The Lionel Minneapolis & St. Louis FA No. 229 had its A Unit produced in 1961 and was joined by a B Unit one year later. Produced on a RED painted body with a WHITE stripe and heat-stamped lettering.

This engine was equipped with a light in the A unit and a horn. A two position directional unit whose control lever was adjustable from the top of the body controled the direction of this diesel. A single vertical worm drive Type IIB motor powers two axles, one of which utilized Magnetraction.

The body was mounted on a sheet metal chassis that have solid non-operating couplers.

There are two variations: Variation A: Single A Unit (1961) Variation B: Both A and B Units (1962) All of the Lionel Alco FA units are designed to work on the tighter radius of O27 Gauge track, but they will run equally well on O Gauge track.