I have been somewhat of an armchair modeler for the past 20 years and have only recently found a a medium where I can enjoy trains by more than just knowing I have them.  Do I have an elaborate post-war collection ...Nope!  In fact I only have 2 postwar engines, 1of which is a 2046 I was lucky enough to obtain about 10 years ago, and the other a 2332 GG-1 just recently given to me by the original owner.  Other than that I guess you could say that I have just about all 0-27 Lionel Lines or NYC roadnames.  I have been giving many items away to nieces and nephews since they are meant to be played with and run not immortalized in boxes.  I thought that by this point in my life I would have had a permanant layout, but it was not to be.  I have been fortunate to work with children and have a holiday layout where I run the above and 3 other trains for one and a half months from Thanksgiving till after the new year. 

Where am I going with this?  Well as the price of everything goes up it is all but impossible for some of us to afford a Lionel or MTH set.  But Williams has always been known for its reliable engine and cars and affordability.  Sure all the bells and whistles are great on the other trains but how often can you have all that noise going at once?  We all fell in love with the clickety clack of the rails and the lonesome sound of a distant steam engine.  In real world applications tarins do run silently except for the sounds of the wheels against the rails.  So while the latest design appeals to us all, for running, nostalgia and durability I am starting to think that you can't beat a Williams by Bachmann set.  They also have a beautiful look and descent trim.   

Unfortunately I have heard directly from Bachmann that none of their Williams issues have any ""CHUFF" sound and that it was an error in prior publishing.

Here is another question... from what era was the Williams model of the 773 taken?  Is it a model from the 1950's "L" version with the valve guides or the reissue from the 1960's with NO valve guides?  I know I seem to ask a lot but there is no dealer close to home that carries Williams and I would have to order by phone from out of state.  This is the reason I am asking for help.  Also as far as the tender goes...how is it size and detail wise.  Does it go well with it or does the scale hudson one look better behind this unit.  I have heard that the scale Hudson version is the identical engine but with a 1" longer tender.
Thanks!

Thank you sooooo much for your most helpful reply Marty.  As to the question that wasn't clear, this is what I meant. 

How does the detail on the current WBB 773 compare to the 1950's "L" 773 & the "L" 5344 to the current WBB 5543?

The sound on the Scale WBB 5543 includes a chuff?  I thought that none of the engines by WBB any longer had a chuff sound, it's not listed in their catalogue.  So it is a chuff, firbox glow, bell and whistle on the scale NYC 5543and only a bell and whistle on the 773...right? 

One last new question...will all Williams trains operate well with "L" transformers of 90 watts and up?

Take care and thank you again Marty

Hello, I'm new not only to the message board but to Williams by Bachmann as well.  I have a question with regard to the 40201 Scale New York Central Hudson which is listed as 24 inches long and 4 inches high for $599.00 and the Golden Memories 40298 773 Hudson for $549.00 measuring 23 inches.  I have been told by stores that these two pieces are the exact same in all respects and that there is no difference.  When I inquire as to the difference in price people are stumped.  Could someone out there please help me with the following questions.
1) Are they the exact same?
2) What are the dimensions of the 773 Hudson and does it compare with the original 773?
3)  Can they both navigate 0-31 and 0-36 curves?
4)  What is the number on the 40201 (it looks like 773 in the catalog) and is it like the original 5344 from long ago?
How is the detail on these pieces as well as the sound and running characteristics?
5) Is it true that they both have a firebox glow?
I know that this may seem like a lot of questions but one of these will be my first Williams engine.  I do have passenger cars but not their engines.  Any help that can be provided (maybe a good photo of each) will be appreciated.  Also any good low cost dealers who are reliable too.  THANKS!