The New Lionel Amtrak Acela is the Most Complex Train Set Ever Made!

Lionel's Amtrak Acela is the Most Complex Train Set Ever!
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Acela Set: www.lionel.com/products/amtrak...
Acela Expansion Pack: www.lionel.com/products/amtrak...
Chapter List:
0:00 - Intro & Background
8:37 - Acela Locomotives
14:38 - Acela Locomotive Demonstration
20:54 - Acela Passenger Cars
28:05 - StationSounds Cafe Car Demonstration
30:05 - Passive Tilt
30:55 - Running Session
36:41 - Conclusion
37:54 - End Credits
39:12 - Blooper

[@talis84]

Having been a commuter on the North East Corridor, I can say the unreliably opening doors on the original set is prototypical. I had an experience where I was in the vestibule waiting for the train to stop at my station stop and the stupid door only half opened. I had to go to the next car to get out and I almost missed my stop because of it. Lionel was just being true to the real life experience on Amtrak!

[@Ericstrains]

Too funny.

[@Genius_at_Work]

Bombardier Twindexx have these Problems too. When I used to live in Flensburg (northermost City in Germany, right at the Danish Border), I had to ride these regularly on the Flensburg-Hamburg Line. Defective Doors happen on almost every Trip (~160 km/~100 Miles); Doors not opening are no big Deal, as you can just walk over to the next Door. Doors not closing cause a 5 Minute Delay though, to reboot the Train's central Computer. I once rode with worse Door Problems; all Doors failed and the Conductor had to manually open a Door. All Passengers using just one Door instead of eight made the Stops significantly longer, causing almost one Hour Delay. But 1+ Hour Delays on a Journey that should take 2 Hours is perfectly normal there; Flensburg-Hamburg is hideously unreliable, even by Deutsche Bahn Standards. If you don't know them, Bombardier Twindexx are Bilevel Passenger Trains. They are not exactly EMUs, but a Modular Kit. There are different Versions, some are proper EMUs, others are just Cars for Locomotive-hauled Trains, and the ones on Flensburg-Hamburg are a weird Mix, with regular Cars that are hauled and pushed by "Powercars" at both Ends. All of them have in Common that they break down constantly, mostly because of Electronic/Computer Problems.

[@biscuitag97]

Same here but with the Acelas not being able to run in the extreme cold and heat. Ive been stuck behind a stopped Acela more than once on a commuter (diesel powered) train. Sometimes when they break down the Acelas need to be rescued. Usually by a P&W or Amtrak diesel.

[@barrettwbenton]

Hey…at least Lionel got the trucks right the first time!

[@romanmichaelhamilton8729]

@@Genius_at_Work Wow, that's crazy. While in Germany I never had a chance to ride the ICE. Does it have any reliability problems?

[@stellaelectric1]

Undependable is how dedicated Lionel is to Amtrak and the Accela line, its called realism.

[@34jared]

I was going to put together a nice Amtrak HO-scale set 20 years ago, but it was too much work, too expensive, and took up too much space. So I just became a real Amtrak engineer instead !

[@Karat260]

Thats one way to go about it

[@maxnash8450]

Improvise, adapt, overcome.

[@Maxmellow94]

And how’s that going have you operated the Acela ?

[@CalebCosta175]

I want that job

[@arthursansnom4289]

Wow, what a blast from the pass. I'm not in train modeling but I tested the real one. I'm a retired Bombardier Electrical/Electronic Test Technician, I was on site in Pueblo, Colorado onboard the first train set certification at 155 mph to operate at 150mph in service. Doors were a problem, too big! Also work on the prototype Jettrain with a turbine on the same platform in Pueblo on 9-11-2001. Lionel done a great to reproduce the train set. Au revoir from Quebec.

[@bbrailroad6284]

I'm not a fan of Lionel, but your trains and layout are simply amazing. Your Ops and video quality are 2nd to None. Lionel should be glad to have you as a spokesperson. Keep up the Great Work.

[@mootsym]

He reviews other brands too

[@mootsym]

@@nathannatedog82 your comment on this video is hands down the most stupid and not normal comment I've ever seen on a video reviewing model trains. congratulations.

[@Andy1341000]

I didn’t even know there were any other brands besides Lionel lol.

[@mootsym]

Never seen you run trains that fast. You’re braver than I would be. That’s some serious speed around those curves.. $2500 flying off the table is a sight I’d never want to see. Looked fantastic though 😁

[@Ericstrains]

It’s the Acela, you gotta run it fast! 😃

[@madfingers72]

Video looks sped up, maybe..?

[@daveinthewildOG]

This thing is bananas! What a gem. If you are next level set up some tracks running through several neighbor's houses for a high speed run deserving of a high speed train!

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I've always wanted a huge train set like this ever since I was a little kid. I'm coming up on my 50s in a few years and I have ambitions of delving into trains once I -have more free time.

[@Ericstrains]

Some helpful notes on this video: 1. This videos has chapters for those who wish to skip around 2. There's a blooper at the very end of the video 3. Minimum curve required for the Acela is O-72 4. The price of the set is discussed a couple times in the video 5. Links to the Lionel product pages are included in the video description

[@TheDartandFedExBoy]

I love the hybrid K5LA horn! Sounds realistic!

[@guatemalantomcat]

I will never do this as a hobby because last thing I want is to be whacked while checking out my favorite Lionel at the local hobby shop.

[@rpkett]

Lionel continues to raise the bar and I love it. Super cool.

[@MrBnsftrain]

This is quite a fantastic set! I especially love how realistic the lighted interior looks from the outside at track level. It's a shame the Hiawatha set got canceled as that one was my favorite fictional livery of these Acela sets

[@mileshoisington4350]

Governor Walker cancelled the Wisconsin Higg Speed rail program so no Hiawatha’S for you

[@michaelfoster7875]

Eric, my name is Michael Foster. I love trains and Christmas! A tradition started by Lionel's founder, Joshua Lionel Cowen back in the 20th century. Mr. Cowen used his middle name to name the company in 1900. The Acela is a fantastic bullet streamliner. I bet it is as fast as Lightning McQueen from Cars. Ka-chow! and merry Christmas!

[@ssnoc]

Wow thats a beautiful train - the night shots are amazing. The sounds and voices definitely make a big difference 👍

[@Ericstrains]

Totally agree!

[@ctskifreaks]

I just watched RBP Trains' newest video, and they have the Polar Express variant running. I completely forgot it was official and not a custom paintjob.

[@cjcron2590]

Love the train grew up on the East Corridor so always see that train here and there

[@MichaelB450]

Great review, also Lionel themselves no longer recommend running the whole set in a train configuration because of the weird setup procedure. They issued a suggestion on the OGR forums themselves with just setting the engines to have the same ID and just running the whole train as with just the engine ID. That leaves running the Bistro car on its own and you would access the functions through a separate remote or just calling up the ID of the car in the Legacy remote. Setting it up as a train requires every piece in the set to have its own ID, as leaving both locomotives with the same ID will cause the trailing locomotive to set itself to forward as well (which is not how you want it). Causing you to have to delete the train, set both locomotives to program, and reinputting their ID to set it back to their normal operation. So the new recommendation from Lionel makes it far simpler to run the whole train

[@andrewrife6253]

That's a slick set. I love the subtle details like the tilting cars and the interior details.

[@NorthAtlanticRails]

That is an extremely awesome train set. As you can tell by my channel name and icon the Acela is my favorite train and I'm glad Lionel brought it back. I currently have the 2005 version which is not as accurate as the 2022 version but the colors on the side like the blue colors by the doors specifically on car 6 and car 1. Either way this Acela set is amazing and I can't wait for more videos on it

[@TSL73]

How do you feel about it’s replacement?

[@pinchy08]

I’m going to miss this version of the Acela when it retires. I’ve been waiting to ride this one since it’s debut. But it’s replacement named Avelia Liberty looks beautiful too.

[@sirremusrobinson1070]

I gotta tell ya Eric years ago I started with HO as a kid. I never liked O Scale because in those years you had pre war trains and they were not prototypical nor the track. They looked toy like. Since watching your videos I've learned so much. And my appreciation for Lionel has appreciated. Now they make prototypical trains and the features are excellent, just amazing. But in my older age I've turned to N Scale. I love the size and so many can run at the same time in a small space. With this specific Acela set, I have the N Scale version but nobody offers the other road names as an Acela. I've seen the Polar Express version, my goodness the Santa Fe version is must have!!! That version is beyond beautiful and brilliant! Merry Christmas to you and your family. This video is awesome and love your channel. Maybe meet you at one of the conventions soon.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@henryszubielski8601]

Great review of a fantastic looking set. Thanks for sharing you impressions of the set Eric!

[@scal2520]

Thank you for the wonderful video review of the new Acela. You covered everything so well. It has such realistic sounds, combined with the great scenic layout, I had ro remind myself more then once that I wasn't watching (hearing) a real train in action. Well done!

[@randytaylor1258]

What a fantastic trainset -- especially at night! Thanks, Eric.

[@Ericstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mikeyanello3664]

Really good video Eric. I have taken Acela many times living on the NEC and Lionel captured it well. The sounds car and tilt feature bring back many memories traveling from Philly to NYC and Boston and down to DC.

[@paulritchie2707]

Excellent, thurough job Eric! Awesome product. Authentically presented. God bless! 😃

[@UtahUPman]

Another quality video Eric. Massive sounds! I agree, a 25% cost increase in 17+ years.. but what hasn't? + the Acela will probably retain its $ value & smiles for sure!

[@raymond7880]

Thanks. Good, detailed, clear narration and description of the product and background.👍🏻

[@Stosh_is_rollin_coal]

Love that sd90mac in the background

[@johnturcsik2906]

I have the concept scheme version along with the add-on pack and I love it. With the legacy train sets that I have high only run them once every couple months. I mostly run the starter sets that I own.

[@robertw.1499]

You’ve just awoken the child in me. Absolutely love your layout ❤

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Merry Christmas 🎄⛄

[@Ericstrains]

Same to you!

[@AllensTrains]

Great review. The invisible catenary is working great too! Thanks for ujploading.

[@charlesedwards2566]

Merry Christmas Eric trains and I really like this Acela train set

[@trainguy4265]

Nice review Eric! I love the Amtrak Acela. It looks really cool. I love the flashing ditch lights, and I like the horn. It’s sounds so realistic.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@karens8633]

Very Nice! ❤ Thank You for demonstrating this train!

[@DerpyPossum]

That’s actually a fascinating history for a set like this. I have an old copy of the 2012 catalog. Had no idea that they never even made it!

[@henrylewis1256]

Eric's Trains What a Amazing Review on this Acela Passenger train Set,And at long last a female voice waiting for cleanrance to proceed very cool...I like the Manual opening doors compared to the Motorized ones and the sound effects of the Wheels making that screeching sound that is so neat as always Another awesome review from you.Eric I always enjoy all your Video's explaining of all the functions of all the Locomotives sounds...Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to you and your families 🌲🌲🌲🎉🎉🎇👍👍👍👍👍

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@ThinkerOnTheBus]

Gorgeous train set! I almost wished I modeled in O scale, but then I would also need to have an appropriate layout to run a train of that caliber. Thanks for sharing!

[@kyleking284]

Very impressive set thanks Eric's Trains🌟❤🚂

[@TheBeagle58]

Execellent presentation of this equipment. bravo!

[@CopenhagenDreaming]

I'm having a terrible day and have absolutely zero energy (health issues), and one of the things that can cheer me up is stumbling upon KZbin videos where people geek out over something I know absolutely nothing about! This was absolutely perfect; I can definitely see the fascination, and anyway people who are passionate about their hobbies often produce interesting videos. (Also, that train set does sound cool! No geeky hobby is un-cool in my book, of course - and if I one day have a basement or a garage, who knows? I'm not ruling out model trains in the future, for sure!)

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks

[@keithneal3253]

Eric - stellar review of what is a magnificent set. I own the Acela set as shown however still took a lot of enjoyment from watching all of your review. Thanks for putting it on you tube, I know it’s a tremendous amount of work. KN

[@Ericstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@keithneal3253]

Cheers

[@dhartist]

Wow that train is epic! Thank you for sharing!

[@raulschmalzbach7581]

What a great channel. I am so glad it was recommended. I am in my fifties and have not had a model train set since I was a teen. Your review makes me want to build one again. Well done.

[@Ericstrains]

Welcome aboard!

[@robertyoung259]

Hi Eric, as always, a great review. I have the Acela set and expansion pack. Definitely a fascinating and complex set. However, I have noticed that it does not like super elevated curves. I have two 096 super elevated (2-3 degrees) curves on my layout that consistently cause derailing. I think the combination of the super elevation and the tilt function cause binding between cars. The kinematic couplers may be involved as well. Still analyzing. Still love the set and will never part with it 🙂

[@chrispfeffer7902]

Such an amazing train set, makes me a little sad this country still isn't triple tracked between every major city coast to coast from Canada to Mexico with Acela's running several times a day from Atlantic to Pacific.

[@ronald8673]

The car manufacturers and airlines have better lobbyists than the high speed rail manufacturers.

[@rcg9573]

@@ronald8673 You mean Big Oil. They are the ones who lobbied and bribed our government to kill the train industry in much of the US over the past 50 years.

[@johnparrott4689]

Well, thank Republicans. They’ll gut passenger rail at every opportunity. Sorry, but there it is.

[@transfo47]

@@johnparrott4689 Facts.

[@ashtonmorrison642]

Thank you for this review my first order of the Acela got canceled and I got my money back so I decided to try again and my Acela will be arriving tomorrow just in time for the holidays

[@spotmikestudios1020]

I love your videos! I always wished I could model trains that awsome.

[@andrewnelson1511]

Man I wish I had a Amtrak train I used to have a Rio grande steam fraight train when I was a kid I just love Lionel train sets

[@roberttaylor6600]

That was cool Eric have yourself a very Marry Christmas you and your family.

[@emtffzartman666]

Let me just say I love your content.. I got a chuckle out of “the coupler comes out to allow for tighter turns” then.. “minimum curve is 072” 😂😂😂😂

[@christopherdelgaudio9484]

This Acela rules!blows the new one away!!.great vid thanks!

[@dilutechimp3433]

Nice and thanks for the detailed info.

[@jhardman4534]

KUDOS on your description and LIONEL has hit a home run with this set.

[@LectronCircuits]

Absolutely beautiful. "O" my goodness! Excellent training. Cheers!

[@Ericstrains]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@gavinsimmonsmccullum4219]

One detail to note at 9:46 is the paint scheme. The 2005 version models an Acela around its launch -before Amtrak added the "travel mark" to all its rolling stock. The older models have the word "Amtrak" in red on the nose and along the sides. The 2021 model represents the current state of Acela with the travel mark logos in blue. In real life, the nose logo has been updated or removed from all but one Acela set.

[@HateClickBait]

Absolutely stunning presentation in every way!

[@Ericstrains]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ronaldheller3638]

There is one error on the engine. On the North East corridor the pantograph is always up in the trailing position. Meaning the point of the V is always facing forward relative to the direction. This is to prevent adverse forces on the mechanism. On the GG1 they always raise the rear pantograph relative to direction. That way, if something happens to the pantograph it does not destroying the following unit. The forward one is protected.

[@denisebasile3813]

Beautiful train I had in HO scale all six I loved it great review very helpful to me next month I gonna be getting a O scale Conrail hammerman special edition black car with a crate and chained down and two

[@adamrossmanith6739]

Very nice set and video. An interesting observation I had about this set as well as a couple others from Lionel, they put an air powered bell sound on a locomotive that most likely has an electric bell. It's silly, but I notice it 😅

[@jamesthaxton4525]

james Call James H Thaxton Junior

[@tabomst3k851]

There was an A-team episode where Murdoch rhymed the whole time so I think you could do it too 😁🤔.

[@rusty383]

To me it's about handing down something down to my kids and Grandchildren memories

[@daybreakerrailfans1261]

Wow the crew talk had really improved. Love it great review ❤❤

[@Ericstrains]

I think so too!

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

This was amazingly well done!

[@ScarabChris]

My father got me into model trains back in the early 1980's. He built me a pretty elaborite layout, I was about 8 or 9 at the time. HO scale was the size. For some reason I never liked the larger scale with the 3rd rail in the middle. That just takes the "scale" look away for me. HO is nice because it's big enough to look real but small enough that you don't need a massive layout. Obviously the larger scale trains will have a bit more detail. But that 3rd center rail...always turns me off. I'm almost 50 years old and I still have most of the trains from the 1908's. Including a couple 4-8-4 steamers. Back then there was no built in sound. But we did have the oil you drip into the stack for the smoke effect. I also have an HO scale Bachman 2-10-4 steamer. I want to buy an HO "Big Boy" so that one day when I have the time, money and space to build a large layout, the Big Boy will rule.

[@PlaneFunRC]

Eric I don’t know if you know this but there is a way to trigger the passenger cars from the remote to demonstrate the passive tilt. It’s really cool.

[@stevenfd123]

Nice review Eric!

[@impiyush1991]

Wonderful review

[@sitearm]

very thorough, ty for posting

[@scmodelsclub4456]

Very good work. Have a good day.

[@BoDiddly]

I want to see the "z" scale make a comeback! I used to see them in commercials all of the time as a kid and fell in love with them. I wanted them more than the HO scale trains I had at the time. It was almost as soon as I was able to afford to buy them as an adult, that they were disappearing from the market. I did manage to find one set in the backrooms of an old hobby shop and bought it on the spot, but I would love to see more. I have always wanted to have these running on a ledge that goes around my house!

[@davidstrainsandlego]

Very cool set, I remember always wanting the original one

[@shadowmanmc1130]

Are you still looking I have one new in the box.

[@davidstrainsandlego]

@@shadowmanmc1130 thanks for the offer, but it be way out of my budget

[@CallardAndBowser]

That train is gorgeous !!

[@zachwheeler9846]

Very cool set

[@marleychronic8530]

I’m not sure how this video ended up on my recommended 🤣, but I’m glad it did!

[@tonygould9027]

I too, have an Acela set and expansion set. Mine is the Santa Fe version. I love the War Bonnet paint scheme. So when I saw it offered on the Acela I just had to have it.

[@Ericstrains]

That Santa Fe version is sweet

[@keithjackson9141]

Hey Eric love your videos and I have a set of the first Lionel run of the Acela, check your direction of your pentagrams I think they need to be reset for the direction of the train!

[@remie4494]

I just realized that they made a Santa Fe version and it is gorgeous ! That is a sexy version of that train..

[@Ericstrains]

Yeah it is.

[@BigMoney23223]

Growing up I always wanted a train set. We never had the money to get one, I even wanted the classic small set to circle the Christmas tree on Christmas Day

[@Jennifer-K5LA]

The mechanical sound coming from the units is spot on! Beautiful set im hoping for one in 1/29 scale, but im afraid that will only happen if uts scratch built 😢

[@shadowmanmc1130]

I have two of the original sets still in the boxes never open. Great video as always.

[@Damone7653]

I like it in the box

[@shadowmanmc1130]

@@Damone7653 that’s the way it is. Unfortunately I never got the opportunity to open it up and check it out.

[@rtrfan7398]

@@shadowmanmc1130 will you open it sometime?

[@shadowmanmc1130]

@@rtrfan7398 probably not. I’m going to go ahead and sell it. I’m downsizing my train, layout and all my equipment.

[@Bobrogers99]

The price of the set may be expensive, but there must be enough potential customers to warrant developing and manufacturing it. The realism and detail is incredible!

[@michaeldonohue1267]

Eric that was a great review, one thing you forgot to mention is that you could run the original Acela set with the pantographs, not the new one. And the things on the axle are called discs for the disc brakes. By the way I have the original Acela set and I need the journals for the locomotive, do you know anyone that has them. Thankyou again good job I enjoy all your videos.

[@DanielLopez-me9mh]

This acela train set is so neat it looks like the nasa space shuttle on railroad tracks awesome set you have its just like the real thing

[@danielboone3770]

Awesome train set I gotta say!

[@dennis2494]

Merry Christmas Eric!

[@Ericstrains]

Same to you!

[@jerrysimpson9224]

First time watching one of your videos Eric I’m Jerry this year mix 23 years. I’ve been working on the Railroad with Amtrak. Absolutely enjoyed the video now I got to go buy some lottery tickets to try to catch up to your level.

[@avasmeditations]

We are new to your channel ❤ Love the trains

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks and welcome

[@Vizzutti]

Nice! It's probably more sophisticated than the actual Amtrak train!

[@Donnie67654]

Seeing this makes me wish Eric had a nice sized amtrak station for his passenger trains. That would be EPIC.

[@Ericstrains]

All in good time

[@Donnie67654]

@@Ericstrains happy holidays man! Been following since 2009

[@jameshersee169]

Really cool trains. I love all the little details though I don’t understand the crew talk ones to be honest. I never hear them around trains here in the UK.

[@glashoppah]

Those three “little wheels” on the axles on the passenger cars really blew my mind. Those are inboard ventilated brake discs.

[@brandonking9780]

Such a cool set I didn’t even realize it was this involved

[@Damone7653]

I always enjoy a good set.

[@ericwilliams1023]

Awesome job

[@MMID303]

Wow that's amazing

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

Great video .

[@StarTrekEnterprise2001]

Looks awesome 😎👍