Need some help locating Williams Parts

Love the old brass, Samhongsa-built (they also built brass locos for Weaver in the same time period) steamers. I have several (no K4, though). There really is no parts supply for these items. Not to say that someone doesn't have some here or there, but, like me, may intend to keep them. 

Check DaBay for "brass parts", but the valve rod and the valve rod guide are pieces that you really could make and attach yourself, and the valve rod itself need not be a "Williams" - again check DaBay for "valve gear parts". Files and small rivets (again, auctions...) can make it happen.

Lionel parts on the website is a good source of things, regardless of the intended use. Look under "Support".

Brass steamers are friendly about repairs, especially simple ones like Williams/early Weaver.

It looks like the kind of part you could make yourself.

Seriously, doesn't anyone sell Williams parts? 

I'd make the valve rod but I need the right material. 

I have no idea what the material is aside from it being a metal and seems to be plated.

The valve rod guide is imbedded into a housing , not sure if this is screwed in or pressed in. 

Frank Vanek, if I find his # I'll email it to you.  Someone may have it handy.  I got pick up rollers for my Brass N&W J from him after York last Oct.

I know that you want Williams Parts, but u may have to give Bob Stevenson a call @ Stevenson Preservation Lines. He's got a bunch of stuff.................

You can try Charlie Phillips, he has many Williams parts. His contact info is, 717 564 8633

Parts availability for sheet-brass constructed locomotives in any scale is generally very limited. You have to realize that brass models are mostly handcrafted -- they aren't made from molds. Many smaller parts are made from lost-wax brass castings or sheet metal. That's why most repair techs won't touch them.

That said, you might find someone who has brass steamer parts from a cannibalized Williams locomotive or who is willing to make a part.

Since it's brass, lookup wiseman model services. he may have that part in brass for you.

Guys,

Thanks for the recmmendations.  I'll check them out.  But it seems to me there is a hole in the system when parts aren't available for older Williams locomotives.  

What is one to do if there were larger issues to deal with concerning the locomotive, i.e. motor replacement, gear drive assembly, pilot, etc.  You get my drift. 

It's too bad they are not in business directly, but doesn't Bachman have an interest in preserving the legacy of Williams Trains by offering needed parts or at least a source for them? 

In one of your pictures showing the right side of the engine there's a red arrow and a green arrow. Is it just the red arrow part you need? I think you could make this yourself.   Maybe even from an old tin can , you'd be surprised what you can come with if desperate.  Keep hunting  around the house, flatten a nail. file, drill. Show us the finished product. Is anything missing at the green arrow?

Hello GREGG,

The green arrow shows the valve guide (housing) that isn't broken, but on the fireman's side of the locomotive the valve rod is missing along with an appropriate screw and nut.

On the engineer's side the Red arrow shows that valve rod is present with the appropriate screw and nut, but the Blue arrow is indicating that the Valve guide (housing) is broken as the protrusions are missing. 

I'm not sure if this housing is affixed to the locomotive as I'd like to remove it and see what I could do to repair it or simply replace it. 

Anyone have any experience in removing the valve guide housing?

Allegheny posted:

Guys,

Thanks for the recmmendations.  I'll check them out.  But it seems to me there is a hole in the system when parts aren't available for older Williams locomotives.  

What is one to do if there were larger issues to deal with concerning the locomotive, i.e. motor replacement, gear drive assembly, pilot, etc.  You get my drift. 

It's too bad they are not in business directly, but doesn't Bachman have an interest in preserving the legacy of Williams Trains by offering needed parts or at least a source for them? 

Parts are available for older Williams locomotives. But not readily for Williams brass locomotives -- or anyone's brass locomotives. If you went in with the assumption that parts would be available for brass like they are for diecast or plastic models, you were incorrect. That has always been the risk of buying brass handcrafted models.

Unfortunately, parts are also becoming increasingly harder to find for plastic and diecast model locomotives produced in the past 20 years, and that's something I wasn't expecting. Perhaps that was my mistake.

Thank goodness for postwar parts dealers.