I hope that more are made with other decoration… period correct please!
So I’ve read thru the comments on this forum, other forums and Social Media about this engine. I passed on it but not for all the other reasons that people have been saying, “it doesn’t have smoke, it doesn’t have Electro Couplers, it doesn’t have a place to take it to when it breaks.”
This is a TRIAL run of this loco. What this means is that if they can figure out the bugs like other things in the hobby such as the DCW WIFI App operations, this can open a door to a new manufacturer of locomotives.
I would worry about everything else last. If these engines turn out to be great locos and the response to Menards is positive, they will start producing these again and others road names maybe different types of locos.
The loco was being sold around 130. Find a loco with smoke, electro couplers and all the bells and whistles of a command control system, new in the box from a retailer…
This loco is geared more for someone who wants a loco that they can put on the track, it can pull anything that is put behind and let it go but don’t have to spend tons of money.
I certainly would of bought this loco, but there are people out there that are more happy and excited to get this than I would in life right now. I know at least 5 people who bought them and I will get to see them in person when they get here.
This is very exciting to see and probably in December, at least one person that sees a loco operate and how to maintain it and where it should go might be able to own a Menards Loco of there own.
Take it at face value gents. If you want all the fancy features then the big mfr's have plenty to offer.
Think back to where their models were when command systems were first offered.
I'm looking forward to testing it out. My first Beta test! WHOO HOO! 
Just think......20 years from now we can sell them on Ebay as first run collectors items for a ridiculous amount of money. . 
@EscapeRocks posted:Roy,
I read it as Stamped steel frame and the trucks are metal with die-cast frames.
I see that now. Thanks.
But under "not just a pretty face" it says the frame is diecast. So it's probably a misprint.
The 5 and 8 year old begged me to buy it.. when I went to get it, it was gone.
If their reaction is any clue to how this will do I think they will sell a lot of them.
Is two pounds light for a locomotive? It sounds light. Let’s see how long they last once in service.
Aldovar ,
Those reactions are EXACTLY what these locomotives should mean, great price, good looks and it is something kids (Of ANY age) can run the wheels off of having FUN!
My grandkids currently run a Thomas , they love the fact it is their's and something they get to run without any hovering and corrections, this is a good step up for the NEXT train when that time comes if Menards goes into full scale production.
It sounds good and is priced right. I hope that they are successful. But, I have 8 assorted Santa Fe F units already. I have 10 Menards structures on the layout. They make great stuff. In any event, I wonder if it is new tooling or a redo of somebody else's.
"While it may not be Bluetooth, the remote bears a striking resemblance to those found in Lionel set"
As is the pricing. LionChief separate sale locos are about $40 more. LionChief sets as low as $200 for Thomas. Menard's has carried Lionel sets and rolling stock for years so I suspect this was contracted with Lionel or a Lionel factory, but does not bear the Lionel name. The remote conforms almost exactly to the external outline of the LionChief remote. Notice that the remote and loco bear little or no resemblance to RailKing in price or control system appearance. I suspect when you examine the PCB boards in the loco and the remote, they will look remarkably like LionChief, but I could be wrong. 
Wow!.....I've been doing some paperwork since around 9 AM......missed the big announcement.....good for the hobby!
If you want my choice for a steamer......please do a streamlined I-5 Hudson in New Haven colors/livery. 
Peter
I am happy to hear these sold out -- great for the hobby. I was excited and I had one in my shopping cart this morning but decided to pass. I have a great MTH Santa Fe Railking F3 PS3 that I absolutely love. A Menards engine could not compete with it for track time --- but for $130 versus $550 or so, I'm sure it was not intended to outperform my MTH model. I'll look forward to hearing feedback from forum members.
Will these pass muster as far as shipping to Cali ?
We have had issues with Prop 65 labeling requirements in the past for some but not all items.
@Doug W. posted:Will these pass muster as far as shipping to Cali ?
We have had issues with Prop 65 labeling requirements in the past for some but not all items.
My order was accepted and I live in So Cal.
Steve
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Maybe the next one!
Wow, although I’m late to make an order as they’re Sold Out, I will be checking at the Menards store in Evansville, Indiana later this fall/winter when they begin their Christmas sales displays. I hope the folks that get theirs in the next few weeks will give us some interesting details on how they operate. The price is right for a beginner in the hobby. Remember when Williams brought out their line of diesels way back in the 70’s? Menards has some very interesting accessories, buildings, signs, houses, all good quality. This thread should grow by leaps and bounds as this new addition to their line of O gauge products is very fascinating. Happy Railroading Everyone
@MartyE posted:While it may not be Bluetooth, the remote bears a striking resemblance to those found in Lionel sets. Could it be that it is the same control system used in earlier LC sets? These were not Bluetooth.
Striking resemblance? Well not quite, other than a warbonnet paint job. The LionChief set locomotives are FT's, with way different roof details and 4 portholes on the side.
Images: Menards and Lionel
The Menards locomotive bears a much closer resemblance to an F7 without dynamic brakes and the nose isn't shaped like any other model I've seen. I will say the exhaust stacks and fans do closely resemble the Lionel postwar F3's.
There's really a bunch of detail issues with the model I could site, but this model isn't designed to please rivet counters, just those looking for an inexpensive locomotive option and I believe it succeeds on that point.
Rusty
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@Landsteiner posted:"While it may not be Bluetooth, the remote bears a striking resemblance to those found in Lionel set"
As is the pricing. LionChief separate sale locos are about $40 more. LionChief sets as low as $200 for Thomas. Menard's has carried Lionel sets and rolling stock for years so I suspect this was contracted with Lionel or a Lionel factory, but does not bear the Lionel name. The remote conforms almost exactly to the external outline of the LionChief remote. Notice that the remote and loco bear little or no resemblance to RailKing in price or control system appearance. I suspect when you examine the PCB boards in the loco and the remote, they will look remarkably like LionChief, but I could be wrong.
I wonder if it can be run with the Universal Remote?
My first impression was that it was an F7, and for the price point, would make any kid happy when it pulls a train around the track. Too many are trying to get a Lamborghini at a Volkswagon price.
@Rusty Traque posted:There's really a bunch of detail issues with the model I could site, but this model isn't designed to please rivet counters, just those looking for an inexpensive locomotive option and I believe it succeeds on that point.
There are certainly several items to cite for those of us who enjoy counting the rivets, but what is striking to me is how closely this comes to an actual Phase IV ATSF F3. It has the correct pancake fans, the continuous grille, late number boards, and the correct style pilot. It is surprising scale looking even down to the bulldog nose which is hard to replicate.
Not sure where the number came from though. Definitely not an ATSF F unit number.
If they turn out to be a good puller and reliable, I'd love to see it offered in an SP black widow paint scheme.
@cabinet Bob posted:
Alrighty Bob... Do your duty and post up some close up pics and video. Let's see how slow you can get it to crawl... Pop off the shell too and let's see it's innards!
Rusty Traque: pretty sure you misread Marty’s post. He was referring to the Remote resembling the Lionel Lionchief remote. Not the engine itself.
@TedW posted:Rusty Traque: pretty sure you misread Marty’s post. He was referring to the Remote resembling the Lionel Lionchief remote. Not the engine itself.
Thanks Ted. That’s exactly what I said.
Great to see that they are sold out. Let’s hope all the bugs can be worked out and more locomotives will be offered.
@Bill Sherry posted:A little surprised here also. Had to order one and check it out, only 200 being made and its only $146.00. They advertise $129.99 with the worthless rebate for those of us on east coast that would not be able to drop in to use the $16.00 rebate. But still at $146.00 I gave it a shot. I believe they showed a delivery date in July - lets see. JP
You can always send it to a friend or OGR member that can use it. Their prices always seem fair and the rebate is a bonus. Know any seniors in "Menardsville" land? I'm sure they'd appreciate the gift.
Fantastic news for the O gauge hobby! Cannot wait to read the feedback.
Lets talk repair work. Who will do it? How long is the warranty good for? Will we be able to buy parts and do the repair work ourselves?
@Former Member posted:Alrighty Bob... Do your duty and post up some close up pics and video. Let's see how slow you can get it to crawl... Pop off the shell too and let's see it's innards!
If the loco can come close to a crawl, I would be ecstatic. Speed control is likely my favorite feature of legacy/dcs engines, so any bit of tweaking to provide smooth slow speed operation would be greatly appreciated.
@jim sutter posted:Lets talk repair work. Who will do it? How long is the warranty good for? Will we be able to buy parts and do the repair work ourselves?
That is the sixty four thousand dolor question.
@jim sutter posted:Lets talk repair work. Who will do it? How long is the warranty good for? Will we be able to buy parts and do the repair work ourselves?
@John Pignatelli JR. posted:That is the sixty four thousand dolor question.
A small issue. Guessing they have a plan. Do any TV's have a warranty after 30 or 60 days? Staples wouldn't even exchange an unused defective stapler of theirs received as a gift because we didn't have the receipt.
If this locomotive can be run with Lionel’s universal Lionchief remote I believe that Menards will have a hit on their hands. If this means adding yet another remote system to the hobby well then I’m not as sure.
Would be interesting to know if any of this came from K-Line tooling, can't wait to get mine for the open up !
my order is in and confirmed
@Daniel Bobrovsky posted:Would be interesting to know if any of this came from K-Line tooling, can't wait to get mine for the open up !
The details don't match up with a K-Line F-unit.
@jim sutter posted:Lets talk repair work. Who will do it? How long is the warranty good for? Will we be able to buy parts and do the repair work ourselves?
I'm guessing refund/credit or exchange for defective units. Functioning returned units to be placed in Menards Mystery Boxes.
Rusty
@Dick S posted:It sounds good and is priced right. I hope that they are successful. But, I have 8 assorted Santa Fe F units already. I have 10 Menards structures on the layout. They make great stuff. In any event, I wonder if it is new tooling or a redo of somebody else's.
I suspect old rail king tooling from before proto
@RixTrack posted:I suspect old rail king tooling from before proto
Nope. Not RailKing... The early RailKing F's are short and stubby. (and sorta cute...)
Rusty
Huzzah, Menards!
Well-placed steps into a bigger world:
Locomotive style - check!
Livery - check!
Beta test with real, experienced users -- double extra good check!
I eagerly await the testers' reports, and your response & reaction.
Best of luck in your new venture!
I should have mine tomorrow or Wednesday so I will post my video review on my channel as soon as I can. I'm going to try and cover as much as possible and do some comparisons with my Legacy Santa Fe for sizing purposes.
Pretty excited for this new entry, I think Menards is on the right track (pun intended)
-Matt
