? about MU hoses

Discussion in 'Diesel General' started by RogerRT, Nov 2, 2016.

  1. RogerRT

    RogerRT Staff Member Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I've always wondered why Frisco engines had a lack of MU hoses, not only the MU cables but also main reservoir, actuating & independent hoses, there never seemed to be a full set on both sides. What did you guys do if you had to pick up an engine online? If you were putting together a consist in the yard and one side of the hoses didn't match the other, did you get the wrenches out & move the hoses?

    Roger
     
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  2. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Interesting question, Roger...and one I'm hoping someone will answer. I have to admit that I've always just concerned myself with learning the steam, signal and air brake lines should go on steam locomotive, but your question compelled me to break out the "Training Handling Rules & Instructions for Controlled Train Dynamics" (eff. 1974, revised 7-1-1980) that I've never really explored. It doesn't provide me with enough info to answer the question, unfortunately. :) But, I do need to try to scan and upload it sometime.

    Best Regards,
     
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  3. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    I have asked this same question. I understand our Frisco ran a pretty tight ship but man those MU hoses seem pretty cheap compared to having to re-arrange them to make a consist all the time. Plus in cold weather you want both sides connected, just in case one freezes up. If the hoses were only put in hand tight thats one thing, but it seems they are always put in with an 8ft cheater pipe. Some MU cables, and hoses, I bet could be found in or on racks at the rear of the units.
     
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  4. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Pages 98-99 attached for the uninitiated, like me. Someday I'll try to get around to scanning the whole thing.

    Best Regards,
    Diesel_Diagram.jpg
     
  5. If one side didn't match you'd have to swap them out. Never fails most of the time they are on as stated above ;). Also you usually are missing the air brake wrench.

    My current carrier demands both sides to be hooked up for any road operations.. I prefer it that way as it keep junk out of the hoses .
     
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  6. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Well -- This helps me a little bit.
    I'm trying to make a list of parts for my F3 project.
    Trying to determine how many sets of mu connections I need and what clusters?

    Any help out there for me?
     
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  7. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Sherrel -
    A quick look-see at some Frisco F3's and other SLSF F's shows that a F-unit that is all "hosed up" for m/u operation carried four m/u hoses per side.
    I would recommend Details West part MU-295 - four m/u hose clusters, 36" length, good for pre-1980 diesels. There are four per pack, good for one locomotive (two per end, two ends). These are white metal, are quite durable and look very good. There are others that are a little finer, but I never used them as they don't look any better, and they are harder to install one by one. Walthers number is 235-295.
    If you want a little variety, Details West 235-294 , three hoses per cluster. (Hey - maybe one fell off or was removed to use elsewhere!)
    Don't forget the brake line air hose, one for each end, on the left side looking forward. I've always used Cal-Scale 276. Walthers number is 190-276. These are plastic and have good detail on the valve and the connection head.
    Also don't forget the speed recorder, left front truck, first axle. Walthers 235-284. Also white metal, including the cable (much easier to install).
    K
    ps - Then, there are spark arrestors, nail antennas, flashing beacons, windshield wipers, grab irons, headlight lenses, bells, horns (Leslies of course!), cut levers, fuel tank details, etc. It never ends!
     
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  8. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I've noticed many diesel switchers have the brake air line mounted on the right side, looking forward, as opposed to most road units and all rolling stock, which mount the hose on the left side looking forward. Anybody know why?
    One of those interesting mysteries!
    K
     
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  9. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Ken -- Thank you for this info. Yes, it seems to never end. Last night I was looking at all of Tom Holly's photos for any of F-3's. He has done such a magnificent job that I am becoming discouraged - but I willtry anyway. It's just at this time if year I never seem to have any time. I suppose that too much TV is one of the reasons.
    I need to know which spark arrestor that the Frisco used - and flashing beacon? I know that you have a part numbers for me - lol?
    Does the same "cut bar" go on the rear of the A unit - and how about the B Unit?
     
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  10. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Sherrel - Didn't I recently send you the details of the Frisco F-unit spark arrestor parts? I'll include it again. I'll also send you the details of all the other stuff when I have a moment. Lots of parts are available in HO!
    K
     
  11. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Sherrel -
    Here are my suggestions for the additional detail parts to consider using on your upcoming F3A model that I mentioned in my posting of December 4 above. There are alternatives in many cases to these I suggest. If others like another version better, I ask them to comment on the alternative. By the way, what F3A model will you be using for this - Genesis, Proto 1000, Stewart, Cary, what?

    Here we go: (Numbers are coded for Walthers)
    Spark arrestors - Details West 235-123, white metal. Nice. Overland has some brass ones that are really nice, but expensive and hard to find.
    Radio antenna - Details West 235-322, white metal. I always used a small nail, don't remember the nail code size, but available at any hardware store.
    Roof beacon - Sort of OK, Details West 235-126, Western Cullen. SLSF used several types, depends on the time.
    Windshield wipers - Utah Pacific 755-97 or A-Line 116-29201 (short) or 116-29200 (long) depending on which you like and the fit.
    Grab Irons - A vast set of choices. Look at Tichy for the biggest selection so you get the correct sizes. Details Associates also has several sizes.
    Headlight lens - If you do not electrify, use a MV Lens 516-11. Cool looking.
    Bell - Details West 235-127 (white metal), or Details Associates 229-1202 (plastic). Hangs on the frame under the body.
    Horns - Use the Cal-Scale 190-316 if you want the five-chime, all forward Leslie most commonly used on F's and E's by the SLSF. For as-delivered, use the
    EMD stock horn. For late in the F-unit game, anything goes. They would swap horns around as they rebuilt them.
    Fuel tank detail - Ignore. Most F-unit models have enough detail.
    Cut levers - For the front of a F3A, use Details West 235-316. For the rear, use Details Associates 229-2205
    Cab sun shades - Use Details Associates 229-1302

    Let me know if you have questions. For exact locations, and in some cases, type, need to refer to a pic of the unit you are modeling.
    K
     
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  12. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Thanks, Ken, for this detailed list. I think that I have almost everything either ordered or nearly ordered except the cut levers which I will add to the list.
    I'm going to attempt a Stewart with the "chicken wire". I do not think that I will be making an exact copy of a certain number - I just like the "chicken wire" model and a lot of the other details that Frisco used to hang on! I am not a "purist" modeler - so sue me! lol
     
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  13. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Sherrel - Remember, the Frisco "fleet" of chicken wire F3A's only included two units - SLSF 5000 and SLSF 5001. All the remaining F3A's were the next model phase - no chicken wire.
    K
     
  14. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Ken... In my "foobie world" they might have had many more!
     
  15. William Jackson

    William Jackson Bill Jackson

    Ken, you do a great job helping out with tips just saying. We have several others that do just the same, too many to list but you guys make the site the "BEST"
     
  16. Ozarktraveler

    Ozarktraveler Member

    Yes!
     
  17. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Thanks. However, Karl is the best!
    This is good therapy for me. Now that I'm pretty much out of the MR hobby, I greatly enjoy passing along some of my experience on areas where I was heavily involved, such as detailing locomotives, decals, railroad trucks, various SLSF diesel types, etc etc. I also love to spin yarns about the absolutely great times I had at Rolla and with son Kurt watching, chasing, riding and learning about this great railroad we all are hooked on.
    If this ever gets excessively boring, somebody tell me to stop!
    K
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2017
  18. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Sherrel - Brass detail parts packets are on the way.
    K
     
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  19. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    I'd much rather that you, Karl and anyone else keep the data coming. I'll sort out what I do/don't need. I have yet to find something that I don't need or don't want to know.

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2017
  20. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter


    I am flattered and humbled, but this place is truly a collaborative effort. The sum is greater than its parts.
     

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