Williams GS-4; yes or no?

a brass, scale locomotive for $300?  even if it wasn't a beautiful model, it would be worth it.  if it is truly original, it will have no sound and only a DCRU, but when i had one, QSI was making a sound board specifically for the GS4 and it was an easy fit.

the only reason these seem to be selling so cheaply is the glut of Daylight locomotives out there.  i never had any problem pulling a long streamline consist (the GS4 would be prototypical with lightweight coaches), but if there is one thing that could improve this locomotive it would be a tad more weight.

cheers...gary

YES!    This is one of my favorite engines to run. Quiet and smooth.  I've added TMCC and a REAL smoke unit.

More weight?  No way. It pulls anything I have put behind it.

For it's time, middle '90's, it was the BEST brass scale engine at an affordable price.

Good Luck with your find.

Did the original poster state that it is the full size scale, brass GS-4 model?

i wish you had been a little more explicit.  i had no idea Williams (which should have included "by Bachmann") had issued a semi-scale GS-4, but with a little Google searching, i believe that's also what the original poster meant.

i have no information on this new locomotive, though it is semi scale and might look small leading 72' Madison type coaches.

even though the 1990 brass model did initially sell for ~$900, i have seen some go in auction as low as $350 recently, so i really didn't think the $300 was that far off from someone desperate for a sale (though the new-in-box should have been a slight red flag).

if you should come across the Williams/Samhongsa model for even twice the price you're about to pay for a Bachmann model, you should definitely consider the upgrade.  as with all the early Williams brass models, it could be a bit more detailed, but the scale proportions are as accurate as any quality brass model of the time and they were available at considerably less than many of the much slimmer production O scale brass imports.

so please ignore my previous posting and probably the following reply which apparently also assumed the early model.  good luck with it.  cheers...gary

I looked at a new semi-scale Williams GS-4 locally a couple of months or so ago.  Not a lot of super detail but the shape looks right, the paint is nice and of course with that scheme it holds the eye.  The semi-scale size is nice for a small layout perhaps but the loco is noticeably smaller than scale and will not look good around scale locos, I would think.  It seems to have the same gearing as other Williams production models which would make it a bit of a jackrabbit - I like a higher ratio gearing - so the loco goes slower, easier: as far as I know only their WBB Baldwin ten-wheeler is like that.  But, like all Williams, this one will probably run forever . . .

If this is a semi scale version and not brass then I'd suggest looking for the K-Line semi scale GS-4 instead. It was made with and without command and is arguably the best looking of the semi scale versions. The Williams semi scale engine is a modified N&W J with different smoke box front.

$300 for the brass model would be a great price.

Pete

My apologies. The AD does not say brass. Original MSRP was $495.00.

I would stay away from the Williams diecast traditional size GS-4. It has a small motor and tall gearing. A perfect combination for burning out the motor if you pull a heavy load at speed.

I have the Williams semi-scale GS-4 and other than having the motor's flywheel inside the cab I'm very pleased with it's style and performance.

Speaking of Williams brass UP Challenger, I have this giant modified with PS -2 from MTH upgrade and it is now my favorite steam engine! I wouldn't presume to know it's market value but it was a great choice for the upgrade!

This is my only real objection to the Williams traditional locos.  Their gearing is just strange - too fast for my tastes.