I believe the Acela's Wheelbase is slightly longer.  I'll confirm later this evening (if I remember)

Don't forget, Bachmann already released another Acela Express train set with new road numbers in well-enough time for Amtrak's 40th birthday and I believe around the 10-year anniversary of Acela Express service.

My walthers Amfleets handle 22" radius curves quite well.  At one time they were operating when the maximum radius on my layout was slightly above 18".

I don't disagree with Walthers' decision to up the disclaimer as far as minimum radius goes.

In answer to your original question, in all honesty (and it pains me to say this), out of the three locos you've listed; despite being a good runner, the Bachmann Spectrum F40 is probably the least accurate representation of the respective prototype.  Kato is closer but not spot on.  I believe there's a consensus that Walthers (or maybe lifelike) have come the closest to representing the F40.

If you're modeling anything after 1994 (Phase III or higher), go with the P40.

Quote from: diburning on January 06, 2011, 06:53:47 PM
This engine runs on DC only.  I don't have a decoder in it yet.

I bought it online (brand new from a brick and mortar hobby shop with an online presence), and theres a warranty card that came with it, but I didn't fill it out.

If I send it back to Bachmann, will I have to pay the $25 for repair?  The engine is #655 which I think is from an older production.

Also, I lost a stirrup step while taking the shell off.  Do you think they'll replace that too if I send it back?

Thanks

Eric

You may have to specifically request that when you send it in.  My suggestion would be to call customer service and request instructions and get the name of the person you spoke to so that when you send it in with a description of the problem and a request to replace one of the steps, you have a point of contact who at least knows your engine is "in the works".

If you get the right person, they should be more than helpful and likely won't charge you anything for the repair but you should definitely hammer home the point that the locomotive was brand new in box, still sealed, etc. (if that is in fact the case).

Quote from: atari on January 06, 2011, 07:40:03 AM

Quote from: lvrr325 on January 06, 2011, 06:11:49 AM
Athearn's streamline passenger cars, if you can find them (and they made tons, I can hardly give them away at shows), would look fine and will operate on 18" curves. 

Thanks for the tip. This, however, begs the question: what is it about the Athearns that people don't like?

The other thing is that modelers who are more particular about accuracy will bash Athearn's Amtrak rollinstock as it isn't really anything close to what Amtrak has on the road (especially today).

If you can get a hold of Bachmann's original Amfleet cars, those will handle curves with tight radii.  I started off with Bachmann's E60CP (original pancake motor version) and Amfleets (origninal).  The amfleets were very durable and forgiving on rough track especially when the radius was less than 22".

I agree with Len.

I would like to ask you though, what time period would you like to model or does it matter?  The F40 has been decommissioned for almost ten years now.  The P40 is ubiquitous in Amtrak's system (phase V) today. 

I am surprised that you opted for the Con-cor superliners.  They ARE very forgiving as they rarely derail unless you have track that has not been completely joined at the rail joiners. 

I started off with Con-cor superliners (having been the only available models on the market at the time) and slowly made the transition over to the more accurate Walthers cars.  I still have my con-cor superliners though but they're still stored at my parents' house in the attic.  I think for sentimental reasons, I'll likely hold onto them.

Quote from: full maxx on December 14, 2010, 12:13:20 PM
no this is the ho board

The bulbs should be wired to the board with wire leads.  The wire leads have to be de-soldered from the pc board and the replacements soldered to the same location.

I've seen all variants of the drives and pc boards but I haven't seen any of the pc boards where the leds are directly on them.  I'm assuming you mean that there's no easy way to remove the wires without soldering

This is a frustrating issue.  The boys in China for some reason or another are either instructed or feel it necessary to add in some sort of adhesive these days.  I've been able to successfully remove all the shells (some with difficulty).

See this link below and scroll near the bottom of the page for information on shell removal:

http://web.mac.com/msibnsf/iWeb/Acela%20Express,%20The%20Need%20For%20Speed/Modeling%20Techniques.html

I would start to pry the shell off near the truck area first, just enough to fit a small flat head screw in between the chassis and the shell so that you can slide it across and break the "seal".  Fortunately, this is a process that should only have to be carried out once.  After that, it should come off with less difficulty (as I'm sure it was intended by the boys over here).

As for the windows, I'm not sure.  You can try to call the service dept. and ask, but I wouldn't be surprised if they respond by telling you to send in the whole thing.

Good luck!

It's there.  Check the direct link below.

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_88&products_id=1634

Quote from: full maxx on December 13, 2010, 11:53:44 AM
ok thanks but the board on mine has the leds made onto it...not bulbs with wire

Are you talking about the N scale version?

Quote from: ripvanwnkl on November 03, 2010, 11:11:48 AM
How about Bachmann Spectrum 160-89943, Amtrak Acela business class road #3530? 

Thanks!  I just realized I mis-typed the first car number.  It was supposed to 3530, not 3520 but thanks!  I modified the initial post accordingly.

Kyle

Quote from: the Bach-man on November 02, 2010, 11:01:49 PM
Hey, Kyle!
David may chew you out, but he'll also know the answer!
See you in Springfield!
the Bach-man

I know!  The irony is that Dave doesn't particularly care about the "little numbers you can barely see on the cars" but he probably has them all!

Looking forward to seeing you in Springfield as well!

Kyle

If a fellow, well-respected Bachmann Forum member and NEC modeler is reading this post, he's probably rolling his eyes and will surely chew me out here or in Springfield in a couple of months...

I'm one car away from having 2 complete Acela Express train sets (the prototypical 6 cars) WITHOUT duplicate car numbers! I just need one more Businessclass car. Does someone have a list of car numbers that Bachmann produced for the Businessclass cars?  They all start with 35XX

I have the following Businessclass cars:
3530
3532
3528
3517
3510

If anyone knows which road number to look out for, that would be very helpful. I'm pretty sure that that last number is likely found in an actual train set which would make the pursuit a little more difficult but given the fact that I'm still running 4-car sets for now due to space limitations, it does keep my "ambitions" in check

Thanks!

What kind of vertical undulations do you have in your track work?  Also; have you considered using miniature washers to limit the vertical play of the couplers in their pockets?

Horizons
I have to admit, ever since Amtrak stopped service of the Three Rivers, I haven't had Horizions running on any of my trains for six years.  I do remember having similar issues but they were resolved when I used couplers with lower heads.

I also noticed that one of my Horizons actually rides MUCH higher than the rest.  I don't know why but it plays a roll in the coupler height as well.

I don't know where to begin in tracking this flaw down let alone the issue of "version control".

Amfleets

With regard to the Amfleets, the problem is more easily addressed.  If you have the older style amfleets (pre-working diaphragms), you may want to consider couplers with lowered heads.  I haven't had to resort to this (despite the many vertical undulations in my track).  You may not want to get couoplers with raised heads for the newer style amfleets as you run the risk of interference with the coupler head and diaphragm.  that will lead to more headaches when running your trains.

Quote from: Joe323 on September 17, 2010, 02:02:42 PM
As I recall at one point wasn't the track gauge different for the IRT BMT and IND Lines.

I tend to agree that some of the difference between the 2 subways is related to age as well as the size of the system (The NYC subway is larger) and mlrr looking at the metro map it does appear to be less redundant then the NYC system The Metro Map looks like a series of spokes with a downtown hub there is no wheel so to speak circling the spokes.

Very good observation!  The more modern subway/METRO systems (majority of which have only been partially built like in my current city of Baltimore, LA and San Fransisco to name a few) were planned as a radial system providing access for surrounding suburban areas.  Both DC and Baltimore are somewhat radial in nature and so it's no surprise that you have spokes in the system like you observed.