Williams Engines

No.

NO THEY DO NOT THAT BATTERY BACK UP

Thanks guys. 

Also note that their horn is set so you get the same everytime for a grade crossing. But I have a few and I like them they are good runners. I still run some trains in conventional...Paul

Thank goodness no battery.....just simple rock solid performance. Never had to replace WbB electronics. 

Just bought my second WbB engine. A 44 ton switcher. I hope to have it early next week. The one I have already is a BL-2 and its very nice. The tru-blast horn is cool for a conventional engine.

I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 WBB locomotives and haven't had a minutes problem with any of them other than an occasional retread.

Question, can Williams engines be upgraded from conventional? to like DCS?

Alex M. upgraded my Williams 773  scale NYC  Hudson to ERR and fan driven smoke a few years back.  It turned out great!  So, they can be upgraded.  

Thanks Bob!

mike g. posted:

Question, can Williams engines be upgraded from conventional? to like DCS?

Only thing it takes is $$$$$$$

Dave it seams like everything in this hobby takes $$$$$$$$$

Your right....but you can regulate it to your own comfort level. 75% of my locos and cars are 2nd hand. I have even gotten a few for free!!! (junkers) I like to build cars, paint my own and fix things....and I run conventional......so I spend a lot less than most.

I'm up to eleven WIlliam or WBB engines. Only had to get 1 repaired. They are great engines if you like to run conventional.  To your point the sounds aren't great but also less issues. It is just what is more important for you. I'm thinking of thinning the herd and only keeping the Williams and getting rid of the Lionel's.

I have done about 50 Williams engines to DCS.   A bit more work than ERR but more rewarding.  Out of the box, the Williams engines are a great buy.  If you do not do your own conversion work, try to use an authorized MTH Tech and you will be covered if something goes wrong.  I have seen many ruin boards trying to cheap out.  

The full size Williams Hudson makes great conversions.  DCS or ERR like the locomotives Alex does and you have something worth keeping.  Your choice.

Over a two year period, I have converted eight Williams OGauge engines to bluetooth control. They are all still running like new. Hard to beat them for basic motor reliability.

Marty, is that something one could do or would I be better off sending it out?

mike g. posted:

Marty, is that something one could do or would I be better off sending it out?

Trust me. You are better off sending it to Marty or GGG. you could ruin an MTH board for something as simple as wire management.

George

Thanks George, I was thinking that way also.

Thanks guys.  The Williams locomotives are very good to work with.   I tell anyone who wants to do an upgrade to go slow and hit the book before you dive in.  If you pay attention to the book, you can not get in trouble.   I know guys who jump in without looking at the book.  If you screw it up, you own it.   I have done over 180 upgrades of many different engines and have never had a board problem.  I have never opened a kit that was missing anything.  MTH did a good job with these kits.  I have a few upgrades roaming my rails.  Mt favorite is the Weaver New Haven I-5 Hudson.

Gentlemen,

   If you want a Williams Engine upgraded send it to MartyF unless you are a Tech yourself.

Further the original Williams Engines run smooth as silk using the DCS TR function and the side receiver on a Z4K Transformer.  Way cool HHRC for an old Conventional Williams Engine, no doubt about it.  Very smooth stuff!

PCRR/Dave

mike g. posted:

Dave it seams like everything in this hobby takes $$$$$$$$$

Mike that's why I purchased all my high $ motive power and rolling stock before I retired while I still had earning power.

BOB WALKER posted:

Over a two year period, I have converted eight Williams OGauge engines to bluetooth control. They are all still running like new. Hard to beat them for basic motor reliability.

Is this different than DCS/TMCC and more like LionChief (Plus)? I bought a Williams FM Trainmaster recently based on all the praise for them, and switching to BT control would be awesome. 

There is Williams and there is Bachman-Williams. Both are in my collection, are solid and run great right out of the box.  They are basic engines in operation and detail but their time tested designs have provided 100% reliability, on my layout. 

Over time, I have reduced my Lionel locos and engines to a point where Williams and Williams/Bachmann now account for more than 60% of my motive power in O Gauge.  In this thread, there is a collective and positive feeling for this brand.  Simplicity and reliability are the overriding reasons for the praise.  Hard to disagree with the assessment.  Another thing is that these trains are truly less expensive than the competition, and not by just a few pennies.   More bang for the buck.  

I have something north of a dozen Williams engines. All are pre Bachmann and no problems. I have been given a few Williams by Bachmann engines to work on. All had little or no grease in the gearbox and a few were too far gone and had to have their gears replaced. Bachmann lists gears and axles with gears but most seem to be always out of stock so you have to buy a complete truck $$$$$. 

Advice, check those gearboxes.

Pete

I have installed ERR Command Control and RS in several of my Williams engines (and others).  Yes, they are solid runners, and once you get past the shiny finish, I really like the scale proportions of them.  Have had to fix some couplers that failed on a couple Williams from the '70s.  But then, also had to replace failed couplers on some Atlas, also.

Jesse     TCA  12-68275

Deuce posted:

BOB WALKER posted:

Over a two year period, I have converted eight Williams OGauge engines to bluetooth control. They are all still running like new. Hard to beat them for basic motor reliability.

Is this different than DCS/TMCC and more like LionChief (Plus)? I bought a Williams FM Trainmaster recently based on all the praise for them, and switching to BT control would be awesome. 

The BT upgrade that I am aware of is BlueRail. I have not used it. I run mostly DCS. BlueRail has its own app. BlueRail can't be controlled by the LionChief remote or app.

BlueRail even has a battery power option. I don't know much about it, but the concept is that the power for the train comes from a battery in the train instead of the tracks. That solves all kinds of track wiring problems. We could even get rid of the third (middle) rail. Only issue may be run time on the batteries, but I am only guessing.

I think they designed BlueRail for HO first. The link below discusses using it for O Scale. It assumes DC power to the tracks, but they discus how to adapt it to AC.

http://bluerailtrains.com/2017...erail-for-o-scalers/

George

I have several williams engines by bachmann and all run great!!!