I've tried some spare Kato couplers - they wouldn't work.  I tried Atlas couplers - they wouldn't work.  I tried some MicroTrains couplers - and they didn't work either.   So I'm hoping that MT sees the profit in making a specific coupler for this engine. 

Well that is some outstanding information - thank you!  I've been waiting a long time to finally get one of these, and am glad the wait will soon be over.

Thanks again for the timely information.

It is frustrating that there doesn't seem to be a straight answer.  My Local Hobby Store owner said July 31, but now, no longer knows when they'll arrive (according to his sources).  I've read several speculated dates on various websites...but after waiting almost a year from initial order, it sure would be great to get some concrete idea when these will arrive.

So is the arrival date sometime in October?  What's the latest?

Well....??  Hopefully soon?   

Thank you very much for the information!  As much as I'd like to add this train to my rails, it isn't going to happen.  My largest radius are 11 inches...and I figured that would be way too tight for the Acela unfortunately.

Any updates Bach Man? 

We're almost done with May and haven't heard a thing at my Local Hobby Store regarding a shipping date.

Hope it's soon!   

I agree that it sure would look better on much larger radius track, but I'm extremely space limited and could only use 11 inch radius curves on my layout.  I was holding out a faint hope that the train might run on 11 inch track, but knew that was a long shot.  I realize it would look horribly unprototypical, but it's such a good looking train, I wouldn't mind. 

I just wondered if anyone had used the train on small radius tracks, or if the train could run on a smaller radius at all without one car's edge hitting another as it takes a tighter radius curve.

Thanks!

Hello,

Would anyone happen to know the smallest radius the Acela Nscale set could operate on?  The product listing says 19",  but I was wondering if anyone is operating this set on curves smaller than that.

Thanks everyone!

Well...we're in May now...wonder when the DD's will be released?   

Well...we're getting through April...and according to my LHS owner, there's been none released yet. 

I know...I'm supposed to be patient.

Great!  My thanks for the information regarding the version and commentary with each production run.  I've read some positive things about the upcoming version - many of your concerns were addressed in the review of the latest prototype version- so I'm hoping Bachmann changed the design shortcomings as necessary on the finished piece. 

I'm not a rivet-counter per se, and being able to see a slight design flaw in Nscale is tough.  But like many other people, I want an engine to look "right".  I've noticed several of my Bachmann engines are oversized compared to those of other manufacturers...something I can live with, but it affects how my boys and I operate our layout.  We normally won't mix a Bachmann engine with other manufacturers in the same lash-up.  The Dash-8 wide cabs, for example, are scaled more closely to other brands and have some nice detailing, but loose points with the oversized handrails and don't quite look "right" running with other similar engines. 

I have high hopes that this DD40 will be a substantial improvement over previous production runs. 

That one looks pretty good to me!  How does it run?  Great looking layout scene btw.

Southern Railway High Hood GP30 in tuxedo black of course.  Since Bmann already makes the GP50 in NS colors, this shouldn't be too tough to make.

I...ah....really?  You got the new DD40AX?  From you LHS or direct from Bmann?  Ok...now I'm confused.  My LHS is still saying it won't be delivered for quite some time.  Maybe, since he's got to go through a national chain/wholesaler it takes a bit longer.  I just placed a call to him and (his computer's down) later today I might have an updated arrival date.

How does it look and run?  I'm really hoping Bachmann did a good overall job with both the design and decoder integration.  I'm not a rivet counter...but would like things to look good and run well.  My biggest concern is what radius is required for this engine.  I'm using 11 inch curves now and can't go any larger.  I had read (way back when this engine was announced) that they were trying to get the useful radius down to 9.75 inches, and to accomplish that, they were going to truck-mount the couplers.  A small concession to be able to run it on smaller layouts imho.

Write a review!  Let us know what you think!  Thanks