Test Track: Lionel Amtrak HHP-8 set (6-cars) 1 of 2

Lionel 2009 Northeast Corridor set.

Standing in stark contrast to the 1989 GG-1 set in the previous video, is this ready-to-run set of completely modern 2009 Amtrak NEC equipment, sporting an accurate-looking HHP-8 motor at the head end, and the most detailed-looking Amfleet cars in O Gauge (overlooking the missing diaphragms between cars for now :) )

Whomever was in charge of this set's design, was most certainly NOT the one in charge of the Metro-North M-7 set, because if they were the same person/team...no, it's just too big a lesson to learn for a mere mortal to absorb :D

From the decently downsized locomotive, to the longest passenger cars ever put in a Lionel ready-to-run set, (and even the 48-inch curves included in the box), this is hands-down the Cadillac of Lionel starter sets. Now, Lionel didn't make any add-on cars for this set this year, so a friend who only wanted the locomotive sold his cars to me. Hopefully this means I have the first 6-car consist on YouTube :) (which this loco is more than capable of handling)

Now, as for comparing it to other Amtrak sets...well, I don't think many people are going to hook these up to Atlas O or MTH coaches, because quite frankly Lionel took a different tack in regards to downsizing this equipment. To get an idea of their methodology, compare Lionel's Lionmaster articulated steamers to their MTH RailKing counterparts. Yeah, that's kind of how it is.

Rather than take a scale-size car and shorten it a couple of inches, Lionel reduced the overall dimensions of the carbody. This isn't very noticable on the HHP-8, which looks "right" next to a MTH or Atlas O AEM-7, but the Amfleets are noticably narrower than their MTH Premier counterparts (MTH's RailKing Amfleets are also wider, despite being "shorty" versions). Needless to say, you'll only be running these Amfleet coaches with whatever other Amfleet cars Lionel releases in the future.

You can run these with MTH material handling cars (referred to by MTH as "mail box cars") and they will look "right" since the prototypes were narrower than standard railcars, and thus do not overpower the Lionel Amfleets. Look for product numbers 20-93279, 20-93126 and 20-93027. Try not to buy Lionel's idea of an add-on, the 6-27395 "Amtrak ExpressTrak Baggage Car". Because it's a model of a WOOD-BODIED REEFER (The people who designed the M-7 set must have done this one). Go look it up on Lionel's site with the number I gave you. And please laugh when you see it.

Okay enough praise. Where's the flies in the ointment? Well, there are a few small issues:

--Part of the pickup roller frames (there are four) on the HHP-8 ride *really* low to the third rail. I'm talking about a millimeter, if that much. This isn't going to cause any short circuits. But it CAN cause your shiny new loco to come to a "brick wall" stop if those roller frames snag an uneven joint on the center rail. Chances are the rest of the train won't stop anywhere near as neatly if that happens. So if you have stuff like lift-out modules/bridges, or transitions between different companies' track on your layout, take it slow on that maiden voyage till you know your trackwork doesn't pose any 'gotchas'.

--Not an issue but more like a quirk: The HHP-8 has Trainmaster Command Control onboard. When you first power it up, it's going to hesitate for a second while it figures out if there's a TMCC signal on the track before it starts moving. Rein in the temptation to crank the transformer handle wide open, at least till the engine finishes it's "power-up grunt".

--The LED lighting (snazzy!) inside the Amfleet coaches depend on some kind of contact between the shell and chassis that can apparently get a little screwy in shipment. Don't panic if some cars don't light up. It may just be a case of loosening some screws and jiggling the body a little.

--The long-shank couplers are subject to manufacturing variances that can make some of them susceptible to popping open under load. A quickle fix for this is to use some of those tiny rubber bands used to hold braided hair together Two twists around the coupler shank will cure the quirk and still let you uncouple..

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• model
• train
• O-Gauge
• Lionel
• Amtrak
• NEC
• HHP-8
• Amfleet
• passenger

[beardeddragon896]

would you happen to sell this train?

[RailRide]

@beardeddragon896

None of my trains are for sale.

However you can still find this set at retail. Just Google "Lionel 6-31779" to start.

[cannon13200]

what type of track is that in the very first shot of the train in the bottom right.. its got alot more planks than the standard O gauge

[RailRide]

@cannon13200

Those are old (as in "1970's era") Atlas 2-rail O Scale tracks and switches that I added third rails to, back in the late 1980's. Because at the time I had an entry-level job and they were way cheaper (like, $7 apiece) than buying Lionel switches. (they also let me place tracks a lot closer together)

The track the engine starts out on is from K-Line. The entire test track is equipped with track I used in floor layouts many years ago.

[mcrrocks80]

wow! where did you get that?

[RailRide]

@mcrrocks80

A hobby shop that carries O Gauge trains. This set was released late last year, some dealers still have them.

[EverywhereWest]

Nice set! I have the 2-car add on pack, and the cab car (still yet to come). Lionel did a great job with the Amfleets, they look kind of short (in height) with my other Amtrak equipment but it doesn't bother me. They look more realistic then anything MTH's made, especially with the flush-fit windows. At least in my 2-pack I didn't have any lighting problems, either.

[mcrrocks80]

@RailRide the front part looks like a lego part

[yardlet6]

Quite a few hobby stores are breaking up the sets. I got an Amtrak hippo for $290. I plan to run it on my Christmas layout. The only thing I don't like are the jack rabbit starts.

[RailRide]

@Trainlover4ever2006

Yes, it appears Lionel didn't make one. The 2-car add-on cataloged for 2010 doesn't have one either.

An MTH one would look out of place in this train though--Lionel made these narrower than scale.