they can have it for postage. The little Joes I repainted and detailed but finally replaced them when MTH made the first "real" scale ones. Have three now. There passenger cars came as kits at first as did the big GE electric. Bought a lot of them. Thanks Jerry.........for all those fun times. Don

I just read of Mr.Williams passing in CTT.  I don't think he ever got the credit he deserves.  So many things that are now the industry standard were started by him. As far as I know Williams was the originator of the vertical can motor with a flywheel.  That system has gone on to become the standard.  I kept hoping an updated version of the book about Williams Trains would come out.  That is probably even less likely now.

Prayers for his family and friends.  Godspeed Mr Williams.

This is sad news.  Condolences to the family.  Williams is what got me into O scale in the first place after seeing what a scale size locomotive looked like in O as traditional Lionel or other 027 size trains never really caught my interest.  My first passenger cars were Williams 20" scale aluminum streamliners and they still are nice cars.  He was ahead of the curve in so many areas.  You will be missed Jerry.

Gentlemen,

   Dad news in deed, Jerry was a Great guy and we spend many a great night with him at the Iron Horse Hobby Shop,  God has a new Engineer to help run his Railroad in the sky. May God hold you in the palm of his hand my friend, where the track never end.  Your Williams City of San Fan Passenger Train still runs strong even after all these years.

I will see you on the other side sir,

PCRR/Dave

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2016 can stop now...... too many gone before their time.