Amtrak Acela

Only 2000 sets were made, initially with no intent of any re-runs.

 

It had been catalogued a second time a few years after initial release (with a few features removed), but the re-run was subsequently canceled.

 

MSRP for the initial two power car+three coach set was right around $2000.

 

---PCJ

Do you think they will re make this ?  What's the reason for such a high price?

Part of it is because it is full O scale, highly detailed and prototypically accurate, and it also includes several unique and complex features including motorized opening passenger doors, a complex "tilting" mechanism so that the cars would tilt into curves just like the prototype does and automatic front & rear pantographs that would raise & lower individually depending on direction of the train.

 

It is also known for being finicky to couple the cars together and get the IR sensors between the cars properly aligned, and user complaints have been made about the door opening mechanisms being susceptible to jamming or failing.  Some owners have stated that it was the most unreliable train they ever owned (Right Scott Smith?   ) , but on the other hand other owners have reported having no issues at all and running trouble-free on their layouts since purchasing them.

Use the search function to find out all you want to know about this much maligned set.

 

There were many threads back in the day.  The initial high price was due to several new features such as each passenger car individually tilts as it enters a curve, pantographs deploy automatically according to direction, and at a station the appropriate side doors automatically open with a CAB-1 command.

 

Don't walk away from this set....RUN!  Unless you can get one at less than 50 cents on the dollar and test that it actually works as advertised.

 

--Greg

"Do you think they will re make this ?  What's the reason for such a high price?"

 

Andrew, sooner or later, someone will make this set again. This set had many innovative features and was a limited in production. That has a lot to do with the price. Look at all of the high-end engines Lionel has released with equally high pricing, and the Acela is an entire train SET. There are a lot of mixed emotions out there about the Lionel set as many purchasers had issues with some of these innovative features.

 

As previously mentioned, Lionel cancelled it's plans to do a re-issue of the Acela. I compare this do their plans years back to do a Cab Forward. This was cancelled as well, but this year, we have a new state-of-the-art Cab Forward from Lionel. When Lionel is ready to do it again with perhaps new and reliable features, I think you will see the Acela.

Probably by the time Lionel decides to re make the Acela.  Amtrak will be running this.

 

 

But, I would love to have a almost scale (18" or 19") Acela without all the high tech features.   LionChief Plus maybe???

Good one, Mike.

 

 Some owners have stated that it was the most unreliable train they ever owned (Right Scott Smith?   )

 

Yep, But don't take my world on it--Here is Lionel's president at the time quote from the NEW YORK TIMES November 28, 2008.

Mr. Calabrese answered by telling a story: On Lionel’s version of Amtrak’s Acela, the doors, brakes and pantographs — which connect the train to electrical wires overhead — break down at about the same rate as on the real thing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11...n/24lionel.html?_r=0

 

They promised me a recall of the product to fix the coupler with a newly redesigned one and then changed their mind (it was to expensive). I spent nearly $3000.00 on the piece of junk (original set plus the add-on cars). The New York Times article added salt to the wound and I sold it for 25% of what I had in it. Yes I am still a little sore over it.

 

Scott Smith

What we might need is a simpler, less complex ACELA. Maybe from Williams or RMT, if we can't get a Lion Chief version.

 

 

Sounds good Bill.   I would purchase a lower cost, simpler version from whomever chooses  to make one.   It would also be a great item of interest for the younger train fans of our hobby.   They want models of the trains that they see currently.

Some people OVERBOUGHT, trying to run the Acela on layouts much too small.  These trains run well on Club-sized layouts...this is the rest of the story to be fair.

It is unreliable but a joy to behold when it runs properly. On mine only five of the original and add-on cars function correctly and I put them on the rails only when I have time on my hands . . . I think of it as an example of too much too soon; the idea was great but the manufacturing of something so complicated was not up to it.

 

Lionel cancelled the 2nd version despite having a new and reliable coupler mechanism and ditching the problematic tilt function; I suspect that the pre-orders were just too low. Too bad, really - the passenger cars have the finest detail of any ever made by Lionel or MTH (the bar car is even dimly lit) and all that tooling is going to waste.

 

P.S. I'm also sore about the cab forward cancellation Passenger Train Collector mentions above but I am not sure that's comparable to the Acela II cancellation. I believe that Lionel just decided it was not worthwhile investing in completely new tooling for an AC-4. The Legacy cab forwards must use the tooling for the fine 2005 AC-12. That gives me hope that the Acela might be "recycled" at some point.

My dad bought one as a investment and sold it recently for about $100 loss of what we payed for it.  The lesson I learned was only buy trains that you can operate on the layout you have and do not in any circumstances think a train item can go up in value.  I do not see any company making a scale Acela in the near future because I do not see a demand for it.  I do wish MTH or Lionel would make a semi scale one though for $500-$600.  I think there would be a market for an Acela that could be run on a Layout with 031 curves but both companies are being conservative with new tooling investments. 

I've had some issues with the Acela set.  The pantograph board blew and also caused the mother board to fry.  Luckily it was repaired and runs great now, so far.  Also has problems with the tilting cars but that's not a major issue with me.

 

However, the Lionel Acela set continues to be my favorite O gauge train.  I think it's one of the most detailed, if not the most detailed train in all of O gauge.  The sounds are incredible, absolutely just like the real Acela.  And the way it snakes around at speed on O108 curves is a sight to behold.  It looks fast even sitting idle on the track.

 

With the latest advancements in O gauge train technology since it was first made, I'd love to see a Lionel Vision Line or MTH Premier version built.  Or perhaps a scale set even without the technology as long as they keep the detail. 

 

I don't own a train that I don't love to operate, but the Acela to me stands out.

The Best train set lionel ever made but it was my worst decision to buy it. It drove me crazy. I would send it back and it would run correctly for about a hour.

 

After sending it back four times and it getting no better I sold it to a poor soul who thought he may be able to fix it. He was wrong. God only knows where the set is now and to be honest I don't care. 

The big issue was the IR.  Yes it will be made again in Legacy with all the new (and very successful) boards and hard wire car to car coupling.  If you want to fix what you have, cut the wires off the IR connections and hard wire with plugs.  Only two wires.  One is ground and the other serial (pin 24) connections.

 

I sold my set to Alan Arnold and he will not give it back for sale.

I had one and it was great when it all worked, however after several trips back to Lionel for repairs both in and out of warranty I sold it at Stouts and got about 70% of my money back. I to would love a cheaper simpler one.          TRAIN NERD AL

Al, we will see one.

Just saw this thread....so....I went upstairs and took a few shots of the Acela I got from Marty.  When Marty decided to let her go, I knew I would be getting a good working example!  Marty trains are always first class and true to form, Marty's Acela runs and operates just fine.  It is the most detailed train I have ever seen with the interiors of the cars true masterpieces!  It is my favorite...so...if they come out with another one, I will be adding a second set on the layout.... 

 

Marty...here you go my Friend.  I am taking good care of her..

 

Alan

You need a big layout and a lot of patience.

A few years ago there was an OGR night at the Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh.  One of the Acela sets showed and seem to run well. Nothing special about the Miniature Railroad and village layout.  Definitely tight curves.    

Does anyone know if Eric segal has one and has done a reveiw

You might try contacting him directly and ask him.

Well, time for an Acela thread again ...

 

I have had a good experience with mine. Yes, it did have two warrantee issues when new, but they were corrected by the folks in Chesterfield. Mine runs beautifully with no modifications and it may be viewed with all of its functions in operation in TM's Lionel Nation 2. In all my years of having visitors over to see trains run, nothing has prompted such enthusiastic Wow-Gee responses as the Acela. Yes, it is complex .. it is not a Scout set and is more demanding of an enthusiast's skill set. And, dialing back on the features will only dilute the impact that this particular train set delivers. Being a truly complete model of a real passenger train, it sits at a pinnacle for prototypical operating features, sounds, and details for a model train.

 

Bob

It sure appears to me that this thread has been very civil with a tell it as it is approach. The Acela sure has it's issues, but it sure does not dampen the enthusiasm for many to want to see another one done, just less complicated and very reliable.

 

I hope Lionel takes these comments seriously and does another one.