Lionel Alco PA-1 diesel locomotive User manual

Alco PA-1
diesel locomotive
Owner’s Manual
71-8952-250
09/97
®
featuring

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You own one of the most sophisticat-
ed model trains ever built—the
Lionel TrainMaster Command-equipped
Alco PA-1 diesel locomotive. rom the
crisp detail and expert decoration on the
outside to the advanced technology and
brute power under the hood, the Lionel
Alco PA-1 is ready for duty on your
model railroad. Experience the superi-
ority of today’s Lionel.
• Two powerful Lionel Pullmor®Direct™motors
• Lionel Command™reverse unit for use with
the Lionel TrainMaster®Command™model
railroad control system
•SignalSounds Digital horn and bell
• Tire-Traction®
• Die-cast magnetic coupler
• Directional headlights, and illuminated marker
lights
Tableofcontents
Transformeroperations
Runningyour LionelAlcoPA-1 withaLionel transformer 3
Lockingyour AlcoPA-1into asingleoperational state 4
Usingyour AlcoPA-1’smagnetic coupler 4
InstallingtheLionelno.610-5906-001soundactivationbutton 5
TrainMaster
®
Command
TM
operations
YourAlco PA-1inthe TrainMasterCommand environment 6
RunningyourAlcoPA-1intheTrainMasterCommandenvironment 7
CAB-1commands foryourAlco PA-1 7
CAB-1numeric keypadcommandsfor yourAlco PA-1 8
Tuningyour AlcoPA-1’sperformance 8
Assigningyour AlcoPA-1a newID# 9
Maintainingandservicing yourAlco PA-1
Replacingyour AlcoPA-1’slamps 10
Lubricatingyour AlcoPA-1 11
LimitedWarranty/Lionel Service 12
Congratulations!

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Transformer operations
RunningyourLionelAlcoPA-1withaLioneltransformer
PlaceyourAlcoPA-1onLionelorLionel-compatible
Ogaugetrack.
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PowerupyourAlcoPA-1withyourtransformer.
• Your Alco PA-1 is designed to operate on 7-18 volts alternating current.
Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current transform-
ers are suitable; we recommend the TrainMaster Command model rail-
road control system.
• DO NOT POWER YO R ALCO PA-1 WITH DIRECT C RRENT (DC). Damage to
sensitive electronic components may occur.
• When you first power up your track, the Alco PA-1 will wait between 3 and
8 seconds as it “listens” for digital language from the TrainMaster Command
Base (available separately). When it’s determined that it’s on a conventional
(nonCommand) railroad, the Alco PA-1’s headlight will illuminate. At this
point, the Alco PA-1 is in neutral. (This occurs when placing the Alco PA-1 on
your railroad for the first time. Thereafter, it starts in forward after every three-
second power interrupt.)
Note!
Move‘emout!
• Get your Alco PA-1 moving. Press the DIR button on your CAB-1 remote
or Lionel transformer. This sequences the Liontech Command reverse
unit (DCDR) to the next operating state.
• Adjust track voltage until your Alco PA-1 moves at your desired speed.
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To select a single operational state for
your Lionel Alco PA-1 (example:
forward only), you can deactivate the
DCDR’s sequencing function with the
reverse unit control switch, located on
the underside of the locomotive.
Get your locomotive moving in the
desired direction, then slow it down
without stopping. Set the reverse unit
control switch to PROGRAM/LOCK.
The Alco PA-1 is now “locked” into
your chosen direction.
When you no longer want single-
direction operation, just slide the
reverse unit control switch back to
ORWARD/ RUN.
PROGRAM/LOCK Use this setting to
choose a single
operational state
like “forward.”
Reverse unit control switch
RONT O ENGINE
Transformer operations
ORWARD/RUN Use this setting for
normal operations.
OFF ON
FOR
PGM
ON
OFF
Using your AlcoPA-1’s magnetic coupler
Your Lionel Alco PA-1 is equipped
with a front operating magnetic
knuckle coupler, a
revolutionary
design first intro-
duced by Lionel in
1945.
Lionel magnetic
couplers react to
the magnetic field
generated by a
Lionel remote-con-
trol track section
(available sepa-
rately).
Place your lo-
comotive’s (or in
the case of your
PA-1’s rear non-operating coupler, the
rollingstock’s) coupler trigger disc over
the central coil of a remote-control track
section and press UNCOUPLE on the con-
troller. The magnetic field pulls the disc
downward, and the
knuckle opens.
One operating
technique favored
by Lionel railroad-
ers is the “moving
uncouple.” Press
the UNCOUPLE but-
ton as the Alco PA-1
passes over a
remote-control sec-
tion. The magnetic
field will open the
coupler; the consist
remains behind as
the locomotive
moves on. But be careful—the speed of
a newly uncoupled and moving loco-
motive can increase dramatically.
Position a trigger disc over the remote-
control section, then press “uncouple.”
The coupler opens.
Remote-control track section
Magnetic coupler on the rolling
stock, or front of your PA-1
Locking your Alco PA-1 into a single operational state

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Transformer operations
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button
To operate the bell and horn sounds
when operating your Alco PA-1 with
conventional transformers, you’ll need to
install the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound
activation button (available separately).
Connect the button(s) as shown below.
LIONEL
SOUND
ACTIVATION
BUTTON
12
12
LIONEL
SOUND
ACTIVATION
BUTTON
LIONEL
SOUND
ACTIVATION
BUTTON
For C transformers lacking a horn/whistle button (two no. 5906s required)
Lionel no. 610-5906-001
sound activation button
for activating the bell
Lionel no.
610-5906-001
sound activa-
tion button
(for horn)
Lionel no.
610-5906-001
sound activa-
tion button
(for bell)
Black wire
Red wire
Red wire ATTACH TO GROUND TERMINAL
ATTACH TO POWER TERMINAL
TO YOUR TRANS ORMER
The no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button (available separately) works with
any Lionel AC transformer except no. 6-4690 Type MW. Transformers made by
other manufacturers may not be compatible with Signalsounds.
Note!
ATTACH TO GROUND TERMINAL
ATTACH TO POWER TERMINAL
Red wire
TO YOUR TRANS ORMER
CUSTOMER’S WIRE
BLACK WIRE
Note!
All track power must
feed through “Sound
Activation Button”
Do not bypass button
For C transformers with a horn/whistle button

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TrainMaster Command operations
Your Alco PA-1 in the TrainMaster Command environment
Lionel TrainMaster Command is the
fun and sophisticated model railroad
control system from Lionel. Your Alco PA-
1 features the Lionel DCDR reverse unit,
which acts as both a conventional reverse
unit as well as the key to unlocking many
extra features when you operate in
Command mode.
TrainMaster Command gives you the
power to operate multiple Command-
equipped locomotives on the same track,
at the same time. It’s the most fun you
can have with electric trains, and it’s
incredibly easy too! Just follow the
directions below and you’ll be on your
way.
TO OPERATE IN COMMAND, YO NEED A
COMMAND BASE AND A CAB-1 REMOTE.
ind them both at your authorized
Lionel retailer.
Place your Alco PA-1 on Lionel or Lionel-compatible
O gauge track.
• Make sure track power is O before placing it on track.
• Make sure your Lionel Command Base is ON and its communications
wire is connected to the COMMON post on your Lionel transformer
or the U on any of your installed PowerMasters.
• Once positioned on the track, increase track voltage to ULL (on
PowerMaster, slide the CMD/CONV switch to CMD).
Address your Alco PA-1 with CAB-1.
• Press ENG and 1 on the numeric keypad of your CAB-1 remote. This
command is sent by CAB-1 to the Command Base, which then trans-
lates your commands into digital code. That code is sent around your
railroad’s outside rails in the form of a digital “halo.” All Command-
equipped Lionels listen to this digital communication, but they do
not respond until they hear their own ID number.
• The digital language of TrainMaster Command—and not track
power—controls the actions of Command-equipped Lionels. Track
power is simply like gasoline in the tank of your car—it gives you the
power to go places, but it doesn’t tell you where to go or how fast to
get there.
• All Command-equipped Lionels come factory-programmed with an
ID# of “1.” To change your Alco PA-1’s ID#, see page 9.
Move ‘em out!
• Throttle up or press any command button on CAB-1. Your Alco PA-1 will
respond to your every command. Read on. The fun is just beginning!
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TrainMaster Command operations
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Press AUX2 to turn
your Alco PA-1’s
headlight on and off.
Press WSTL/HRN to
activate the Alco PA-1’s
horn.
DIESEL HORN SOUND .
Press DIR—the loco-
motive decelerates to
a complete stop; turn
the throttle up, and the
locomotive moves in
the opposite direction.
THERE IS NO NEUTRAL.
Press BELL once to
activate the bell, again
to discontinue.
D IESEL MECHANICAL BELL SOUND .
Press HALT to shut
down all PowerMaster
electrical output on
your railroad. Stops all
Command-equipped
Lionels in operation.
Turn the THROTTLE to
the right to accelerate,
left to decelerate.
CAB-1 commands for your Alco PA-1
Press and hold BOOST for
extra power. Release
BOOST and return to the
Alco PA-1’s previous
speed.
Press and hold BRAKE to
slow down or stop. Re-
lease BRAKE and return to
the previous speed.
ALCO PA-1 SIGNALSOUNDS
EFFECTS IN BOLD ITALIC
Running your Alco PA-1 in the TrainMaster Command environment
Your Command-equipped Alco
PA-1 comes factory-programmed
with an ID# of “1.” To get your Alco
PA-1 in action, set PowerMasters to
CMD or set all power supplies on full.
Press ENG and “1” on CAB-1. Turn
the throttle or press any command
button. Your Alco PA-1 is ready for
Command operations.
address Locomotive #1
PowerMasters set to CMD or traditional
power supplies ON FULL
Press ENG
Press 1 (the ID#)
Throttle up/press any command button
Example

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TrainMaster Command operations
Tuning your Alco PA-1’s performance
MOMENTUM
TrainMaster Command’s momen-
tum feature simulates the labored
performance of a locomotive pulling a
heavy load. Press L, M, or H (located
under CAB-1’s removable panel) for
light, medium, or heavy momentum.
The Alco PA-1’s DCDR remembers
this setting until you change it. or
quick locomotive response, choose L.
or delayed response, choose H.
BRAKING AND BOOSTING
There’s more to starting and stop-
ping than just turning the CAB-1
throttle. Use the BOOST and BRAKE
command buttons—they give you
incremental control of speed and are
the superior way to handle grades,
gradual stops-and-starts, and more.
SOUND QUALITY
or quick remote-control of volume
below the master setting—for exam-
ple, muting—use the CAB-1 numeric
keypad’s volume control. Press AUX1
and then 4 on the numeric keypad to
lower overall Signalsounds output.
HIGH VOLTAGE SETTING
Press SET, headlight will flash. Get
your locomotive moving to the maxi-
mum speed you want it to run, press
BOOST. Use this to keep your loco-
motive from excess-speed derailing.
Turn off the high voltage setting by
pressing SET, then BOOST, holding
each for one second.
0
Stops and resets the Alco PA-1.
Resets the Alco PA-1’s direction to
ORWARD.
H ORN BLOWS .8
Turns side marker lights off.
9
Turnsside marker lights on.
When you press AUX1 on
CAB-1, you turn the
numeric keypad into 10 com-
mand buttons. The keypad
lets you control extra com-
mand features (until you
press any top-row button like
SW, ACC, RTE, TR, or ENG). The
CAB-1 keypad overlays
included with your Alco PA-1
are designed to help you
learn the auxiliary features
specific to this locomotive.
S IGNAL S
OUNDS IN BOLD ITALIC .
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your Alco PA-1
DIESEL
ENGINE
RESET
VOLUME
STROBE
RPMS
SHUT
DOWN
OFF ON
➠
➠
➠
➠
START-UP
CREW
TALK
TOWER
COM
AUX1

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TrainMaster Command operations
Assigning your Alco PA-1 a new ID#
s your fleet of Command-equipped
Lionels grows, you’ll want to give
your Alco PA-1 a more individualized
number. Choose from any between 1
and 99. To make things easy, use a por-
tion of your Alco PA-1’s cab number.
Turn the Command Base ON and
place the Alco PA-1 on track. Power up,
then set the Alco PA-1’s reverse unit con-
trol switch to PROGRAM/LOCK (see
the illustration). Using CAB-1, press
ENG, the locomotive ID# (example: 20),
then press the SET button located under
CAB-1’s removable panel. Hear the horn
blow (or see the headlight flash if
Signalsounds is off); that’s the DCDR
confirming the new ID#. Set the reverse
unit control switch to ORWARD/RUN.
Your Alco PA-1 is ready for operations
with its all-new ID#.
Assign a new ID# to
your Command-equipped
Alco PA-1
Command Base ON
Place the Alco PA-1 on track
PowerMasters set to CMD or
traditional power supplies ON FULL
Set the Alco PA-1’s reverse unit control
switch to PROGRAM/LOCK
Turn track power on (PowerMasters):
Press BOOST
Program the Alco PA-1 as Locomotive #20:
Press ENG
Press 20 (the ID#)
Press SET
Set the reverse unit control switch
to FORWARD/RUN
Your locomotive remembers its ID# forever;
change it any time with these steps
Example
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Set the lco P -1’s reverse unit program
switch to PROGR M/LOCK. When
you’ve finished programming the ID#,
set the switch to FORW RD/RUN.
Reverse unit control switch
RONT O ENGINE
OFF ON
FOR
PGM
ON
OFF

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Maintaining and servicing your Alco PA-1
Replacing your Alco PA-1’s lamps
Your Alco PA-1 is illuminated by
two 14-volt lamps. During the
course of normal operation, they may
require replacement.
Begin by removing the Alco PA-1’s
shell; start by removing only those
screws at the arrow locations in the
illustration below. The cab can now be
separated from the frame, taking care
not to pull on the connecting wires.
Locate the assembly containing the
expired lamp (.see illustrations
below). It’s located in front of the cab;
gently pull the expired lamp from the
socket. Replace it with Lionel part no.
10-8049-300, available from your
authorized Lionel Service Center or
Lionel Service. See the Lionel Service
section on page 12 for more informa-
tion. Reinstall the shell.
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Note!
Note!
Press Aux2 to make sure head-
lamp was not accidentally
turned off, before replacing bulb
Pivot front truck to remove front body screws
Lionel part no.10-8049-300
Lamp bracket in
nose of locomotive
The Lionel DCDR Command
reverse unit and Signalsounds
sound system are sophisticated
electronic devices and are
extremely sensitive to static elec-
tricity. Please avoid all physical
contact with Signalsounds and
the DCDR.
Tire-Traction™
Your locomotive is equipped
with Tire-Traction. This means
that two of the drive wheels on each
truck are fitted with rubber traction
tires to enhance tractive effort so your
locomotive can pull many cars at
once.
Lionel locomotives with Tire-
Traction grip the track, enabling them
to pull heavy loads at higher speeds.