A New Old Classic Added to the Locomotive Roster! A long sought after set, no it’s not Williams

A New Old Classic Added to the Locomotive Roster!
A long sought after set, and it’s not Williams
I’ve passed on this set so many times at train shows. I finally bought it!
Hope you enjoy the video!
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Thanks for watching!
TeeSpring: merchandise coming soon!
Facebook Group: groups/32155...
Instagram: / dagryffyn
email: [e-mail]
Mailing Address:
DAGryffyn Hobby
PO Box 113
Hillsdale, NJ 07642
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I use Labelle Lubricants
Labelle 102 oil
Labelle 106 grease
Labelle 107 light oil
Available as a three pack for hobbies and trains
labelle-lubricants.com
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Original songs composed by James Kinne
Instagram @jameskinnemusic
www.jameskinnemusic.com
All music used with permission from the artist
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The legal stuffs:
I have no affiliation with Lionel, or anything else for that matter, and my repair methods are my own based on what has worked for me.
I am not a professional but a passionate hobbyist. Your results may vary. I am not responsible for any damage resulting from any repair method. I am here mostly to provide inspiration and insight.
You can do it, grab your tools and get to work!
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#dagryffyn #lioneltrains #modelrailroad

[@bradroehl7]

Congrats on your new/used engines. They look great! TLC helps a lot. Thank you for your videos.

[@oldohioangler4525]

I have had the Tuscan PRR F3 AA set and matching B unit since they came out way back in the late 1970's. It has been a while since they have been on track because once I obtained a few TMCC engines, most of my conventional engines fell by the wayside. Although I rarely run a conventional engine, these MPC engines will most likely always be a part of my accumulation especially since the B unit was a gift from a friend that passed several years ago. Maybe I will give them a quick service and run them with the 15-inch aluminum PRR passenger cars from that same time period.

[@richardbrizzolara2077]

Like Williams all those MPC engines do is run ……computer chip boards? Computer chip boards? We don’t need no stinkin computer chip boards!!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Exactly! I don’t have to show you any stinking boards!

[@mrsam6751]

A Majestic Pennsy.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Definitely!

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Very nice looks like a great train An awsum find

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you very much!

[@royroberts5333]

Beautiful set Dave. The slow speed and the dual motors are very nice.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. Great runners, should be even better once they are all clean.

[@74volts]

Excellent! It feels good when one is able to add a long sought after locomotive. My short list contains a post war era GG1 and a post war PRR turbine. They will find me when it's time! Keep posting these cool vids and keep up the great work on your layout and collection.

[@jackstoyOgaugetrains]

They are beautiful. I would also like a set of those. Back in the early 1990’s a good friend had a set. I tried and tried to get them but he would not part with them. You did good.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I’m thrilled I finally picked a set up.

[@williamruss8830]

great fine love the pennsy

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks!

[@rennethjarrett4580]

Nice ones Dave. I recently bought a A-B-A C&O set F-Series by K-line still sealed and have not opened them yet... Each unit has 2 motors!!! For a total of 6 motors, and they all link with connection plugs to work together. I was first looking at the Pennsylvania set, but then saw this with them still sealed and at a lower price.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I’ve looked at a set of k-lines like that, I was very tempted. If you end up running yours, let me know what you think of them.

[@RichardEngle-pu3fz]

You did it again🎉

[@dagryffynhobby]

Ta-da! Whoop whoop!

[@bassfass5595]

Pretty looking piece, Dave! 😎

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks 👍

[@chrisresor1893]

Great vid Dave! First look I 've had at the inside of an MPC F-3. Interesting they went to Delrin for the brush plates. Beautiful Pennsy engines!

[@genemanno1533]

A Delrin motor plate kinda implies no oilite bearing since Delrin generally used as a low friction material. Can’t determine if separate bearing from video, but absence of wick indicates not.

[@georgewhitacre8276]

Beautiful!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you!

[@Coreyt1976]

Great video Dave. The units look nice! I hope you can add numbers to the number boards.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I hope to add numbers and then light them independently of the headlight.

[@henryszubielski8601]

Another nice find Dave!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Great puchase Dave, those engines look great in that Tuscan Red and the "cat's whisker" stripes, which look to me like they're completely intact! I think the set was a good buy at $200 and you can probably find an "orphan" B unit at a show sometime. I wouldn't worry about the blank number boards but if you wanted to you could hit the back of them with a green Sharpie pen to simulate class lights. And if you don't like the results you can remove the green Sharpie ink with rubbing alcohol. Don't feel bad about passing things up at shows, we've all done it. At a show here in January I looked at some restored pre-war tinplate passenger cars VERY resonably priced and thought about getting them to go with my 259e. "OK, if they're still there after I make my first circuit of the show I'll buy 'em." Too late, someone else beat me to them by the time I got back! Eh, it's not the end of the world, there'll be other shows and opportunities.

[@loubro2372]

Nice find Dave. I have that set with B unit. Been looking for the green set. Found it once. Boxed. Was too much for my budget

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I bought an alco fa number 202 420 box and it was running and after awhile it stopped running and I took it to the train shop to get it fixed and the bronze drive gear in it was completely worn out no teeth just like Grandpa. Some kid got that engine for Christmas or a birthday present and ran the st. To death and I'm glad because that meant that it was enjoyed and for its intended purpose watch to be played with and not sit on a shelf, but I did get one of those for $100 brand-spanking-new including shipping from a TCA guy. I have brand new orange passenger cars for that locomotive to pull.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Nice. It’s always good when a toy actually gets used for its intended purpose!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@dagryffynhobby in the 1950s and 60s Lionel trains was not a expensive collectible like gold bullion. Everything they made were toys to be played with and enjoyed.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@dagryffynhobby when I called the TCA guy to let him know that the engine runs beautifully he had a fit that I took it out of the box and use it. He went on about the collectability and I'm going like what do you think I'm going to leave it in the box for 20 years and then I'm going to get paid $200 for it. I would rather enjoy it and leave it sitting in the box.

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Marx guy here, it runs great, long and strong.

[@dagryffynhobby]

I’m totally happy so far!

[@jrmeindl]

A great acquisition Dave. The units look great and with a little TLC will run great as well.

[@RichardEngle-pu3fz]

Happy 4th to you and your family 🎉

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you! Hope you had a good 4th!

[@kenshores9900]

Awesome!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks!

[@Ed-ICE-Berg]

That’s really a nice set Dave!!! They run great even with fairly minimal maintenance!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I really hope I have time to clean them up soon

[@zendoargos4988]

I have both the 9870/8971 and the 8952/8953 PRR F-3 units and the respective B-units including both for the 8952...they made one with a horn and one without. They're very nice units and with the double motors will pull just about anything that you want to put behind them on a reasonable sized layout. I agree with you about the number boards, but that's one level of detail that the MPC era did away with compared to the Post War units. An oddity about the 8952 is that the windshield insert on those engines was frosted which I'm not aware of on any other F-3's from either that era or before.

[@johnandrus3901]

Nice set. I have the 1981 NYC 20th Century Limited set with the ABA F units, which I bought at the Ann Arbor show a number of years age. I'm not sure what year that they quit using MagneTraction, but mine has it. They are nice runners. A good set of streamlined Pennsy passenger cars would look incredible behind them, for sure. Either way, a fine purchase for a reasonable price.

[@DRCRailroard]

Dave, I'm glad you were able to get one of your bucket list sets. They're a great looking set. I have one of the MPC set of F3's and was surprised at how well they run once they are serviced and broke in. My set has pretty good low-speed running now. Engines that have been sitting as long as these need a break-in period, which is ten minutes each day for about a week. They should be run at various speeds both forward and reverse. Track time will produce smooth and consistent speeds at any transformer setting for conventional running. I can get consistent prototypical low-speed running similar to TMCC/legacy using conventional transformer control. My postwar 2343's with their three pole pullmore motors steadily creep around the entire loop as good as any modern can motored engines.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I agree, a properly serviced old engine on clean track can really creep slowly.

[@Nyislander313]

Good purchase. I’ve been collecting MPC high end sets, engines and cars for the past 34 years along with Postwar and LTi. I have a just about a complete collection of MPC. Sometimes the brush plates are tough best thing to do when you buy MPC or even the older items is always give it a thorough overhaul no matter what the seller says. Enjoy your set, now you just need the passenger cars and the B unit😊

[@daivdwalker2374]

Sharp looking set very nice I'm sure you will get it up to par far as good cleaning and stuff

[@dagryffynhobby]

I sure hope so!

[@williamdibruno2847]

Nice set did same thing with a Santa Fe a and b unit

[@dagryffynhobby]

Sweet!

[@MygrandpasTrain]

I made my own number board and coach labels using clear Avery mailing stickers. I measured the size of the space to fill up, and then used a font size to match. Works great for black text only decal replacement. Not as good for color decals/stickers.

[@TomzTrainzandAccessories]

Congratulations on getting this set you’ve wanted. It’s a beautiful set you got there. Those F3’s look great pulling those passenger cars, and it looked like it didn’t have any trouble pulling them.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! They pull really well.

[@MESA-East-Model-RR]

Beautiful set! Man are you accumulating lots of choochoos, says the guy doing exactly the same thing.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I am!

[@momatmach1]

They look great, you need the green version now to make the set 😀

[@dagryffynhobby]

Yes, yes I do. And the b units.

[@tomrogers5516]

That's a very nice Pennsy AA set you've gotten, Dave. Even though it needs cleaning, it runs and looks really nice, especially leading the passenger consist.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I’ve wanted this set for so long!

[@railchief74]

I bet that lou Palumbo would love to see these engines right now. Me and my Dad have the Brunswick Green version of these engines as well as the b-unit with the horn

[@dagryffynhobby]

Nice. I might need to look for the green ones now…

[@stevenmiller5696]

Hi Dave! Love the Pennsy !

[@dagryffynhobby]

Me too!

[@ganstine59]

I believe HO numbers will fit the number boards

[@dagryffynhobby]

Cool, I’ll check that out, thanks

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

That is really cool Dave! Another great guy!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! Hopefully I can get them all cleaned up soon.

[@jamesmelchin2873]

Sharp F units....well worth the wait I'm sure ! 👍

[@dagryffynhobby]

I’m thrilled!

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

You just can't help it I'm the same way I see a new locomotive or rolling stock then I dream about owning it the next day I just go and buy it

[@dagryffynhobby]

Oh yeah! I do try and have some restraint though, otherwise I’d have no money for food!

[@robertgrothey2429]

Sparking is almost always dirty brushes. If you want a quick fix spray some wd40 in and around the brushes and run it it should clear it up.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Sparking from the motor, sure, but this was from the pickup rollers and wheels. Cleaning the rollers and wheels did it. I would be hesitant to use wd40 on the brushes, I’d rather spray the motor with a electronic contact cleaner, that way there’s no residue.

[@metalheadrailfan]

Very nice purchase, Dave! I should start looking at MPC F3s because after the 4 I already have, the other Postwar F3s are gonna make my wallet scream.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. Yeah some of those postwars are a bit high on the cost scale!

[@williamlee1429]

I bought a cheaper MPC era Alco AB but it had the same pullmor single motor as yours does. I couldn't get my armature plate off either after removing the screws. I cleaned the armature by removing some cotton from a swab and sticking it into the armature and turning the motor. A lot of black stuff came out. If anyone knows how to remove the white delrin brush plate please let Dave know so he can tell the rest of us in a future video, thanks.

[@dagryffynhobby]

From what I understand it requires a little prying. Mine didn’t seem like they were going to move, so I sprayed the contact cleaner, it’s a decent substitute for a full cleaning. If I get my removed I’ll try to remember to mention it somewhere

[@user-vf6hi8xy7f]

A very nice set of engines and PC made him some nice sets of F3 Contro of what you hear about the nylon gears are not true. If you keep them lubed they will last I’ve had some for 30 years. I have lots of hours on them I bought some extra gears just in case, but I’ve never use them.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I have no worries about the gears. Like you say, with maintenance they should be fine.

[@stephenmaddox4434]

Well, it's time for a new passenger set !!! 😂

[@dagryffynhobby]

It’s always time for a new passenger set!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Wouldn't it have been nice if all of MPC 's diesel locomotive where twin powered. It's not like you can add a second motor to one later on that would be nice. It would have been nice if they were offered back then where you could get the one with one motor or four more you can get the one with two motors.. I consider a locomotive was only one motor and one driven truck to be half a dummy.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Dual motors always works much better, they should have done that. I guess you could always modify the frame to take an additional motor, but it wouldn’t be an easy task.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@dagryffynhobby I have a lot of jeeps with the one motor. So I run them multi-unit. I can't wait till I can fire up my trains again once I finish repairing all the hurricane damage.

[@dagryffynhobby]

@@frankmarkovcijr5459 I hope you get that all finished up soon and can get back to the trains!

[@genemanno1533]

So what is differences and preference over the Lionel Santa Fe units you have other than the shell paint scheme. Motors looks similar in design but no magna traction which is substituted by rubber band tires. Scientifically there should be no difference having a non powered unit lead or trailing since power unit has dual motors so pulling resistance leverage thru couplers into trucks 17:27 is negated.

[@dagryffynhobby]

I would have been happy with this set or a postwar 2343 with custom shells. The postwar seems to be built better but they both run and pull well.

[@robertmadison2752]

Is the axle issue just "MPC wobble"? I can't see wobble in your video, so maybe this is something you can safely ignore.

[@dagryffynhobby]

It’s subtle, I think it was an impact and a slight axle bend, should operate just fine

[@xpday]

I’m still dying to know what happened to the number boards on this beautiful locomotive? Any ideas?

[@dagryffynhobby]

It came like that as far as I know, my little Joe is the same way. I’m sure it was a cost cutting measure.

[@xpday]

Those shells look great, but the empty number boards are jarring to my sensibilities. This really needs addressing. Could you perhaps use an office-type label printer that prints on clear tape? I own one that works well on tiny labels. I guess that I’m being a little obsessive.

[@metalheadrailfan]

@@dagryffynhobby This was pretty common with the MPC era. They would reissue Postwar models, but they lacked some of the details of the originals. Another good example of this is the lack of grills on the nose of the unit.

[@scottyrocktrains5649]

Mag- na- traction ?

[@dagryffynhobby]

Unfortunately no, traction tires

[@Berkshire736]

Beautiful!!!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you!