MTH or Williams Diesel Engines?

There are differences. MTH you run DCS and Williams is conventional. I myself like both. If you want detail then MTH is the one. But if you go with the Williams down the road you can change it over to DCS or Legacy/TMCC.    Paul

Good to know.  At this time, I just have a 80W Lionel transformer, nothing fancy yet.  Will both run with that transformer?

An 80W transformer can run pretty much any single locomotive on any moderately sized layout.

Williams is a basic engine with electronic reverse and Bell Whistle.  MTH is Command and conventional with integrated smoke, sounds, electro couplers, etc...  Far more feature rich in detail and function.  But price is higher.  G

I would argue that the new Williams engines with True Blast Plus sound system rival the MTH PS3 sounds, if not better.

Those that are used to the archaic Williams True Blast 2 horn and bell will be very surprised. My new WBB GP30 has excellent detail, see through fans, diamond plate walkways, operating LED directional headlights and marker lights, fold down steps and real safety chains among other features. The EMD diesel engine sounds are phenomenal as are the horn and bell. I showed this engine to someone who immediately asked if it was an MTH engine and didn't really believe me when I told them and it was not an MTH engine but actually a Williams engine.

Not all current WBB engines have this sound system...only a few newer ones. If you are looking for a Williams B&O engine, their GP9 is a solid product as is the new B&O 4-6-0 steam engine. The steam engine is quite a nice looking early 20th Century model. You really can't go wrong with the Williams stuff. It will run forever.

ALSO WORTH NOTING - you mention you have a Lionel 80W transformer - I assume you are using a CW80. MTH PS2 and PS3 products are not recommended for use with this transformer and are not compatible with the transformer you have. You should not have any issues with a Williams engine on the Lionel CW80 transformer.

I like both MTH & Williams engines. However with the new prices by Williams/Bachmann I am more inclined to buy MTH anymore. It's true you can add command control to the Williams engines but for me the cost is prohibitive. I can buy an MTH engine with PS-3 in it for a few dollars less then the new Williams/Bachmann engine and have command control installed already. MTH does have better detail then Williams/Bachmann has and usually more prototypical engines. Check out the internet sellers like Trainworld for some good deals.

Lee Fritz

Okay I'm not real big on either althou been a while since I have had Williams new I still have some older Williams and love it MTH don't own it but don't knock it either but as mentioned the CW-80 is not recommended for use with MTH trains  as they don't play nice together always. With that said if you would get a Z4000 ( I think ) or a another Lionel zw or what have you you should be fine with either. Mth and Rail King there step down line ( MTH is the Premier line ) you should do okay with also they have some very nice engines I have been considering seeing Lionel has decided everyone needs to spend $$ or get this lionchief stuff I want no part of looks like I'm going to start looking at MTH and Williams for trains. 

If you plan to use a CW-80 for awhile then go with the WBB, as mentioned above MTH engines do not play nice with the CW-80. Nothing wrong with Lionchief, they run well and are lot's of fun.

Mikewalter:

Williams has a locomotive that is really N&W  J. It is blue and labelled  Cinncinatian.  It is a 4-8-4 and not a P7.

For some it will pass as a suitable  B&O.   Weaver made the real thing. Finding one ????????.

Al W.

Thanks for all the replies, I love these forums and the great folks here.

You mentioned that you wanted the locomotive to pull a passenger train. Between the locomotive and lighted passenger cars, an 80-watt transformer might be maxed out powering that train.

---PCJ

Al W:  I found some more into on the Locomotive you talked about, thanks again for inputs.

PCJ:  There are 4 passenger cars, is there a calculation to determine wattage?  I need to get a newer transformer?

MikeWalter posted:

Hi I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on MTH vs Williams Diesel Engines.  I am looking at a B & O Diesel engine to pull my B & O Passenger cars.  I have been unable to find the Cincinnatian Steamer, so I figured the Diesels would be the next best thing.  I have found different B & O Diesels, but can't seem to locate a good comparison on the MTH vs Williams.  Any input would be appreciated.

if these are O27 12-13 inch cars they will look better with an O27 Locomotive like the Williams 484 J class. While the wheel arrangement 464 is correct, the 484 looks great and scales better with O27 car sizes than the larger O scale size locomotives. 

For about the best price you want to nose around the web for a train shop in Virginia.

Bogie

I rode the Cinncinatian every day for a year back in 1948. It was never pulled by a diesel. Always by a Paciific.  That's a 2-6-4 or a 4-6-2-- can't remoember which.

TrainWorld has the J  - around $200 or so.  If you need me to look up the number  I can

Al W.

Al W. posted:

I rode the Cinncinatian every day for a year back in 1948. It was never pulled by a diesel. Always by a Paciific.  That's a 2-6-4 or a 4-6-2-- can't remoember which.

TrainWorld has the J  - around $200 or so.  If you need me to look up the number  I can

Al W.

Sure if you could, I haven't had much luck searching.  

I'm a Williams guy. I have some before Bachmann and some by Bachmann. I like the True Blast Plus and I think they run real smooth. I do like MTH rolling stock. They do great details and I like their accessories too. Not real happy with MTH electronics. I have had unnecessary issues in the past with it. It boils down to personal preference.

How about pulling them with the Williams B&O FA diesels? They are very nice looking and run well with horn & bell. I have an AA pair that are excellent that I will sell for $150 plus shipping. Also have MTH Premiere B&O B uint available i desired.

Mike:

Th "J" for the 2013 Bachmann catalog shows the B&O "J" as number 40307 The catalog says Royal Blue but my loco has

Cincinnatian on the tender. Ask Trainworld for the number I gave you. They sell the "J" for some roads for less

than $200 and slightly over $200 for some of the other roads.

Al

How about the Lionel Lion Chief Plus 4-6-2 in the B&O.  

raising4daughters posted:

How about the Lionel Lion Chief Plus 4-6-2 in the B&O.  

I'll second that.  Even though it's not streamlined, this will be a bit more prototypical than a J or a  diesel.  It also has the Lionchief Plus command control and Railsounds, as well as speed control and fan driven smoke.  It's also fairly affordable and includes the remote to run it.  Just put it on the track, turn up your transformer all the way, and turn on the remote.  Or, if you want, flip a switch on the engine and run it with just the transformer.

Here's a link:

http://www.trainworld.com/manu...LionChief-Plus-B-O-/

Thanks again for input, I have some decisions to make, and money to allocate

Williams has been improving the detail and sounds of their product, but and this is a big BUT, the manufacture list price is something like twice what the product is worth. In fact, even their add on power trucks are way over the top when it comes to price. Simply said,  just silly and I don't get their logic when you can find the items on the web for half what they are suggesting in the catalog. 

When we consider the speed control weakness of the Williams line there is no caparison with the MTH stock.

Also we have to consider that the MTH items can also be had for less then manufacture suggested retail but no place near half of the going price.

I have a number of Williams engines but because of the DCS capabilities, detail and drive train quality I feel that MTH is my preferred product.

Lionel, Lion Chief line also offers more value then Williams dose, though it tends to be a little more pricey then MTH comparable items.  

Simply put, go with MTH for command control and Williams if you are a conventional guy. In any case make sure you shop around before you place your cash down.

Good hunting and have fun.