O-27 Alco Locomotives

The Williams 'Golden Memories' would be the winner 'hands down' IMHO.  Great design, die cast frames and parts and they look just like the early Lionel postwar models that have been true classics. These (and the prototype Lonels from 1950-52) had a better 'hunkered down' appearance rather than the later (cheapened) sheetmetal frame Lionels and K-Line Alcos which sometimes looked too high on their chassis.

Ask before purchasing as the early runs of these had a single can motor which ran well enough but may have had trouble pulling a long string of caoches. After the initial run of these, WIlliams went to a dual motored version.

Lots of schemes to choose from too.

The Lionel units come in different configs, some with e-units, some without; however they are all single AC motor units that I've seen, and fairly noisy.  A few models have a steel weight riveted inside the back door of the unit, which helps a bit, but generally speaking they're not real good pullers. Straight and level, a weighted unit can probably pull a 1/2 dozen 0-27 cars; all bets are off if you have sharp curves or any significant grades.

 

r0d

I have a set of Lionel Alco FA units to pull 6 O27 streamlined passenger cars.  The powered A unit has 2 can motors and has no problem pulling the cars along with the dummy A unit.  I've had the set for 25 years and it still runs like a champ.

 

If I were in your shoes however, I would go with the Williams units.  All of my Williams locomotives operate smoothly and have been trouble free.

Thank you for the replies so far, please keep them coming.

 

I figured the Williams would be best choice due to their great reputation. I have Williams GP7 and a FM Trainmaster locomotives that I like.

 

I'm hoping for some comments about the K-Line Alco locomotives in particular. I mentioned that I have an A-B combo somewhere in storage, so I can't beat the price - free! (Well, not free, since I paid for them at some point in the past, but I won't have to make an additional purchase to use them.) Just wondering how well the K-line units run and if they have a good reputation.

Get the Williams. I have a set of the O27 FA's and they're excellent units. Dual can motors, heavy die-cast frames, metal gears, etc. Very smooth-running and will pull your passenger cars with ease.

Ditto!! There are some Lionel Alco's that look like monster trucks with their odd trucks........WbB!!!

I'm hoping that WBB will be having a B&O pair in the new catalog.

I would also go with the Williams.  I have a K-Line Alco and 1980's Lionel Alco and the Williams unit is by far the best running and looking of the small Alcos.  I hope that WBB makes some  Alcos in a few new paint schemes.  CN, B&M, CP, D&H, NH, and Santa Fe freight colors would be a great.  I know B&M and the D&H didn't have any, but Lionel made them.

If I remember correctly, the K-Line FAs are former Kusan units with K-Line's lightweight frames and small twin truck-mounted can motors. They run well but have little 'substance' compared to the Williams and early Lionel postwar units. Nice graphics however,

Hi,I am using two 2023 U.P. Postwar units with the 2500 series cars.I lock out the e-units and use two locomotives pulling seven cars and one dummy unit.My tight radius is 42 inch.I do have a modest grade as well.I run all postwar conventional and find these units to be my favorites.

You can't beat the Williams FA's, however the K-Lines Alco's did come in alot of very attractive paint schemes. To each his own, either way you can't go too wrong.

Another option is the MTH Railking/Rugged Rails F3.  I think it's about 11 inches long and has much different lines than an Alco.  Good luck finding your match.

Thank you all for your answers. The Williams FA-2's sound like winners.

 

ReadingFan, I haven't seen either of the locomotives in person, but I think there is quite a bit of difference in size between the FA-1's and the FA-2's. Williams calls the FA-1's scale and the A-A length is a 27.25". The FA-2's are based on post war models and are in the Golden Memories section and the A-A length is 22".

 

The K-line dual motor Alco's have truck mounted motors. Are the Williams FA-2's dual motors with vertical can motors like most can motored diesel locomotives? I noticed the catalog doesn't mention all metal gears for the FA-2's (or the F-3s) like most Williams products.

I have the Erie & UP versions of the Williams engines & they pull great.  The UP has dual motors & the Erie has a single motor & both are really solid & good pullers.  The postwar Lionel versions (pre 57) are pretty good as well. 

Thanks for the info.