Issues with Menards cars

You may have a weight issue. Did you try weighing down the car to nmra standards of 5 oz plus 1oz for every inch length of car? ( Excluding coupler lengths) try that then see if the car tracks better.

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

You may have a weight issue. Did you try weighing down the car to nmra standards of 5 oz plus 1oz for every inch length of car? ( Excluding coupler lengths) try that then see if the car tracks better.

Thanks for the suggestion.    Out of the box the Menards box cars are 14.5 oz and are heavier compared to a K-line box car at 11.5 oz.    The K-Line car is about an inch shorter but does not spark through switches.   The Menards wheel sets appear to have the same gauge flange to flange as my other cars, but I think they may have more lateral movement between the journals.   MTH, K-Line and Lionel trucks appear to have a tighter truck assemblage.  Menards cars do not spark all the time, it's an occasional spark that can affect engine operation.    The lateral movement might be the problem.   If that were the case, how would one tighten the spacing between the journals?   I am also interested in finding out if others have had a similar problem with the Menards cars. 

Dave

I have had nothing but issues with Menard's trucks. They do NOT like the Ross switches and crossovers on my layout. I simply replaced the trucks with MTH trucks which solved the issue but eliminates the "value" Menard's products have. You get what you pay for, IMHO. 

Have you contacted Menards about the problem? They are great ac customer service!

SJC posted:

I have had nothing but issues with Menard's trucks. They do NOT like the Ross switches and crossovers on my layout. I simply replaced the trucks with MTH trucks which solved the issue but eliminates the "value" Menard's products have. You get what you pay for, IMHO. 

Have you posted previously about your problems?  With which cars did you have a problem?  I ask because there were problems with some which were quickly resolved in earlier products.

I've had no issues with Menard's hoppers. I put 2 oz of weight in the hopper over each truck area. All Fastrack switches and track.

Yes I have had issues with them sparking on switches, but I have had much worse problems with Lionel cars on Lionel switches. So look at it like this, not all cars are going to like all switches and track. I have fixed it with a small amount of nail polish on the switches where they spark. Cost, Price, Value is in the eye of the beholder. I have a set of seven Lionel Blue stripe passenger cars made across the left pond that would not run on anything and fell off the track that I paid big $$$$$ new for so I can deal with the Menards mini issues.

On the Menard trucks and couplers do have some issues. The couplers require a little  sanding to get them to operate smoothly.

As for the trucks I have not worked on them as yet. But other then the gauge I would look at the wheel flanges to see what size they are. If there is a flange issue then I would suggest getting some MTH trucks and do a transplant. If you can pick up some beat up cars at a train show and take the trucks from them that could bring down the cost a lot.

Considering what we pay for the Menards cars there is room for such play and still end up saving a few bucks.

KRM posted:

Yes I have had issues with them sparking on switches, but I have had much worse problems with Lionel cars on Lionel switches. So look at it like this, not all cars are going to like all switches and track. I have fixed it with a small amount of nail polish on the switches where they spark. Cost, Price, Value is in the eye of the beholder. I have a set of seven Lionel Blue stripe passenger cars made across the left pond that would not run on anything and fell off the track that I paid big $$$$$ new for so I can deal with the Menards mini issues.

 

I like the nail polish remedy.  In the past I have used a thin strip of electrical tape to insulate the side of the center rail on the switch to prevent the short during momentary wheel contact.   I had a earlier problem with my 2-8-8-4 articulated steam engine that would short out diverting on an Gargraves 072 turnout entering my yard lead.   With the help of the OGR Forum, the problem was solved with a strip of electrical tape.   I never anticipated that rolling stock could experience the same contact problem, at least not until I ran some Menards cars on the layout.  The cause of the spark must be the excess lateral drift of the wheel sets of some of the cars making contact with the center rail of a switch.  

I will also be on the lookout for replacement trucks for the worst culprits at my next local train show/swap meet.    Not all the Menards car experience the sparking problem.

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions.  

Dave  

GG1MAN, what part of the coupler needed sanding?

I thought this topic was verboten. I have a helicopter on a flat, thing squeaks. Maybe needs some oil. Flat car looks pretty sharp. Holes not drilled too well, stuff misaligned, but I fixed all that.

The neat thing about Menard's cars and stuff is that it looks good, is modifiable to suit, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to buy. I have probably worked just as often and long on some of the other brands right out of the box and paid a lot more for the privilege.

Pingman posted:

SJC posted:

I have had nothing but issues with Menard's trucks. They do NOT like the Ross switches and crossovers on my layout. I simply replaced the trucks with MTH trucks which solved the issue but eliminates the "value" Menard's products have. You get what you pay for, IMHO. 

Have you posted previously about your problems?  With which cars did you have a problem?  I ask because there were problems with some which were quickly resolved in earlier products.

Carl, do you know who to specifically contact,besides Mark? I received an item March 4th that is missing a part.

Thanks,

Steve

There were a few cars with out of gauge wheelsets, I contacted Menards and they quickly solved the issue.  That's the first step.

Hi Steve, you could try this link, or goto there website!

https://www.menards.com/main/contactUs.html

I had the same issue with some of my 3 dome tanker cars from Menard's but mine sparked on the curves and straightaways (I don't have any switches).  Mine don't do it all the time but rather do it sporadically.  What I did to help the problem was to lubricate the axles.  And use a very liberal amount of oil.  The way they are designed, the shaft can possibly make contact with the truck assembly sometimes (some of the axles aren't perfectly straight ).  If it's lubed, it's not usually an issue.  If it's not lubed, I think it causes just enough unwanted friction to maybe make the wheel "skip" every now and then and cause a spark.  I run my trains at high speed and only notice this phenomenon at higher speed.  Try what I mentioned.  It might just solve your problem.  If it doesn't, contact the folks at Menard's.  They are very helpful and will get your problem resolved.  

Dave,

    Unless you have the 1st generation Tankers or Military Box Cars, that did have problems with the Menards Trucks, it's not the Menard'd rolling stock you are having problems with, it's your Gargraves Switches.  I run Lionel FasTrack and MTH RealTrax both, and have no problems with the current made Menards rolling stock.  Gargraves switches cause more problems than they are worth, more than likely this not a Menard's rolling stock problem,  you will find older Lionel rolling stock doing the same thing, when rolling thru the Gargraves Switches, K-line RS seem to roll thru a lot better however.  If somebody gave me 50 Gargraves Switches I would sell them all.

PCRR/Dave

Dave, 

The box cars I have are new this year and last year.  I assume they are of the newer versions and not the 1st generation models.   Regarding the Gargaves switches, the only one producing occasional sparking with the Menards cars is the one pictured.  Trains entering the switch from the right straight on (not the divergent track) have an occasional wheel flanges strike the point of the center rail.   The clearance on the longer center rail appears to be a little tight to the outer rail.  I may need to file back the point a bit and insulate the side (nail polish or electrical tape) so if an occasional wheel flange makes contact, it will not produce a short.   I currently have no other issues with any of my other Gargaves Switches.  The one pictured on the bridge I think is a newer style.   The center rails design is similar to the design of the Ross switches.    Other than this issue, I am pleased with Gargaves switches.   When comparing my Menards cars, some truck appear to have more lateral motion/slop between journals.  I may need to take the bad ones back to the store.   

Dave

I'm just wondering if it might be just your switch? Do you have one to swap out and test it? The only reason I ask it that it would seam a stretch to go to Menards and say I want to trade these cars in cause they occasionally spark on one switch on my layout.

Granted they may or may not trade them, But I would guess they would cause they are a great company. Also if they do, maybe they should start a section of AS IS CARS for next to nothing. I would buy them and fix them up.

KRM posted:

Yes I have had issues with them sparking on switches, but I have had much worse problems with Lionel cars on Lionel switches. So look at it like this, not all cars are going to like all switches and track. I have fixed it with a small amount of nail polish on the switches where they spark. Cost, Price, Value is in the eye of the beholder. I have a set of seven Lionel Blue stripe passenger cars made across the left pond that would not run on anything and fell off the track that I paid big $$$$$ new for so I can deal with the Menards mini issues.

Well written response. Exactly what I was going to say.

Had a problem with the 14" flat cars. Gauge too tight. The wheels can be moved enough to solve the issue with a pair of pliers.  RICH

mike g. posted:

I'm just wondering if it might be just your switch? Do you have one to swap out and test it? The only reason I ask it that it would seam a stretch to go to Menards and say I want to trade these cars in cause they occasionally spark on one switch on my layout.

Granted they may or may not trade them, But I would guess they would cause they are a great company. Also if they do, maybe they should start a section of AS IS CARS for next to nothing. I would buy them and fix them up.

Thanks Mike, but I am not about to dig out the switch at this stage.  I will make a few adjustments as mentioned and live with it as the only problem rest with a few cars.   I will just keep tinkering with the problem ones.  To quote Elliot, "the challenge of solving problems is part of the fun."

Dave

Hi Dave, I tinker with everything I have for trains, sometimes it turns out good and sometimes not. But you are right it is still fun and that's what this is all about!

darlander posted:

I like the nail polish remedy.  In the past I have used a thin strip of electrical tape to insulate the side of the center rail on the switch to prevent the short during momentary wheel contact.   I had a earlier problem with my 2-8-8-4 articulated steam engine that would short out diverting on an Gargraves 072 turnout entering my yard lead.   With the help of the OGR Forum, the problem was solved with a strip of electrical tape.   I never anticipated that rolling stock could experience the same contact problem, at least not until I ran some Menards cars on the layout.  The cause of the spark must be the excess lateral drift of the wheel sets of some of the cars making contact with the center rail of a switch.  

I will also be on the lookout for replacement trucks for the worst culprits at my next local train show/swap meet.    Not all the Menards car experience the sparking problem.

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions.  

Dave  

darlander,

If you have an issue with a couple "culprits", just let us know and we'd be happy to exchange them for you had no cost. We don't want you to be dissatisfied.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Menards posted:

darlander posted:

I like the nail polish remedy.  In the past I have used a thin strip of electrical tape to insulate the side of the center rail on the switch to prevent the short during momentary wheel contact.   I had a earlier problem with my 2-8-8-4 articulated steam engine that would short out diverting on an Gargraves 072 turnout entering my yard lead.   With the help of the OGR Forum, the problem was solved with a strip of electrical tape.   I never anticipated that rolling stock could experience the same contact problem, at least not until I ran some Menards cars on the layout.  The cause of the spark must be the excess lateral drift of the wheel sets of some of the cars making contact with the center rail of a switch.  

I will also be on the lookout for replacement trucks for the worst culprits at my next local train show/swap meet.    Not all the Menards car experience the sparking problem.

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions.  

Dave  

darlander,

If you have an issue with a couple "culprits", just let us know and we'd be happy to exchange them for you had no cost. We don't want you to be dissatisfied.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Thanks Mark, I appreciate the the good customer service offer.   I will do some testing to find out which cars warrant replacement. 

Dave