Lionel Alco PA-1 User manual

Alco PA-1
diesel locomotive
Owner’s Manual
71-8961-250
08/99
®
featuring
LIONEL

Congratulations!
2
You own one of the most sophisticated model trains ever built—the Lionel
TrainMaster Command-equipped Alco PA-1
diesel locomotive. From 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
superiority 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®
• Electrocouplers
• Directional headlights,and illuminated
marker lights
Table of contents
Transformer operations
Running your Lionel Alco PA-1 with a Lionel transformer 3
Using your PA-1’s ElectroCouplers in the non-Command environment 3
Locking your Alco PA-1 into a single operational state 4
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button 5
TrainMaster®CommandTM operations
Your Alco PA-1 in the TrainMaster Command environment 6
Running your Alco PA-1 in the TrainMaster Command environment 7
CAB-1 commands for your Alco PA-1 7
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your Alco PA-1 8
Tuning your Alco PA-1’s performance 8
Assigning your Alco PA-1 a new ID# 9
Maintaining and servicing your Alco PA-1
Replacing your Alco PA-1’s lamps 10
Tire-Traction™ 10
Lubricating your Alco PA-1 11
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 12

Using your PA-1’s ElectroCouplers in the
non-Command environment
To use your PA-1 ElectroCouplers in the non-Command environment, you must
first couple a piece of rolling stock equipped
with Lionel magnetic couplers directly to your
PA-1. The magnetic coupler on the rolling
stock will then react to the magnetic field
generated by a Lionel remote-control track
section (available separately). Place your
rolling stock’s coupler “trigger disc” over the
central coil of a remote-control track section
and press uncouple on the controller. The
magnetic field pulls the disc downward, and
the coupler opens.
Magnetic coupler on the rolling
stock coupled to your PB-1 unit
Your Alco PA-1 Electrocouplers will NOT
open manually or by using a remote-
control track section
Note!
Remote-control
track section
Transformer operations
3
Running your Lionel Alco PA-1 with a Lionel transformer
Place your Alco PA-1 on Lionel or Lionel-compatible
O gauge track.
2
2
3
3
Power up your Alco PA-1 with your transformer.
• Your Alco PA-1 is designed to operate on 7-18 volts alternating cur-
rent. Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current transformers
are suitable; we recommend the TrainMaster Command model railroad control sys-
tem.
• Do not power your Alco PA-1 with direct current (DC). Damage to sensi-
tive 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 conven-
tional (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 ‘em out!
• 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.
1
1• Your Alco PA-1 will operate on 031 radius track. We recommend 042
radius minimum.

Transformer operations
4
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 stop-
ping. Set the reverse unit control switch to
OFF. 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 ON.
OFF Use this setting to
choose a single
operational state
like“forward.”
Reverse unit control switch Front of engine
ON Use this setting for
normal operations.
ON OFF
OFF
ON
Locking your Alco PA-1 into a single operational state
Using your Alco PA-1 Electrocouplers in the
TrainMaster Command environment
Your Lionel Alco PA-1 is equipped with front and rear Electro-
couplers and it will respond to the
COUPLER F (front) and COUPLER R
(rear) button on your CAB-1 remote
when operated in the Trainmaster
Command environment. Simply press
either button on your CAB-1 remote, and
that coupler opens.
YourPA-1’s Electrocouplers are not designed to be opened manually.
Note!

5
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button
To operate the bell and horn sounds when operating your Alco PA-1 with conven-
tional transformers, you’ll need to install the
Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation
button (available separately). Connect the
button(s) as shown below.
12
12
For AC 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 activation
button (for horn) Lionel no. 610-5906-001
sound activation button (for
bell)
Black wire
Red wire
Red wire attach to ground terminal
attach to power terminal
to your transformer
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 transformer
Customer’s wire
Black wire
Note! All track power must feed through
“SoundActivation Button”
Do not bypass button
For AC transformers with a horn/whistle button
Transformer operations

TrainMaster Command operations
6
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, you need
a Command Base and a CAB-1
remote. Find 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 OFF 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 FULL (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 translates 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—con-
trols 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!
1
1
2
2
3
3

Press HALT to shut
down all
PowerMaster elec-
trical output on your railroad.
Stops all Command-equipped
Lionels in operation.
7
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.
Diesel mechanical bell sound.
Turn the THROT-
TLE 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-pro-
grammed 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
Front coupler
releases.
Rear coupler
releases.
TrainMaster Command operations

TrainMaster Command operations
8
Tuning your Alco PA-1’s performance
MOMENTUM
TrainMaster Command’s momentum fea-
ture 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 momen-
tum. The Alco PA-1’s DCDR remembers this
setting until you change it. For quick loco-
motive response, choose L. For delayed
response, choose H.
BRAKING AND BOOSTING
There’s more to starting and stopping 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, grad-
ual stops-and-starts, and more.
SOUND QUALITY
For quick remote-control of volume below
the master setting—for example, muting—
use the CAB-1 numeric keypad’s volume con-
trol. 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 maximum speed
you want it to run, press BOOST. Use this to
keep your locomotive from excess-speed
derailing. Turn off the high voltage setting
by pressing SET, then BOOST, holding each
for one second.
0Stops and resets the Alco PA-1. Resets the Alco PA-1’s direction to FORWARD. Horn blows.
8Turns side marker/interior lights off.
9Turns side marker/interior lights on.
When you press AUX1 on CAB-1, you turn the numeric keypad
into 10 command buttons. The key-
pad lets you control extra command
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 spe-
cific to this locomotive.
SignalSounds in bold italic.
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your Alco PA-1
AUX1
These settings will be lost when you assign new engine ID#s.
Note!

9
Assigning your Alco PA-1 a new ID#
As 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 portion 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 control switch to OFF (see
the illustration). Using CAB-1, press ENG, the
locomotive ID# (you select), then press the
SET button located under CAB-1’s removable
panel. Hear the horn blow (or see the head-
light flash if Signalsounds is off); that’s the
DCDR confirming the new ID#. Set the reverse
unit control switch to ON. 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 with a new
ID #:
Press ENG
Press a number you
choose (the ID#)
Press SET
Set the reverse unit control switch
to ON
Your locomotive remembers its ID#
forever; change it any time with these
steps
Example
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Set the Alco PA-1’s reverse unit program switch
to OFF. When you’ve finished programming
the ID#, set the switch to ON.
Reverse unit control switch
Front of engine
ON OFF
OFF
ON
TrainMaster Command operations

Maintaining and servicing your
Alco PA-1
10
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, tak-
ing 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 autho-
rized Lionel Service Center or Lionel Service.
See the Lionel Service section on page 12 for
more information. Reinstall the shell.
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Note!
Note!
Press Aux2 to make sure headlamp
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 sys-
tem are sophisticated electronic
devices and are extremely sensitive
to static electricity. 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.