Happy Tuesday!
Check out our newest F-unit, dummy, lighted caboose, center-flow hopper and boxcar!
Today's train email will be sent out later this morning, but I've included it below.
Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy
Original Post
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Having new options is always fun to see. Thank you, Menards for investing in 3-Rail model railroading!
Menards really pushed my buttons with these. I grew up in the western burbs of Chicago and watched these engines hauling bi-level commuter cars into downtown Chicago. Station was about a mile from my house. Order placed, I may need a 12 step program.
Bill
I know Menards is not an East Coast operation, but they've done lots of NYC and New Haven rolling stock. Would be in for an F unit in those road names. A bit less expensive than the LionChief equivalents with similar capabilities. Surprised they haven't done a BN or BNSF version yet, but perhaps that's in the works.
Yes CNW tracks ran thru my uncles farm, spent many Sunday afternoons about 4 waving to the brakeman in the caboose, just ordered thanks Menards!
Might have had some interest in the engine, but not with that monsterously oversized CNW logo on the side, and the non-prototypical stacked lettering that results from it. Whether engines or cars, Menards seems to like gigantic logos pasted on the sides of their products.
Nice job, there certainly is a call for additional road names. One could assemble a nice train for half the cost of other manufacturers locomotives.
That is interesting.
What railroads could be next?
Rio Grande
New York Central
Southern Railway
SOO LINE
Milwaukee Road
Great Northern
Andrew
Looks fantastic! Thank you @Menards!! Now, if you'd just make a EJ&E one we'd snap it up in a heartbeat!
(Also, if you introduce conventional control to these, we'd be far more likely buy them even if they weren't EJ&E!)
Fun looking set.
@breezinup posted:Might have had some interest in the engine, but not with that monsterously oversized CNW logo on the side, and the non-prototypical stacked lettering that results from it. Whether engines or cars, Menards seems to like gigantic logos pasted on the sides of their products.
Totally agree! Why do they do that? Recent PRR same deal. Does it somehow get them around licensing fees?
@MainLine Steam posted:Totally agree! Why do they do that? Recent PRR same deal. Does it somehow get them around licensing fees?
I dunno. I like them as they are. It's fun, and this way you--and the kids--can tell what railroad it is.
Too gaudy; I'm not interested. C&NW is Menard's home town railroad so I'd hope they'd get it right. The attached photo is C&NW 411, a restored F unit at the Illinois Railway Museum. The logos are much smaller.
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@cbq9911a posted:Too gaudy; I'm not interested. C&NW is Menard's home town railroad so I'd hope they'd get it right. The attached photo is C&NW 411, a restored F unit at the Illinois Railway Museum. The logos are much smaller.
Thank you for that photo cbq991a. When I saw the Menards' C&NW loco, I thought the graphics and gigantic lettering were way off base, but wasn't certain. Now I can say that it looks absurd.
Well, scale modelers might not be the intended audiences. While getting it "right" might have been nice, at least it isn't another SF Warbonnet scheme.
Please do another run of Bluebonnet engines and dummies !
It should be common knowledge now that Menards isn’t in the business to make prototypical trains with all the releases they made. They are priced for the entry level modeler and anyone else who likes their product. They’re never going to produce a Vision Line level unit.
I say congratulations to Menards for supporting an underserved market in our hobby. And with some nice items too.
@Traindiesel posted:It should be common knowledge now that Menards isn’t in the business to make prototypical trains with all the releases they made. They are priced for the entry level modeler and anyone else who likes their product. They’re never going to produce a Vision Line level unit.
Well, yes, they're not going to make expensive Vision Line type items. Obviously that's not their market. But while they're priced more for entry level customers, nonetheless they seem to have gotten a very positive reception by Forum members also, who are more familiar with how prototypical railroad equipment should look.
When certain Menards items sell out quickly, my guess is it's not because there's suddenly a rush of entry level customers flooding to Menards to buy new train items (especially during the summer months), but because of purchases by Forum members who read the Menards messages and post about it, and the notifications on the Forum by Menards itself.
It doesn't cost any more to do more prototyical markings, so why not just do those as long as there's a sizable market for more realistic markings? The counter to that, which I suspect is part of Menards marketing strategy, is to make their items gaudy with colorful, albeit unrealistic decor, in order to make a bigger impression on entry level buyers.
@breezinup posted:Well, yes, they're not going to make expensive Vision Line type items. Obviously that's not their market. But while they're priced more for entry level customers, nonetheless they seem to have gotten a very positive reception by Forum members also, who are more familiar with how prototypical railroad equipment should look.
When certain Menards items sell out quickly, my guess is it's not because there's suddenly a rush of entry level customers flooding to Menards to buy new train items (especially during the summer months), but because of purchases by Forum members who read the Menards messages and post about it, and the notifications on the Forum by Menards itself.
It doesn't cost any more to do more prototyical markings, so why not just do those as long as there's a sizable market for more realistic markings? The counter to that, which I suspect is part of Menards marketing strategy, is to make their items gaudy with colorful, albeit unrealistic decor, in order to make a bigger impression on entry level buyers.
Forum members and other email subscribers or Menards in-store customers.*
We were avid purchasers of Menards traincars long before I joined this forum, despite purchasing (almost) nothing train-related between the End of K-Line and 2018. I'm sure we're not alone. I didn't know this forum existed until maybe 2020.
I'm also personally seen fellas and gals in Menards stores say something like, "Oh, that's pretty. I used to have one of those train sets when I was a kid. Maybe I can convince [my spouse] to buy one for me or the kids this Christmas. The kids really ought to have one."
My point is, a (probably sizable) number of people see these offerings (in their email, online, or in person), think something like "OOOh, pretty! I want it." and purchase without regard to accuracy, and certainly not rivet-counting.
Picked up my Newest Menard's offerings yesterday, the C&NW & Pennsy 2 bay hoppers. Very nice-looking colorful cars, not everything I personally buy has to break the bank!! I have like most everyone else all of the major train brands in my ongoing collection. I certainly have a place for some of the Menard's cars, I hope they keep expanding like they are!!! Great job, Menard's
Jeff
My thoughts. . .Menards has two sets of customers. Impulse buyers and serious model railroaders. Impulse buyers will buy a "nice" model even if its livery is spectacularly incorrect.
Serious model railroaders want correct liveries. If the livery is correct they'll buy more trains. A gaudy livery is a quick kill. A non gaudy livery means Menards will sell 2 six packs to someone; a 12 car train is "right" for many layouts.
Menards is making a C&NW center flow hopper. I'm not interested because the paint scheme is gaudy. I bought a Lionel center flow C&NW hopper; same car but twice the price (before 25% discount). But a correct paint scheme.
How does the Menards version of livery differ from fantasy paint schemes (green bonnet or whatever), Halloween trains, xmas trains, etc. Some serious model railroaders pursue these.
@ogaugenut posted:How does the Menards version of livery differ from fantasy paint schemes (green bonnet or whatever), Halloween trains, xmas trains, etc. Some serious model railroaders pursue these.
Because when model train companies offer real life road names, they make great efforts to provide realistic markings, not overblown graphics. This is far different than Happy Halloween or Merry CHRISTmas trains.
I got mine. Love the looks of it and it runs and sounds great!! Thanks Menards -- PLEASE keep making more great items!!!
Simple solution If you dont like it dont buy it Leaves more for people that DO like it
@cbq9911a posted:Too gaudy; I'm not interested. C&NW is Menard's home town railroad so I'd hope they'd get it right. The attached photo is C&NW 411, a restored F unit at the Illinois Railway Museum. The logos are much smaller.
I'm so glad someone else said it besides me!! I think they look disgusting and wouldn't spend a plug nickel on any of them, I did a much better job just kit bashing my own stuff!!! Somewhere I have a bunch of boxcars in various colors that I can't seem to find but don't look like a fake toy that these do!!!
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@stubbsO posted:I'm so glad someone else said it besides me!! I think they look disgusting and wouldn't spend a plug nickel on any of them, I did a much better job just kit bashing my own stuff!!! Somewhere I have a bunch of boxcars in various colors that I can't seem to find but don't look like a fake toy that these do!!!
If you hate them that much you could just, y'know, ignore the thread and leave it to those of us who really like it.
Not everyone has your mighty and wonderful kitbashing skills, nor the time nor inclination to kitbash. Some I know are horrified at the thought of taking a perfectly good car and "ruining it" to make it into something else.
Another point: it's highly irregular to call these a "fake toy." They are real enough, tyvm. 
And perhaps to some people these do look like a toy--but that is their goal! If Menards made the caboose up to Lionel's standard, and charged $80-90 the way Lionel does, I--and perhaps most everyone in Menards' target audience--wouldn't purchase it. I categorically refuse to purchase a Lionel catalog item because their prices are absurd.
@Micro posted:If you hate them that much you could just, y'know, ignore the thread and leave it to those of us who really like it.
Not everyone has your mighty and wonderful kitbashing skills, nor the time nor inclination to kitbash. Some I know are horrified at the thought of taking a perfectly good car and "ruining it" to make it into something else.
Another point: it's highly irregular to call these a "fake toy." They are real enough, tyvm.
Y'know? And if you don't like my comment, then don't read it!! This is a public forum, open to discussions, opinions, and debate, and I expressed my opinion TYVM, but you seem to have an issue with it! BTW, Lionel spent many a year of time and money to make their products look real and not some fake toy that these are! And another thing, at least I'm using/repurposing something that's American made and keeping my money in America than supporting some foreign knock-off junk!
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!
It is exactly this nonsense as to why I walk away from this forum for months at time every so often. I am about to do it again. For grown adults, ya'll sure do act like children at times.
@stubbsO posted:Y'know? And if you don't like my comment, then don't read it!! This is a public forum, open to discussions, opinions, and debate, and I expressed my opinion TYVM, but you seem to have an issue with it! BTW, Lionel spent many a year of time and money to make their products look real and not some fake toy that these are! And another thing, at least I'm using/repurposing something that's American made and keeping my money in America than supporting some foreign knock-off junk!
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!
You are correct that I took issue with your comment, but I was snarky and over the line in my initial response, and i apologize for that.
For your information (because I am sincerely guessing that you didn't know--and would be interested in knowing), most of what Lionel makes--except for their "Made in USA" and "Lionscale" items-- is not made in America anymore. Instead, it is now manufactured in China and Korea. From Lionel's website's timeline, regarding the year 2000 (https://www.lionel.com/articles/timeline/):
2000
Lionel moves its 100 years of American manufacturing to Korea and China. The 100-year-old company had no choice if it was to remain competitive and the industry leader.
@stubbsO posted:at least I'm using/repurposing something that's American made and keeping my money in America than supporting some foreign knock-off junk!
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!
@Micro posted:
For your information (because I am sincerely guessing that you didn't know--and would be interested in knowing), most of what Lionel makes--except for their "Made in USA" and "Lionscale" items-- is not made in America anymore. Instead, it is now manufactured in China and Korea. From Lionel's website's timeline, regarding the year 2000 (https://www.lionel.com/articles/timeline/):
Yes, I do know that they're not made in America! Why do you think I made the comment that I did, I guess you only read what you want and ignore what's actually written????
"Good Grief!" - Charlie Brown
@stubbsO posted:Yes, I do know that they're not made in America! Why do you think I made the comment that I did, I guess you only read what you want and ignore what's actually written????
Um, yeah, I did not get the impression that you knew that information about Lionel trains not being made in America. I genuinely thought you were praising Lionel for not outsourcing their products to another country. It wasn't said with intent to fight but to give you information I thought you didn't know.
Your comments are routinely offensive, grating, and distressing to read, so I am blocking you to save myself.
@RamblerDon posted:It is exactly this nonsense as to why I walk away from this forum for months at time every so often. I am about to do it again. For grown adults, ya'll sure do act like children at times.
Deep apologies for my part in this. I'm quitting my share of bickering about it as of this post.
@Micro posted:Um, yeah, I did not get the impression that you knew that information about Lionel trains not being made in America. I genuinely thought you were praising Lionel for not outsourcing their products to another country. It wasn't said with intent to fight but to give you information I thought you didn't know.
Your comments are routinely offensive, grating, and distressing to read, so I am blocking you to save myself.Deep apologies for my part in this. I'm quitting my share of bickering about it as of this post.
All good.
I have also taken your idea and I have done the same after remembering other posts from them.
I am now done with it also.
I just wanted to bring a little civility into this. I apologize for essentially "butting in" so to speak.
Happy Railroading folks.
@RamblerDon posted:All good.
I just wanted to bring a little civility into this. I apologize for essentially "butting in" so to speak.
Happy Railroading folks.
You're not butting in, and no need to apologize either. It's a sad commentary that nobody can say their opinion, or the word "BOO" for that matter on any forum without someone taking offence to it and try and shut you up, then they treat you as the evil one so they can feel superior! That's why the internet and social media in general is the death to society as we know it!
Whats with the white roof top radiator fans on these Menards F’s? Are they separate, unpainted parts?
The fans on my CN&W are unpainted gray and appear to be part of the body casting. The paint application between the fans by the stacks is somewhat sloppy. There is a light over spray on part of the stacks.
Bill
@RamblerDon posted:"Good Grief!" - Charlie Brown
+1
For what it's worth, I think Menards' offerings are kind of down the middle when it comes to realism. Some offerings are painted realistically, others are more fanciful. Last time I checked, a certain large model train manufacturer - Lionel - has painted some of their trains through the years in fantasy paint schemes, even some of the very expensive offerings. And guess what? People buy them. I personally wouldn't spend 1-2k dollars on a locomotive with a fantasy paint scheme, but to each their own. Would I buy a $150 locomotive with a livery that's a derivative of an actual railroad paint scheme? If it's something I personally liked, sure. If not, I won't buy it, but I certainly wouldn't put down someone who did. The paint schemes on Menards' latest diesels aren't quite prototypically accurate, but they still look good IMO. Especially their latest Milwaukee Road offering. I suspect one of these will eventually be on my layout, either in their existing offerings or a future one.
Either way I think it's a good thing this is being discussed, because Menards does read this forum and will make updates to their products if they get the right feedback. So, if enough people "complain" about these paint schemes being inaccurate, they could very well make diesels with more realistic liveries in the future. For me, I used to be a "rivet counter" to a certain extent, but now not so much. For the longest time I wouldn't buy anything that wasn't scale, accurate paint schemes, numbers, etc. Then Menards came along with all these attractively painted, traditionally-sized railcars at reasonable prices. Now my traditional freight car fleet far outpaces what I have that's scale, though I still get scale equipment from time to time. Needless to say, Menards has made collecting and operating O gauge trains a lot more fun for me and a lot of other people, so I applaud all their efforts and hope they keep it up!
The last time we had a train set up it was a mix of a K-Line starter set and several Menards cars on a swervy oval (about 6' long and ranging from 3' wide to 2' wide, with several S-curves in the middle)--O-27 tubular track. The family friend's 7-year-old boy absolutely adored it. He really loved the Menards Pepsi truck and trailer set. I think--hope--we started another lifetime fan.
Last time I checked, a certain large model train manufacturer - Lionel - has painted some of their trains through the years in fantasy paint schemes, even some of the very expensive offerings. And guess what? People buy them.
I am going to do a preorder for the new Lionmaster Hudson. I had initially decided to go with the Black with White Stripes because it was the closest to prototype. But I kept going back to the Dreyfuss inspired one.
I am going to order the Dreyfuss inspired Hudson. It might not be accurate at all and the rivet counters might dislike it. But that is the one I like and that is the one I'm getting.
I honestly wish I liked the Halloween version a bit better because a glow in the dark locomotive sounds really cool to me.
