(12/13/18) New! 14-3/4" Santa Fe Flatcars from Menards!

Menards Mark,

WHAT MAKES THESE “Premium” Flat Cars? Are they an improvement over the previous issued cars? I ask that because I had a problem with the previous issued ones!!

Thanks,

Fredstrains

I believe because they are the scale size with deck detail.

Hi Fredstrains,

These are top of the line when it comes to flatcars. They are really something special!

- Wood composite deck with laser cut details
- Rides super low (only about 1" off the track)
- Fully-sprung, die-cast trucks
- Metal couplers with swing-type drawbar (great for navigating curves)
- Rotating axle caps
- Each car is uniquely numbered (no two cars are the same)

Thanks for asking!
Mark the Menards Train guy

For only 10 bucks more you get a very nice, detailed, shell truck too !  what a deal !!!

I hear the Jefferson's song playing in my head..   MOVIN ON UP!!!!    I love the Southern boxcars I got from Menards.  Will be looking for other PREMIUM cars to come out!!!

Jim

I was wondering the same thing as Fred. My one previous flatcar with a school bus is not too great with the load. It leans to one side like it is ready to fall over. Looks like this car sits level with the load. Might have to try one.

Mark From Menards;

Any chance that on this or future releases, Menards could come up with a small plastic cap with a similar wood grained top that could be snapped into the hole where the rivet is to hold the truck on? That would improve the overall look of these cars tremendously if that hole was covered or camouflaged with a simple snap in plug that could be pried or pulled out if anyone ever needed to service or replace the truck.

Just a thought.

I was hoping that this Premium 14 3/4" flat car would have been made in the SOO LINE scheme of a white flat car with red and black graphics. 

Andrew

A very nice looking car.

Steve

mustang posted:

Mark From Menards;

Any chance that on this or future releases, Menards could come up with a small plastic cap with a similar wood grained top that could be snapped into the hole where the rivet is to hold the truck on? That would improve the overall look of these cars tremendously if that hole was covered or camouflaged with a simple snap in plug that could be pried or pulled out if anyone ever needed to service or replace the truck.

Just a thought.

 

Mustang,  Place your flat car deck side down on a copy machine and make a paper copy.  Cut out a few planks and using either water soluble glue or rubber cement place over the rivet area.  Hole is covered, ought to have enough planks to cover a bunch of rivets. Before you place the new planks over the rivet, use a tan felt tip marker to color the edges so the white paper is not visible.

John in Lansing, ILL

rattler21 posted:

Are these die cast sprung trucks?  John

- Fully-sprung, die-cast trucks

Jim

mustang posted:

Mark From Menards;

Any chance that on this or future releases, Menards could come up with a small plastic cap with a similar wood grained top that could be snapped into the hole where the rivet is to hold the truck on? That would improve the overall look of these cars tremendously if that hole was covered or camouflaged with a simple snap in plug that could be pried or pulled out if anyone ever needed to service or replace the truck.

Just a thought.

 

you could try to fabricate your own topper from banding too

https://ogrforum.com/...ve-a-menards-flatcar 

I accidentally clicked on the link for the flat car with the truck, and then accidentally purchased it. Oh well accidents happen 

What is the approximate scale or dimensions of the Shell truck?

 Thanks!

rattler21 posted:

Are these die cast sprung trucks?  John

That's actually a bullet point in Mark's response above, or were you just being sarcastic?

bigtruckpete posted:

What is the approximate scale or dimensions of the Shell truck?

 Thanks!

Hi bigtruckpete,

Dimensions for the Shell truck are 9-1/4"L x 2"W x 2-1/2"H. I will add those dimensions to my original post too.

I hope that helps!
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Menards posted:

bigtruckpete posted:

What is the approximate scale or dimensions of the Shell truck?

 Thanks!

Hi bigtruckpete,

Dimensions for the Shell truck are 9-1/4"L x 2"W x 2-1/2"H. I will add those dimensions to my original post too.

I hope that helps!
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Thanks Mark! That sure helps. 

It’s a great looking truck. 

Just placed my order for flat w/ fuel truck.  The free figures loaded automatically.  With free store pick-up it ends up being a great deal.

Will have to pass due to the incorrect Santa Fe lettering. Otherwise looks like a nice car for the price, especially if using a load to cover the truck screws/rivets.

Excellent.  Just ordered a pair

Certainly a welcome addition to the Menards "train stuff" line!

This 14-3/4" flat car could be made for Burlington Northern in Cascade Green with white letters and numbers, and  BN Maintenance of Way White with black letters and numbers . 

Andrew