Union Pacific Hobbytown F3 A-B-A lashup in HO Scale from the 1960's

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Hobbytown of Boston model trains made die cast HO scale locomotives best known for their amazingly smooth operation.
Dale started an F3 A-B-A lash-up painted and detailed for the Union Pacific over 30 years ago. He now plans to finish the model to enter the National NMRA Convention and Show in Salt Lake City in July of 2019.
Hobbytown drives feature the unique feature of a driveline running from unit to unit tying all motors and axles together for very smooth power across all units, even un powered "dummy" units! Moreover rather than using worm gears they use helical gears, cut at an angle such that power can be applied at the needed 90 degree angle to the axles without any binding. The function is so smooth that if the locomotive is rolled down the track with even gentle pressure, the entire drive mechanism
While these kits disappeared from the market decades ago, the good news is they are back!! Some of the drives are available again at this web site:
hobbytownofbos...
(We are not affiliated with or paid by them in any way. We just like the drives!)

Опубликовано:

29 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 88

@chevypower1993 Месяц назад

Super thanks. The UP Hobbytown lashup is awesome❤

@michaeldiehl5690 5 лет назад

Hi Dale. Do those free moving gears make smoother starts and stops, instead of the herky jerky startups? 😀

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Yes!! This can creep along about one tie every 10 seconds!!

@Greatdome99 5 лет назад

You can't back-drive worm gears--they lock up, but you can back-drive spur gears. Slow speed operation is a function of overall gear ratio and motor characteristics--it has nothing to do with worm gearing.

@MygrandpasTrain 2 года назад

I'm impressed! After watching this and the one on the RS-3 I will now be on the hunt for an all metal Hobbytown locomotive with that kind of drive inside. I have a couple Varney locomotives, all die cast. Run super smooth even with their antiquated motors and can pull very well. not as good as the Hobbytown you have.

@ToyManTelevision 2 года назад

Good luck. They are around

@SouthernTennessean 5 лет назад

I wanna see these monsters pull a train lol

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

We are going to join a club and pull a 100 car train!! No layout? No problem?

@struck2soon 5 лет назад

Interesting project! (I too enjoy re-motoring old brass locos and adding dcc sound) That motor is enormous! Hopefully it doesn't draw too much current for the decoder.

@TouchoftheBrushModelWeathering 5 лет назад

That's one impressive model guys! Never seen that type before. I am assuming on my a few were made?- Joey

@john15207 5 лет назад

seeing that train takes me back to childhood and i absolutely love how you love to tinker with them and get them restored i know you'll win at that show from what i just saw your super gifted and it may seem to some a train like this is just a toy but its not its not easy to do a restore of a model train and it takes being mechanicaly inclined those little engines(well sorta) and parts can be just as overwhelming to work on or fix as the real McCoy's

@joebear1194 5 лет назад

"I've never really finished it... and that was 30 years ago"

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Could be worse, could be 40 years!

@nicholmansgarage3501 3 года назад

Do you happen to know where someone might find one of these motors, or a similar one, today? I think I might have to build a monster like this myself!

@ToyManTelevision 3 года назад

Nope.. rod had boxes of them. Wish I had more.

@stephenriley9084 5 лет назад

I like the look of that train! Good to see you both on top form!! Regards Stephen.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

It’s in the NMRA contest right now!! Sunday’s show!

@jockellis 5 лет назад

There has never been a Drive like Hobbytown of Boston. However when working at The Great Train Store outside Atlanta and tested a Proto 2000 E unit and had it running at a rate of 2.5” in 20 minutes and it never stopped during those 20 minutes.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

YUP!! The new stuff is amazing. Well some of it is. Proto 2000 being on the Amazing list I have those brass E units knocking around with the Hobbytown drives. But tempted to use Proto 2000 E units and the brass shells.

@scottfirman 5 лет назад

The A-B units were awesome. Trains have no beauty now. I remember watching this old diesel train come down the tracks in Flushing Michigan and stand by the road and get the engineer to toot the horn. That thing had a deep base sound and smoked black smoke going up the slight grade headed North. I would have loved to watch a steam engine chugging down those tracks back in the 50's. My dad told me the circus train would steam through town on its way to Chesning MI. What a memory. Chesning still has a paddle wheeler that plys the small lake that flows between the flint river farther up steam.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Love early diesel. Not as much GPS as they look like modern diesels. But streamlined diesel or steam. Love ❤️

@keith9482 5 лет назад

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qcC4cla70IQ.html awesome video👍🏻👍🏻😊May I recommend a beautiful Disneyland and train youtuber I stumbled upon and love 😊Eric Ramirez ❤️channel full of love and joy 😊you might enjoy

@leifhighland2281 5 лет назад

Very nice . Have you picked out a dcc decoder ? And are you going to put sound in it ? I think both would put it over the top .

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Yes. And no. Yes sound. Two sound units or something because I have lights in all 3 units. Our friend Don thinks we should use a system he likes for diesel. Loc sound. I love their Mars light system. Not their price. Anyway looking at that.

@slam854 5 лет назад

That is a nice looking loco lashing. I am going to look for your entry at the convention. F3's were my favorite, Rock Island was the badge. I just loved those old beauties.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Still working on it. Diagrams and lights. And DCC.

@pbyfr 5 лет назад

You should check how much Amperes this motor is using at stalling, even if it is a smooth one it may use more than 1, maybe 2 A. Most HO scale DCC decoders are 2 A max if not less. Anyway, for such beauty, a good sound decoder is a must.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

It’s a really low amp pull. That’s why I needed to add the hokey light bulb. I’m looking at a Lok sound. Sounds best so far.

@pbyfr 5 лет назад

@@ToyManTelevision I never tried LokSound or Soundtraxx, I only have 16bits Digitrax (cheaper, small enough and allowing specific sound set), and a bad experience with Zimo. But for a F3, LokSound or Soundtraxx should be the best way.

@gregbeatty5638 5 лет назад

You are going to a video on it when you finish it correct

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Yup!!!

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

And running on a great layout

@hamiltonsullivan6563 Год назад

Hey Toyman I know this is an old video but hobbytown started selling their equipment again! Ever since you showed this video I have wanted to build a monster like yours... do you know who made that can motor for this model? It would just top it off!

@ToyManTelevision Год назад

Nope. I had a friend, Rod Edwards, who had a box of these. They are GREAT. I bought like 4 of them. Wish I bought them all. But he wanted like $20 each. A lot back then. He said he was getting them from a company that made printers. Or something like that. Anyway no name on them. And the best ever in hobbytown ever.

@hamiltonsullivan6563 Год назад

@@ToyManTelevision true... wonder if I can find somthing better?

@jonheller2307 5 лет назад

Didnt they (Hobbytown) use to do clutch drives? Before flywheels.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Don’t know. Have you seen the very old system for momentum? Run the voltage from a generator (DC) with a big flywheel on it to the track. Can be a 12 volt car generator. Drive the generator with a 120 volt speed controlled motor. I guess it worked well. So they say.

@jonheller2307 5 лет назад

@@ToyManTelevision if you look on line even on RU-vid you can find Hobbytown of Boston clutch drives.

@jacobramsey7624 5 лет назад

Do you currently have a HO layout to run that?

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Nope. We have been talking to a local club. We have the LARGE scale layout under construction, Sort of an O scale which we may do something else with and Karyn wants to build an N scale. BUT the Golden Spike club is 20 minutes from here. Hum....

@jacobramsey7624 5 лет назад

@@ToyManTelevision o ok. I thought you would have at least a circle of track to test the locomotives and cars

@bernardc2553 5 лет назад

Hi ya Dale, Talk about pull N the Mtn. down, WOW!! ! 'F's" just Rock ,as with many of us, we grew up with them ( just p/u an A & B bloody nose SP) I Put the SLC show on my list of' HAVE TO's... hope I'll see you & you Sweet "E' their thank you two for sharing..

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Heading over to dig them out.

@randallhawkinson4727 5 лет назад

Somewhere I have my sheet of acceptable diesel locomotives for the Fall of 1942. Can't remember when the F3's came along. I really love'em! The PC bought two FT AB units (Intermountain) for passenger service which have yet to be repainted. I am now a bit intimidated by your obvious skills, Sir. WOW! Beautiful work! The power transfer mechanism of your set reminds me of the geared steamers, Shays, Climax's and Heislers. I definitely want to see these units when you have them done. Really cool episode! Thanks, ...again!

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

I love bench projects. No pain at the end of the day! This layout work is killing me!

@randallhawkinson4727 5 лет назад

@@ToyManTelevision I hear ya! Herniated a lumbar disk back last July that caused severe sciatica and plantar faciitis (sp?). Recently had a cortisone spinal that failed only after five days. Things have slowed downstairs...yet again. Old age sucks.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

I herniated a lumbar disk 30 years ago. What hell. So that still bothers me. I had the injection twice two years ago. It was AMAZING. Well the numbing was... I was good for the rest of the day but thats all. SO I edit and build at the bench and drive in short bursts. And work on the layout as I can.

@wcarlhepker4806 5 лет назад

If you still have a steady hand, get the small model work done that you want to do! I speak from experience. My hands are now so shaky that I can not even write. Fortunately, I can still type. When I go to a restaurant alone, I have to have them fill out the tip and total for me because I cannot make it readable. All those things that I was going to do later are now more like give them to somebody that will and can do to let them enjoy having it. Fortunately, they usually want to show me when it is done and give me a picture of the completed piece. Do not count on a steady hand tomorrow! Enjoy doing it while you can!!

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Yup. It comes and goes. Been getting worse for 20 years. I can take pills that help, but I only take them when I need to work and its really bad. Because they tell me they will not work if I take them often. Sigh.... The small gluing is the worst. Soldering is easy as I can brace everything together then solder. BUt placing a small part with tweezers is right out.

@wcarlhepker4806 5 лет назад

@@ToyManTelevision -- I am really sorry to "hear" that!! I had hoped that you are still doing intricate work with a steady hand. All the things that you have been saying is a work in progress on your brass engines, models, layouts, etcetera, I was thinking you are still in good shape with steady hands. Well, I not only sympathize but it hurts me to think you are victim of the same ills when you have all this intricate stuff going on!! Enjoy what you can with all that you can still do. You two take good care of each other!! You seem to be a good team!!

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Thanks. Usually it’s not to bad. But sometimes, so on those days I edit!!

@matthewdrehobl2835 5 лет назад

Just AMAZING my favorite locomotive

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

My uncle Roy took me down to the train station when I was about 8 (he worked for Penn Central) and had them give me a tour of an F9. Then we rode a RDC to Ogden and back. WOW!! So I have had dreams forever from that night. Love an F unit.

@drgw489productions 5 лет назад

Those F units are just outstanding locomotives, I used to have about 20 A units and maybe 12 B units in 2013 just unpainted until summer break at that time. Super chief designs, rock island and a lot of Union Pacific stuff! But I sold off my greatest model railroad achievement about 2 years ago and I regret it, 2 A units and 2 B units full brass colored in the DRGW royal gorge design in H.O scale. If ya guys see it ever just let me know

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Love to see that.

@nathancorcoran5347 5 лет назад

Some diesel locomotives have a B unit along with a A unit on the front just like the F3 locomotives. They built the B units so that they can get more power for the locomotive and train, which makes them to get to there destinations on time.

@Greatdome99 5 лет назад

When diesels first came out, railroad unions wanted a full crew in each. To circumvent that, cabless B-units were designed. They are identical to the A's, just no control cabs--and were correspondingly cheaper to buy. FT As and Bs had to be paired together (and usually were attached by drawbars, not couplers), since the B unit had the starter battery and steam generator.

@nathancorcoran5347 5 лет назад

Greatdome99, the A units and B units are similar except the A unit is a locomotive which operates the hole train. But the B unit is a cab less locomotive. Which means it doesn't have a cab like the A unit. They do bring more power behind the A unit.

@buddyblair8878 5 лет назад

All wheel drive. You should enter it in a pulling contest!😁👍

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Ralph put me onto these. An odd thing even in their day.

@deandanielson8074 5 лет назад

Wow, what a powerful F-3 !! Very nice work. You're quite a craftsman. I'm glad your entering the contest at the big show coming to Salt Lake City. You two are lots of fun. Thanks for sharing your joy with the rest of us. - Dean from cold Minnesota

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Thanks!! I love F units!

@fazthatcoyote 5 лет назад

If I'll be completely honest, I've been watching since like 2016 or something like that, and used to think your channel was awful, but I love you guys now. You have given so many opertunities that I would have never seen before. So from the bottom of my heart, don't stop anytime soon!!!

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Glad you kept watching! We have a ball doing it

@N-Scale 5 лет назад

The old Hobbytown drives were pretty cool in the day. Mike

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

HI! Right? And they are back. I think. They have a web site that almost works dated 2017 and has some of their old drives on it. Hum....

@lescobrandon3047 5 лет назад

Hobbytown had some great mechanisms. Back then when I was still in HO, I bought their RS-3 and still have it. Your F3 must be a fabulous puller.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Hum...next week’s show! UP RS3. Great minds..

@acox3527 5 лет назад

Awesome Union Pacific set f3 aba what's a little bit of toyman screwing around working on it himself giving it a little bit more power LOL I wonder what the railroad club figured that it had enough power to pull the coupler off LOL

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

I had an Ho layout with a main about 100 feet long. I put all my cars behind these and the locomotive was inches from the caboose. Locomotive had no problem but the train was having problems with the curves. “Stringlining”.

@JerkRice 5 лет назад

You did a beautiful job on that engine. It deserves to be completed with the current technology.

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Looking into decoders.

@bernardc2553 5 лет назад

@@ToyManTelevision when you do find "the perfect 1 let us know Bud I'm sure there's plenty of "us" that will apprecaite your "home work"

@TheModelingNut 5 лет назад

This reminded me of a section in the old Alan Keller Great Model Railroads Vol 5 video, a guy built an ABBA set for the B&O using the Hobby Time Chassis, and I can't remember the specific motors used, but it was so free rolling he could take one locomotive, roll it, and the motor generated enough electricity to move a second engine on a piece of Flex Track with no mains power to it! Great looking engine and I love your shows!

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Yup!! I’ve done that with the headlights on the Rs3 when you roll it along the headlights come on!!!

@ATSFVentaSpurNscaler 5 лет назад

Get 'er done for the upcoming convention so that you can win an award hands-down! Your customized, weighty, HO scale EMD F3s will be the envy of the show. Thanks, Dale & Karyn, for sharing these mighty locomotives. -from Tom Pilling

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

At least get it done. Truman used to call that “tossing your hat over a fence”. Set a goal and a penalty if you miss. Then get Er done!!!

@cbgadget4740 5 лет назад

Really nice build, love the F3 locos. Did a Athearn Pennsylvania RR unit for my father in law back about 40 years ago. Stripped the PRR and did his fictional “Chesapeake and Potomac” RR. He was a born Washington DC bricklayer and I used to tease him about his railroad being a subsidiary of the C&P phone company

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Love making up colors and logos for fictional railroads

@jockellis 5 лет назад

Was it a rubber band drive? I bought one about 1960. I would say it didn’t have scale speed except that in the late ‘70s I was blasting down US 1 toward Folkston, GA doing 100 per when an SCL freight passed me like I was standing still.

@justindampier9017 5 лет назад

Nice F's! Believe it or not, Hobbytown of Boston is in business again!

@ToyManTelevision 5 лет назад

Saw that!! Web site doesn’t work well but I put a link in the description

@justindampier9017 5 лет назад

@@ToyManTelevision the website is funny but the catalog is PDF I believe.

@iannarita9816 5 лет назад

A couple of thoughts on Mars lites. 1. I saw an article in Railroad Model Craftsman(I think) were someone had put together a working Mars lite mechanism. It rotates a tube in a circle fashion. It had a rubber band I think to spin the mechanism. Not a figure 8 like the prototype, however a decent recreation. 2. I forget who produced it , what it was, was an electronic flasher that alternated between two lamps. This might be more effective with smaller LED units. There is nothing like in a dome car at nite watching the locomotives Mars light rotate in front.

@terencemcclammy294 5 лет назад

Your description of this locomotive brought a smile to my face. Almost like the joy one has when talking about a favorite grandchilds exploits

@TheAreotrain 5 лет назад

Those are some awesome F-units! That drive line setup reminds me of some of the old O scale 2 rail engines that I would service for friends. Powerful beasts that that would snap the u-joints with the old cars and hard grades at the local club.