Lionel NYC ALCO PA Question

It was #18953 NYC PA-1 Alco (#2000) and #18966 B unit (#2000B.

The A unit was powered with horn only, and the B unit was unpowered but had the Railsounds. It also had TMCC command control.

Never saw a dummy A or any A marked 2000B.

Jim

Mr. Jim, that is what I thought.  I have the A and B pair.  However, I have never seen the A-A set, as described in the book.

I was editing the post just as you replied. Never saw the A as described in the book.

But I know a lot of people bought two A's when they first came out and didn't bother with the B.

At one time the B was a big ticket item, going for more than double the price of an A unit. So many just bought two As.

I'm guessing the book just got the caption wrong about the number on the second A in the photo.

Jim

I know you cannot see from the picture posted, but on the original photo, the second unit is clearly labeled 2000B.  Maybe someone just relabeled their second A unit, like you said.  I was just curious because I thought I had missed out on something. 

It's hard to see, but I bet the B was added by the owner, as you said.

Jim

Those were done a bit before my time, but I can confirm that the A/B thing is a New York Central lettering convention.

NYC lettered diesels with an "A" side as well as a "B" side, and a front "1" end and a rear "2" end.

What you're seeing in that book are both sides of the same exact 6-18953 NYC Alco PA-1.

And if I remember correctly, the B Units made a year later for that locomotive were incorrectly lettered "B" on both sides.

I hope this helps.

TRW

TRW, you are correct.  I just took mine out of the box and one side is labeled A and the other B.  Just as Jim said, I guess the owner just bought two A units. 

Thanks, Todd... mystery solved.

It's been a while since I've owned those units. I never noticed the difference in the two sides.

Jim

I also have that set and will not sell it.

They certainly look great with the silver trucks and tank. We ran ours as an ABA for awhile. The multiple sound systems still sound great today!

Yes, c.sam.  I have always loved the silver trucks and have never really liked the versions with black.