Acela on hold indefinitely (the real one, not the Lionel version)

[tgovebaker]

According to a news report, Amtrak has pulled all of its Acela trains from service, due to the discovery of significant cracks in nearly 30% of all of the train's disc brakes. Naturally, Amtrak has no idea when the trains might be returned to service.

This comes at a challenging moment, primarily for Amtrak, which is desperately trying not to disappear at the hands of Congress, but also for Lionel, which needs cash. If the Acela goes away, will the new Lionel version quickly become a massive, collectible hit (even more so than now), or will the disappearance of the real version reduce interest in the model?

This could be Lionel's great opportunity -- it could have a higher quality train than the real one.

That is, if Mike Wolf doesn't convince a court that Lionel sabotaged the Amtrak brakes...

[dougdagrump]

Better be careful Tom, you don't want to give Tony any ideas. [(-D]

[FJ and G]

i don't think Acela or amtrak will ever go away. maybe Lionel can make some Acelas for Amtrak?

hey, they made stuff for our troops during WWII, course MTH may want in on some of the action too [4:-)]

[siberianmo]

Sorry, but TOY TRAINS?

[csxt30]

Hi Siberianmo! No, Lionel made a lot of military things, compasses , I believe for the Navy, among other things. Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

Maybe the Lionel one will run as good as the real one. After all this is being billed as the most realistic model ever.

It could save Lionel like it is saving Amtrak. It already is an expensive boondoggle that is taking it's sweet time ironing out the kinks.

A Mylar Band-Aid posing as a Silver Bullet.

[Anonymous]

One Acela train will be up and running this morning (Monday) according to the CBS morning news.