China

Found this on E-bay.

Your sticker must have fell off.

LINK to E-bay seller:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/115113937589?hash=item1acd534ab5:g:uQQAAOSw0z5hoSqt

Bernd

Same builder, different decoders

At the time, Broadway had an agreement with QSI to only use their decoders in Broadway-marked engines.  Precision Craft was their way of getting around that.  If memory serves, the first Precision Craft locos used early ESU LokSound decoders.  Then Broadway started making their own proprietary decoders, starting with the Blue Line.  Those evolved into Paragon 2, which came out after the agreement with QSI expired.  Paragon 3 is yet another design.

Scott Chatfield 

Some additional info.

ScottC: Is correct to some degree. My understanding of that situation is that BLI wanted to use QSI decoders and that Precision Craft was what they called them. The early ESU LokSound decoders were also used. So, for Brian's use: You need to take the bodies off to see what decoder is in them. Either brand/QSI or ESU are reusable and both are quality. QSI business is barely hanging on, but is still quality (IMHO). ESU is German? QSI is American. If you want to use the power from those locos, you might look into what to do with the decoders. As I said, either QSI or ESU are good decoders. And using logic, I would think that these locos were built wherever BLI wanted to/probably China. But those decoders are either German or American. Finally, if anyone knows for sure where QSI decoders are actually made, jump right in here. I thought they were/and are American. (I have a BLI steam loco with the QSI decoder and it's fine. Great sound.)

Use, or use Not...

If they are otherwise UN-used, and therefore not helping anyone, 
(no matter how Nice or Pretty they are)

and you Need some mechs for full-width/height "TEBUs",
("Tractive Effort Booster Units", to mis-use the SP term for Slugs),

then I say Go-for-It, rip the shells off, and use them as "Pushers"...
(Rather make use of what's already in-stock and actually Get a Solution,
then pay more $$$ for more donors and encourage further procrastination...)

Happy Modelling,
Prof Klyzlr

Over Qualfied for pusher duty

My pusher doesn't need any sound at all, just a decent motor and a simple consist-enabled decoder. I can find that in a relatively cheap older loco.

Why waste these nicely detailed F units with good decoders, dual speakers, etc for that job.

And these locos are probable worth more,...here you can see a decorated set being sold by a high end brass dealer,..
https://www.brasstrains.com/classic/Product/Detail/062035/HO-Scale-Precision-Craft-Models-311-WP-EMD-F3-Ph2a-A-B-B-Set-California-Zephyr-Western-Pacific

Perhaps I should see if my BLI blueline F7 Santa Fe shells will fit these chassis,?...after all I need to upgrade these blueline locos??   (I'll have to look into that possibility tomorrow)

I sort of agree with Brian over Klytzer.

I sort of agree with Brian over Klyzler. The speaker will be taking up space better used for weight, and I'll bet the sound decoder is larger than a cheap but acceptable MU-capable non-sound decoder. You do want something that's a known good puller to start with, obviously, but a DCC-ready loco in some road name that nobody wants to buy and is therefore on deep discount might be the ticket. I wouldn't start with some kind of a wrecked engine that needed a motor transplant and a gear refurb, that's just buying trouble, buy something new for cheap that a dealer is looking to unload.

You might even consider picking up an old blue box Athearn.

You can get them used "dirt cheap."  You can swap out the Athearn motor for a can motor very easy and throw in a cheap non sound decoder.  If you can motor has +/- wires just wire the decoder directly to the motor and the motor is isolated from the rails.  

origin

Bernd,...turns out you are correct,...China.  I found one of those stickers on the bottom of one of my locos as I unboxed them this morning.

I had looked over all the paperwork that came with these locos, and warranty sheets, and entirely over the boxes themselves,...and NOT one word of China??

I've seen references to QSI and ESU decoders in these engines. My paper work that came with the engines clearly states ESU/Loksound.

older F units

I'm sort of concentrating on older F units for my pusher, as their wheel base is more in line with 40' express boxcar (non-road specific?).
 

Some of these older F units had lots of good weight, and reasonable motor power (up-gradable also).  Examples might be Atlas and Proto 1000 units?

Want to figure out the most simple non-sound decoder that will easily consist with a variety of other decoders that might already be installed in my steam engines??

GREAT surprise !!

The chassis in these Precision Craft F3's are the very same as the ones in the F7's SF ones I have,...WOW interchangeable !!

So now I will have DCC and sound in all 4 (ABBA) of my Blueline F7 Santa Fe units, where as previously I only had DC power and sound in two of the 4 units.

Then I will mount the undecorated F3 shells onto the Blueline chassis, and likely sell them like that.

Good news!

I for one am glad you found the solution. And just IMHO, that ESU decoder is a great one to reuse in whatever loco you want. It may be old, but again, I think it's worth more as a great decoder than many of the ones now on the open market. Like the QSI, those decoders were way ahead of their time. i.e. Just as good for modeling purposes. Great sound. And in anyone's world, an A-B-B-A set is a beautiful sight to see and I'll bet you will be very happy with it.

Precision Craft F3

Does anybody have the info sheets that come with these locos? I don't have any for my set. Thanks in advance.

Jim K

Precision Craft F3

Does anybody have the info sheets that come with these locos? I don't have any for my set. Thanks in advance.

Jim K

Precision Craft F3

The frame is almost full height weight with a recess for decoder and a cavity for a speaker. It really does not need any additional weight.

Jim K

info sheets

@Jim K,

I'm sure those sheets are in my boxes, so I will make a copy and send them to you. Send me a email at

railandsail     at      gmail.com

I think i just found a better subject thread dealing with this dual decoder question I have,..

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/dual-decoders-in-one-locomotive-12242052

Does any one have some of these unused??