Lionel cancels acela 2012 model

I hope that's an error.  I am looking forward to a companion Acela set.  Just checked the Lionel Shipping Schedule & it still shows a December shipping date, but it was last updated on Thursday.

 

Last Updated: 07/12/2012

Product Number	Product Name	Ship Date	Catalog
6-25665	Amtrak Acela Add-On (2pk)	Dec, 12	'12 V1
6-31743	Amtrak Acela Set	Dec, 12	'12 V1

legacy station got it in writting ... july 12 lionel dealer notice of dropped and canceled its offical

I figured, just was hoping it wasn't true.

This is most likely the real reason for the cancellation.

A check of the Lionel shipping schedule shows it status active.

Yes so the webmaster didn't get list, over 20 items on the drop list, ask your lionel dealer for details.

I got the call from Legacy Station and he has it in writing.

I would like to know what else is being dropped on that list!

 

Another reason to be added to N.Q.D.Y.'s list of why so many people are so angry. Andy J.

Given the reputation the previous version had for unreliability, I am a lot less surprised that Lionel didn't get enough orders to justify going ahead with production than I am that they decided to catalog it at all. I like the Acela, I used to ride it a couple of times a year to visit a friend in New York, but after hearing the horror stories on this forum I would never even consider buying one from Lionel. 

Consistent information from Nicholas Smith Trains today.  I happened to be in the store doing a bit of damage to my wallet, and I was told that their Lionel rep confirmed that the the Acela has indeed been cancelled.  So there ya go... another very reputable source.

 

David

 

Sucks.  Oh well.  At least more money now for the one month of mortgage cost of the UP Centipede. 

The catalog text mentioned improvements, but with very little excitement.

 

THey need a lot of East Coast TV show demonstrations of the new model to sell it to old and new customers!

 

Andrew

I wonder if the people who bought the first Acella set with an understanding of only X amount to be made threatened legal action for selling the set again?

 

Charlie Nassau, can you provide a list of the other 19 items dropped?

Why not just offer a low bells and whistles version deleting the undependable moody problems and offer the basic model at a lower O.E.M. cost & lower retail sale point?

 

The low preorder may not be a reflection of the model's popularity but rather a no confidence vote on the erratic perfrmance of the '04 model and it's follow-up service problems.

 

Of course a big surge in preorders for a reasonable cost basic feature Acela may be a message powers that be may not want to hear.   

I wonder if the people who bought the first Acella set with an understanding of only X amount to be made threatened legal action for selling the set again?

I am perplexed by this comment since the Century Club II had the 5 stripe Rf16 PRR sharks...

Low and behold in the last Lionel catalog are a reissue of the same PRR Rf16 5 stripe sharks- minus the "gold" air horn detail.

Tom Tee is right that there should be a low cost version of the Acela. Even the HO version was pimped up and pricey. Make a RTR version with regular couplers,one powered unit and one dummy and a generic horn and bell. Everyone will be happy.

Well if you want a low cost version (HO) you can always give the Marklin My World version a look..come with remote, sounds and tracks @ around $60.-

 

 

Guess we will never know, but wonder what was the minimun order amount  for Lionel  to go ahead with the Acela.

 

Oh well maybe they will try again in a couple of years

I am for one wants a highend legacy driven re engineered Acela.

I'm hoping for a basic TMCC Acela set (not quite scale) like the HHP-8 set.  In the same price range as the HHP-8 set.  Come on Lionel, not all of us wish to drop over $1000 for high tech trains which break down.  

On the other hand, many will be spared the grief of a lot of ACELA progenitors. 

Acela canceled.

Track speeders canceled.

What else is  canceled? 

I'm with everyone else. I'm not surprised.... the thing costs a mortgage payment and its not even the complete train set (allegedly the last 2 cars were in the next catalog). It doesnt need 2 full legacy sets to push/pull 6 cars. 

1 powered, with a slave board in the other, ditch the opening doors and all the problem stuff, then make the whole train cost the same as the base 4 unit set. Then they'll sell it no problem.

As of 2pm PST, Lionel shipping still shows Acela as DEC 12 delivery.

Lionel where are you...people want to get an up date...hard core buyer on this forum...

I would be for a lower tech (and less expensive set)!  If Lionel would price a basic set plus the two car set for $1500 - $1600 MSRP, I would pre-order one.

 

Jim

Somedays i understand why alot complain about lionels prices ..Yesterday was one of them. I was in NY and was at Trainworld and a full scale Williams gg1 was like 170 bucks and i understand its not legacy but god how much do they make off us ?

Any info on the other 20 plus items cancelled ?

All NW2 are cancelled also

Yes.

 

Was informed of this by Wild Bill's Trains about a week ago.

 

Bob

This could be a good thing. I rather have Lionel focus on a smaller product line-up. Get the quality up to par. The Acela need to go back and be refined. The couplers where its major weakness. If I were on the market for one of these I would want them done right.

Point was this was new and improved.see posting from when the catalog was released.

I wonder how short of orders they were?

 

What I can clear up on the product that is missing from the catalog:

1) Inter-car connection is not IR, but a new innovative connection system.

 

2) Pantographs, and Coach Doors are driven by completely new electronics, I designed them to be robust, with thermal and current overload monitoring, and they include under the door lighting.

 

3) We are reviewing the door mechanism for improvements as they can become jammed, hopefully we can stop that from happening.

 

4) The Trucks (all units) are re-designed, and one of my requirements is the traction tires can be replaced without truck dissection.  Although the traction tire correction is not confirmed by the mech designers at this time.

 

5) Lighting in the coaches is now LED; and bright or dim selection by remote control, as well as fades to on and fades to off, very cool.

 

6) Legacy with new electronics, on board diags, IR track emitter in the belly, dual sound system.  (only one engine powered)

 

From Lionel's FB page:

 

Lionel LLC The other dropped items from the 2012 catalogs include the 8 command speeders and the American Flyer Schlitz and Papst Reefers. I can't say for certain at this time what or when you'll see in future catalogs.

I'm surprised the NW2 didn't make the cut as I thought there would be adequate demand for a scale detailed model of this locomotive. I had been considering the CNJ version but its cancellation is probably just as well. The recent issues involving the release of supposedly premium level steam locomotives without whistles (not the steam effect but just the whistles themselves) and builder plates does not exactly help build the confidence of consumers.

 

Bob   

Just to elaborate on my earlier post.

 

I would be interested in a scale-sized train, but not one with all the wiz-bang, expensive, and prone to failure electronics.  All I ask if for a model that looks great and runs forward and reverse (TMCC or Legacy okay).  I don't need the doors of open and close (this also alleviates the need for intercar connectors).  Also, don't care if the pantagraphs go up and down.   

 

Jim

MTH CoorsLight Bullet Train has doors opening with no issues. I want the doors to open and the Rail Sounds and the details of the scale model.

Here is the list of canceled items:

 

6-34763 Central of New Jersey Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34764 Central of New Jersey Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34765 Kansas City Southern Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34766 Kansas City Southern Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34767 L&N Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34768 L&N Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34769 M-K-T Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34770 M-K-T Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34771 Reading Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34772 Reading Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34773 Pennsylvania Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-34774 Pennsylvania Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-38595 CBQ Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-38596 CBQ Legacy NW2 This item has been dropped  

6-25665 Amtrak Acela Add-On (2pk) This item has been dropped  

6-11199 Union Pacific NW2 Switcher Work Set This item has been dropped  

6-31743 Amtrak Acela Set This item has been dropped  

6-27674 Elk River Work Caboose This item has been dropped

6-29326 Northern Pacific  This item has been dropped 

6-49627 Crescent Limited Passenger Set This item has been dropped 

6-48097 Dockside Switcher 0-6-0 Clear This item has been dropped 

6-48759 Smoking Caboose Clear This item has been dropped 

Wow, that's almost half the catalog. I guess we can't be surprised considering how rough the economy is right now. I know there are a number of items I wonted from MTH and Lionel but had to forgo them because of cash flow. I assume alot of people are holding back on their spending, so I for one don't blame Lionel or anyone else for dropping product that enjoyed little public interest.

BOY, those who purchased the "Crescent Limited" Ps4 are REALLY going to be PO'd!  And rightfully so!!!!!  They will have a engine with NO prototypical consist.

Counting each new item in the 2012 volume 1 catalog, there are 500 new O gauge products.  So this list of 19 items really isnt all that much, unless more cancellations are coming.