Williams Alco PA-1 A-B-A Locos Northern Pacific PRE BACHMAN

Good product, fuel tank too high off the track (easy fix), side of nose tapers to front a bit

abruptly (there's a visible angle not on the real thing). 

 

I have a GM&O set and a custom-painted set of these locos. The MTH and Lionel body

tooling is some better, but I've never felt the need to replace my Williams.

 

But: today, if I had neither, I'd probably go with brand L or M IF they offered GM&O.

 

 

Thanks, the deal I am looking at is $225 with free shipping for an A-B-A ;1 A is powered, the other 2 are non powered. i couldn't afford either L or MTH so this looks like a good deal.

Can you tell me, are they powered with AC or DC motors?

I can see where the nose is not as round as the proto type, a little boxy.

The moters are DC withe the normal AC rectifier same as everyone else. Go ahead get it a fair price for a nice looking good engine.

I've gotten to the point that I seem to only be getting Williams engines for the last year or more.

Thanks Silver Lake!

I like the 'pre Bachmann' Williams better then the new Williams by Bachmann or WBB.

The motors are DC can motors and the circuit board has a rectifier circuit to change it to DC voltage. So never run any Williams without either a circuit board or bridge rectifier installed.

 

The deal you are getting is very good for an A-B-A set.

Did the person you are buying these from tell you how old this set is? If it is from the Crown Edition era you will have a sound system from QSI installed in the B unit.

 

Lee Fritz

phillyreading, it has the electronic horn.

 says: True Blast II digital horn & bell

Williams are very good runners.  Durable, nicely made. 

 

I would only ask the seller if the drive gears have been greased.  Sometimes these need a little grease in the gears and oil on the axles.

 

I am predominantly Williams (pre and post Bachmann) and MTH.  I am very pleased with my Williams engines.  Great value.

 

Good deal on what you are getting.

The NP PA's are quite handsome but as has been pointed out by many, the fuel tank is undersized and ride too high off the rails. This gives them a 'high water' look that greatly detracts from the massive appearance of the prototype and captured on most of the other brands in modeldom. The Williams trucks are also undersized and leave a lot of 'air' between them and the fuel tank which also looks awkward.

Paint and graphics are nice and they are indeed great runners. So far, no other manufacturer has produced NP PA's probably because the NP didn't run them. I'd wager that they would sell well anyway...

 

Here are two other Willaims PA's in a profile view that clearly shows the issue of undersized trucks and fuel tank

 

 

Compare the prototype PA. Part of its appeal is the massive & brutish beauty that it exudes!

 

The other major companies produce very nice renditions that capture the look of the handsome diesels. Here is an image of our Legacy PA's on the club layout that I came across online in images of PA's. The popular MTH Premiere units are fine models as well.

 

You should not avoid it. You should add it to your roster. Plus, you can easily power the dummies if you want more motors in the consist.

 

Just one of the beauties of Williams diesels is that they sell powering kits for all their dummies. With a few screwdrivers and some patience, you can install the kit. It's not complicated, but there are a number of steps.

 

Neither L or M make it easy or inexpensive to power a dummy.

If you want to buy a power upgrade kit buy one from an internet sales store and not Bachmann, as Bachmann charges too much for the upgrade kits right now. Bachmann wants around $200.00 and you can get one for around $150.00 from one the internet super stores, like Trainworld or Western Depot.

 

Or if you find a good running Williams engine at a train show that will work and it needs a body then change out the body and use it.

 

Lee Fritz