Lionel Amtrak Acela set

The Lionel Acela is, I think, one of the nicest train sets they've ever made.  The details are some of the best on an O gauge model and the sounds are exactly like the sounds on the real Acela train.

 

The Acela has had some operating issues, but when everything works it's a sight to behold!  If the three car add-on set is part of the price you mention, it's a pretty good deal, especially since they only made a fixed amount of sets.

 

If Lionel, or any other manufacturer, decides to make this set again I'd get one to add to my fleet in a heartbeat.

 

I'm sure others will chime in with the problems they've had with it.  But if you have wide curves and fairly long straightaways it'll run much better.

They are a fantastic looking and operating set, when they operate properly.  As Brian says, they're been more troublesome than many sets.  Then again, they're more complicated than most sets as well. I'd love to have on, that sounds like a pretty good price for the set and the add-on.

Not a bargain..but it is the going rate at Auction.  Make sure the sets are SEALED, so as not to get a REWORKED SET!!!

I really don't like saying this but in your position I'd ask the seller whether this set has any run time (and if so has it shown any issues) and ask myself whether the layout it's going to run on is big enough for the peculiar operating features of this set.

 

I have the full compliment of original and add-on cars, all bought MIB in the secondary market. Only four of the cars operate reliably. When they do, it's really something to behold. Oh, the engine also occasionally displays its own operating quirks but those I have overcome.

 

This is not a set that can easily be put together and taken apart. It really requires a permanent place on a large permanent layout. Buying one is something of a leap in the dark.

 

That said, when Lionel catalogued a simpler (no tilt function) version with better connections between the engine and cars I pre-ordered one because the Acela passenger cars are (defunct doors/tilt aside) the best detailed 3 rail cars ever made. Lionel cancelled that project - not forever I hope.

 

Bottom line: trouble is, this set was meant to be run and not just decorate a shelf, which is where I fear a lot of them ended up.

The set I found has been run and does have the tilting cars, he has it on his layout so i'll ask to see it operate.  you guys know what exactly the "common" quirks were?

I can tell you these from my experience:

 

1.  Doors failing to open/close properly, leading to flashing warning lights on whichever side of the car has the stuck door(s). This is generally thought to relate to the wireless/infrared engine to car signal system, which is rather difficult to set up and keep properly aligned unless you have a very long straight to do it on and can keep your eye dead on the hook and eye mechanism (there are no couplers as such between the units). I think Marty Fitzhenry has advised on a way to make these connections wired, which I think is a solution to the problem but requires a fair amount of work. Lionel also has better infrared connectors now such as I believe are used on their subway trains with opening doors.

 

2.  Not managing 'S' curves and needing wide curves followed by long straights so that the tilt mechanism can right itself before entering the next curve. In fact on mine I have never been able to detect the tilt functioning in general running although it works in "demo" mode, complete with sound effects. 

 

3.  Pantographs not working or not synching properly. I think that Lionel eventually redesigned the pantograph control boards. If you happen to knock one of them out of alignment it is a very troublesome job to put them back in place.

 

4.  A problem for me, but not one I have seen that many reports of, is that the powered engine control system freezes up/won't respond to TMCC commands including a reset but this rights itself eventually after a number of restarts. I've no idea what causes this - like the pantograph problems it seems to be random.

 

If your seller has actually set up and run his without issues he's (a) lucky and (b) probably has a layout that can accommodate the sheer size of the set.

 

P.S. While I am thinking about it I attach a set of the service tips Lionel issued for this set. The one about the pantographs is vital if you happen to knock them out of alignment and also gives you an idea about the intricacy of the mechanism. It's far more complicated that either Lionel's or MTH's motorized pantographs. It also makes a loud purely mechanical sound when operated although that's never bothered me much.

 

I like the wry comment at the end of the other service tip about why the bar/bistro car is dark inside!

Pretty sure Lionel is going to be re-running this set again... you may want to wait until they re-run it as they will surly have made fixes to some of the issues. If nothing else the price of the older version will surely drop at that point...

Good advice if they are really going to issue a new/improved set in the foreseeable future because perfectly functional full sets of the original issue are exceptional. Frankly I have my doubts about the new version after it was cataloged a couple of years back and then dropped like a stone just months later. But dealers would certainly know what's in the crystal ball better than the likes of me!

Didn't Lionel say they weren't going to re-run this set ever again....or was that the other Lionel?

 

ray

Didn't Lionel say they weren't going to re-run this set ever again....or was that the other Lionel?

 

 

Yes, they said that but they didn't mean it. They said that about the Empire State Express as well, but it was in the last catalog. 

 

It was a great set to look at and the passenger car interiors were the nicest I have ever seen. It didn't run worth a crap. Take it from Jerry C. himself in the New York Times

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...region/24lionel.html

I didn't find that very funny.I spent around $3000.00 for the entire set.

After I fussed about it on the forum. A Lionel representative met with me at the Thursday at Fridays event and told me they were going to recall the set and put in more reliable couplings to fix the problems. Then later on they decided it was going to cost too much to do recall the set. I sold it and the add-on set at York to a train dealer for $1200.00.

Scott Smith

Plus, I seem to remember someone posting that the reissued Amtrak Acela would NOT have the "tilt feature".

I recall Lionel cancelled the re-cataloged version a year or two ago. 

Yes, that's right - no tilt but doors/pantographs and other operating features as in the original issue. The whole thing is already complicated enough without the tilt, which as I have already said only works for me in "demo" mode.

 

It occurs to me that maybe they decided it was all too costly to produce even without the internal motors etc. that go with that feature and even though the cars were made in ABS plastic. Without touching a sore point (I hope) the cars have passenger figures who are working on their laptops, drinking, having tickets checked etc. etc., which is really a thing of the past it seems!

The subways do not have infra-red connections, they are tethered. (unless they changed it on the R-16 and R-30.   The R-27 set has tethers.)

 

-Dave

 

Thanks for the great feedback - I'm going to see it in action this weekend but honestly based off of the general consensus it sounds like I need to stay clear of this set or at least pick it up for a much better price due to the inevitable problems the set may poses. 

I have the set and as has been said many times when it works its awesome but it can be frustrating. The key has always been in the set up... IF you set it up with the couplers properly aligned and this meant coupling one car at a time checking for function and repeat.. it worked great. But this was a time consuming trial and error procedure that tried your patience for sure.

 The best solution for me was to put it on the track and leave it there. It is also sensitive to uneven trackwork .. if there are trouble spots-dips- kinks -etc on your line this set will find them.

I didn't experience the problems with mine that others have reported...doors.. pantographs..etc...  but again I always took the time to set it up right and once it was working I left on the track.

 

 

When the Acela Set came out a few years back I found it

to be one of the most beautiful sets Lionel produced with

the exception of the Lionel EMD Set of the Century (F-3 set).

 

I also remember the Topic on the Forum by members who spent

from $1900.00 to $2000.00 for this set.  To be diplomatic about

the operational capabilities of this set, well the Edsel ran great

in comparison.

 

As a big buyer and fan of Lionel I would stay away from this set.

Here is my reason.  Back in 1948 Lionel came out with a set far

ahead of its time, The Electronic Set.  Those kids who had this

set back in the day, rumer has it, many were never heard or

seen from to this day.

 

Take the advice from Forum members above, wait and see if

Lionel will reissue this set with a better operational performance

then the original.

 

Many thanks,

 

Billy C

 

 

 

My mistake - I think that only steamers come with "wireless" tethers; the R-16 has a wired connection. I once contemplated trying to replace the infrared gear on my Acela with adapted steam engine tethers but was told it wouldn't function. The wired solution would probably be better than struggling with the alignment of the original set-up.  

Westinghouse,

 

Cuidado, cuidado !!

 

If it works, glorious.

If it does not, a $2,000 albatross !

Get the seller to agree to back the set.

My experience has been similar to RD's.

 

I have had no issues with my Acela set.   I actually built a dedicated line for it on my old large layout with minimum O-84 curves and level track.

 

When it came zooming around the layout, it was very cool.

 

It's on display now on a shelf as I don't have the large layout any longer.

 

I do fire it up now and then and play with the features just for grins.

I have a dumb question: Is this set TMCC only, or will it run on tubular O72s powered by a ZW?

 

Thanks.

 

Steven J. Serenska

 

It will run in conventional. Not sure how you access all the operating features without TMCC but certainly the main ones are meant to work from transformer control.

I've been looking for a set on the back burner, but 2k is steep.

 

I would ONLY purchase this set if you good with working on the small actuators. The like to get stuck. But with a little patience you can take them apart and free them up and they work right as rain.

 

Do you have grades? 072 curves? The sensors cannot talk to each others so the tilt features may be intermitent

 

The root cause issue for these cars is to fix the drawbars so the car doors and the tilt mechanisms work repeatable.

 

I cannot justify 2k or more for a set so I am waiting for a fixer upper...

 

For what its worth, I have this set, kept it in the box for 5 years, then we opened it up to run it, and my layout can handle this, it did NOT WORK...I do have the 3 car add on set new in the shipping carton, NEW, as we just ran the regular set. I sent it to Lionel for repair, it came back and did not work. I sent it to Lionel in December, and they still have the set, complete set and say that they will repair it soon. SOON. So, I would say to you, Buyer Beware!!! Happy Railroading...

I have an ACELA and may have had more luck than many, I surmise. I had two teething issues that were resolved when my sample was new. My sample may be viewed in seamless operation in TM's Lionel Nation 2.

 

As others have mentioned, have a layout or operational arrangement large enough with good track work to keep it assembled and ready to go. When one is assembling the consist, the trick is to insert one coach at a time and test with the end engine unit in place before adding the next. I've never had issues with the finally assembled train when following this procedure. I would buy a sample that has been opened and debugged, if necessary, rather than a sealed example. Lionel has the parts to fix the set, if needed.

 

It is a bit strange that a reissue was cataloged and later withdrawn. An explanation was never offered, so there is no guarantee that it will be manufactured again. Without the tilt feature (which can readily observed in operation) it will not be truly ACELA in any case.

 

In terms of detailing and the complete suite of operating features, the ACELA is the most realistic and complex model train ever made for 3-rail O gauge. I have never had visitors so "wowed" over anything as much as the ACELA. Yes, it will point out short comings in one's track work, but then just fix the lapses in the layout. It's ACELA, not a Scout set. Like many things in life, one sometimes has to brave the occasional difficulties to reach the pinnacle. 

 

Have fun.

 

Bob

Gentlemen,

   LeapinLarry gave you his honest experienced with the train he owns, you might want to heed his advise.

PCRR/Dave

RD,

 

  I've fought this never ending "battle" before back when the Acela was new.

 

Yes, many people on OGR had problems, and when those of us who have Acela sets that run fine posted, we were subtly, and sometimes not so subtly made to look as if we were shills for Lionel.

 

As an aside, this phenomenon doesn't just happen on OGR.  On almost any website or review site, people will believe negative reviews before positive reviews.

 

 

Now touch wood . Our set has been free of any major gremlins. 

 

It needs careful set up of the couplers between the cars for correct operation. I would suggest that you need a long straight section. Long enough to hold the train completely straight.  

 It is not something you want to be taking on and off the track. Once it's set up I tend to run it for a few weeks before swapping.

 

Super sounds and operation just be prepared that it's not perfect.

At the deal I got I can certainly live with any issues.

At the full $3k I can understand why people were/are not happy! 

 

Nick

 

  

I had the entire set and from my thoughts on it is a beautiful set, love the sounds, lighting, etc. 

 

it went back to Lionel 4 times for repair and in the end it still was not right. It was a nightmare. 

 

The best day of owning the set was the day I sold it. I Really don't miss it. 

 

I would not buy the set IMO. Save your money.

I hope that the OP comes back with a report on what he sees when the seller runs his for him, including what kind of layout it's on and whether the train has been taken apart and reassembled a number of times.

 

I don't doubt for a second that there there are sets that ran perfectly right out of their boxes. The norm seems to be different however. My own view FWIW is that the set was too ambitious an effort for the technology and manufacturing standards of the time. I know Lionel still repair these sets so maybe I'll send in my bar/bistro car one day in the hope I can actually run it!

Well I went to see the set, it was beautiful in detail and sounded great.  But......
As many pointed out, there were several "glitches" when demonstrated to me.  I asked one important question, " why are you selling it?" The answer was quick and honest by the seller, " too many issues when running it." So I made an offer regardless, an offer of thanks but NO Thanks.  So back to the hunt for the unicorns I'm chasing;

MTH Westinghouse Sd24 engine #12
MTH Westinghouse caboose's #'s 104 & 106
MTH Westinghouse 47' flatcar #207

Thanks again everyone

Ok, I can see that I did not assemble this set properly, as Bob Bubeck has explained. We just set the engine on the track, added the cars, then the end engine and were not particular about the line up.  This might have made a huge difference. Lionel has my entire set and I am sure they will fix it right. When it returns, I will set it up as Bob has set forth. This is a good thread, and very informative, and the Acela, when it works as it is supposed to, is Fantastic.  This is the 5.0 TMCC System and is a high dollar set. I am glad that Lionel is fixing the set for me. Happy Railroading

Be interested to know in due course what issues you had with it and whether they are resolved by Lionel; that would add to the knowledge base for those of us who want their sets to work more like they were intended to.

Of Course, Hancock52, I will post the Results when I receive the set from Lionel Service.

I will read the instructions thoroughly, assemble as Bob Bubeck has explained earlier, and Set it in the TMCC mode and Hopefully the ACELA will perform Properly. I saw the TM Nation Video 2 and its a Crowd Pleasing Set, when it works as its suppose to. 

Now, for those reading this Thread, do NOT take for granted that a Lionel or Any Other Manufacturers Toy Train Engine/Accessory will work 5 years later.. CHECK it out on Arrival, I let this engine go out of Warranty, it's expensive to Repair.  COLLECTOR VALUE OR NO COLLECTOR VALUE, IF it does not run, the value goes Way Down...SORRY. Stay tuned as I will post the results in a few weeks. Happy Railroading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a witness!

Friend and fellow forumite Charlie Tucek came over to take photos to post on the forum the day I got the Acela.

He saw the set go from the box straight to the layout and within minutes it was running full speed..in both directions.. on my 8x12 oval of 0-72.

All features worked ..doors.. tilt.. pantographs.. lights and sounds right out of the box...just ask Charlie..

Wow, had know idea the Acela was that much of a pain. My Mom has one she wanted me to sell for her brand new not opened not sure if I will now.

Sent you an email, as requested

I have it on a shelf in the family room looks nice.

I own one and am very happy wiht it. Ran it many times on layout. It does need very good track work, compared to other trains. it likes smooth connections between tracks and no S curves unless you have a long straight section between S. It does take some learning to setup on track with couplers the first couple of times. It is a show stopper.  Ran it with modular group. Love running this set.

 

 

If I were buying a set at this point in time I would prefer to see it run prior to buying it, I would not buy in the box.  Sitting in Box for 10 yrs probably isn't the best thing unless you want a shelve queen