Great video showing features on both units. I have a number of Williams trains I purchased new, and I have been real pleased with them. I also have a Menards S.F. Bluebonnet and caboose that I really like. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! They are both great for what they are! They absolutely excel in the "starter/budget" category. I will say a year down the line from this video, my concerns about the nylon gears in the Menard's seem to be unfounded thus far - at least, not that I've heard. I can't speak from personal experience on that, as my 2.0 in the video and my 3.5 Bluebonnet are both shelf queens (so is the SF Williams set from the video...but it's sidelined waiting for me to fix the sound system and was long before supplanted by a set of MTH E8s).
I have enjoyed this interview good clarity and an excellent voice for your Utube video; good comparison between these two engines. Keep us informed with an update on the repair .
Thank you! As soon as I figure out exactly what the plan of repair is, and I have it ready to execute, I plan to put up a video documenting the process, and the results. I make no promises on the timeframe for that, though. It is, for better or worse, rather low on the priority of projects I have going in the train room (and life in general).
Color choice/clear coat, I am in total agreement. To their credit, Menards did paint on a lot of extra detailing in line with modern model locomotives and the prototypes. The Williams, for it's time, was intended first and foremost to be a reprodution of Lionel's postwar F-units, and is extremely well done for what they are intended to be.
I like the sound system on the Williams better than the Menard's, but the rivet detail on the Menard's is outstanding. I'm having a tough time getting past all the chrome plating though.
The chrome plating was (and remains) a unique design. I like that I've not seen or had anything like it before. Not a deal killer for me, and overall, I like it. But I understand and am sympathetic to the point that it's not at all prototypical. Although as you can tell, my entire layout is more "toy" than "prototype" anyway. Admittedly, I'm biased.
Great video! Love both of those locomotives. I especially liked the Williams F-7 with the original True Blast sound system. So sorry it went out on you. I'd like to try to find a Williams diesel with the original True Blast. "1648 departing, 1648 clear on track 10".
Lol! You nailed it. On a side note, I feel I cannot be upset the system quit. That particular set is/was a favorite runner for 25 or more years. If it had an odometer and chronometer like the MTH proto 2 and 3 locomotives, the numbers would be astronomical. I've had a bunch of other things come up, but I still intend to eventually put another sound system back in the B-unit. The power units still run like the day we got them over 30 years ago. A great tribute to Jerry Williams and his commitment to quality.
I know the chrome has been a point of contention. I personally like it. But it fits my modeling style...I don't weather things. I like scale proportions and detailing, but I like to model the ideal (sparkling clean, bright paint), rather than going for reality. Thus, the shiny chrome works for me. Even though it's not my cup of tea, I do understand and appreciate the realist approach, and why the chrome is such a turn off to those folks.
I have to admit I'm surpised that Bachmann hasn't done more with the Williams line. I guess part of it is that their primary business has been in 2-rail DC, as opposed to 3-rail AC. I have a great little Bachmann HO set with sound and DCC. I choose to remain hopeful that Bachmann not only stays in the game but eventually makes a move to expand their O-gauge 3-rail offerings. Maybe the success in sales of these Menards Beta engines is just the thing to get them engaged.
My guess is, given the age, whatever gave up the ghost is now an obsolete component. I do intend to try an ERR Railsounds board to get it back live again. As you can obviously understand, I've got quite a few irons in the fire myself, so I have no idea when I'll get around to it, but it's "on the list." Will certainly attempt a video when I do it.
The front end of the 3945 looks better but the shorter length is a performance plus on lesser sized layouts. As for sounds don’t care don’t use them. Rear view on both…..not so much. Plastic gears and puck type couplers …….not. Both electronic w/can motors and rubber tires not features I would consider. Good review😊. My experience a derailment blew out board and crippled engines. 😊So bad taste for DC powered engines.😊
Your derailment experience...ouch!! Have not yet had that happen on an engine...I did have a derailment take out the controller board in a ZW-C...that only partially sucked, as I was able to repurpose the transformer bricks into command-control power supplies. The Williams F3s in this video have been through hell and back (we have had them since I was a child and they were the crown jewel of our collection for many years) and still run like banshees, despite me running them in ways that I would not ever now, knowing better. Give or take a year on this Menard's F3, and I stand by my conclusion...excellent value for the money. Longevity still a question TBD. I've had no problems from mine...but it's a shelf queen.
My Menard's beta 3.0 was junk. The paint was horrible and the motor is crap. For a few hundred dollars more I could get a lionchief which is a better investment. It seemed like Menard's don't check their items before they are shipped. I've heard of people with broken axles and other broken parts. I like many, many Menard's items. But Menard's needs major improvements with these engines.
Wow! What a terrible experience! I was lucky, my 2.0 has great paint and solid performance. Hopefully those situations you mentioned are exceptions rather than the rule moving forward. Maybe I’ve just been under a rock, but this is the first I've heard of issues on that level.
@@lego-scale it happened to many others. I wonder if you were the exception. But hope you enjoy yours. I am not going to buy another Menard's engine for a little bit... though still like many of their other products
I really like the Williams version. Great video, well done. 😊
Great video showing features on both units. I have a number of Williams trains I purchased new, and I have been real pleased with them. I also have a Menards S.F. Bluebonnet and caboose that I really like. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! They are both great for what they are! They absolutely excel in the "starter/budget" category. I will say a year down the line from this video, my concerns about the nylon gears in the Menard's seem to be unfounded thus far - at least, not that I've heard. I can't speak from personal experience on that, as my 2.0 in the video and my 3.5 Bluebonnet are both shelf queens (so is the SF Williams set from the video...but it's sidelined waiting for me to fix the sound system and was long before supplanted by a set of MTH E8s).
I have enjoyed this interview good clarity and an excellent voice for your Utube video; good comparison between these two engines. Keep us informed with an update on the repair .
Thank you! As soon as I figure out exactly what the plan of repair is, and I have it ready to execute, I plan to put up a video documenting the process, and the results. I make no promises on the timeframe for that, though. It is, for better or worse, rather low on the priority of projects I have going in the train room (and life in general).
Menards did a beautiful job on the locomotive but the paint on the Williams F7 looks better
Color choice/clear coat, I am in total agreement. To their credit, Menards did paint on a lot of extra detailing in line with modern model locomotives and the prototypes. The Williams, for it's time, was intended first and foremost to be a reprodution of Lionel's postwar F-units, and is extremely well done for what they are intended to be.
I'd buy both of them.
Great video thanks for showing the comparison between both the engines 😊👍
You bet! As I said, the idea was rattling around my brain for a while, just had to get it all together.
I like the sound system on the Williams better than the Menard's, but the rivet detail on the Menard's is outstanding. I'm having a tough time getting past all the chrome plating though.
The chrome plating was (and remains) a unique design. I like that I've not seen or had anything like it before. Not a deal killer for me, and overall, I like it. But I understand and am sympathetic to the point that it's not at all prototypical. Although as you can tell, my entire layout is more "toy" than "prototype" anyway. Admittedly, I'm biased.
Great video! Love both of those locomotives. I especially liked the Williams F-7 with the original True Blast sound system. So sorry it went out on you. I'd like to try to find a Williams diesel with the original True Blast. "1648 departing, 1648 clear on track 10".
Lol! You nailed it. On a side note, I feel I cannot be upset the system quit. That particular set is/was a favorite runner for 25 or more years. If it had an odometer and chronometer like the MTH proto 2 and 3 locomotives, the numbers would be astronomical. I've had a bunch of other things come up, but I still intend to eventually put another sound system back in the B-unit. The power units still run like the day we got them over 30 years ago. A great tribute to Jerry Williams and his commitment to quality.
Cool👍
I like the Menards detail. Yellow striping and the Blomberg trucks. Not so much the chrome pilot and coupler, though.
Both A Units, very nice.
I know the chrome has been a point of contention. I personally like it. But it fits my modeling style...I don't weather things. I like scale proportions and detailing, but I like to model the ideal (sparkling clean, bright paint), rather than going for reality. Thus, the shiny chrome works for me. Even though it's not my cup of tea, I do understand and appreciate the realist approach, and why the chrome is such a turn off to those folks.
It’s sad that Bachmann doesn’t invest into the Williams line. I mean a home improvement store made a RC locomotive, yet Williams, just old technology.
I have to admit I'm surpised that Bachmann hasn't done more with the Williams line. I guess part of it is that their primary business has been in 2-rail DC, as opposed to 3-rail AC. I have a great little Bachmann HO set with sound and DCC. I choose to remain hopeful that Bachmann not only stays in the game but eventually makes a move to expand their O-gauge 3-rail offerings. Maybe the success in sales of these Menards Beta engines is just the thing to get them engaged.
Neat video. I'm a new subscriber. Perhaps the B unit electronics can be repaired?
My guess is, given the age, whatever gave up the ghost is now an obsolete component. I do intend to try an ERR Railsounds board to get it back live again. As you can obviously understand, I've got quite a few irons in the fire myself, so I have no idea when I'll get around to it, but it's "on the list." Will certainly attempt a video when I do it.
The front end of the 3945 looks better but the shorter length is a performance plus on lesser sized layouts. As for sounds don’t care don’t use them. Rear view on both…..not so much. Plastic gears and puck type couplers …….not. Both electronic w/can motors and rubber tires not features I would consider. Good review😊. My experience a derailment blew out board and crippled engines. 😊So bad taste for DC powered engines.😊
Your derailment experience...ouch!! Have not yet had that happen on an engine...I did have a derailment take out the controller board in a ZW-C...that only partially sucked, as I was able to repurpose the transformer bricks into command-control power supplies. The Williams F3s in this video have been through hell and back (we have had them since I was a child and they were the crown jewel of our collection for many years) and still run like banshees, despite me running them in ways that I would not ever now, knowing better.
Give or take a year on this Menard's F3, and I stand by my conclusion...excellent value for the money. Longevity still a question TBD. I've had no problems from mine...but it's a shelf queen.
My Menard's beta 3.0 was junk. The paint was horrible and the motor is crap. For a few hundred dollars more I could get a lionchief which is a better investment. It seemed like Menard's don't check their items before they are shipped. I've heard of people with broken axles and other broken parts.
I like many, many Menard's items. But Menard's needs major improvements with these engines.
Wow! What a terrible experience! I was lucky, my 2.0 has great paint and solid performance. Hopefully those situations you mentioned are exceptions rather than the rule moving forward. Maybe I’ve just been under a rock, but this is the first I've heard of issues on that level.
@@lego-scale it happened to many others. I wonder if you were the exception. But hope you enjoy yours. I am not going to buy another Menard's engine for a little bit... though still like many of their other products