How is the Menard's track working out?

It's really nice.  I bought some before Christmas for the first time.  Solid.  Spans distances if elevated.  A bargain even with the shipping and handling.  Track ties don't match Lionel if that matters.

They even have a transition track for Fastrack.

John

I built an around-the-room ceiling layout with Menard's track in April.  It works great.  I'm not sure where you got your info. about no Internet sales.  I believe that's incorrect.  I bought 100% of the track from their website and had it delivered to my door.

The Menards track has been around for several years now and the general consensus is that the track is very good.  As for as internet sales, most of there items are internet sales only.   My Menards carries a full track selection year round and they have signs directing you to their website for bulk pricing on the track.  Even during the holidays, they only carry a small percentage of what is available.   Go to their banner above and you will be amazed at all the items they have

Edit,   I can find posts on their track going back six years, so it’s been around for quite a while.

Wow, thanks! 

I distinctly remember looking into buy some several months ago, and their website said "in-store purchases only."   

Maybe this was just a very short-lived Covid thing.

Thx,

Mannyurock

Manny, Menards track has been out for several years.  I built my current layout using it and Lionel UCS/RCS sections and Lionel and K-Line switches. I have had no problems, works fine.  I did have some shipped to me.  One thing that can be a bit surprising, the O-36 curve sections are longer than the O-42. Not a problem in any way, when I opened the box of O-36 I just thought I'd gotten the wrong thing since they were long.

0-42 on the bottom, O-36 on top.  Sides painted, ties added.

Track ballasted

I'm quite happy with it, will likely use it on my next layout.

Manny, you might have been looking at their rebates.  The rebates come as a card that is good only for in store purchases.

@Ross posted:

Manny, you might have been looking at their rebates.  The rebates come as a card that is good only for in store purchases.

I couldn't use them because I am 1000 miles from the nearest Menards.

Can one give them to a fellow forum member to use?

John

I believe those rebates are useable by bearer despite having been mailed to a particular person.  If so, why not offer them for sale at a 50% discount or some other attractive and agreeable number?  At least you would get something out of them.

Chuck

I recall a while back the Menard's track had issues with center rails shorting to ties because the crimps compromised the thin insulators. Is that ancient history now? Or still something to watch for?

I built my current layout staring in 2018, no issues at all with the center rail insulators, and I tested every piece.

Good reviews on  Menard's track!  Probably no hope on getting something non-tubular close to MTH Scaletrack in appearance, but Menard's seems to deliver quality and price.

The only problem, that I found using Menards track for my under-the-tree loop, was that the ties are further from the end than Lionel/Kline track making it hard to use Lionel Track Clips to hold sections together.  ---- Small zip ties worked well!

@PRR1950 posted:

I believe those rebates are useable by bearer despite having been mailed to a particular person.  If so, why not offer them for sale at a 50% discount or some other attractive and agreeable number?  At least you would get something out of them.

Chuck

I think I would rather give them to a forum member next time.  It's not that much money and I can't use them.   Call it a small gesture for all the selfless help fellow forum members give here.  

John         

To complete their track package they need to start making "O" Gauge tubular switches and rubber roadbed.

Or 022 type roadbed as part of the piece of track.  Kinda like Marx.

Has manards track ever been formally reviewed in the pages of OGR or CTT? I don't remember it.

I wish they would make O27 height track too - no one has made it for a number of years now, store supplies are depleted, I think the market is there.

Wide radius curves please - O42, O54, O72 and, for the first time of any past supplier, O96

Now if Menard's just brought back "Super 0" complete with some wider radius curves!

@jim sutter posted:

To complete their track package they need to start making "O" Gauge tubular switches and rubber roadbed.

And also some half track and quarter track.

John

I got a pile of Menards track. 30” straights, 072 and 054. Takes solder well for power wires and it runs just fine. Great price point to buy a pile of track for a large layout. Not as “nice” as some of the scale track but if you’re after that tubular look, it’s great!

Menards track was introduced in 2015. Plenty of discussion on the forum then.

https://ogrforum.com/...how-many-will-but-it

And since. This is just a sampling.

https://ogrforum.com/...my-new-menards-track

https://ogrforum.com/...40#78438393778946140
https://ogrforum.com/...l-fasttrack-switches
https://ogrforum.com/...-match-menards-track

https://ogrforum.com/...36#81819043125301636

As for Internet sales, I’d estimate that 95 percent of its train sales is online. Did you try going to Menards website?

@Ace posted:

I recall a while back the Menard's track had issues with center rails shorting to ties because the crimps compromised the thin insulators. Is that ancient history now? Or still something to watch for?

I believe Menards resolved that issue not long after we were hearing reports of it.  As you say, that was a number of years ago now.  I don't recall anyone bringing that up recently.

Somehow this old thread was recycled. I still have the same knock on Menards tubular that I had a few years ago. The metal is too thin and does not make good contact with the pins. I've tested different batches in the stores each season and they don't seem to be able to get a handle on this issue with their supplier. Some batches are good but most of the tracks I test in the store have loose track pins that cannot be tightened even if you squeeze them tight with a track pliers.

Big Al, have you ever mentioned this to someone in the store or show them what you are talking about?

@Keith k posted:

DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

my local Menards (Manchester Missouri)

Me too!  Just returned from there.  Pickings are a little slim right now but to be expected in June.

@Keith k posted:

DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

“Somehow this old thread was recycled. I still have the same knock on Menards tubular that I had a few years ago. The metal is too thin and does not make good contact with the pins. I've tested different batches in the stores each season and they don't seem to be able to get a handle on this issue with their supplier. Some batches are good but most of the tracks I test in the store have loose track pins that cannot be tightened even if you squeeze them tight with a track pliers.

Big Al “

I have found the exact opposite at my local Menards ( Manchester Missouri ).  The track seems heavier than Lionels and the track pins are tight enough for a good electrical connection.  I have a large loop (temporary) with one lockon and no power drop anywhere.  I have not had to do anything other than put it together. Last time I was there they had 31, 36, 42, 54, 72 and 96 inch diameters and they all seemed to fit snug.

That has been my experience as well.  Tried them for the first time a few months ago and they are solid.

John