williams 2-8-4 berkshire

[bluerose lady]

Hello Guys.......
  I just purchased a williams 2-8-4 berkshire steamer in santa fe road name and wondering if anyone know the history of when williams started making the 2-8-4 berkshire ?   I couldn't find any history about it maybe  you guys would know.   The one i have is made in 2007 a pre-bachmann williams # berk 116" .   I have about 30 hours of running time and it is a very smooth running engine.  This engine is a KEEPER !!!!!!! I also have silver madison 60 footer 4 cars set and bachmann williams santa fe boxcar to go with the berkshire.  Its a pretty train (SMILE).........

[Joe Satnik]

Dear BRL,

The Berk appears in the earliest Williams catalog that I have, Winter 2003-2004.

23 road names plus undecorated black.

More details if you ask.

By the way, one of the neatest books ever:   ISBN 087923671X

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AC24W1JPL._SS500_.jpg

It's about building the first Berkshire steam loco.   Great illustrations.  

Look for it in your public library system.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Edit: Added book, removed image tags.

[bluerose lady]

Hello Joe Satnik..............

So the Berkshires were made in 2003-2004 the soonest ?  I thought they were made arounds the 1990's.   I have some older catalogs like 2003-2004 winter.  this is Interesting.   Is bachmann coming out with a new steamer ?

thank you, Mr. Satnik
Tiffany Clark

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Tiffany,

Just to clarify,

I'm sure that Williams Berks were made long before 2003.

"Winter 2003-2004" is just the oldest Williams catalog that I have (in my possession) to reference.

3rail will know more on history and future WBB steam plans.   

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

 

[bluerose lady]

Hello Mr. Joe Satnik........

Thank you................

[phillyreading]

Williams by Bachmann currently makes a new 2-8-4 berkshire style steam locomotive.
I don't have any locomotives made by the new company in the Williams line. Just have a new motor kit and it works very well.

My complaint about a lot of steam engines that are made as models is that the company who makes them doesn't have a front coupler on the engine, that makes it almost impossible to double head any steam engine without a front coupler.

Lee F.

[bluerose lady]

    i think the bachmann-williams should be the same as the williams with no changes to it as thats what i hear and i hope they would not cheapen it, like switching to plastic gears and so on but i think the scale williams hudson would come with the front coupler for double heading but not sure.
    i have a bachmann-williams santa fe boxcar and it is very well made much to my surprise and this is my first bachmann-williams.
Tiffany

[phillyreading]

So far the only other thing I have by Bachmann in the Williams line is the True Blast-2 diesel horn kit, which I installed in a non-Williams diesel engine as it has better sound than the original horn in the diesel engine I bought from another company a few years ago.
Awaiting the Plasticville Tank car, to see what Bachmann has done with the Williams line.

Lee F.

[bluerose lady]

hello guys.........

  Do the late pre-bachmann williams berkshires (2007) come with "true-blast whistle" ? I wondered becasue i am hearing impaired 

Tiffany

[r0gruth]

Tiffany,

Concerning the lack of a front coupler on Williams steam locos - - - - these are copies,almost exact,of Lionel post-war locos and Lionel did not put couplers on the front of any steam locos at that time except switchers.

Your loco should have the true blast whistle and bell.

[bluerose lady]

Hello rOgruth..............

oh ok, i wished  i can put in a simple high pitched whistle like with 2 wire hook up so i can least hear that.   Does anyone make that and not mult-sounds effect system ?  Sometimes simple is better

the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

[phillyreading]

Tiffany,

There are a few companies that used to make aftermarket horn kits and I think that Electric RR is one of them that is left. The cost would be around $50.00 for the horn kit. Maybe somebody over at CTT(classic toy trains) website on the forum knows.

Lee F.

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Tiffany,

Here is a discussion on the old Lionel 6-5906 bell button:

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/139178.aspx

They are light duty though, and many used ones are burned out.

There are plans for heavier duty bell buttons.  See user joebarb on http://photobucket.com

More discussion:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,11184.0.html

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,13997.0.html

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,11626.0.html

Hope this helps. 

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik