For a while now I've had six Lionel Alco FA units on the roster. All six locos were obtained through generous deals with forum people. I did various adjustments and repairs on them.
1055 Texas Special - originally 2 axles powered
2024 C&O - originally single axle power
212 AT&SF - originally 2 axles powered + dummy unit
2041 Rock Island - originally 1 axle powered + dummy unit, but cosmetically excellent
These are all 'late Postwar' versions with stamped metal frames. The earlier versions with cast frames and different motors are generally considered more durable and more desirable, but I'm happy with what I have.
I've regrouped the body shells so the Santa Fe and Rock Island sets each have two powered units. I also installed manual reversing switches in all powered units because some e-units were problematic. Manual reversing also makes them easier to MU. The Texas Special and C&O units are currently unpowered and residing on a display shelf.
One thing I noticed with all of these units: each one sat about 1/16" high in the front. Apparently that's how Lionel originally made them. It's slight but I found it noticeably objectionable, especially with paired units on a high-level layout (chest height). I went to some trouble to make them ride level. It probably would have been easier to raise the low end with shims, but the units already look high compared to "traditional" Lionel rolling stock.
Next photo shows how each unit originally rode slightly high on the front end.
The unpowered trucks are tricky to disassemble because the plastic side-frames are retained by sharp serrations on the stamped metal truck frame. It takes careful prying to get them apart. I filed the serrations down slightly for easier reassembly and dis-assembly.
I modify the metal truck frame by making a series of cuts with a Dremel tool as shown in photo, then compressing the "dome" section slightly in a vice. I had previously done this trick successfully on some cheap caboose frames to lower the bodies. I succeeded in making all six locos ride level with this modification.
I was missing a center-rail pickup on one unit. I fabricated a replacement with available materials and it works fine.
My other modification was to add manual reversing switches with the switch levers poking out the same roof slot formerly occupied by the e-unit cutout lever. I used center-off switches which conveniently allow me to park locos on live tracks if I wish. Later versions of these locos have "double wound" fields and they only need a SPDT switch for reversing. Single wound fields on conventional motors need a DPDT switch for reversing.
The motors with double-wound fields allowed Lionel to use a simpler e-unit. The ones I've seen are easy to identify because the two interwoven windings have different wire colors. I discovered a previous owner had mistakenly paralleled the two field windings on one loco with an older drum-type e-unit, and it did not run well that way. Consult the service literature for proper wiring information!
I dressed up the nose of my Texas Special unit with part of the label from a box of pre-washed salad greens from "Rocket Farms". The FA units are a great-looking locomotive!
