Looking to purchase one of these original Acela sets, new and unopened preferred if there are any available. Will consider used if very little run time / in near perfect condition.
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Kimber33
Why don’t you order a NEW One out of the Lionel 2021 Catalog!!
The key feature was dropped ... No operating Doors!! Bad decision by Lionel.
Bear in mind that the first production run has zinc rot issues with the powered, and possibly the unpowered units. The journal boxes are starting to disintegrate just from poor quality metal used to cast them and those parts are no longer available to be purchased. But even if you could purchase them, they probably would start disintegrating after a while. My friend has the original set and it recently had those parts fail, and he can't operate the set anymore as those journal boxes are structural.
So you're probably just better off buying the upcoming production run if you don't want to deal with the zinc rot issue. I was gonna go down this route, but after hearing about the zinc rot issue from an eBay listing and seeing others for sale with the same thing. I decided against getting the old one... Just a heads up by the way, so you aren't surprised by the issue if you come across it in the near future.
Thanks for the heads up... I'm still looking though
There is one on Facebook marketplace, just type in "lionel acela"
Thanks- CheckedFacebook but I don't see it. Only HO sets.
I'm sure one will surface eventually. There must be people holding these, hopefully brand new & still sealed.
hey choochoopaul: profile update
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ahh yes.... the zinc rot journals (lol)
that's good to know!!
@choochoopaul posted:
Totally familiar. I ended up swapping out 4 that were brand new. A note that one must be careful pulling the c-clips and pins when replacing tires. I forgot that one Paul.
@kimber33 posted:hey choochoopaul: profile update
Paul's " da guy". If he can't hook you up with the set surely he can help you with any potential issues.
@RickO posted:Paul's " da guy". If he can't hook you up with the set surely he can help you with any potential issues.
Can’t argue with that. No one knows Acelas better. He has posted videos and “how to’s and what if’s”. Beautiful sets.
@MichaelB posted:Bear in mind that the first production run has zinc rot issues with the powered, and possibly the unpowered units. <snip>
Not true of all examples of the set. Mine is still OK. It is a case of examining before purchasing.
Bob
Greetings - I have the Acela set and the additional passenger cars set. I'm in Los Angeles. Feel free to contact me at mike.bloom@gmail.com
@Michael Bloom posted:Greetings - I have the Acela set and the additional passenger cars set. I'm in Los Angeles. Feel free to contact me at mike.bloom@gmail.com
I think there is a point of clarification here. I believe he has the add-on set. I offered to sell both, but did not want to get stuck with the Add-on set myself. Kimber, perhaps you could clarify?