Please help me to identify a manufacturer

Just a guess....Sunset 3rd Rail

Simon

That is a Stu Kleinschmidt drive. It could be mounted in anything. It was a custom install, and could be in any manufacturers locomotive. More pictures would be helpful especially the underside. 

Peter

Waht is the body made of?    Is it diecast or detailed plastic.    P&D made very nice bodies in plastic with great details all added separately.    Diecast could be All Nation or one of it's predecssors, General Models or Adams castings.   

If the body is fabricated brass it could have been salvaged from dead import unit.

Also what do the trucks look like up close.    P&D does very nice super detail brass assembled somewhat like the prototype.    All Nation and General Models are diecast.   

Looking again, I think All Nation shells is correct. They will have a seam down the center and are screwed together as best I recall. Whoever painted them did a great job.

Simon

The units are both brass, not All Nation or General Models

Just below are additional photos as requested.

No way to tell.  There is a simple way to get more detail showing.  Not sure I can do it to your copies, since this is a low resolution forum.  I'll try.

The truck gear box looks like US hobby . The bodies might be Overland ?

the diecast gear box coudl be USHobbies, the open gears are probably not.   I have never seen a USH with open gears, all I have seen have enclosd gearboxes.     However, all the variety shown indicates that this is a kitbash of somesort.    Body from one place mech from another, 2 different mechs etc.    USH or Max Grey never did an F unit that I know, but the gearboxes could be respectively USH (closed) and MG open.

If the shells are brass, they are either Key Imports, Overland, or custom. Key and OMI are the only 2 importers to do BRASS F units (to my knowledge). Overland had a separate trim ring at the end of the headlight, the Key nose is all one piece. The Keys I have seen had small (streamlined) number boards, so once again guessing: OMI.

Pretty sure the A and B were BOTH powered as imported.

P&D Hobby shop has nice brass Blombergs and you could power both units as they were originally.

Simon

Peter got the drive right.  It is an aftermarket drive done by Stu Kleinschmidt.  One of the very best in his time.

Jay

John,

To address your concerns about the belt.  They, typically, last a long time.

When I worked on a few of these models (no, not yours) I did a cursory inspection and all looked fine so I didn't bother pursuing them any further.  I'm willing to bet they are standard belts, such as MXL or XL, readily available from sources like SDP (Stock Drive) or McMaster-Carr.  Size of the tooth is critical.  We can determine the version if you can provide the exact diameter of one of the pulleys and the number of teeth.  Once we determine the correct tooth you will need to count the number of teeth on your belt.  With all that info we can order replacement belts.

Jay

Here is the adjusted photo.  All I did was run the brightness and color all the way up.  The big computer has an "enhance" button that really sharpens up edges.  Easy stuff!

Looking at John's photos I would say, the non-powered unit has the older Overland geared axle sets (non-helical).  That clue, along with the frame, shouts OMI (Overland).

The powered unit uses USH/KTM gearboxes.  I will assume the axles and wheels are of like origin.  Stu liked to use these and I've observed them in many of his mechanisms.

Jay

Another note on digital photos: put a lot of light on your subject or enhance the brightness with software before you post your images.

Simon

John;

Those are Overland models with KES drives(Kleinsmidth). I believe these came from the Joe Fiore collection. I have an AB set. Joe ran them as an ABBA lash up. If you ever want to sell yours please let me know since I was a fiend of Joe's.

Thanks,

Dan Mason

Interesting thread, you guys never cease to amaze.

John;

Those are Overland models with KES drives(Kleinsmidth). I believe these came from the Joe Fiore collection. I have an AB set. Joe ran them as an ABBA lash up. If you ever want to sell yours please let me know since I was a fiend of Joe's.

Thanks,

Dan Mason

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Hi Dan Mason

I started collecting the Atlas CZ cars and my club friends started razzing me about not having the right locomotive for the train. So when these F3's came on the market I figured I would purchase them and repaint them. BUT as it turns out the existing paint job is so nice I am having second thoughts. Also in its travels the B unit has suffered some damage. In addition to some motor issues which I have solved, someone installed weights that were so heavy that the sides would flex every time the unit was picked up, eventually causing every structural solder joint to fail. The outcome of the repairs will dictate the longevity of the old paint job. Rather than use a torch, I have ordered a 200 watt solder iron which should arrive shortly. We shall see what we shall see. In any event I have a CB&Q O-5 Northern which should be OK pulling this train.

And so, I think I will keep these engines for now, especially after all the TLC I have put into them. I am planning DC/DCC for them too.

John

Hello again

I had some luck with resoldering the structural members of the B unit. The 200 Watt Iron is hot enough to make the solder flow like water. No chance of cold solder joints here. I need to locate some suitable paints to retouch the unit and then if able I will proceed with rewiring etc.

John