Looking at a diesel online, which is described as a "Lionel 8351 Diesel Locomotive Powered A unit HI Grade."
It looks like a 70-ish, budget-made locomotive, manufactured by or for Lionel, but I really can't find very much information on it specifications.
What type of motor does it have? (It doesn't look big enough to have a PulMore in it.)
How reliable or unreliable are they?
What is an "A-Unit"?
Thanks for all info.
Mannyrock
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It's an MPC/Lionel made in the 70s. An Alco type Santa Fe. Motor is ok if you keep it lubed. Won't pull long trains but enough.
A unit has the cab; B unit is cab-less. No matching B unit for this A unit. Universal motor with 2-position e-unit for reversing (no neutral).
Actually not even an E-unit on this loco, just a manual switch on top of the loco.
Thanks for the info.
I only pull about 8 cars at a time, so if I can find one that runs well, this would probably be a sufficient locomotive for my needs. Not great looking, but not bad looking either.
Mannyrock
@ed h posted:From 1973. Simple AC open frame motor with manual reverse. It doesn't get any more basic than this
Starting with the 8020 in 1970, these were deluxe, feature-laden models compared to the Alcos of the 1960's, especially when compared to the 1055, 1065, & 1066.
SF did not, I think had FA units. But some of the Warbonnet F units had their red changed to blue. I heard them called "Bluebonnets?". Some others changed to yellow, the "Yellowbonnets"?
Simple engine. But good for a loop runner.
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