AZL F Unit Drawbar References

Follow the instructions in the video for removing the shell and the truck.
Using a sturdy pair of tweezers with a fine point grip the coupler cover plate and gently pop it off. (1st picture)
There are 3 small tabs on the bottom of the cover plate that hold it in place which can be seen in the 2nd picture
Be careful as the spring tension of the tabs on the coupler halves may cause them to pop out as the cover plate pulls free

Holding the drawbar with tweezers tabs facing down slip the right and rear tabs back in place on the coupler pocket
Note the tab on the end faces the truck






David

The AZL Model: 10F262-035 drawbar installs in the same way but has one advantage. The open ends allow you to snap it in and out of the coupler box with out having to remove the cover plate.

After you modify both o-o couplers, there now will be 2 trucks that need to be simultaneously moved in harmony, back into 2 locomotives (uh, not shown). It is mind boggling that that those 3 micro tabs can fight the torque and leverage as both locos are maneuvered. Especially an ABB or worse ABBA!

I had a dealer ask me at a show, as he had that problem. I looked the coupler assemblies and 3 tabs were properly placed (not upside down) but pop off just a little twist or lift. The cover looked ok under a loop and did feel to press fit with expected pressure to feel proper seating.

I would only use the 10F262-035 (hike) in my opinion is the only way to go. If you start to have coupler cap loss, just seal the top in three spots using a tooth pick with Faller glue (same as generic Model Master type but a small percent acetone) so it acts faster.

You need to take the cover plate off in order to remove the orignal coupler, Then put it back on again afterwards. If you are getting a new F3 AB set there should be a 10F262-035 drawbar for close coupling the A & B units included with the set. Look under the plastic nest for it.

As a question would this drawbar work on pairs of F59PHI's?? or are you going to say the front coupler does not work on the f59?
 the reason i ask is because i want to drawbar pairs of F59's back to back and stick pantographs on the cab roof for an 8 axel electric loco for 3900 volts overhead dc wire like Milw Road dc 3kv system but modernized.
    the reason for dc and not ac overhead are many but the base 2 are half the safety zone for Dc and you can in fact warm up DC lines in cold weather. and i want to buy a number of them in the same paint.
 also with pairs of SW1500's for 3900 volts dc overhead  as 8 axle  switcher and industrial power units

thanks for the input.so that begs the question where do i get a normal front coupler truck from for the front of a F59 or its not a thing and i need to consider a different loco perhaps.
  After some time thinking about it and looking at various places i am going to save that headache for gp 30's instead  , again thanks for the input.