WBB CN GP9

Nice engine. I have the Rock Island version of this.

I've got few of those GP9's.  I like them a lot better than my Lionel GP9's from the 1970's.  I wouldn't mind seeing WBB upgrade them with sound and wire railings.  I just pre-ordered a WBB CN RS3 and the price was a little more than $250, not bad considering it has sound and nice detailing. So if they upgraded the GP9's the price should still be reasonable. 

I have a pair of older Williams CN GP9 diesels.  They are Crown edition, glossy black, with just the electronic horn.  They are two of my favorites.  They run exceedingly well.  At one time, I had the Lionel MPC pair.  I liked them, but they just couldn't compare with the Williams I have with two motors and horn.  The Williams feel more solid to me.  And, although many on the forum would think I'm crazy, I really like the glossy black on those two engines.

I have the dummy version of the CN GP-9.  And that is a pretty solid piece. 

 

I believe the plan is for WBB to move to new molds/tooling over time.  The newest models (which I can't recall which engine it is) are very nicely detailed - on par with the other big brands - I am just referring to the detail.

 

If you are conventional, these are good quality units.  And I am referring to the old stuff that is being blown out by many retailers as well as the new stuff which has a much better quality sound system - if you like the sounds.

 

BTW, I just bought a WBB Conrail Dash 8 from Pat's Trains (he is a sponsor - thank you Pat), and the inside of the shell says "Williams Reproductions, Ltd".  So WBB is still using Jerry's molds.  I think that will stop at some point, but nice to know that WBB did not mess around much with the stuff that worked good. 

 

SteamWolf, enjoy your new WBB purchases.

 

BTW, if anyone has trouble with the sound being very quiet and you are not sure how to turn it up, let me know.  I had to adjust the aforementioned Dash 8 earlier in the week.

Thanks for the input, gents! Now if WBB would only make a semi-scale T-1 with an articulated chassis that could navigate O27!!

Thanks for the input, gents! Now if WBB would only make a semi-scale T-1 with an articulated chassis that could navigate O27!!

BTW I am not sure that WBB is still using any of the old Williams molds. The labels should be Williams or Williams by Bachmann.

It is possible your dealer had that engine in his stock for over five years, as that should be when the Williams Repro's were made. I had a Pennsy # 671 that had the Williams Reproductions label glued on it.

 

FYI, Western Depot still has some Williams engines before the Bachmann takeover, especially the GP-9 and GP-38 series.

And I would venture to guess that Pat's trains has some older Williams too.

 

You got a good bargain either way.

 

Lee Fritz

Which T-1 do you have in mind? The Pennsy version or the Reading Lines version?

The Pennsy might be a better candidate for semi-scale as it is a 4-4-4-4 verses the Reading Lines which is a 4-8-4.

 

I would love to see Bachmann do some of the Reading Lines steam engines or Reading diesels in modern paint jobs. Also need some Reading Company passenger cars.

 

Lee Fritz

I think the BW and MPC shells would fit on the W/WBB frames.  And you get two motors to boot!

The Lionel or BW may fit but there is a chance that you will have to drill new mounting holes in the Williams frame to match the other companies mounting holes, not 100% sure.

Before I learned how to reverse wire a Williams engine, an SD-45, I swapped the shell around and drilled new holes in the metal frame to mount it facing the way that the railroad normally ran it.

 

Lee Fritz

Lee:

Definitely a PRR T1. Would be super sexy!