Lionel's Acela, a year later

Last year around this time Lionel released what is arguably the most technologically advanced O Gauge model train, the Amtrak Acela.  Lionel successfully reproduced every little detail of the real Acela right down to the operating tilting mechanisms on each car.   It's an absolutely beautiful piece.  With the release of the Acela, Lionel, the company that made O Gauge popular in the mid 20th century, made a statement that it can produce a train packed with the latest 21st century technology and gadgetry.  Only 2000 sets of Acela were made by Lionel each with an MSRP of $1,999.99.  With a limited production I'm sure some collectors speculated that Lionel's Acela would increase in value over time.  It's may be too soon to tell if the speculators were right but an examination of recent Acela listings on eBay gives an indication of what has happened to the price over the past year.

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Lionel Acela Prices On eBay 4 Months Later

Back in the beginning of February I posted auction results from Lionel  Acela listings on eBay as the sets were starting to hit hobby stores.  The list price for the Acela is $1,999.00.  A very anxious person on January 29th paid $2,224.99 for one on eBay!   Well, four months have passed and the average selling price of the Acela on eBay over the past 30 days is $1,642.75.  There seems to be plenty of sets from the limited production run of 2,000 available because there were 20 Acela eBay auctions over the past 30 days.  It will be interesting to track how fast prices will rise over the next year or so as the sets become scarcer.

How much for the New Lionel Acela Set on eBay?

Lionel's Acela set was limited to a production run of 2,000 sets.  The sets started hitting hobby shops over the past week or so.  If you are looking for the set many have shown up on eBay.  How much will you pay?  The highest paid so far is $2,224.99, the cheapest is $1,725.  The set retails for $1,999.00.  Here's a recap of  how the Acela has been selling on eBay to date (date shown is auction ending date):

01/22/06  Buy It Now  $1,999.00 plus $40.00 shipping
01/27/06  Buy It Now  $1,999.00 plus $40.00 shipping
01/29/06  18 bids $1,999.00 plus $40.00 shipping
01/29/06  36 bids  $2,224.99 plus $35.00 shipping
01/30/06  Buy It Now  $1,995.00 plus $30.00 shipping
01/30/06  Buy It Now  $1,999.00 plus $40.00 shipping
01/30/06  Buy It Now  $1,995.00 plus $30.00 shipping
02/02/06  17 bids  $1725.00 plus $35.00 shipping
02/03/06  0 bids  $1725.00, $1995.00 Buy it Now w/free shipping  (re-listed)
02/03/06  0 bids $1,999.00 Buy it Now $40.00 shipping (re-listed)

See all the latest Acela listings

More Lionel Acela Pictures

CSX FAN posted some more Acela Pics on the OGR forum.  His layout is impressive, especially the cantenary lines.  The detail that Lionel built into this set is amazing.

View the Acela Photos

Update:  Even more pics from OGR  Great detail in these photos!

Acela Pics

One picture of the new Acela posted by Prewardude on the Classic Toy Trains forum.

See the Acela picture on CTT.

See more pics on OGR.

Lionel's Acela Set Showing Up in Hobby Shops

The buzz around the O Gauge forums indicates that some hobby shops have taken delivery of Lionel's new Acela sets.  No pictures or videos posted on the web yet but stayed tuned.

Lionel's Acela Set will Ship on 1/23/06

Charlienassau on OGR posted a list of items Lionel will be shipping on 1/23. The long awaited Acela set is on the list.

Read the entire post on OGR