Sell it before it is too late.

Scott Smith

PRAY!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

PRAY!

scott.smith posted:

Sell it before it is too late.

Scott Smith

And leave you gentlemen with all the fun.  Gunrunner, it has been quite a history lesson reading your post from conception until present.  Quite honestly, your post were very informative and helped validate my reason for purchasing this fine set.  I don't think the build quality, realism and detail will ever be around again for quite some time.  I am looking forward to it being in my collection, especially to join my another standard must have "Veranda Turbine"  I am hopeful that this will be a very good experience for my layout. 

I am open to answers to my questions or points at the start of the thread.

By the way, you guys were the first to get up off the ground laughing.  Congratulations.

Consumer Reports on the Yugo...same goes for the Acela

"A poor purchase when new, a risky purchase when used."

Scott Smith

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

By the way, you guys were the first to get up off the ground laughing.  Congratulations.

Who says I'm off the ground?   I'm still typing from a prone position!

Since Lionel has the tooling collecting dust somewhere I think a dumbed down version would be a terrific seller if they can keep the price respectable.

Wouldn't be the 1st or worst issue.  My last 3 engines resulted in 1 going back to Lionel and 2 going back to MTH.  I expect, and would be disappointed without something.  I know, "you wont be disappointed".  Beat you to it.  We move on upward and upward.  Full speed ahead, any suggestions, other than getting rid of it or etc..... would be very much appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

I just wanted to state I really got a laugh from the title of your thread.  Nice to see you have a sense of humor.  Let us know how it works out for you.  I'm a bit envious of those who have one which works as advertised.

-Greg

Don’t let them Bully You!  I have this set from the beginning!  It is fantastic!  What a crowd pleaser to demonstrate !!  The only problem I had was with one of the Panagraphs !  The first time I sent it to Lionel for repair !  When they sent it back, they included a step by stem procedure to remedy the problem, if I ever had the problem again!  It happened one time after that which I was able to remedy, but never happened again!  They are a little fragile, but really fun to run!  Good luck with yours, and enjoy 😊 it!!!

Fredstrains

Here’s a thread about three running at the same time.  @choochoopaul started it. He may have some tips for you.    acela thread

I concur with Fred.  Yes, some people had serious problems with theirs from the start.

A lot of us, like Fred, may have had a minor issue, but once fixed by Lionel or ourselves, they've been great.  Mine runs on its own dedicate loop on my layout with O96 curves.  It is fine.

This is a great thread, you’ve purchased a great set, The Acela, and if you do have concerns, there a many folks here on the forum that can assist you to enjoy your new Crowd Pleaser....Congratulations.....Place Some Pictures for us to see your new Acela, and the layout it will ride the rails.....Happy Railroading 

Fredstrains posted:

Don’t let them Bully You!  I have this set from the beginning!  It is fantastic!  What a crowd pleaser to demonstrate !!  The only problem I had was with one of the Panagraphs !  The first time I sent it to Lionel for repair !  When they sent it back, they included a step by stem procedure to remedy the problem, if I ever had the problem again!  It happened one time after that which I was able to remedy, but never happened again!  They are a little fragile, but really fun to run!  Good luck with yours, and enjoy 😊 it!!!

Fredstrains

There is Light at the End of the Tunnel.....

Three possibly helpful tips:

1.  Whatever you do, don’t dislodge the pantographs when you unbox the engine or put it on the track. They are the devil’s own job to get back in place. The Lionel support webpage for this set:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...roductNumber=6-31714

links to a bunch of service tips including one on how the pantographs are attached. Re-attaching them is a job best avoided.

2.  If this set has been sealed/boxed up since manufacture, it’s quite likely the lubricant on the door opening mechanisms has deteriorated. Page 33 of the manual explains how to lube these. It’s just as well that your dealer is testing this out because to lube the mechanism the doors have to open. If the couplers and their infrared transmitters/receivers are not properly aligned they either won’t open or (more often) won’t close.

3.  Set it up first time slowly - probably a good idea to add the cars between the engines and test them one at a time to ensure you have a good infrared connection established between the engines through the cars' couplers.

Finally, READ THE MANUAL and the service tips from beginning to end.

I for one would like to know how you get on; I am thinking of taking mine out of mothballs.

leapinlarry posted:

This is a great thread, you’ve purchased a great set, The Acela, and if you do have concerns, there a many folks here on the forum that can assist you to enjoy your new Crowd Pleaser....Congratulations.....Place Some Pictures for us to see your new Acela, and the layout it will ride the rails.....Happy Railroading 

Fredstrains posted:

Don’t let them Bully You!  I have this set from the beginning!  It is fantastic!  What a crowd pleaser to demonstrate !!  The only problem I had was with one of the Panagraphs !  The first time I sent it to Lionel for repair !  When they sent it back, they included a step by stem procedure to remedy the problem, if I ever had the problem again!  It happened one time after that which I was able to remedy, but never happened again!  They are a little fragile, but really fun to run!  Good luck with yours, and enjoy 😊 it!!!

Fredstrains

There is Light at the End of the Tunnel.....

I thought there would be helpful people regarding this set.  Only lacking people like me liking to buy one LOL.  I'm pretty pumped and feeling a bit of the "luck of the Irish".  I will definitely let everyone know, and I will look at @chooshoopaul for pointers.  Thank you everyone.

Brant,

 Hancock's advice above is spot on.   Really take your time to put the train together on the track to make sure all the IR are lined up when you get to that point.

The Lionel Acela and the MTH Coors train with the music and opening door with the ice "vapor" are the favorites of anyone who gets to see them on my layout, including me!

Didn't Alex M post a video of some work on an Acela?

You may want to do a forum search or check his YouTube channel.

You could alway send him an email. He's always eager to help others out.

RickO posted:

Didn't Alex M post a video of some work on an Acela?

You may want to do a forum search or check his YouTube channel.

You could alway send him an email. He's always eager to help others out.

You're right on all counts and the threads are a mine of information about the engines (and pantographs) in particular. Here's the first one in 2016 and another last year:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...-at-the-lionel-acela

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...working-on-the-acela

I’m still laughing from Guns post.

Congrats (I think) on your new set.

We got one secondhand, so maybe the kinks were worked out but ours has been pretty well behaved. Touch wood....

It’s a fantastic set. It always draws a crowd, even more so being on this side of the pond. 

Take your time connecting the cars and you’ll be fine. 

Nick

I'd love to have one, but I think my new layout would simply be too small for something that large.  I only have 12 x 20 for it, I can't really see the Acela liking the environment.