Williams FM Trainmaster Parts

There was a dealer that had parts for Williams locos but I can't recall his name.  It's been discussed here before so try doing a search for Williams Parts. 

Just did a quick search and found these from 2014.  Don't know if either is still in business.

Charlie Phillips (717)564-8633

Frank Vacek (410)465-3782

@coach joe posted:

Just did a quick search and found these from 2014.  Don't know if either is still in business.

Charlie Phillips (717)564-8633

Frank Vacek (410)465-3782

Thank you!

I will see if they still are available to supply parts. - I appreciate the feedback.

Charlie is no longer with us. I don't know if Frank is still in business.

@L & N posted:

Charlie is no longer with us. I don't know if Frank is still in business.

Thanks for the heads-up about Mr. Phillips.

Frank Vacek was a super good guy from Maryland.   I haven't seen him at York since about 2017.  He was in bad health then. 

Your best bet is to buy another Williams FM and get parts off if it.  I bought a Virginian FM like new at York for 35.00 in 2018.   Never could find any Williams truck side frames for it.  Lionel part was close, but not enough metal left to make mounting holes fit.   I was told by Bachman that if they made any FMs then they would probably have parts back in stock.

Good luck

@aussteve posted:

Frank Vacek was a super good guy from Maryland.   I haven't seen him at York since about 2017.  He was in bad health then.

Your best bet is to buy another Williams FM and get parts off if it.  I bought a Virginian FM like new at York for 35.00 in 2018.   Never could find any Williams truck side frames for it.  Lionel part was close, but not enough metal left to make mounting holes fit.   I was told by Bachman that if they made any FMs then they would probably have parts back in stock.

Good luck

Thank you. I also may have a lead on a non-powered 6-wheel truck that I can substitute in.

Best,

Dave

If that falls through, PM me I might have the parts you need off of a unit I parted out.

I have 2/3 Williams locos, from the original Williams era.  They were very common production items at the time, including this FM Trainmaster, a Virginian rectifier & a PRR turbine steamer.  It's sad  Bachmann isn't standing beside owners of common Williams pieces like these by not continuing to offer such parts.

David,

Regarding truck parts for the Williams FM Trainmaster, I had to replace the work helical gear that is driven by the DC motor pinion  worm gear that drives the two shaft mounted spur gears. I purchased five brass helical gears from Frank Timko, Timko Repair Depot, 1-937-429-1461. I recommend Frank as a vendor with no reservations, you may want to contact him for assistance or advice on these spur gears. I have a Lionel Trainmaster from 1955, I will check the Lionel gearing vs the Williams gearing to see if they are similar. For replacement truck side frames contact Jeff at The Train Tender, 1-585-229-2050, the Lionel Trainmaster side frames can be used as replacements with a slight drive gear clearance notching modification on the geared side.  Jeff I would recommend with no reservations. I have purchased from  Frank and Jeff in the recent past with no issues.

@John Ochab posted:

David,

Regarding truck parts for the Williams FM Trainmaster, I had to replace the work helical gear that is driven by the DC motor pinion  worm gear that drives the two shaft mounted spur gears. I purchased five brass helical gears from Frank Timko, Timko Repair Depot, 1-937-429-1461. I recommend Frank as a vendor with no reservations, you may want to contact him for assistance or advice on these spur gears. I have a Lionel Trainmaster from 1955, I will check the Lionel gearing vs the Williams gearing to see if they are similar. For replacement truck side frames contact Jeff at The Train Tender, 1-585-229-2050, the Lionel Trainmaster side frames can be used as replacements with a slight drive gear clearance notching modification on the geared side.  Jeff I would recommend with no reservations. I have purchased from  Frank and Jeff in the recent past with no issues.

         

Thank you for the information.

Dave

@RadioRon posted:

I have 2/3 Williams locos, from the original Williams era.  They were very common production items at the time, including this FM Trainmaster, a Virginian rectifier & a PRR turbine steamer.  It's sad  Bachmann isn't standing beside owners of common Williams pieces like these by not continuing to offer such parts.

Yes - I agree. I don't want to bash any vendor as I believe that we need as much competition in our hobby as possible, but one would hope that common production tooling/parts for items that sold a lot would have some longevity.

Best,

Dave

@Tom D. posted:

If that falls through, PM me I might have the parts you need off of a unit I parted out.

Thank you - and if all else falls through I will reach back out.

Have a good day!

Dave