quote:

I hope they are wise enough to realize that the current Williams line and product philosophy has been, and can continue, to be very successful. I for one hope they don't change that. If Bachman wants to introduce new product, new features, new technology under the Williams name, fine. Please leave the "core" product alone. It ain't broke.

I couldn't agree more Ralph. Well said.

This is what has been bothering me through this whole thing. Larry Harrington doesn't have answers to Warranty issues, what will happen to the Platinum Club. Nothing. He says he has been left in the dark in many ways, and doesn't like not knowing. In any event, it is all speculation by board members at this stage. We can of course hope for the best. But at times, history has often shown we get the worst.

Right now Bachmann is making a whole lot of promises, blah blah blah. Fine. Whatever. But who's to say after a year of ownership, they don't decide that hey, lets scrap this or change the name of the company etc. Once they own it, they can do whatever they want with it. People can say they won't, but only Bachmann has the final say. Everyone can sit on this board all day long and speculate what would be great for Williams or the Bachmann company to do with product. But in the end, we aint the fat cat that owns it.

Many have expressed that they feel some of us are being silly by grabbing the stuff we can get now. They feel nothing will change in a year or two. I think we are all smart enough to see the writing on the wall and grabbing the Williams products we can get now. Before we can't get them anymore. Because me, and many others I have spoken too. Believe as I do. Williams will not be Williams in a year or two. It will be known as the Bachmann O line of trains.

The color of the box I have been told is going to be changed to Bachmann colors. And the Williams name would be smaller. With the Bachmann name in bold bigger letters. I was told this by Larry. It stands to reason that Bachmann will change the name down the road. And eliminate the already "smaller" Williams name.

I am not trying to cause an argument over this with anyone on the board. They have their opinion, I have mine. No need to start a war over it. Given enough time, one group will be proven right or wrong. At that time, the customary "I told you so's" will be sufficient.

Baggy,

While many of us are emotionally invested in Williams Trains and love the fact that they are both affordable and reliable, it is unhealthy to needlessly worry about something that we cannot change.

The fact is that Williams Trains has been sold to Bachmann, an established hobby company that saw an opportunity to become a major player in the O gauge market.
Bachmann has hired Larry Harrington, Williams' former General Manager, to help integrate the Williams product line into their future plans. Bachmann has also indicated that they are willing to continue their relationship with the current Williams dealer network, at least for the time being.

This is what we know for sure right now. What we don't know, and probably won't know for some time, is Bachmann's future plans for the Williams train line. Thus all the speculation by those of us on the forum who have an emotional tie to Williams. Most of us would like to see the Williams name stay around in the future but Bachmann may be slowly setting the stage for a name change. It is their company after all and they can do whatever they feel will benefit them.

It is quite possible that Bachmann will reevaluate Williams current lifetime warranty and bring it in line with their current warranty policies for the rest of their product line. Again it's their product line now and they can do anything they want to do with it.

What we have been postulating here on the forum is what we hard core Williams loyalists would like to see Bachmann do now that they have purchased Williams Trains.

I've already placed another order with Marty at MA&PA for a Chicago& North Western Heritage series loco and matching caboose. For me it is business as usual as I cannot change the future.

You really need to be pragmatic about this move. Businesses are being bought and sold everyday in every industry. Consolidation seems to be the new business mantra. Life is too short to worry about things we cannot change. Enjoy your Williams trains and the hobby. This is actually the best of times for us hobbyists!

Steve Tapper

Well acording to one source, the warranty is

quote:

The Warranty issue has been resolved....to the best of my understanding. I need better clarification from WILLIAMS, but there is a WARRANTY policy in place.
BACHMANN has a ONE YEAR warranty, on everything. This is basicly the same as WILLIAMS: Limited Lifetime Warranty. After one year, the reverse board is not covered. NOT covered were items such as bulbs,traction tires. The only other difference may be the small fee Bachmann charges for repairs.

MARTY
MA&PA JCT
www.mapajunction.com
marty@mapajunction.com

I would like to weigh in for a minute.. I too am a huge Williams’s fan and also am worried about the potential changes to their excellent product line. Jerry was always approachable and I have actually spoken to him directly upon his call in response to a positive letter I had written. If I didn't have a daughter in College now I would be buying every engine I could. I did buy one, a PPR Shark, just wish I could afford more.

This whole turn of events has me really down. I only buy William’s products and will feel at a real loss without them.

All the best to Jerry in retirement he will be sorely missed.

Cinders/Doug:

quote:

Originally posted by steve tapper:
When Bachmann decided to buy Williams Trains they immediately became a player in the O gauge train market.

Part of the enticement of buying Williams Trains had to be the existence of their established dealer network and their reputation in the O gauge industry.

What Bachmann brings to the table is an established distribution system into mass market retailers currently not being serviced by any of the O gauge manufacturers.
Bachmann has an opportunity to repackage and develop new O gauge products for this new market.

The ideal strategy for Bachmann would include a continuation of the existing Williams business plan plus the development of new products including starter set packaging and new high featured O scale engines to compete with Lionel, MTH and Atlas.

Only time will tell what Bachmann will actually do with the Williams line but why try to reinvent the wheel?

Steve Tapper

This might ruffle some feathers here but they should go with DCC and IGNORE the hi-Rail segment. Let Lionel and MTH clobber each other over that niche.

Has there been an official announcement from Bachmann yet?

Bobby

Jerry Williams,
Good luck on your retierment sir, I will miss ya. Thanks for years of enjoyment, conversations and quality affordable trains. As Frank owner of the Iron Horse taught me long ago, Jerry Williams could give lesson in customer service, to all other train companies, and they could still never match him.
A few years back Frank made it possible for me to own the original Williams
UP City of San Fran, the big Yellow and Gray is one of my favorite trains, I upgraded it with one of Jerry's incredible True Blast Hornes
I think the picture below tells you how I think about the Williams Company, Bachmann will have some real big shoes to fill.
NASA/Dave

I hope Mr. Williams is enjoying his retirement somewhere warm!

cordially,

Dennis

I sure am sorry to see Jerry Williams retire. But, he does deserve his retirment after all these great years...His product is next to none. They run forever, with no problems..I have been repairing trains for over 50 years...all makes and models. I have been a dealer for Williams since 1981.
During all these years, the only repairs I have had on any Williams item, was replacing a light bulb or traction tire...nothing else. I remember when Williams motors did not have a flywheel...we made our own and they worked...Then Williams came out with the flywheel and that was a great achievement. Thank you Jerry Williams, for the great trains and memories. When we stood shoulder to shoulder and talked about your trains,We called each other "Same Name(Jerry).

Now that Bachmann took over Williams, I was put out to pasture by Bachmann...they refused my dealership...I did not have a tax number??? All these years and now, I am required to have a tax number.. guess that is the new law...Uncle Sam wants those small taxes from my orders...hope the taxes help with the war effort. Sure woulod like to get in touch with another dealer to supply me with the same costs so I can take care of my customers...

Retire and stay in good health... Mr. Jerry Williams

jdrane,
You are confusing me, In November you posted their prices were too high and you no longer were going to sell Williams, Now you are mad because they will not sell to you without a resale certificate.

Gunny

Gunny:
I just read your post. I do not remember saying anything about the higher prices of the Williams Line in November. I hardly get on here. Now, my grandson gets on a lot and he knows my password. He may have made that statement. I am not mad at Bachmann about the resale certificate. If that is their requirement, then I will just have to go along with it. I will not get a tax number as I am not a business...this selling Williams and being a dealer,is just a hobby. Back in 1981, I along with a very good well to do friend, visited Jerry Williams and he gave us the Dealership...back then, you did not need a tax number...we asked....that was then...this is now...Things and laws change...for the better...I doubt it. My friend spend over $25,000.00 that day, and he paid in cash... Now, you know why we became a dealer..and we have ordered much since.
After I filled out the appliation, I did get to talk to the person in charge. I had a question as to who my Distributor was...he told me my distributor would be from Connecticut....I know there is one close in Cleveland, Ohio...about two hours drive for me, being as I live near Pittsburgh...guess I would also have had to pay the S&H charges from Bachmann to my distributor in Connecticut and then from there to my home...When it would be much cheaper for me to buy from a close distributor. Guess they get you coming and going...this is another reason, I will no longer be a dealer...I can still make my purchases from a very close dealer for the same price I paid then..no problem...

Thanks for your reply.

Being a Maryland based company Williams offered a lot of local roads with the Western Maryland being one of them. Where else could I collect 27 WM locos at an affordable price with each of them running right out of the box and still running? No where is the answer. And where else could I have bought any Patapsco&Back River and Ma&Pa rolling stock? Same answer - no where. Yea, I'm going to miss Williams big time.