@rthomps posted:You probably need to take a few minutes and review the issues with the "first" Acela. You won't see those problem points again.
I am very well aware of the issues of the "first" Acela. That was the basis of my comment. You couldn't give me one of the darn things. They aren't worth the price of shipping. I think all of the fantasy liveries are ridiculous.
@Peter B posted:I agree with you as well Paul. I'm a big fan of both the New York Central and New Haven. While New Haven 4-8-2 mountains have been done before the R-2a is a version which hasn't been done before, not even in brass! This is an example of something I really like seeing the manufactures do which is using existing tooling to bring out a new product. The R-2a is brand new to the model train world and given how it's so close to the Central's L-2as I think it was smart of Lionel to do it this way. I'll be ordering it for sure.
100% agree. The R2a is a beast! I can’t wait to see it. Hopefully it comes with darkened drive rods as it mostly hauled heavy freight.
@Gilly@N&W posted:I am very well aware of the issues of the "first" Acela. That was the basis of my comment. You couldn't give me one of the darn things. They aren't worth the price of shipping. I think all of the fantasy liveries are ridiculous.
“Fantasy liveries”? I prefer “non-prototypical road names” 😉
Even though I can’t fit these beasts on my layout I do applaud Lionel for offering a mix historical and non-prototypical road names on their scale offerings. Like I said, I would love to see a Lionel Lines SD70 ace along with the historical paint schemes. I think everyone can be happy!
The only Fantasy scheme for the Acela High-Speed train set is The Polar Express scheme.
Andrew
Pretty sure I'm going with the flag version of the UP Veranda. I could see this as a heritage type engine. After going through the feature sets of the new Veranda based on the previous one from years ago this one is probably the deal of the catalog.
i googled the real Asa Packer and valley flyer trains this morning and wow they are cool looking
Honestly if i had the money or the curves and college wasn't sucking me dry I would go for one of those 2 or the New hope and ivyland set
i hope lionel can do these sets justice
never know maybe one day i'll have one of the 3 traveling on my railroad but not today
@falconservice posted:The only Fantasy scheme for the Acela High-Speed train set is The Polar Express scheme.
Andrew
As opposed to the Santa Fe, Milwaukee Road, Union Pacific, Pennsylvania and New Haven paint jobs... None of which the prototype Acela is painted in.
Rusty
Full disclosure. I just ordered:
Camden and Amboy John Bull Set
PRR John Bull Set
@Rusty Traque posted:As opposed to the Santa Fe, Milwaukee Road, Union Pacific, Pennsylvania and New Haven paint jobs... None of which the prototype Acela is painted in.
Rusty
Right! That’s why we call them “non prototypical paint schemes “.
To me, there is something vaguely condescending about using the term “fantasy “ when. Referring to these trains. It’s almost as if the speaker is looking down on them for not being prototypical and looking down at the people who buy them. I’m sure that’s not the case but it can come across that way.
I'm purchasing the Lionel fantasy paint scheme 2750 NYC Pacemaker L2a Mohawk! , MY dime MY choice ! lol
IMO i think it will look great with a long consist of pacemaker box cars and a pacemaker caboose.
Alex
@Alex M posted:I'm purchasing the Lionel fantasy paint scheme 2750 NYC Pacemaker L2a Mohawk! , MY dime MY choice ! lol
IMO i think it will look great with a long consist of pacemaker box cars and a pacemaker caboose.
Alex
Good choice! I might have considered it if I had a bigger layout. Love those non prototypical paint schemes!
@Madockawando posted:Right! That’s why we call them “non prototypical paint schemes “.
To me, there is something vaguely condescending about using the term “fantasy “ when. Referring to these trains. It’s almost as if the speaker is looking down on them for not being prototypical and looking down at the people who buy them. I’m sure that’s not the case but it can come across that way.
One man's non-prototypical is another man's fantasy.
Rusty
The Polar Express motion picture was an amazing fantasy. All of The Polar Express items would be considered fantasy freight and passenger trains. The locomotives and passenger cars were based on real life steam locos and cars. It took place in a fantastic setting.
Andrew
@breezinup posted:The Soo GP30 caught my eye. There have been very few Soo scale engines made by Lionel. The engine is only a possiblity, though. After looking for many years for some Atlas O Soo GP35s, a bit over a year ago I finally found a set, so the Lionel GP30 is arriving too late, essentially.
I have been waiting years for a Soo Line GP-30 from anybody, so was overjoyed to see it. However, looking back at the catalog illustration I see that it has Blomberg trucks - the Soo Line used ALCO trucks from traded in FA-2's on their GP-30's. Hopefully Lionel will catch this.
Ordinarily, I wouldn't be interested in the Acela...but the PE livery is pretty neat. I have to say the price is an oucher...I didn't see it listed so am assuming the two powered units are ABS plastic...I could see the high price if they were die-cast.
The auto tilt feature must be neat to watch...I wonder how it works, is it electronic via magnetic dampers or mechanical in nature. The higher set price may be due in large part to this feature. Does anyone have the original Acela? And, is the tilt mechanism still working - is it robust?
The original Acela was a motorized tilt. And that was from what I gather somewhat problematic so as stated in the catalog it’s all mechanical. They call it passive tilt. (Non motorized)
I'm very happy to see Lionel doing the PAs in the New Haven's 'McGinnis' scheme. I held out on getting the MTH model a year or two ago in the hopes that Lionel would make one - Legacy is the better control system IMO. Last time Lionel did a New Haven PA model was the 'reverse McGinnis' scheme in 2005.
I'd also like the L-2a disguised as a New Haven R-2, but I'm limited to O-36 at the moment so no where to run it. It would be a lot of money for a display piece, but very tempting.
~C.Vigs
@John23 posted:I have been waiting years for a Soo Line GP-30 from anybody, so was overjoyed to see it. However, looking back at the catalog illustration I see that it has Blomberg trucks - the Soo Line used ALCO trucks from traded in FA-2's on their GP-30's. Hopefully Lionel will catch this.
Electro-Motive had an illustration produced of the SOO LINE GP30s showing them with Blomberg trucks.
I do not mind the trucks. It was strange that they decided to reuse the trucks from the ALCo FAs instead of new trucks with all new springs for a better ride on rough track.
Andrew
I like the NKP, UP, and GN Legacy Pacifics as well as the Rio Grande Ski Train Passenger Cars.
But I won't BTO anything any more. Ever. I'll wait until they come out and then make my final decision.
@falconservice posted:Electro-Motive had an illustration produced of the SOO LINE GP30s showing them with Blomberg trucks.
I do not mind the trucks. It was strange that they decided to reuse the trucks from the ALCo FAs instead of new trucks with all new springs for a better ride on rough track.
Andrew
Not really - trucks are expensive, and when you can reuse them (and their traction motors) it takes a lot off the cost of a new locomotive. That was the whole point of the trade-in programs that EMD, Alco, and GE pushed in the 60's - get a 'new' locomotive for fraction of the cost by reusing some parts. How the ride was for the crew always seemed to be a lesser concern.
~C.Vigs
@falconservice posted:Electro-Motive had an illustration produced of the SOO LINE GP30s showing them with Blomberg trucks.
I do not mind the trucks. It was strange that they decided to reuse the trucks from the ALCo FAs instead of new trucks with all new springs for a better ride on rough track.
Andrew
Hmmm. The prototype for the product not matching the artwork. So that's where the idea came from.
Rusty
You know, I was messing around today with a few things and was thinking about the last release of the Challengers. Got me thinking about the pictures of the 2-10-10-2's and the description. All the picture depict synced drivers, doesn't say anything about the sounds whether they have the drift chuff or like the Challengers. Hmm? Just curious, anyone else think about that? I know I had indicated either here or on one of the other discussions about details being very brief. So, @Dave Olson, could you give some more information on the driver's if they're synced as pictured and what sound set they will have?
I'm a bit surprised that some people think the "fantasy" engines are bad. I know of folks that would like an Acela but not in Amtrak, like the Veranda but only run PRR. Lionel reaching outside of the box gets a wider variety of engines to people who model only certain roadnames or like the different paint jobs. I think they'll sell a lot and must if they are putting so many in the catalog.
@MartyE posted:Pretty sure I'm going with the flag version of the UP Veranda. I could see this as a heritage type engine. After going through the feature sets of the new Veranda based on the previous one from years ago this one is probably the deal of the catalog.
- The body is still di-cast.
- Upgraded electronics. Legacy and BlueTooth.
- Upgraded drive train.
- Super Bass tender. These alone have been in the $350-$400 range.
- And the price is only $400 more than 20 years ago.
This has got me thinking. I agree that the Veranda seems to be the deal of the catalog IF they make good on all the features listed, which are close to the classic TMCC version plus the sound in the fuel tender. (BUT there’s no mention in the catalog of it being in the diesel as well, where the first version has a big speaker, and I think Lionel would have said if there is to be sound from both units.) After dealer discounts, which are running at about $300, the price is little more than the 2001 version listed and sold for.
I have gone for a Greyhound version from this catalog and hope that enough of them will be ordered to be made. My fall back would probably be the flag version, and I expect enough of those would be made for one to be spare.
@Hancock52 posted:This has got me thinking. I agree that the Veranda seems to be the deal of the catalog IF they make good on all the features listed, which are close to the classic TMCC version plus the sound in the fuel tender. (BUT there’s no mention in the catalog of it being in the diesel as well, where the first version has a big speaker, and I think Lionel would have said if there is to be sound from both units.) After dealer discounts, which are running at about $300, the price is little more than the 2001 version listed and sold for.
I have gone for a Greyhound version from this catalog and hope that enough of them will be ordered to be made. My fall back would probably be the flag version, and I expect enough of those would be made for one to be spare.
Both Dave and Ryan said it would be loud. I doubt one SuperBass tender will be able to supply that much volume but we can try to get @Dave Olson to verify that the engine will also have sound.
My first choice in the "Building America" Flag design. While not prototypical, it could have been.
@MartyE posted:I'm a bit surprised that some people think the "fantasy" engines are bad. I know of folks that would like an Acela but not in Amtrak, like the Veranda but only run PRR. Lionel reaching outside of the box gets a wider variety of engines to people who model only certain roadnames or like the different paint jobs. I think they'll sell a lot and must if they are putting so many in the catalog.
True, but look closely. "Built to Order". How many times have people waited for a year or more, not buying anything else due to finances, to find that they finally announce "Not being made due to lack of orders". I could never figure out why it takes so long to announce that if you have to have your order in a month after the catalog comes out. I know of many younger people who pre ordered only to have their hearts broke. Hence they get disappointed and go elsewhere. I know personally they have left a sour taste in my mouth. WARNING: THIS IS MY OPINION and experience.
@CurtisH posted:True, but look closely. "Built to Order". How many times have people waited for a year or more, not buying anything else due to finances, to find that they finally announce "Not being made due to lack of orders". I could never figure out why it takes so long to announce that if you have to have your order in a month after the catalog comes out. I know of many younger people who pre ordered only to have their hearts broke. Hence they get disappointed and go elsewhere. I know personally they have left a sour taste in my mouth. WARNING: THIS IS MY OPINION and experience.
Usually with few exceptions the cancellation list comes out shortly after the orders are due. Not saying some haven't taken longer but for the most part within a month or 2 after the order deadline we know if something is cancelled. Whether that information gets passed on is another story.
@MartyE posted:I'm a bit surprised that some people think the "fantasy" engines are bad. I know of folks that would like an Acela but not in Amtrak, like the Veranda but only run PRR. Lionel reaching outside of the box gets a wider variety of engines to people who model only certain roadnames or like the different paint jobs. I think they'll sell a lot and must if they are putting so many in the catalog.
I'm not sure either...??
I am happy when Lionel makes something that I would like to buy in a non prototypical paint scheme. Conversely, I am happy when others find the accurate scale model that they have been hoping for in the catalog, even if I am not interested. It never detracts from my enjoyment of the hobby when Lionel makes something I don't want. I am only unhappy when they don't make something I would like to buy!
I hope that make sense.
I noticed in the catalog and in conversation, that the new Lionel catalog boasts a number of Star Trek themed freight cars. What is clearing lacking and what would REALLY interest me is a BORG SD70ACU (SD90MAC). Shame I wasn't more artistically gifted. I could make my own starting from a MTH NS SD80MAC.
@zhubl posted:The original Acela was a motorized tilt. And that was from what I gather somewhat problematic so as stated in the catalog it’s all mechanical. They call it passive tilt. (Non motorized)
Ah, passive tilt, good catch on that.
Between the fantasy Milw. Road Acela set and the PE it'd be a tough choice...but at this point, unless I come into a financial windfall - highly doubtful - I don't think I can swing the pre-order prices for the set and add-on cars.
@A. Wells posted:I noticed in the catalog and in conversation, that the new Lionel catalog boasts a number of Star Trek themed freight cars. What is clearing lacking and what would REALLY interest me is a BORG SD70ACU (SD90MAC). Shame I wasn't more artistically gifted. I could make my own starting from a MTH NS SD80MAC.
Personally I think Lionel is seeing how the lower end products do before doing anything, if at all, scale in the Star Trek line. Unfortunately for me, if you put Star Trek on it I'll probably be getting it IF it makes sense. The little track mobile works well as a shuttle. Now about that transparent cloaking device transport car. Let's see if I can go 4 for 4.
@A. Wells posted:I noticed in the catalog and in conversation, that the new Lionel catalog boasts a number of Star Trek themed freight cars. What is clearing lacking and what would REALLY interest me is a BORG SD70ACU (SD90MAC). Shame I wasn't more artistically gifted. I could make my own starting from a MTH NS SD80MAC.
A Borg scale engine!!!! That would be soooo cool!!! Just make one that can transwarp over O-36 track. We are the Borg! Track wheel resistance is futile.
Thinking about non-prototypical Acela, You have to wonder why they didn’t go with some European rail lines. ICE would look soo cool on one of these. Or even virgin or Italia or France’s.
while not prototypical, it would resemble what’s actually being run over there.
@Paul Kallus posted:Ordinarily, I wouldn't be interested in the Acela...but the PE livery is pretty neat. I have to say the price is an oucher...I didn't see it listed so am assuming the two powered units are ABS plastic...I could see the high price if they were die-cast.
The auto tilt feature must be neat to watch...I wonder how it works, is it electronic via magnetic dampers or mechanical in nature. The higher set price may be due in large part to this feature. Does anyone have the original Acela? And, is the tilt mechanism still working - is it robust?
2 units with add-on cars work very well. Never a problem.
I have a short list of engines and rolling stock that I want, but I'm not 100% sure if I'm going to get anything yet. For sure, I am planning to buy some Fastrack O72 Remote/Command switches (2-4), some additional track and the LCS Wi-Fi and LCS DB-9 Starter Cable.
My loco list:
-BNSF GP30 (either the Blue/Yellow or BN Green)
-ATSF SD70ACe (a fictional paint scheme, but awesome)
-SP SW8
-BNSF Ballast Tamper
-I really want a Gas Turbine, but I don't have O72 Curves
My Rolling Stock List:
-Maybe a Vision Boxcar (either the SP or WP)
-Semi-scale Maxi Stacks (all three liveries: BNSF, CSX, TTX)
-Maybe a mill gondola or two
@Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:2 units with add-on cars work very well. Never a problem.
Looking closer ate the printing on PE cars, they were wrong. Canxcelled that, but could not resist the red Pacemaker and boxcar set with caboose. If the colors come out close to the catalog, it should be a very deep looking set.
@Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:Looking closer ate the printing on PE cars, they were wrong.
Hey Bryant, can you expand on this?
@Madockawando - Or better yet, a diesel train based on the work of H.R. Giger!
@A. Wells posted:@Madockawando - Or better yet, a diesel train based on the work of H.R. Giger!
Or perhaps make a scale Phantom! In any case, there is lot's of ground that Lionel can tread
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