Trying to Fix the Worst Locomotive I've Seen - Varny F3

I picked this locomotive up off of eBay several months ago. Unfortunately several parts of the drive were missing. I managed to make some parts from scratch and today I decided to attempt install them in an attempt to get this this locomotive running again.

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

I love watching your resurrection videos, Keep bringing the old school back to life .... Awesome job Harrison!!!

[@papawoody9597]

Outstanding work bringing this one back from the dead. If there were ever a loco that could be described as a train wreck, this one was it.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. It certainly was one of the rougher ones I've seen.

[@mercuryoak2]

You know the fact you took that loco which was left for scrap basically and turned around and made 2 parts for the spring and the insulating plastic is just wild. Totally wild. Originally i know it would have same breadboard type stuff mantua used on their motors. I giveyou props man 👏👏👏👏👏 your the modern day MacGyver for model trains.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. It did require a bit more thought than most of these projects.

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

I got a pair of these diecast diesels in kit form about 25 years ago. I believe they are pre 1953. I put a spare athearn drive in the powered unit and painted and lettered them for Boston and Maine. I appreciate your restoration videos they sure help with some of my restorations. Thanks.

[@SMTMainline]

I got one missing trucks and did the same thing. The Athearn drive fits surprisingly well and the shell adds great extra weight, making it a terrific puller.

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

Excellent.

[@MMRails]

You’re a wizard Harry! That thing belongs in a museum, right next to dinosaur bones.

[@robertmyers5269]

Nice to see this resurrected. Varney was such an important part of the hobby back in the post-war days. With four wheel pickup and drive it will never equal a modern engine in performance but still a great piece of history. I must admit that I cringed when I saw you take that sheet metal screw to fashen the chassis to the shell. About the only modernization that I'd try would be to add a flywheel.

[@heleti0000]

Really glad I found your channel. Very clearly shot and explained. I have always felt it far more satisfying to “reclaim and rebuild” a trashed item than run with a new one. Well done. 👍

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, I try my best so people can use tips from these videos on their own projects.

[@JohnJohnson-cn9fh]

great work harrison,,you should give this respray fit couplings and you would have a real gem,best wishes.jpj

[@kroy1037]

This 'Cinderella' deserves some new 'clothes', Harrison, to complement your creative engineering in getting her to run again. Since you are working with a metal body, there is little chance of damaging anything in stripping the old paint. I have been experimenting with brake fluid on some of my older pre-owned plastic streetcars. Given the actual purpose of brake fluid, it doesn't damage plastic or rubber, but lifts off old paint with a bath and a little scrubbing using an old toothbrush. I look forward to seeing what you decide to do with her.

[@channelsixtysix066]

That fibreglass burnishing tool is excellent for cleaning the commutator. Great idea, Harrison. A coarse-threaded screw to hold the body on, is the only option. The original fine pot metal thread would have stripped out anyway. She deserves a nice paint job and some detailing, then she'll look a real sweetie. Great resurrection.

[@williamsantangelo]

Very Good Harrison keeping those old buggas going Varney HO is great collectable nice bit of work!!

[@mollycaz1]

Nice job that was fun and interesting watching you work on the engine. It was great to see the old engine running again after so many years.

[@caboosech]

Great job on rebuilding the locomotive I have built a half a dozen or so dead ringers and every one of them came back to life so keep doing the great work

[@dbtech7914]

Impressive job fabricating the brush spring and mounting plate. That Varney is more like 50 or 60 years old. Good job.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. I had thought Varny built their die-cast F3s between 1949 to 1955

[@dbtech7914]

@@SMTMainline I think you are correct. About 1950 something.

[@KiLDELTA]

AWESOME JOB! YOu never ceased to amaze me resurrecting these "dead" or "hibernating" engines. Perhaps you can create new vids on painting them back to almost good as new.

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Very nice work and recovery of this wrecked loco, very well done, cheers KC Cradle Mountain Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺🤝🇨🇦😎🙂👍❤🏁

[@leverettrailfan5414]

I was horrified at first when I saw the spring and brush plate, the brush plate looked like the slots for the brushes were too far and a safety pin seemed like too strong a spring... but lo and behold, after the right adjustments, it seems to have worked out perfectly! Nicely done- I was under the impression Varney made some pretty nice stuff, this thing probably just suffered from a little abuse and a lot of neglect. Nicely done getting it all patched up!

[@rogerdudra178]

Well done, kid. You're pretty good with these antique train cars.

[@randallellison6421]

Another excellent restoration Harrison! I might have mentioned this before, but this F unit does technically wear a prototypical paint scheme that was originally applied to BNSF C44-9Ws from 1997-1999 in which during that time, the road was desperate for motive power (even to the point they purchased SD40-2s from Canadian National) that the then new Dash 9s were hastily pressed into service without the familiar yellow striping and lettering applied to their flanks with only the locomotive's road number on the cab and a very small 'BNSF' underneath. While this would be the wrong era for this F unit, it does make for a good what if scheme, happy holidays!

[@AlleghenyMTNRails]

Personally, I thought it looks a lot like the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (EJE) livery, but the original BNSF livery, it does look like that too.

[@mountblessingrailroad6103]

You never cease to amaze me that was a great job, you didn't give up until you figured it out I wish there was more people out there like that .seems like people just don't take pride anymore until your next video stay safe and have a good day

[@SMTMainline]

I appreciate that, thanks a bunch.

[@SMTMainline]

I appreciate that, thanks a bunch.

[@hunterIII-vr4nq]

Fantastic! Also Thank you very much for advice about power packs! Finally I got my trains moving!

[@johnshade4282]

Kinda surprised that proper sized machine screws weren't available from a hobby shop or even a hardware store to fasten the top and bottom of the train together. Props for the improvisation.

[@RapidTransitFan]

Hi Harrison I love your channel I have been a subscriber since 35k subscribers you make great videos and you are my favorite youtuber keep up the good work ;)

[@shockstrains5077]

you never fail to impress me with your model train skills

[@paulbervid1610]

Harrison great work as always and superb fabrication work.

[@frankortiz_HeroDad]

I'm new to this channel. I've been enjoying it a lot! Great work!!!

[@lendusaquid]

I enjoy doing this sort of work myself and its nice to watch someone else doing it as well. Thanks for making this video.

[@Iconoclasher]

There's a electricity "conducting grease" available you can use on the truck-to-frame bolster pins that dramatically increases the conduction. I've used it on Athearn locos with excellent results.

[@harperlarry49]

I have a Varney F3 similar to yours. It is dated 1947. It was my dad's when was a boy. The motor is the same but the gear assembly is different. And one axle gear is missing. Because of the missing gear the loco can run only on the flat portion of my layout. Oh, and mine has a very ugly baby blue paint job. Very nice rebuild. Good job. Larry.

[@ripplesonroad]

Good job. I ordered my first Santa Fe Super Chief Lionchief set. Waiting to receive it in India. It was my dream to buy 45 years ago.

[@Reading_Modeler]

did you get it yet

[@ripplesonroad]

Not yet, my nephew will be bringing it to India this month from Canada.

[@thehallfamilylightshow]

For what 2 days you have done is amazing! I have tried to do it on one of my locos and it took me forever. im happy that you got it run in just under 2 days that is impressive. it would of took me like 15 days to do all of that work.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you

[@Petemonster62]

SMT - Maybe that terminal lug on the front truck screw was for the headlight? That was a good idea to oil the axle bearings in the trucks. Maybe you should put some oil on those worm gear shaft bearings inside the rear power truck? Also, use some alcohol to clean the motor armature core plates; they are flat pieces laminated together to control the magnetic fields & any currents that develop in the armature. It wouldn't hurt to use alcohol & a toothbrush to clean the wheelset axles on the front truck.

[@4everdc302]

SMT repair manual Advance Chapter. Good job Harrison🚂🇨🇦

[@cadenthecadburyengine8198]

Strange orange CNW livery, good work restoring!

[@mikeandre9903]

Great job restoring that that's one of my favorite locomotives🚂👍👍

[@timslattery2977]

It's great that you gave that old girl a second chance

[@peterward2275]

The patience! Well done, Sir.

[@ChristopherBrown-mq1lg]

Outstanding job ! Nice fabrication job 👍

[@patji123]

Great work. The loco had a nice paint scheme. Would obviously benefit from a shell restoration. Or maybe not - leaving it grungy is cool also. I’d like to see you tackle an N scale loco.

[@SMTMainline]

It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't covered in chips and scratches.

[@myvideosetc.8271]

You could seriously benefit greatly with a 3D printer, with your current manual skills maintenance and calibration of this machines absolutelly will fall into the "extremelly easy" zone, spare parts and specific items for your layout will be on a new level.

[@hexxoid9263]

Agree 100%, I have a 3D Printer and its been extremely helpful, moreso than I would have thought.

[@SMTMainline]

I eventually want to get one but the technology is developing so quickly I don't know what to pick.

[@hexxoid9263]

@@SMTMainline Well first you want to choose between resin and FDM. Resin is more of a hassle, but produces much more finished and detailed parts. FDM is easier, but also a little sloppier. But it produces larger parts for cheaper. If you choose FDM, a Creality Ender 3 is a good choice for about $200. I think creality also has a resin printer for under $200, but keep in mind resin is more expensive, and you need a well ventilated space, gloves, etc. Hope this helps!

[@RailRide]

Not to mention another avenue of content -- screen-recording the building of replacement parts in a 3D application as you narrate your methodology, much the same as you do when repairing basket-case locomotives. 'Sam's Trains' did this with his first 3D printer, eventually compiling a series where he essentially built an entire train out of 3D-printed parts he drew up using the free web-based version of SketchUp.

[@atomicskull6405]

At least with R/C stuff I will sometimes prototype on a home printer and then once the part is finalized send it off to Shapeways for a final part made on an industrial printer in SLS Nylon (cheap, tough) or Accura Xteme (ultra tough, appearance equivalent to injection moulded plastic) Small-ish parts aren't too expensive either SLS nylon for a small part can be under $10.

[@alanlowe9716]

Great work on the resurrection of this loco. I realize this is an old post and I don't know if you have addressed this point, but regarding the low speed and startup, I noticed that the brushes were not perfectly aligned with the commutator. They were slightly below the level of the armature shaft. This would affect timing. Perhaps a shim under the brush bracket to bring the brushes back into alignment?

[@TRAIN_MASTER_X-844]

The parts you made are awesome, great work!

[@ErnieNoa3]

Nice to see an old engine come back to life!

[@haroldalexis4200]

Wow did i get something out of this. I now know how to fix a Varney engine. It was a stubborn old engine. Now for its restoration & paint job. As i was watching i was trying to figure out it's original railroad owner paint scheme. My guess is CHICAGO , BURLINGTON & QUINCY or GREEN BAY & WESTERN 🤔 Otherwise Harrison you did an amazing job on this engine very encouraging & inspiring! 👋

[@SMTMainline]

I suspect it might be pure fiction but who knows. In any case it looks like it was an unfinished project.

[@SMTMainline]

I suspect it might be pure fiction but who knows. In any case it looks like it was an unfinished project.

[@SMTMainline]

I suspect it might be pure fiction but who knows. In any case it looks like it was an unfinished project.

[@SMTMainline]

I suspect it might be pure fiction but who knows. In any case it looks like it was an unfinished project.

[@SMTMainline]

I suspect it might be pure fiction but who knows. In any case it looks like it was an unfinished project.

[@williammcgeehan3424]

Those brass gears are good. No breakage like the plastic and/or nylon ones. A can motor and a flywheel would make a world of difference also.

[@SMTMainline]

I like the brass gears too although I find they require more lubrication than metal ones. I've seen them fully strip from not being oiled often enough.

[@jefflynnalex]

What you have is the second generation Varney F3. The first gen had a coil spring belt drive instead of the brass gears. These locos had many ways to modify them. You could purchase a geared front truck and connect it to the rear power truck via a drive shaft. Also Scalite made an aftermarket headlight add on. You could also fit a centrifugal clutch to it for low speed performance but, as you have noted, when running properly, the basic Varney mechanism is smooth and draws low amps. If you want a very nice running set-up, couple two or three units together and wire them all together. That way they have multiple trucks to pick up current and so will not hesitate on frogs. Once broken in and the motors are all pulling together, you will have very smooth set of units.

[@mr.e1944]

I like Varney. I think you could have figured out the thread of the main screw and gone to Lowe’s or Tactor Supply and picked up a correct screw for 20 cents instead of forcing a wood screw into the frame. But, I really liked the Mcgyver to the commutator. I would never have thought of doing that myself. I would have tried to find a parts motor to replace it. So for that I give you a thumbs up and good job!

[@Petemonster62]

A Message to all modelers - The Christmas Season is upon us & stores that sell Christmas decorations will stock the various replacement small, clear bulbs that are used for light strings, bubble lights, etc. There are bulbs rated for 15 volts that would work good for replacement locomotive headlights! When connected in parallel with the motor, the maximum output voltage that you use for " top speed " would be below 15 volts. I think the Canadian Radio Shack stores are still the same, or in the U.S. you may have a local Hobby Town hobby shop with a Radio Shack section inside. If you can measure voltage & current, you can look up Ohm's Law to determine a resistor value to drop excess voltage to the bulb; buy the resistor with the needed resistance value and connect it in series with the bulb. The bulbs can also be replacements for Model Power, Life-Like, Tyco, & A.H.M. streetlights, gas station signs, billboards, highway signs, flood lights; as well as lighting the interiors of buildings. The lower voltage Christmas decoration light bulbs will work if you have a power supply with the proper voltage. The colored replacement bulbs can be used for railroad signals & traffic lights. Radio Shack also offers various small bulbs; they used to have sets of red, green, & yellow lights with wire leads that would work for non-illuminated railroad signals & traffic lights!

[@Shr3dd3r2k8]

This is heartwarming content. To you, it's just some old junk you decided to take pity on. Yet, clearly, that train was used. It was loved. It could tell you stories if only it could speak. Perhaps a bond between parent a child, around a mutual love of the railroad. Perhaps endless days running the rails as some kind of background prop somewhere. Whoever tried to fix it probably wasn't the original owner. Perhaps it belonged to Dad or Grandma and they just wanted to see it run again. An object carries the sum of its years. It gains a sort of resonance. Almost like a spirit. Curious to know if you did anything more with this one. I'd think the next logical step might be to recharge the magnets?

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Nice job! Now time to break out the paint stripper, rattle cans, and the masking tape and make her a little more presentable!

[@65Pontiac389]

I have been waiting for you to do a video on this locomotive

[@tallpaul9475]

I remember back in the 1980's, my father handed over all his Athearn HO scaled stuff from when he was younger. In a weird kind of way, I liked the smell the electric motors make when they were running for the first time after a couple of decades of sitting.

[@tjimmy71]

One of my favorite videos!!

[@joallawestervelt6918]

That's pretty cool. To honest I was not too sure about this one. Great job Harrison. 💕😊💕🇺🇸

[@Zebrails]

Harrison, do a "Lead Test" on the paint. Especially red paint... while it may stick to the metal very well, it might be due to the lead content. Congrats on the revival of this very vintage F-3 Varney! John BC

[@tvideo1189]

Oh man... a SHEET METAL SCREW????? Wow. And you were doing so well too.

[@jcure]

Harrison golden hands comes through again. Was there ever a doubt?

[@larrybrennan1463]

The zamac body with a single powered truck indicates an original Varney F3, introduced about 1950. Later models powered both trucks, and in 1956 the body was plastic. The orange and green was Varney's version of the Great Northern, although the green is wrong. GN green was almost Pullman green, a drab color. Christmas 1955, I received my first HO train set, a Varney "Big Brute" freight set, with a plastic bodied GN F3 A and B units, seven freight cars: stock, Swift reefer, tank, outside braced boxcar, flat car, gondola; and a bay window caboose. It was equipped with Varney's stamped metal couplers.

[@oscartorres96]

Yes Another Repair video of A F unit SMT nice Video keep up the Good Work Harrison.

[@ecidaho]

Very cool and nice fabrication work!! All the best!!

[@Mama-AngelaSun]

You are really good at fixing trains :)

[@cameronpiper6125]

Great video I always want to restore locomotives from varney revell life like tyco Bachmann ahm ihc and Cox and athearn blue box and pemco but the hard part is oil grease and lubing locomotives and soldering wiring along with finding parts

[@Joe-sn6ir]

excellent idea, great effort, fair execution. spend the time to do things right the first time. soldering is becoming a lost art, but find someone to help you learn correctly.

[@chrissharp5073]

These old locos may be "agricultural" compared to today's models but given some TLC they will probably outlive today's offerings! I've done the same but have updated the model with windows, respray etc. From a scrap yard loco to a runner. Nice one.

[@martinross5521]

Rescued from the scrap yard! Excellent work, Harrison, and hopefully we’ll see this one after some paint restoration. How is Nerf Cat? Haven’t seen him on the layout for a long time… 😻🐈‍⬛

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. Nerf Cat is well, enjoys bossing me around for food and attention lol.

[@martinross5521]

@@SMTMainline good one, he’s full of purrsonality. Hope he did well for scraps over Thanksgiving 🦃🤪

[@williammcgeehan3424]

It's painted like a lot of 1950's through 1960's diecast. No primer and shiny paint.

[@eddielane9569]

One thing to remember is the kind of screws you are using should be for the material you're using them in. The screw you used to put the body on was a wood screw not a machine screw.

[@robertnielsen2461]

Edie Lane remember this was found in junk box,he used what it came with and resurrected junk into a smooth runner

[@RayBoebel]

Well done Harrison!!!

[@antonbruce1241]

Wonderful job, BUT I have to make two comments: (1) Get smaller diameter heat shrink tubing for an application like this. Get as small as you possibly can. (2) NEVER shrink heat shrink tubing with a lighter, as you might catch something else (like your fingers, maybe) on fire. Use the heat from your soldering iron or gun instead.

[@nohandle227]

Nice job!!! The only thing i would have done different was for insulating the brush spring. If the heat shrink was still too loose, I would have stripped a piece of some thick gauge wire and slid it on.

[@SMTMainline]

It can always be changed later if it doesn't work.

[@SMTMainline]

It can always be changed later if it doesn't work.

[@majordisappointment8692]

Nice job i have a couple 50 ton yugo switchers i am trying to get working i like the challenge of resurrecting locos. Thanks for your videos.

[@DNRailworks]

Man you are a freaking mastermind!

[@Rickster5176]

A very interesting video. Fun to watch.

[@stillplayswithtrains1442]

Nice. I would love to see you give it a repaint.

[@kevinbreaker2683]

Great job that's awesome

[@starguard4122]

You Sir have Fantastic Skills

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so kindly!

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

great video

[@jimlincoln1283]

It would be cool to see the fixed train run without its cover on the first run.

[@dennishagans6339]

While the front truch was off, a Dremel with a wire brush would do the trick nicely, its like having the wheels under power and using something to clean them.

[@johnclapperton5556]

great job. I would leave the patina as it is as to me it looks and is a reminder of a childs dream.

[@SMTMainline]

I never ended up repainting it.

[@micoasters]

I worked on one of these for a month ( the one I have is from 1948 according to a catalog) and it still won’t run but the paint is in nice shape so I put it by my tv so every time I play video games I can remind myself of the time I bought a loco for $1 usd. The other varney locos I have is a Florida east coast, and a f unit painted in the cedar point and Lake Erie railroad livery. What did you make the brush plate out of? The ones on my older engines dicentegrated

[@MoosesWorkshop]

Nice restoration there!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Good job 🚂❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@carlosalbertochaveznavatre8247]

Great videos you have, if I have a question about a strange situation with a TYCO engine, can you provide with advice?

[@alexanderbailey3128]

Should repaint it in the future of an old defunct railroad maybe the only Canadian National paint scheme!!🤩

[@fernsnyder7072]

Another great video congratulations on reviving that old loco. That motor is a Pittman DC60 which powered a lot of old locos from that era it seems. Do you have a Varney Docksider?

[@callmebigpapa]

I have a couple of these and some have the band drive and some have the gears, anyone know the years of production for those variations?

[@engineerpat5290]

OUTSTANDING JOB!

[@carmium]

I'd like to see two power trucks on the single frame. Betcha it would pull like an ox! Well, sort of, anyway.

[@DeletedExpiration]

Wow, that really is in bad condition, hope to see what you can do with it!

[@christophermondone6706]

i love old varneys great job

[@SocialistDistancing]

Nice work!

[@rennethjarrett4580]

That motor is similar to the motor in the Marx HO trains. The cast metal top and frame make it a pretty hearty train engine...

[@kevinb9327]

At 0:45 I say "IF anybody can, you can!"

[@modelrailroadenthusiast1825]

You shuold use like a rust remover for the wheels so the overall model looks new

[@wowdad3055]

Nice job again.

[@EvilTurkeySlices]

I have an old Mantua B&O Pacific that needs some work. it used to be my Granfather's. I want to get it running again. I need to actually get some rails first as I have none.

[@casperbacon1423]

Just a question. Over in the uk, the older loco's motor magnets tend to lose strength which affects performance and can burn out the engine. Doesn't that happen with American models? And if it does can you get replacement magnets or re-magnetize them? Can't say I've seen you do one?

[@mercuryoak2]

To answer yes American models like varney , mantua Tyco, ahm rivarossi do loose magnetism. You can get neodymium magnets that some fit the Mantua motor just i think habe to modify the magnets not to sure but ive seen in forums that they work

[@atomicskull6405]

A 3D printer would be awesome for stuff like this. I find it invaluable for making small one off parts for R/C stuff.

[@charliejohn02]

I kinda like the paint on it