Williams Electric Trains

Lore & Background

Jerry Williams founded Williams Electric Trains in 1971, initially producing reproductions of vintage Lionel and Ives Standard gauge trains. The company obtained some of the original Lionel tooling after Lionel Corporation sold the rights to its name to General Mills in 1969. During the 1980s, Williams acquired tooling from Kusan, a little-known Lionel competitor from the 1950s, and shifted its focus to O scale. Eventually, Williams stopped making tinplate products and sold the old Lionel tooling to the company that later became MTH Electric Trains.

Today, Williams is frequently seen as a producer of reproduction 1950s-era Lionel equipment, but its models differ from the originals because Williams occasionally incorporates details that were impossible with 1950s manufacturing techniques. Unlike most other O scale manufacturers, Williams never added electronic control systems like Trainmaster Command Control or Digital Command System to its locomotives. This choice earned Williams a small, dedicated following among hobbyists who prefer a traditional 1950s-style layout but want modern equipment. However, it also allowed competitors such as MTH and K-Line to surpass Williams in size, despite Williams being an older company.

In October 2007, Williams was sold to Kader through its subsidiary Bachmann Industries, and the brand is now known as "Williams by Bachmann."

Reader's Guide

Williams Electric Trains occupies a distinct niche in the O scale model railroad market. By deliberately omitting modern electronic control systems, the company catered to hobbyists who valued the simplicity and aesthetic of 1950s-era layouts. This traditional approach, while limiting its growth relative to competitors like MTH and K-Line, created a loyal customer base that appreciated the ability to run modern reproductions without the complexity of command control. Williams' acquisition of original Lionel tooling and later Kusan tooling allowed it to produce accurate reproductions of classic designs, while its willingness to add details not possible with 1950s manufacturing methods gave its products a subtle but meaningful distinction from the originals. The company's shift from Standard gauge tinplate to O scale in the 1980s, and its eventual sale to Bachmann Industries in 2007, marked the evolution of a manufacturer that remained committed to a traditional vision even as the broader market embraced technological innovation. Today, as 'Williams by Bachmann,' the brand continues to represent a bridge between vintage toy train nostalgia and modern production quality.

Did You Know?

• Williams was founded in 1971 by Jerry Williams in Columbia, Maryland.
• The company acquired some original Lionel tooling after Lionel sold its name rights to General Mills in 1969.
• Williams was sold to Kader via Bachmann Industries in October 2007 and is now known as 'Williams by Bachmann.'