USA F3 Front coupler

Garden Railroading
1

Hey guys I will be getting another F3 A unit soon and wanted to know if anyone has been able to replace the front molded coupler so that it can mate with a kadee 830. I replaced all my couplers to 830s on my Amtrak(12 LGB Amfleet, 1 LGB Baggage, 1 Astro baggage) now it will run ABA. Hopefully I can get another B unit in the future. When we have a run day I will post pictures, it should look awesome!

Thanks,

Mark

2

I replaced the front coupler with a kadee 789. I think it went in pretty easily with minor modifications.

3

Does that molded coupler come off pretty easy?

4

The molded coupler is on the same pedestal as the rear coupler.

What you need is the swinging piece like on the rear coupler.

I bought extra sets from Mike at USAT to do this, that was the easiest.

Regards, Greg

5

Thanks guys. I will let you know how it goes.

6

Forgot to mention, I have a USAT parts listing at the end of this page:

http://www.elmassian.com/trains-mainmenu-27/motive-power-mods-aamp-tips-mainmenu-35/usat-motive-power-mainmenu-36

You will see the mounting block, and also the spring (the metal “whisker”) to center the coupler

Regards, Greg

7

Howdy Mark; I used Kadee 831 couplers on both ends of my USAT F3A unit. I just exchanged the USAT couplers with the 831 couplers with no problems. I have 8’ dia. minimum curves, 10’ on mainlines, which may account for the difference in my posting and previous postings?

Have fun Rob

8

Thanks Rob. I see you used the coupler with the raise in it and MrH044 used the one that was straight. Did yours fit the height gauge?

Mark

9

Thanks Mark; Yes, I always check all my rolling stock with a Kadee coupler height gauge. Nothing more frustrating than equipment malfunctions.

Have fun, Rob

10

Thanks for all the help guys! I used a 788 on the front of the A-units and 830(modified to fit) on the B and back end of the A’s. I will be running my whole train with everything changed to Kadee’s, this Sunday June 6th during the Southwest Train show. I’ll try to take some pictures to post here as well. Between the help here and at the layout this project went really smooth. Thanks again guys!