Williams Scale Hudson Radius Question

It will definitely make it through 054. The minimum curve is 042. I run mine on 036 and it works great, except in reverse (but that's not a big deal). You should be good with your curves.

Most Williams engines should be able to run on 042 or 048 curves as Williams don't make very large engines.

Lee Fritz

Was this an earlier brass Hudson, or the later diecast scale Hudson?

Williams CROWN EDITION NewYorkCentral Hudson#5205, CS100W, OMS Sounds, Die Cast

"Most Williams engines should be able to run on 042 or 048 curves as Williams don't make very large engines."

No - this is a scale-sized Hudson - he said so. Fairly large. 054 is no problem - for either the old, old brass versions or the later - current? - die-cast "763-style" versions.

Word to the wise, and it may not matter to you - the later, die-cast Williams Hudson is geared very high; it does not like even low-ish speeds. I have one that I super-detailed and weathered, and I put an ERR Cruise Commander in it to solve most of the zoom-zoom problem. 

Does anyone know of an online source for the manual for this engine?  I managed to find another one, but it didn't come with the manual.

Have you tried contacting somebody at the Bachmann website? Bachmann has taken over the Williams line and may have some information that they got from Mr. J. Williams or the catalogs left by Mr. J. Williams. Look under Williams trains on the forum part of the website and ask the question on the Williams forum, maybe one of the administrators will chime in.

Lee Fritz

I have two of the die cast and they will run fine on 042 curves including double heading. The brass version was cataloged at 031 but I had to adhesive weights to the pilot truck to work on 042 curves. The brass version had issues with the solder joints coming apart so I would avoid them.

Thanks for the tip about Bachmann; I didn't think they would have anything from previous manufacture.

The request for the manual has nothing to do with radius but the need to have the info now that we have the engine.

I believe their full O scale require O42 and the semi-scale require O31.  Now I think their Niagra and possble their GS-4 ? need O54, maybe some of the brass as well...

Like others have already said, your Scale Hudson will have no problem negotiating O-42 curves.  I have one and it negotiates 0-27 switches which connected to an 0-32 curve piece.  The 0-32 curve actually connects two O-27 switches so that my trains can circle back around the loop ... my Williams by Bachman Scale Hudson has no problem negotiating this .... albeit that I don't run her super fast through switches.  

You can purchase that Hudson with complete confidence that it will make your curves.   Happy Holidays!!

I purchased a #40201 (Scale, later version) for the museum layout. It didn't like O42  MTH RealTrax. There were a couple slipped into what I thought was an O54 / O72 loop. I had a chance to test it a couple of laps on O54 Lionel tubular. It ran fine on that.

So, it will up be for sale soon. Nice engine.

I ran mine on 036 curves, slowed down a little in the turns but no problems otherwise. Runs smooth on 048

I really appreciate ALL the replies about the radius, and that is settled.

But I still need a copy of the manual--this has nothing to do with the radius but rather the smoke unit and some other things.

Thank you for any leads on the MANUAL.

here's all that I could find. It's dated 2009. The newer version that I have has the same manual. Flickering firebox, bell and whistle, tether to the loco from the tender.

The smoke unit should be a Seuthe unit. It's always on, so it always needs smoke fluid. You have to install your own switch to turn it off for it not to burn out.

I believe if you take the shell off and see what internals are there, you will learn the most by taking some photos and searching here. it could be plain, it could be a QSI system, it could be a Lionel or ERR system that someone put in it.

Thank you, Carl!

According to the previous owner, the sound unit is an old Ott unit. 

Does anybody know whether JT's MegaSteam will harm the smoke unit?

It appears that JT's will be ok- https://ogrforum.com/topic/williams-smoke

Thanks!