williams FM versus Lionel dimensions

Generally, Williams engines are within about 1/16 inch of the Lionel it copies. The FM is a BIG engine.

Rob

Kieffer,

As Rob said, the Williams and Lionel FMs are very close in size.....and they are big. I remember the first time I saw a Lionel FM in 1954 when I was 8 years old. They looked even bigger then to this little kid! 

The FMs appeared about the time when Lionel was switching over to the larger 6464 size rolling stock. Lionel wanted a new impressive diesel to add to their fleet and they certainly succeeded IMO.

As you say, it's best not to be obsessive with scale and just enjoy. After a while, you don't worry about the differences in size with the O27 cars.

Actually, many Lionel O gauge engines dwarfed the smaller O27 cars in the early 1950s, but were still cataloged in sets with them.

Jim

The bigger difference will be between the newer scale FMs and the Lionel

and clones that have been around for years.  Lionel (phase 1)  and MTH

(phase2) are built to 1/48 scale, while the oldies are a bit too skinny on the

deck and miss a fair amount of detail present on the scale TMs.

From what I have heard on the Bachmann website, Williams was using the old Lionel castings and paying Lionel to do that. With the exception of the motors and circuit boards inside the Williams it is very difficult to tell a modern Williams from the post-war Lionel version of an engine, especially the F-3 and F-7 diesels.

Lee F.

It's my impression that when Lionel first released the FM, the model railroading magazines of the day gave it good reviews as being  close to scale.

Yes, I read the explanation of the casting somewhere too. At the other hand, there are a few (or just one?) differences on the casting, the small ventilation grills on the deck near the cabin having a different size framing. But that's just something I read. That's a bit of a puzzle to me, considering the use of the 'real' Lionel cast.

I admit there's an irrational aspect involved: I am a Lionel fan, and any replica, no matter how good, is missing just that one essential thing: it is not a Lionel! That doesn't mean I can't live with a copy or remake from another brand, and there the money is a factor.

The Williams: I am more than happy with them. The size, I will get used to it. On my way to work there's that car parked, a Chrysler 1963 New Yorker. It's double the size of all these Japanese cars and other minis people are driving around here. That Chrysler really stole my heart. It is like one big statement to me, like if it's saying: guys, I am not a car, I am an Automobile with capital A, meant for making miles in the best comfortable way.

Regards, Kieffer

Trainz has a web page showing the difference between a Williams FM cab and a Lionel one. As Kieffer wrote, the tell is a small vent fan on the roof. The description and photos are a ways down the page.

http://sap049.channeladvisor.com/t-FM_Diesels.aspx

I am not 100% sure, as it is hard to see but I think the flangeless wheels on the Williams are plastic. By the way, one of the truck sides is slightly bent, banana shape outwards.

It doesn't interfere with the wheels so I could leave it. I am a bit afraid that straightening up could make things worse, cracking or breaking the truck. What's the wisest thing to do?

Kieffer

Williams Train Master truck sideframes have been around for years. Some are metal; others, plastic. They go on and off with 2 screws. I'd replace that bent sideframe instead of trying to straighten it.