I'm no expert, and I'm not trying to steal Mr. Bach-man's thunder, but taking into account that this model is not in the 2012 catalog and no longer listed on the WBB website, one might conclude that these are signs of a model being discontinued.

Maybe Mr. Bach-man will provide official statement.

671, Good advice on the wiring harness. The front wheels on the tender derailed a couple of times before I figured that out!

I put the spare on and we're good to go.

I purchased the Golden Memories 773 a couple of weeks ago, and finally got around to running it last night. I noticed that the engine wobbled diagonally (right rear goes up, then left front goes up) while running with or without a consist. The wobble doesn't match the wheel revolutions, so I quickly ruled out a bent wheel or axle.

Upon further investigation, I noticed that only one of the two rear drive wheels has a traction tire. The other rear wheel has the groove, but no tire. I'm wondering if installing the spare traction tire on the grooved wheel will stop the wobble. Does anyone else have this model? Do your rear drive wheels match what I'm seeing?

Great diagram on how to wire in series. Wish I saw that a couple of years ago.

I have most of my William's diesels wired in series. I never tried the resistor mod, but I'm not sure adding resistors has any advantage over the wiring mod. Anyone go the resistor route?

I do use resistors at some of the track power points on my layout to slow down the trains on declines (conventional transformer), so I know the theory holds up.

No need to get emotional. No one is trying to deceive anyone.

On all of the Williams engines that I rewired, it is EXTREMELY evident that I did. I knew what I was getting into, and accept responsibility for my actions. I accept that returning an engine under warranty was not an option.

Luckily, I've never had any problems. At the price these engines go for, and their track record, I'm not concerned about the risk.

I learned about series wiring from calling Williams a few years ago. I can't remember if the dude told me if I was voiding the warranty, and I don't care.

Many folks have found that series wiring make operating Williams trains more enjoyable. It's a choice any adult can make.

Quote from: 671 on September 24, 2011, 11:17:38 AM
          Are you aware, that, wiring the motors in "series" does void the warranty?
   

Actually,  I don't think it does unless you cut the wires. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in.
 

I have a bunch of new Williams engines. I'll take the new engine out of the box, put it right on the track and let it run. Then, I'll go outside and smoke a cigar. If it's still running when I get back, I'll take off the top and wire the motors in series.

Never had a problem.

Thanks for the comments and clarification on using 'MU'.

Follow-up to ASQtec:
1) Are your "multi-units" coupled together or uncoupled (and therefore only "appear" to be MU)? Coupled together.

2) If coupled, do you have any push/pull issues with the units? No. I have found that unless there is wide variations in speed between each powered unit, they will work together in harmony. I run my trains fairly slow. I prefer this over running at toy train speeds.

3) Is it easy to change the e unit so that the second powered unit starts up in reverse? For the Williams diesels, it took me about 10 minutes and no tools. I just swithced the plugs. My Lionel postwar MU's on the otherhand are teathered, because I did not want to alter the E units. This takes a bit longer.

Thanks again. Paul

Quote from: DominicMazoch on August 04, 2011, 10:13:05 PM
I think we have gotten a "bad" word from "Command control" .  When diesels and/or electrics are run together, most "real" railroaders would use the words "multi-unit", or "MU".  Caution:  don't use the use "lash-up" on the OGR blog!

A couple of my neighbors are retired from the Lehigh Valley RR, and they tell me that "lash" or "lashup" were the terms they used to describe an MU back in the day. My first part time job in the seventies was in a small Chessie yard in NJ, and I disinctly remember that word being used...could have been slang, though.

I think only forum members who currently work for a rail company might object to the term. They'll get over it.

I have three pairs of Williams powered diesels lashed up (not together, but each pair running separately), with not a single issue. Since they start in forward after a few seconds of being powered off, they work perfectly.

I have done two mods, but they are not necessary:

1-I have the motors wired in series
2- I reversed the plugs on the board of the second diesel in each pair so it starts in reverse (I run my lashed pairs back-to-back)

Have fun!