Williams FM Trainmaster Side Frames

I've had to piece together the side frames with black JB Weld epoxy. It was much like doing a jigsaw puzzle. I believe that the frames would be an ideal candidate for 3D printing in a more forgiving material. I think it was done for the Lionel scale GG1 successfully.

John

Unless YOU absolutely need O.E.M. parts, you can use Lionel FM side frames but will have to drill one of the holes  on the inner mount.

Are you looking for the plastic or diecast side frames?

check Lionel PW style frames...might fit with a little work...I know the Lionel  GG1 frames will fit Williams with little work...good luck....joe

As long as someone might be interested in making them, consider the plastic side frames for the early Williams F7's.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Unless YOU absolutely need O.E.M. parts, you can use Lionel FM side frames but will have to drill one of the holes  on the inner mount.

Are you looking for the plastic or diecast side frames?

At this point, I'll take anything I can get.  Plastic, if available is fine.  I have both the powered and dummy units and therefore, if I try to make the units match, will need 4 left sides and 4 right side frames.  I'm not a purist; just hoping to make them look decent.

@joe krasko posted:

check Lionel PW style frames...might fit with a little work...I know the Lionel  GG1 frames will fit Williams with little work...good luck....joe

Thanks, I will definitely look into that.

@John Meyncke posted:

I've had to piece together the side frames with black JB Weld epoxy. It was much like doing a jigsaw puzzle. I believe that the frames would be an ideal candidate for 3D printing in a more forgiving material. I think it was done for the Lionel scale GG1 successfully.

John

Never thought of it.  3D printing is a great idea.  Will look into it this week

Thanks!

Hi All,

Just a final follow-up. The 3D printing idea didn't pan out.  Costs ranged from 3 to 5 hundred dollars to just copy the 2 side frames for printing.  What did work was contacting Jeff Kane at ttender.com.  Jeff has in stock side frames for the post war, Lionel, FM Trainmaster.  Part # 2321-143, 2321-144.  They need minor modifications to make them fit and I've attached before and after photos of what needs to be done.  On the non-gear side, you simply have to elongate to mounting hole on the long bracket and on the gear side, you need to notch out the long bracket to clear the gear.  The great news is that Williams used the same geared truck on their DASH 9, EF-4, FP45, FM Trainsmaster, SD45 and SD90.  So, therefore, the side trucks should also fit these models.

Kinda hoping that 3D printing would be viable for replacement parts.  Not sure they used that method for the GG1 - I think they just made a mold and cast urethane in it.  We were going to do them in lost-wax brass, but the urethane is a lot more cost-effective.  A complete set of brass GG1 side frames was going to top $200.

I am hoping for someone else to program the Milwaukee Skytop end, and maybe those neat Flexicoil trucks found under late model EMD Diesel switch locomotives.  I can wait.  Programming has to be a hobby - the labor in coding these things has to be astronomical, and I am not sure we are at the point where we just scan the part and print.  It is coming . . .