New Acela

All I can say is if you want to guarantee that you get one then by all means preorder one. Or you can certainly wait to see if any dealers order extra but at the price Lionel is asking the dealers may not bring in extras.

Well order from your local dealer with the understanding you want to see them test run before you buy.The price point of the set and all the troubles with the first run should make that a requirement

of the order.

Gunny

I was keen to see the Acela re-done but with a reduced feature set and sky-high price, I am not tempted. I have the original version, which in my case has been prone to the issues identified years ago, but when it runs correctly it’s like nothing else in 3rail O scale trains.

I think I rather spend less money on having the kinks worked out by an expert than on getting an imitation. I will say that the passenger cars are probably the finest ever made in 3rail O scale, and I don’t blame Lionel for recycling the no doubt very expensive tooling used to make them.

Given the sky high price and reduced feature set, I'll be passing on this one.

I also have the old one and am hesitant to purchase.  I think the deal breaker is that the doors don't open automatically.  The tilt function was cool, but not a deal breaker that it's gone, but the opening doors was one of the coolest features of the set.  And honestly, the biggest problem with old set was the poor IR connection between the cars.  If they'd used updated IR transmitters or even a wired connection, I feel like the lion's share of door issues would be resolved - and without even touching the door mechanisms.

And I know it's 2005 dollars vs. 2021 dollars, and I'm ok spending big bucks for my trains, but a substantial price increase for the train minus many of its coolest (and most price-jacking) features is just hard for me to get over.  The only real perks of the new set to my eye are the LED car lighting, the Legacy slow speed control, and the dual powered engines.

I’ve pre-ordered one. I was in college when it last came out and wasn’t able to get it then, so I am now. Sure the door thing is somewhat disappointing, but it’s not a deal breaker for me. Every thing seems worth the price to me since the set has two powered engines, modern electronics, modern lighting, highly detailed interiors, and all the hassles of the original set are gone. I’m excited for the prototype set and expansion.

Can not get both models I wanted.so I pre ordered the up veranda over the acela. I really wanted an acela,but 3 grand is a bit much. With the price so high I doubt they get enough orders to make them anyway.

I have my heart set on 2 of them.  Some dealers are offering a slight discount on both the set and the add-ons so makes it that much more appealing but we'll see...

@Catonsville Central Railway posted:

The tilt function was cool, but not a deal breaker that it's gone, but the opening doors was one of the coolest features of the set.

The catalog states that all the cars feature a "passive tilt mechanism. Cars automatically tilt when going around around a corner." What features is it missing that the original Acela had? The set is out of my price range personally but the Acela is also contemporary which isn't the look I am going for right now so I wasn't going to be a buyer anyway. Its definitely one of those sets that is temping just because of the play value.

@SGP posted:

The catalog states that all the cars feature a "passive tilt mechanism. Cars automatically tilt when going around around a corner." What features is it missing that the original Acela had? The set is out of my price range personally but the Acela is also contemporary which isn't the look I am going for right now so I wasn't going to be a buyer anyway. Its definitely one of those sets that is temping just because of the play value.

The main thing it is missing is five motors in many of the cars, to drive the automatic doors and the tilt mechanism. In the new version the tilt happens through a modification of the trucks so that the cars are pushed to the side when rounding a curve. This is not motor driven. I am not sure whether the engines tilt as they did in the original version but I’d guess that a similar truck mechanism to the cars has been engineered.

So no automatic doors, which was the neatest but most troublesome feature of the original (caused mainly by the IR connections between the engines and cars), The electronics in my original version have always been a little unstable; at one stage the pantographs just quit working and then the engine wouldn’t answer TMCC commands. It was jolted back into life by an accidental application of full power to the track. I’d expect the Legacy electronics and sound to be an improvement, but I still consider the price way over the top for such a reduced feature set.

The engines never did and will not tilt. Neither do the real ones.

@Lionelzwl2012 posted:

Can not get both models I wanted.so I pre ordered the up veranda over the acela. I really wanted an acela,but 3 grand is a bit much. With the price so high I doubt they get enough orders to make them anyway.

Who's selling it for $3000.    List price is $2499, most places are discounting that a couple buck, and some places have "Early Buy" if you get in now.   I ordered the Santa Fe version.   (I also have an original that works).     Given it's about 16 years since the last one, imagine the list price if it had all the operating doors, pantographs, and motorized tilt.     It'd be a lot more than $2499 list for the set.

I was considering the Santa Fe myself.  Definitely leaning towards the Amtrak concept paint scheme and SURPRISINGLY, the Polar Express version.  I love them ALL but that's a little excessive but would be AWESOME to have the entire fleet.

@Dave Olson posted:

The engines never did and will not tilt. Neither do the real ones.

Then I guess what I am seeing with mine in “demo” mode - activating the tilt while the set is stationary - is the cars pulling the engines slightly to the side with them.

Escape rocks your set price is correct,but my 3000 price is for the entire set. The set plus the three add on cars. If you get one you have to get all six cars. Not getting the add on set would be not right in my eyes at least in my opinion.

With all the problems I heard about the original I have never taken it out of the box.  I need face reality and see if it works or not before I decide to order the updated version as a replacement.

@Paul Finn posted:

With all the problems I heard about the original I have never taken it out of the box.  I need face reality and see if it works or not before I decide to order the updated version as a replacement.

Get in touch with member choochoopaul, aka Acela Fella. I believe he can fix it

https://ogrforum.com/...a-setup-instructions

@Paul Finn posted:

With all the problems I heard about the original I have never taken it out of the box.  I need face reality and see if it works or not before I decide to order the updated version as a replacement.

I redid 2 of them.  You want to start by making sure you have Rev B catenary boards.  One for each engine.  They are kluge without.  There are docs on Lionel Support you need to download.  Tilt is probably OK.  The door worms get waxy with the grease.  Red and Tacky fixes that.  Start up with the engines and add from there.

Hats off to Acela Fella.  He and Choo Choo Paul taught me when I did my 2.  Short of a second powered engine ( not really needed) the original features make it the most sophisticated offering for a set.  Also, the gear work in the trucks is first rate.  Jump in.  You can’t take em with you.

I ordered one with the expansion set. I think its going to be a hit with upgraded sounds and a station sounds cafe car. The price is high, but reasonable compared to other products. There are single engines over 2k. This is a feature packed 13 feet of o scale goodness for 3k. I would think that lionel sets the MSRP by taking the estimated direct costs and adding a percentage. I’m not sure I would consider any of it price gouging... These things are expensive to produce. Either way I think it will hold its value well. Hoping dave and the lionel team knock this one out of the park!

I really want the American Flyer, Pennsy ,  or Santa FE one but don't have 3500 right now

may have to get one used 5 years from now i always wanted a lionel acela but i don't think i have a chance  ever at getting one

plus there is so much infastructure my railroad has to get just to prepare for high speed service that its just not possible at this time and maybe not ever

@paigetrain posted:

I really want the American Flyer, Pennsy ,  or Santa FE one but don't have 3500 right now

may have to get one used 5 years from now i always wanted a lionel acela but i don't think i have a chance  ever at getting one

plus there is so much infastructure my railroad has to get just to prepare for high speed service that its just not possible at this time and maybe not ever

I pre-ordered my Acela and the expansion from Nassau for $2750. Still not pocket change, but a good savings over list. And I’m having to upgrade my curves to handle high speed service too, but I’ve got a year to save up the cash/upgrade the track.

I ordered the prototype one, but I did consider the American Flyer version after seeing the Amtrak artwork from the 90’s. Pennsy version is quite sharp too.

@Keith Crook 020419 posted:

I pre-ordered my Acela and the expansion from Nassau for $2750. Still not pocket change, but a good savings over list. And I’m having to upgrade my curves to handle high speed service too, but I’ve got a year to save up the cash/upgrade the track.

I ordered the prototype one, but I did consider the American Flyer version after seeing the Amtrak artwork from the 90’s. Pennsy version is quite sharp too.

Keith, you ordered yours from Nassau Hobby in Freeport, NY??  Did they require anything up front?

@RailFan820 posted:

Keith, you ordered yours from Nassau Hobby in Freeport, NY??  Did they require anything up front?

They require 10% down. So $275, but the significantly cheaper prices makes the down payment worth it to me.

And yes, Nassau Hobby (http://nassauhobby.com)

@Lionelzwl2012 posted:

Escape rocks your set price is correct,but my 3000 price is for the entire set. The set plus the three add on cars. If you get one you have to get all six cars. Not getting the add on set would be not right in my eyes at least in my opinion.

Understood.

My total price, had I ordered the extra 3 car pack, would be $2750  

Good Morning,

Of all the original Alcela sets I have serviced, I have never had to replace either the IR transmitter or receiver.

Most of the problems with this product were and are caused by operator error.

If you own a set see my next post.

Meet your new best friend "The Acela Coupling Stick"

These instructions are to make the coupling of an Acela Train set easier. Note that the stick has three notches in the bottom, and two on the top. The side with three notches sits on a "O" gauge track. The leading car or engine is placed on the stick with the pin coupling centered on the upper two notches.

Place the next car in the consist on the track with the loop coupling leading. Bring the car up to the pin coupling, and lift it up and over the coupling. Guide it down over the pin, and feel for a click of the couplings connecting. Next, twist and remove the "Acela Coupling Stick" from under the car. The wheels on the added car should be on the track. Next lift the added car a little to check that the couplings have engaged, and are in alignment.

The first time you set up your Acela set with the stick, I would check the operation of the added car to make sure the couplings are connected properly, and the serial signal is passing to the newly added car. If all the operations of the car a working then repeat the instructions for the next car to be added to the consist.

Thank You for your Love of the Acela Product from Lionel.

Paul aka “The Acella Fella”

I've purchased just about everything "scale" in the PE Livery Lionel has come out with, and the Acela is definitely something neat and unique. I am not seeing the value in the street prices, considering both the set and add-on cars. If the engines were brass or metal of some kind I would likely bite the bullet on these. Unless I am missing something, the only bonus feature is the automatic pantographs. For the price not only should the doors open but figures should embark and disembark

I do have wide diameter curves on my mainlines, ranging from O-72 in one area all the way up to O-128, so I would be able to put the Acela to good use, but I have plenty of existing speeders to enjoy.