Just got email for new beta 3.0 version of Menards Blue bonnet Santa Fe engines. You can buy an A and Dummy A.
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I passed. It's now sold out. Email received at 11:28 and sold out at 12:08. Around 100 sets were available. Dummys are still for sale. With shipping and tax it came to $260. That's a decent amount of scratch for something I don't really want. I contemplated buying to resell on ebay but after the fees and the hassle it isn't worth my time. There is a Beta 3.0 blue bonnet set on ebay right now for $375 with free shipping (however several sold for $400+). After shipping and 15% fees that's not a lot of meat on the bone.
I don't get the allure, why do people want these so bad? Is it the blue bonnet paint scheme in particular?
I don't get the whole Blue , yellow and black bonnet thing anyway. the Santa Fe did this to there passenger F units that had to go to Amtrak at its startup. they did it quick and dirty as they did not want there image or train names on another railroads equipment. I guess it's just that they were different that the collectors like them.
I'm waiting for the New York Central Beta 23 release. 
@Rick Rubino posted:I don't get the whole Blue , yellow and black bonnet thing anyway. the Santa Fe did this to there passenger F units that had to go to Amtrak at its startup. they did it quick and dirty as they did not want there image or train names on another railroads equipment. I guess it's just that they were different that the collectors like them.
@PRRick posted:I don't get the allure, why do people want these so bad? Is it the blue bonnet paint scheme in particular?
Should we be questioning their sanity?
@Rick Rubino: From the multiple threads here on the forum I don't see too many collectors, most seem to be operators and tinkerers.
@PRRick: They're supposed to be very inexpensive -- whenever they do make it out of beta (or technically what is actually limited production). This low price is very attractive to those presently struggling with a budget in our hyperinflating world, apparently even if they buy one on eBay for twice what Menards originally sold it for.
Mike
This is confusing. They had the blue bonnet powered and non-powered pair last summer as Beta 4. Are they going backwards?
Never was a Menards trains fan and don’t understand others’ fascination with them. 
I don't understand the fascination either. Seems like they sell out so quickly just to be put on the secondary market for a profit. They don't seem worth it a 260 let alone 400 plus.
In all seriousness, if they can produce a reliable, attractive AA loco for $230 give or take, that would be good value. Lionel's FT LionChief is about $250 on preorder pricing from Charles Ro, for comparison. But LionChief locos have been pretty much bulletproof, and Menard's needs to equal that. I was serious about the NYC version, but not the double figure Beta version. It remains to be seen whether they will finish this extended consumer testing and produce a final product and at what price.
@EML posted:Just got email for new beta 3.0 version of Menards Blue bonnet Santa Fe engines. You can buy an A and B.
B? I do not see a B anywhere on their site.
In the year 2525... We'll be on Beta 55... 
Dave,
You are absolutely right. I was trying to get the news out to the list and I made a typo. There are no "B''s just an powered and a dummy illuminated A without a motor.
Manny
It's Beta 5.0
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:@PRRick: They're supposed to be very inexpensive -- whenever they do make it out of beta (or technically what is actually limited production). This low price is very attractive to those presently struggling with a budget in our hyperinflating world, apparently even if they buy one on eBay for twice what Menards originally sold it for.
I can buy used Legacy locomotives for $400 in perfect condition. The Menard's models don't hold a candle to those, so I would dispute the "low price" statement! 
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I can buy used Legacy locomotives for $400 in perfect condition. The Menard's models don't hold a candle to those, so I would dispute the "low price" statement!
That's my thought too. I watched a fully tested Lionel PRR camelback with command, railsounds, smoke, firebox glow, elecrtocoupler, etc sell for $220 after shipping on ebay last night. There ares lots of good used deals on proven pullers in the $250-$400 range.
To each their own. Selling 100 units in 40 minutes says something for what they're doing.
YAWN........🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱
Here is a Menards SF engine pulling a reefer train on the G&O. The engine belongs to a friend. It is an attractive engine at a reasonable price. The simple control system is a plus. We can hand the controller to a kid without problems. NH Joe
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We have a Beta 3.0 on my dad's layout which is getting a lot of run time since it was acquired. The grandkids absolutely love running that engine and it has been a favorite since it hit the rails. I don't know how many hours we have on it but so far we've replaced the batteries in the remote twice and it has been a solid performer.
Quality and performance wise it's a great value.
I'm very interested in the changes made to this Beta 5 iteration 
Everyone has to have one. Nobody likes them.
Jon 
@KOOLjock1 posted:Everyone has to have one. Nobody likes them.
Jon
Channeling your inner Yogi Berra! 
These probably appeal to people who don't have a command control system, nor feel like paying the crazy prices for one.
What my draw is, is that it is an FP9. Closest thing I'm going to get to an FP7 since it seems the chances of Sunset redoing one is nill. I haven't bought one as I am waiting on enough in the market place to get a dead one. By the time I upgrade to ERR and put a custom paint job on it it will be too many $$ for what it is, but where else are you going to get an FP?
@NHVRYGray posted:What my draw is, is that it is an FP9. Closest thing I'm going to get to an FP7 since it seems the chances of Sunset redoing one is nill. I haven't bought one as I am waiting on enough in the market place to get a dead one. By the time I upgrade to ERR and put a custom paint job on it it will be too many $$ for what it is, but where else are you going to get an FP?
Why an FP? Just because it's an inch longer? 🤔 There are plenty of F3s and F7s out there.
@KOOLjock1 posted:Everyone has to have one. Nobody likes them.
Jon
We love ours and if everyone hates it why are they buying it?
@EML posted:Just got email for new beta 3.0 version of Menards Blue bonnet Santa Fe engines. You can buy an A and B.
Correct the title. The name of the company is Menards.
I like my Beta 2.0 and just bought the Beta 5.0 set. At least I get to run them, unlike my Lionel Legacy SD70AH that I bought new for $600, then had to repair for $150, now waiting on 2nd repair for another $300
No more Legacy for me.
@Flatwater posted:I like my Beta 2.0 and just bought the Beta 5.0 set. At least I get to run them, unlike my Lionel Legacy SD70AH that I bought new for $600, then had to repair for $150, now waiting on 2nd repair for another $300
No more Legacy for me.
Interesting point.
@KOOLjock1 posted:Everyone has to have one. Nobody likes them.
Jon
They only made 100. With 28,000 members on this forum. The verdict is still out.
Why an FP? Just because it's an inch longer? 🤔 There are plenty of F3s and F7s out there.
Because Southern Railway had FP7s. The same could be said of the Sunset Models. I know I can't have everything, but I try to be somewhat close in my modeling with exceptions. An F3 numbered as an FP7 doesn't cut it.
Have FTs, F2, F3 F7 with correct numbers now.
Just ME!!!
If it's about the price point of these why not just go with a standard Lionchief model. Surely they are just as good as these if not better and around the same price point (I think). Do these have any advantages over Lionel Lionchief?
Brad
But those are FT's Brad!
Jon
@B rad posted:Do these have any advantages over Lionel Lionchief?
Not really other than it's a larger model. The grandkids have an LC super chief but as they say 'It's the baby engine'. They like larger Menard's engine size more.
Mechanically, one isn't any better than the other. My opinion, the Menard's engine is a bit quieter and smoother in operation but t the LC has better sounds. The remote range is better on the menards (at least in our experience) but the latest generation of Lioncheif will have better range vs. previous models and Lionel has an app to run their newer engines.
@NHVRYGray posted:Why an FP? Just because it's an inch longer? 🤔 There are plenty of F3s and F7s out there.
Because Southern Railway had FP7s. The same could be said of the Sunset Models. I know I can't have everything, but I try to be somewhat close in my modeling with exceptions. An F3 numbered as an FP7 doesn't cut it.
Have FTs, F2, F3 F7 with correct numbers now.
Just ME!!!
Well, I guess I understand then. I model only the Santa Fe and Union Pacific and finally have F7s for each railroad with the correct numbers. 😉
@H1000 posted:Not really other than it's a larger model. The grandkids have an LC super chief but as they say 'It's the baby engine'. They like larger Menard's engine size more.
Mechanically, one isn't any better than the other. My opinion, the Menard's engine is a bit quieter and smoother in operation but t the LC has better sounds. The remote range is better on the menards (at least in our experience) but the latest generation of Lioncheif will have better range vs. previous models and Lionel has an app to run their newer engines.
I agree with a lot of what is stated here. I would add that the LC has much much much nicer paint, Bluetooth control (compatibility with the Base 3), better-pulling power, and a higher quality feel, all at ~$250.00 for preorder on many sites.
The size difference isn't that much. you can see a comparison on that and other details I did on an older video here:
I have the Lastest red non-powered unit, paint quality has not improved, but at $89 it's a really nice value.
SEE HIGHLIGHTS ON DUMMY Here: https://www.instagram.com/reel...rce=ig_web_copy_link
Yep the paint could still use a little work on the Menards but the play value is still great especially when little kids want big 'adultish' sized engines. They beat em up and you won't feel so bad.
The game chnages with + and 2.0 models. They have more desirable features but usually cost much more than entry level Lionchief.
@TheRambles posted:I would add that the LC+ has much much much nicer paint, Bluetooth control (compatibility with the Base 3), better-pulling power, and a higher quality feel, all at ~$250.00 for preorder on many sites.
LC+ is no longer available. Where are you seeing preorders for LC+? I have only seen them on the secondary market the last few years.
LC+ 2.0 is a whole different ball game and not near the price range of LC, LC+ or Menards.
Brad
@B rad posted:LC+ is no longer available.
You're right, thank you for pointing that out. (Corrected in my reply).
I was referencing the Lionchief Ft Diesel Locomotive from the 2023 catalog.
I'll list the full features below. Preorder at your Fav. hobby shop. Prices are often around $250-$275
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@TheRambles posted:I agree with a lot of what is stated here. I would add that the LC has much much much nicer paint, Bluetooth control (compatibility with the Base 3), better-pulling power, and a higher quality feel, all at ~$250.00 for preorder on many sites.
The size difference isn't that much. you can see a comparison on that and other details I did on an older video here:
I have the Lastest red non-powered unit, paint quality has not improved, but at $89 it's a really nice value.
SEE HIGHLIGHTS ON DUMMY Here: https://www.instagram.com/reel...rce=ig_web_copy_link
Watched the video and wow. I guess we really do get what we pay for.
