You need to take the shell off the diesel engine that has the sound unit inside and look for a small adjusting switch or volume pot.(potentiameter) to turn, it looks like you can put a small flat tip screwdriver inside it. If it don't adjust at first you may have to clean the contact area on the switch.

I had one that nearly blew me out of the room and had to turn the volume down.

Lee F.

I have seen several Williams versions of the same model, even different versions of the Crown Edition passenger cars, fixed couplers and opening couplers for the same model of the same railroad name, most likely a different year. I had a friend many years back who was an independent Williams dealer when Jerry Williams ran "Williams Trains" and have seen a lot of different sets by Williams.
I will admit there are some Williams engines and cars that I have not seen. Williams used to make 6 car passenger sets some years ago.
I don't keep up with the newer Williams by Bachmann.

Lee F.

Steve, I have seen that model of SD-45 truck assembly before, and it should also have metal wheels for the dummy set of wheels and not plastic like the later versions will have. The hole for the motor mounting might be correct for that version of Williams engines, so don't do anything for now! Put the motors back together and the center rail roller and see what happens, if you have problems then order the replacement truck assembly, however using the newer truck assembly with your version might need newer motors as well because the worm screw could be different and not match the gears in the replacement truck assembly.

Another version of Williams that I have seen in photos is one that uses something like the old Lionel post war motor in the Williams diesel engine, and that would be really early Williams.

Lee F.

I will have to look at my Williams SD-45 engines and see how the center rail roller attaches. I have 2 different versions of SD-45's by Williams, one made during the 1990's and one made about 8 years later, and the only difference I know of is the circuit boards.

Lee F.

I am not 100% sure but I think that some of the later Williams before Bachmann had a reverse switch, at least there was a space in the frame for one. Not all pre Bachmann Williams had a reverse lock-out switch. Most of the newer Williams by Bachmann engines should have a reverse lock-out switch.

Lee F.

Len,
I would say the screw sizes are in metric as Williams by Bachmann is made in China. Some of the later Williams before the Bachmann buyout were made in China as well.

Lee F.

I did an upgrade to a Williams F-7 engine a couple years ago and have the center rollers left over, they are from an unpowered unit, they should be the same for an SD-45. Let me know if you want them.
When the motors go together to the truck assembly there should be almost no play or slop as some people call it. You should be able to turn the top of the motor and see the wheels turn very slowly, it may take 5 or 6 turns of the motor to turn the wheel a fraction of an inch that is normal, however there should be very little resistance.

Lee Fritz

Do the engines run well on the ZW? I know you say the engines slow down after 5 to 10 minutes on the smaller transformers, but does the ZW do the same thing?
Also are you using these engines with lighted passenger car or cabooses? Lights do add to the power needs. If using more then 4 lighted passenger cars you may need a more powerful transformer then a 100 watt one.

Lee F.

Could be a bad circuit board, but I have not had a circuit board go bad on me.

I have replaced a circuit board with a bridge rectifier because it didn't act the way I wanted it to. One problem with the bridge rectifier is that you lose reverse unless you add an extra switch and wire the motors different from the switch.

The reproduction line by Williams has some nice motors but can use some electronic or circuit board help. I have one older diesel, a GP-38, that has the wires directly into the circuit board, even the horn's wires are direct to the circuit board.

The Crown Edition engines are the ones I like better from Williams.

Lee F.

Quote from: bluedragon on January 03, 2016, 10:48:04 PM
I also have an F3 Diesel Atlantic Coast Line 20702.  I ran it using a 40 powermax transformer with bell and horn, but it ran very slow and the bell and horn was very very quiet, I then ran it using a Lionel 1033 90 watt transformer and it ran great, but because it has no bell or horn I could not test that. Can someone tell me a good transformer to use with this Diesel.?

The Williams or Atlas 80 watt transformer would be the first choice and an MTH Z-1000 would make a second good choice.
My personal opinion is not to use a CW-80 with any engines other then Lionel.

Lee F.

Quote from: toromain on January 02, 2016, 04:36:14 PM
Still waiting for a callback from Williams.  Thanks.

Call Bachmann again! Don't wait for them to call you.

Lee F.

What is your transformer? Try using an Atlas 80 watt or an MTH Z-1000.

Lee F.

I have never had any Williams engine squeal on me at any time. I suspect you may have a problem in the production molding of the unit or in the truck assemblies not being 100% correct.

Lee F.

Quote from: toromain on December 29, 2015, 09:53:13 AM
The seller said to check with Williams 1st so I'm doing that.  Thank you.

Did you buy this from an online vendor or ebay? The online vendor should tell you what to do if you bought it from them. If you bought it from ebay you may have to pay for the repair if you send it in to Bachmann's repair department as second hand sales are not covered under warranty.

Lee F.

Quote from: toromain on December 28, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Thank you.  I may try to return it for a refund or exchange.  I'm afraid that if I fiddle with it I will eliminate my chances to return it without fixing the problem.  Thanks again for your suggestions.

You can try for a refund or return but most places want you to go the repair route first. It's your choice. See what the company will do.

Lee F.