Williams Golden Memories series

I remember when I first saw those Golden Memories catalogs - it was amazing that they could produce almost ALL of our favorite postwar engines/locomotives in one catalog!

As the various models began coming out I think most of us were pleased and impressed with the close fidelity to the originals and the great performance of Williams pieces.

The 027 series of Alco FA's had die cast frames like the 1950-54 originals. They were vastly better than the late postwar Lionel originals with the wrap around sheet metal frames.

Terrance,

Much of the older Wms Promo items are extremely hard to find. I have an original 12" X 24" 'Golden Memories' Dealer Poster in the original mailing tube. This post reminded me. Now it's a matter of finding it.

I have a Williams by Bachmann Santa Fe Alco FA-2 A-A set.  They are nice and heavy, die cast frames.  Traction tires, dual can motors.  A downside is that the motor is visible through the cab windows.Has a bell & horn Tru Blast II (search youtube and you'll hear a sample).  For the horn, you get a pre-programmed series of blasts, so it's not one blast per push of the button.  For the bell, it rings continuously until you hit the button again.  The dummy unit is illuminated.  I got this late last year during the blowouts, so for $150 from Pat's, I couldn't pass it up.

I also added a 4-car passenger add-on, also from the Golden Memories line.  Lighted interiors with silhouetted passengers on the window film.  They are all plastic, and have dual contact rollers.  The only odd looking thing about the is that the roofs are removable, and are secured with a knurled thumbscrew at each end. 

None of the above ares super-detailed, but they aren't supposed to be.  But this is the style I remember and it's what I know.

The Golden Memories were made to closely match the early Lionel Post War. The 027 post war passenger cars had knurled screws holding the roofs on. Williams better matched Lionel Post War than Lionel did until recently with the Conventional Classic series. The latest Lionel 027 cars have the knurled screws but they are non functional dummies only there to simulate the originals.

Pete

Good stuff!!!  Excellent runners -neatly finished.

Jim

Pete,

You are 100% correct. Some of the Wms pieces were better looking than than the original Lionel. IMHO That if a new convert to postwar is upset with the poor selection available in the market place. I've told many to search out the Wms pieces. In most cases they will save money.

Jim do you have the Milwaukee Road F3s?

Terrance

Terrance,

That is one paint scheme I don't have. About the only knock on the Williams is the flat finish and the darker red used on the Texas Special and the Santa Fe versions.

The finish on the Milwaukee Road diesels is closer to the flat finish on the Lionel MPC version rather than the shinier one on the postwar version.

Jim

I can add what has been stated above regarding the Williams

Golden Memories Series, for the money and quality Williams &

WBB is the best bargain in O Gauge Railroading.

My operating collection has many of the Golden Memories

Series Engines pictured above.  I have no regrets in my

collection of Williams or WBB Engines, good product period.

Many thanks,

Billy C