Williams Set Quality Question

EIS,

Here is what I know about the Williams sets by Bachmann; 1) the track is similar to Lionel's tubular track with pins, 2) the transformer from what I have been able to research is either an Atlas 80 watt or a WBB(Williams by Bachmann) 80 watt transformer. The engines are just a basic WBB engine, two motors if a diesel and one motor if a steam engine, they come with True Blast 2 and a reverse circuit board, the cars unless listed as having any special features do not have any operating features(sliding doors on boxcars), lights if a passenger car, the caboose may have a light inside.

About the quality of the Williams sets, you may want to post this over on the Bachmann website under Williams trains in "Ask The Bachmann".

Lee F.

I think it would be a perfect choice for that age bracket. Not too much detail to break parts off but a decent quality engine and cars. I can't speak for the track but I have the Atlas transformer that WBB uses in there sets and it is a very good trasformer quality wise. I doubt you will be disaponted with it.  

The track in Williams sets is the same track that Atlas developed for Industrial Rail sets with the attached roadbed.

The track that comes with those sets is not like the Lionel tin plate. It is the Atlas track that looks like Fastrack. I would assume its good track.

Rob

This is a picture of the track in the sets.

Earl

The 4-6-0 has received very good reviews and I plan to purchase the Christmas set (it's nice and glossy, just like the earlier Williams line locomotives used to be).  I saw this set at York and was immediately attracted to it.

I won't be using the track or transformer (I use Lionel FasTrack for my Christmas layout), but I have also heard very good things about the transformer.  The track is fine too--nice appearance--but the range offered is nowhere near as diverse as that offered in the FasTrack line or MTH RealTrax line.

You can not go wrong with the WBB 4-6-0 engine and the cars that come with it. I have not seen the track so I can't say anything about it. But my 4-6-0 ran last Christmas for hours and was subject to some 4 year olds 'abuse' and never missed a beat. Good stuff.

Alan,

I would prefer to get the Lionel FasTrack and CW-80 transformer, but I bought a Lionel set with an 0-8-0 engine for another grandchild last year and I was not impressed with the engine.  It has ran fine for the last year and my granddaughter loves it, but it just doesn't look as rugged as a Williams engine. 

Earl

I have had some small accidents on my layout thru the years involving my Williams engines and the Williams engine only got a small scratch at the most every accident I had, just put it back on the track and run it.

I rear-ended a parked freight train with about 12 freight cars with a pair of powered SD-45's, five freight cars on the carpeted floor, eight more derailed and both engines derailed. I forgot to realize that a PS-2 engine could bridge the gap electrically over an insulated section of track when in shut-down mode(not in command mode).

Lee F.

My 4-6-0 by WBB runs great, highly recommended! James

Earl:  I think you'll find the Williams by Bachmann transformer (made by Atlas, I believe) to be an even better choice than the CW80 although either one should be fine with Williams motive power.

Allan, What do you think of the RTR railking sets?? I have bought a couple over the years because of the value and quality for the price.. plus great features.

My CW-80 Lionel transformer does not work my WBB 4-6-0 loco unless I have a lighted lock-on or lighted cars.  Keep  that in mind.

Excellent sets in every respect, and good values for the money.  I have bought a good number of them over the years.  I no longer use the RealTrax that comes with the sets, but either pass it along to friends or sell it.  I do still have a number of the set transformers although most of them do not see active service.

Sorry for the slight topic hijack, but I was curious what it says on the Christmas set 4-6-0 tender? I haven't seen a photo that clearly shows the tender.

I don't recall the specific wording on the tender.  I was just attracted to the overall set and the glossy paint scheme.

I think that the tender looks like Bachmann's 1 Gauge / G Gauge 4-6-0 tender. It is green. A large red box is lettered NORTH POLE & SOUTHERN in gold.

Thanks for the info.

The transformer that is in the Williams set, I believe has an actual Iron core to it and it works flawlessly. I have had one for almost 6 years now. It is much better that the Rail king transformer. The Track is the same as the Atlas Industrial Rail track. 

Maybe a little sidetrack here, but is Williams by Bachmann going to offer what looks like Industrial Rail track with their sets or are they going to offer the new track that WBB is working on, called E Z Track in O gauge?

On the parts area WBB sells replacement pins for the set track system currently being used.

Lee Fritz

I can say from personal experience with a 4 year old granddaughter that an 0-6-0 engine can be easily placed onto the track (and replaced after the 18 month old twin grandsons knock it off).  The leading trucks of a 4-6-0 present a level of difficulty not easily mastered by a 4 year old.

Also, you better place the set on the floor. (Not so far to fall.)

That being said, I am a great fan of WBB equipment (but no experience with the track.)

That is one reason why I have purposely stayed clear of this track. It looked very promising upon its release. However, if I can not reliably purchase it then it is not worth it. I also am holding out on the new Lionel S scale Fastrack for this reason.

If the WBB transformers in the sets are the same as I purchased back in December, you will be more than pleased with its performance. Here is my post with a quick review.