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Either running or on the wall I have 18 F3 A B units, which I assumed were all Lionel. Tonight I realized that one set, an A + B + five 15" cars in SP Daylight colors (which I've had for about 40 years) was different.  "A" has less vents between port holes. The Northern Pacific unit is Lionel.

 

These were ordered as shells only and fit on Lionel and Williams mechanisms

 

And the "B" unit has three (3) port holes on each side. No markings inside or out.

 

 

 

Both units have diaphragms. The set was a custom re-paint by The Scale Rail in San Jose CA done in the 70's.

 

Any one know the source of these units?

 

Thanks

Original Post

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Originally Posted by zhyachts:
Originally Posted by Mike Slater:

I think some one added the third porthole in the MPC shell

Mike

 

The middle port hole does not look added to me.

 

 

No MPC, or Postwar Lionel F3 B-Unit, ever had a third porthole.  Given the proper tools and talent, it could be done and look very professional.  Whoever added the one on this shell did a very good job, but it sits slightly lower the the other two.

 

Notice there's decal film only slightly visible on the lettering when the light hits it the right way.

 

This is a very good custom job.

 

Rusty

Originally Posted by zhyachts:
Originally Posted by Mike Slater:

I think some one added the third porthole in the MPC shell

Mike

 

The middle port hole does not look added to me.

 

 

No MPC, or Postwar Lionel F3 B-Unit, ever had a third porthole.  Given the proper tools and talent, it could be done and look very professional.  Whoever added the one on this shell did a very good job, but it sits slightly lower the the other two.

 

Notice there's decal film only slightly visible on the lettering when the light hits it the right way.

 

This is a very good custom job.

 

Rusty

Originally Posted by zhyachts:
Originally Posted by Mike Slater:

I think some one added the third porthole in the MPC shell

Mike

 

The middle port hole does not look added to me.

 

 

No MPC, or Postwar Lionel F3 B-Unit, ever had a third porthole.  Given the proper tools and talent, it could be done and look very professional.  Whoever added the one on this shell did a very good job, but it sits slightly lower the the other two.

 

Notice there's decal film only slightly visible on the lettering when the light hits it the right way.

 

This is a very good custom job.

 

Rusty

I could easily design a fixture that a b-unit shell would get mounted in.  A good machinest could that mount that fixture into a propperly alinged drill press and add the proper c-bore and thru hole for the porthole window, and make it look like the shell was molded that way.

 

But what do I know I'm only a tool & die designer by trade

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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