Williams Hudson on O27 track

There are three versions. One is the scale Hudson with scale tender. The second is the 773, which uses the same scale loco with semi-scale tender. The third is a semi-scale/027 size loco with semi-scale tender. The difference between the full scale size and the full semi is about 4 1/2". The 027 version should negotiate 027 track.

The link below has all of the Williams stuff that Bachmann has parts for. Note: several locos have been discontinued and parts are scarce or non-existent for some.

Williams by Bachmann parts page

Hi Rocker!

That's a really big engine for 0-27, so proceed with caution! Lionel's LionChief Hudson has a minimum radius of 0-31.

The derailing issue with your tender may be due to the length of the drawbar. Some models feature longer drawbars to facilitate sharp curves, allowing more space between the locomotive and tender.

Some useful information there, thanks! 

Mine carries number #5205 and comparing it to my K Line and Lionel semi-Scale Hudsons, I’d say that it was indeed the scale length loco, with scale length tender. 

It does have a noticeably shorter gap between loco and tender, so it must have a short drawbar. 

I haven’t tried it on O31, I don’t have any space but it DID negotiate O36 Fastrack and O42 with no apparent problems (pic shows it on O42, before fitting the “almost-scale” pilot wheels)

I don’t intend to use it on O27, I was just surprised that it could do it at all. I have seen references to them traversing O27 switches with care. 

Yes, Williams’ diecast scale Hudson came out in 1999 and was numbered 5205.

Whenever manufacturers suggest a minimum radius, they aren’t necessarily saying that a locomotive can’t physically make it around a tighter-than-listed curve. They are saying it won’t perform as intended and reliably.

In your case, that means your derailing tender. In other cases, it might mean derailing cars behind the locomotive. Or a locomotive that slows perceptibly on tight curves. Or a flat-out derailment.

O-27 was intended for traditional sized trains, period. While certain scale locomotives, like the MTH GE 44-ton diesel switcher or the first run of the Lionel FM H16-44 diesel, will perform well on my O-27 track, almost any other scale locomotive will exhibit some problem when I, like you, am just goofing around to see if a locomotive will even traverse the tightest curve available.

I save most of my scale equipment for the club.