I noticed today that Bachmann has plans on releasing an Acela set in N-scale sometime in 2002. This plus Kato's soon to be released Genesis should make all of us easterners happy Now If anyone would come out with a DE30M and some bi-level commuter cars in LIRR paint it would make things even more sweet! What else would my fellow eastern modelers like to see released? Russ Hoffman Valley RR
N-scale is not cheap! I only hope that all of these new releases from Bachmann (and MDC) run as well as their price tag. If so, I am positive that the Acela will be a huge seller. Happy Railroading! Russ Hoffman Valley RR
Is the overhead catenary avavilable for these trains? Or will modellers just run them with the pantographs down Electric trains on model railways are common here in Europe, but rather scarce in the US. Will Acela change this a bit, I wonder?
I have not seen any pics of the Acela yet but if they do not include a catenary then it simply is not the Acela, and not worth the price. Catenary layouts are getting some attention here in the states but with so few prototypes to model, the layouts that I have seen are typically PCC trolley or interurbans , and on those layouts I see mostly european prototypes being run. The only N-scale manufacturer to make any catenary equipment (that I know of) is indeed Bachmann and that selection is limited to the only U.S. prototypes and the poor running of Bachmann equipment. The east coast of the U.S. is the only place I know of (in the U.S) that still has catenary operations and that is why I welcome this new Acela. BTW - The only U.S. prototypes that I am familiar with are the E60's, Acelas and the various old PRR equipment (GG1's/DD1's etc.) all of which were found here in the east, the rare exception being some Milwaukee road equipment (Such as the "Little Joes" and other converted diesels) I guess that what I am hoping for( being a Cat fan) is for the huge success of the Acela in the hopes of some more Cat equipment, the likes of which Europe and Asia has enjoyed for some time. Russ Hoffman Valley RR
I have used the excellent Sommerfeldt catenary in HO, but not sure what they do in N scale, or if any is similar to that used in the US.
Well, on the dealer side of things, we are not putting much promotion behind the Bachmann's Acela. We polled some of our regular customers about it and they said the same things you guys are saying. It's quite pricey and who knows what the quality level will be like. Yes, the quality will be higher than other Bachmann releases but they are asking the price of a German made model and we doubt that the quality will be like a German made model. We would love to see Atlas produce the AEM-7 Electric Engine that they did for both O-Scale and HO. We could sell hundreds of these.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by swissrhb: We would love to see Atlas produce the AEM-7 Electric Engine that they did for both O-Scale and HO. We could sell hundreds of these.<hr></blockquote> I quite agree with you on that one. I have seen the HO version of the AEM7 pulling a string of Amfleet coaches at a train show and it looked spectacular. Unfortunately, as has been indicated by the major manufacturer's recent releases, they just will not release something unless it is a prototype that appeals to the masses. On the subject of not many people wanting the Acela - Nobody wanted Bachmann's TGV when it came out either but now they fetch a decent price when you can find them (And they ran really crappy without modifications). I do agree that price is a bit steep though and I do believe that it is because of the same reason I stated above - The Acela is a regional (eastern) phenomena and wouldn't have much appeal to those not modeling eastern prototypes. The only way to make a profit (and actually go through with producing it) is to maintain a high price. Russ Hoffman Valley RR
