I have all Lionel, TMCC (outdoor layout), engines. Have a Santa Fe Alco PA-1/PB-1/PA-1 (A-B-A) set with both A units powered and the B non-powered. This Lionel TMCC set was manufactured for the 1997 catalog year. The PA-1 Lionel product number is 6-18952 with owner's manual #71-8952-250. The PB-1 product number is 6-18965 with owner's manual #71-8249-250. This is the Santa Fe 2000 set chrome/silver/red war bonnet. This set works perfectly in the Multiple Unit Consist mode. I cannot find any reference to these units on the Lionel web site as I suppose they have passed into the "old" category. I give this information as positive identification of the units in case the information is needed to clarify my question.
Now the question. I have received notice that Santa Clause will add to this Multiple Unit Consist with a POWERED B unit IF one can be found. (The reason being that I have made several references as to this set being under powered and that having a powered B (PB-1) would really be nice. Apparently Santa has been notified of my utterances.) Apparently a loose PB-1 matching the Santa Fe 2000 motif is not available EXCEPT that Lionel has come out with a LEGACY Alco PB-1, chrome/silver/red war bonnet, product # 6-34569 priced around $400 or so. My question with this LEGACY unit is, will it match up in a Multiple Unit Consist with the TMCC, Santa Fe 2000 of the vintage 1997catalog year?
Option two:
Available for around $250 is LIONEL #6-24516, SANTA FE F-3, TMCC POWERED B, introduced in the Lionel 2003 catalog, vol. 2. Would this F-3 model match up in a Multiple Unit Consist with the TMCC Alco PA set I have?
I understand that Multiple Unit Consists are possible with "like" engines. What is "like?" All diesel-electrics without steam in the consist, or like all steam with/o diesels in the consist? Or more finite such as certain diesels, but not others in a consist? Santa is becoming a bit vexed at this moment and that is something I don't want to happen . . . :-)
Really Folks, if you can shed some light on this concern, my wife . . . errr, ahh, Santa will be most appreciative.
We have sent an e-mail to Lionel Tech., but at this time of year . . . . well, we may not receive an answer for quite a while.
Cheers
and Merry Christmas
