Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:I could not help but enter into the fun everyone has or is enjoying with the marvelous set. Before we get into how dumb I was, I need your help to avoid being really dumb, please. In my defense, my layout has 2 loops (80+ and 90+ Atlas) with a good 3 feet as the shortest between 90 degree curves on the depth and about 9 feet on the width. Pretty much Oval within and oval. Layout is about 12.5 x 15.
I will say, my friend and Lionel dealer will inspect and test run it with his 2 high tech gurus (probably millennials) prior to shipping. My thoughts are as follows to expect upon unboxing:
1) Doors and other moving parts will need to be lubricated.
2) Something to do with a worm gear having lube that has dried out or is hardening.
3) Wheels and rollers obviously will need to be lubed.
4) Am I repacking any gear boxes? Didn't look at the drive specs yet.
This is the perfect thing for me to tinker with, as I tend to enjoy these types of challenges.
Thanks for looking and more thanks if you respond.
I want to state that I contacted "Acela Fella" prior to doing the run test. His tips and advice were priceless. Thanks Paul.
l was I prepared for the worst and could not be more wrong:
1) I did the lubing and oiling as any new train. (No problem)
2) Next step was joining the cars and verifying IR communication. (No communication)
3) Add one car carefully finessing the couplers and IR sensors together. I want to stress that when this is done you need to jiggle a little bit and slight rotate one care until you feel a sweet spot were it "softly clicks" to let you know you are home. If you place a finger under the male draw bar you can actually feel the "Click". Properly clicked, it will be very difficult to take the cars apart. Power up. Test for operation. Power off.
5) Add the next car following the above step, power off each time, until complete.
6) When complete, power up the transformer, There will be no operation sound from the train, doors on cars should close, and unpowered dummy should be silent.
Run the train around your layout and check out the operation and sounds. Check catenary arms for proper lowering and raising. I only had one not operating, and will tackle that. I ran it through 90 and 80 curves without one communication error.
People have stated that it is a most impressive set when operating properly. That is an understatement. It runs like a fine swiss watch with a ton of bells and whistles.
The scary part is that I purchased 2 of these sets. I want to see them run as a pair. Hopefully #2 will come out as nicely. My summation is that the joining of the cars properly is the key downfall. I was prepared to convert to tether. Not now, at least on this set. It is great when properly joined. Don't give up. Get it back out and try again. It is a cool set.
Good deal!!
You have followed the protocol with success. I have successfully operated mine with all of the features functioning on tubular 0-72 curves provided that the track work is good and crazy configurations are avoided (See, also, Lionel Nation 2). Most samples operate (or can be made to operate) properly. Just takes a bit of patience ... which is always rewarded in the end. At some point, those few who suffer from ADS (ACELA Derangement Syndrome) might consider refraining from posting their unhelpful ad hominem remarks whenever the topic of ACELA comes up. 
Have fun!
Bob
