Large Scale Central

USAT F3 3-D Print Boxes & Kadee Centerset

For Sale/Trade/Wanted
#1

The USA Trains F3 has been made for many, many years now, though a first for me, and new ones seem to be in short supply, particularly in road names I was looking for. So an ABA set in Southern Pacific was obtained used in pretty good condition.

Accordingly, I and Colin Camarillo have developed 3-D printed body mount coupler boxes that accept Kadee centerset couplers for these locos. Shown below is an overall view of that ABA set with boxes & couplers installed.

Shown below is a better picture of the F3 A and B unit having been fitted with Kadee “G” scale centerset knuckle couplers from Kadee 907 kits in the 3-D printed coupler boxes. The front of the A unit also includes an operational centerset coupler in place of the factory dummy coupler. (The pilot needs to have a small cutout made below its bumper to accept the centerset coupler.)

Loco coupling distances are more prototypical being closer together than factory. Intended operation is on 8 foot diameter or greater track curves.

A video can be seen of the F3 ABA set with the 3-D printed boxes with Kadee centersets pulling a 35 car test train. The cars may be prototypically too new behind the era of the F3s, but their collective weight is about 125 pounds, and the draw bar pull of the train measured close to 5 pounds.

If interested, the 3-D printed CamPac BoxesTM and mounting pedestals can be obtained from Colin Camarillo on his Web site.

Based on my experiences working on the F3s that include other issues aside from mounting couplers, I published a new F3 vignette (article) on Greg E. Web site that includes about 80 illustrations with descriptions Its contents are listed below.

Coupling Distances
Couplers & 3-D Components
Diaphragm Preparation
CamPac Component Installation
Non Coupler Issues:
Dismantling Loco
Cab Removal
F3 A Unit Nose Door
Ladders
Chassis & Fastener Issues
The “Wet Noodle” chassis
Stiffener Plates
Optional Current In Rush Resistors
Wheels, Axles & Traction Tires
Motor Block Axle Replacement

Miscellaneous Items:
A Unit Nose Door
A Unit Windshield & Windows in General
A Unit Windshield Wipers
Side Screens
End Cut Lever & Bumper
Rear Light
End / Rear Hoses
Roof Fans
Exhaust Stacks

CamPac Stress Test Video

Obtaining CamPac Products

-Ted

#2

Ted

Perhaps we should just put his link here…https://www.camarillopacific.com/campacbox/

He offers a very nice product

#3

Hah, you been harassing me to read the post twice… the link is there, in bold blue italic:

If interested, the 3-D printed CamPac BoxesTM and mounting pedestals can be obtained from Colin Camarillo on his Web site.

zap!

Greg

#4

Greg Elmassian said:

Hah, you been harassing me to read the post twice… the link is there, in bold blue italic:

If interested, the 3-D printed CamPac BoxesTM and mounting pedestals can be obtained from Colin Camarillo on his Web site.

zap!

Greg

I knew that Greg …that is why I brought the link down into another post for those that don’t read twice. I have also seen many skip over a a bold blue link because they do not know to click it!

#5

Ahh, so maybe it should be flashing too? Maybe issue an electric shock to the user as you scroll past it? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

I think being in bold blue italic most people would catch on the first read.

But our ever-present forum police has saved the day ha ha! Anyway, I have outfitted 13 F3’s and am very happy with the results, these locos are naturals for consists, and having the centerset couplers makes much more reliable running, bucking and coupler overriding is virtually eliminated.

over and out…

Greg

#6

I added something shown in both formats:

Below is imbeded:

“Installation Guide, USA Trains F3 & CamPac Components”

Below is it’s “raw” URL link:
https://www.camarillopacific.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/USAT-F3-CamPac-Install-Instructions.pdf

-Ted

#7

All that info … How much… with out having to go to LINK ?

#8

$30 for locomotives expect the GP38-2 which is $32.

#9

Wow, this was so hard to click on?

" Rooster " said:

Perhaps we should just put his link here…https://www.camarillopacific.com/campacbox/

#10

Greg Elmassian said:

Ahh, so maybe it should be flashing too? Maybe issue an electric shock to the user as you scroll past it? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

I think being in bold blue italic most people would catch on the first read.

But our ever-present forum police has saved the day ha ha! Anyway, I have outfitted 13 F3’s and am very happy with the results, these locos are naturals for consists, and having the centerset couplers makes much more reliable running, bucking and coupler overriding is virtually eliminated.

over and out…

Greg

Exactly Greg …glad you used the link I referenced instead of the bold blue italic

#11

Greg Elmassian said:

Wow, this was so hard to click on?

" Rooster " said:

Perhaps we should just put his link here…https://www.camarillopacific.com/campacbox/

+1

#12

I made a video of a longer 61 car train with body mounted Kadee centerset couplers being pulled by the USA Trains F3 ABA set - but needing an additional GP unit. All 4 locos are fitted with CamPac BoxesTM having Kadee centerset couplers.
This train with mostly 40 foot type cars is prototypical for the era of the F3 SP “black widow” locos. The collective car weight on this train is about 170 pounds.

Video link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNL4lxeHR_g

-Ted