Menard's New Freight Car Trucks

Also would be great if these were available separately.

@Rail Dude posted:

Also would be great if these were available separately.

Yep, they'd probably sell a ton of them to retrofit older cars.

Fingers crossed. I have several of their early cars and the trucks are fine, much better quality. Hopefully they've gone back to that supplier.

@RSJB18 posted:

Fingers crossed. I have several of their early cars and the trucks are fine, much better quality. Hopefully they've gone back to that supplier.

I have many vintages, and by far the best truck I've seen is the ones I mentioned that were on the longer flatcars.  I have around 20 of the long flatcars that are waiting for me to fill them, but they're nice runners and nary a problem with any of the trucks or couplers!

Exactly what I was referring to.....

That looks like the 10" flatcar.  They had different trucks than the 14.5" flatcars.

I agree with Grampstrains.  My number of losses with Menards cars/trucks is starting to be problematic with buying them.  And, I would sure stay away from the aftermarket Menards cars that folks are trying to sell on other sites at much higher prices just because Menards is sold out.  My latest mistake was for my Christmas train...the M&M Express!  It's now on a shelve...with no run time

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That looks like the 10" flatcar.  They had different trucks than the 14.5" flatcars.

Yea but these are still better trucks than the current ones.

The quality of Menard's trucks and couplers certainly is variable, those more recently advertised being of a bit better quality. I have enough Menard's cars to task four or five MU trains. And over the years, I have needed to wiggle a few axle needles back into place.  The greatest problem, however, is couplers coming open: my solution is to use wire ties of the sort used on electronics, the inexpensive small sort sold online, at a local hardware store, or at (ironically) Menard's, Home Depot, Farm and Fleet, Fleet Farm, and other big box stores. The couplers so "repaired" become unworkable, but, then, they don't split trains.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Yep, they'd probably sell a ton of them to retrofit older cars.

Yes I have some low end MPC cars that would love upgraded trucks.  And maybe some older Menard’s cars too.

I like to manually uncouple my cars with my homemade uncoupling tool. I hope these trucks are used on all cars going forward. these look to be the best trucks they have used to date.

Remember guys, as things improve, for example sprung trucks, better wheels... come price increases.

So, when Menard's starts selling there rolling stock for $50.00 plus don't complain.

@NYC 428 posted:

Remember guys, as things improve, for example sprung trucks, better wheels... come price increases.

So, when Menard's starts selling there rolling stock for $50.00 plus don't complain.

If the price goes from $20 to $50 for better trucks, it's called price gouging.  However, since they already have announced their covered hoppers for $35, we know how much more better trucks will cost.