Menard's Scale Flatcar issues

bring it tomorrow. we will look at it.

Yep, mine had a bent axle also. A real bear to repair because of the way the simulated wood decking is applied over the rivet that holds the truck in place.

I used the Dremel to clear out the resin over the rivet. Punched out the rivet and replaced the truck with one out of the spare parts box. It looks like the axle is not strong enough in some cases to withstand the pressing on of the wheel which causes some bending.

Probably should have returned it so Menards could have looked into the issue.

   Bill T

I have only three.  I had no bent axles, but I did have to file and loosen up the couplers a bit so the cars would roll nicely when coupled.  That was it.  

Tim and Bill,

Any pictures you could provide would be greatly appreciated so that we can understand the problem better and fix it.

Thank you,

Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark, bigdodgetrain and I figured out what was wrong as the wheels were out of scale. we put in back into scale as he and his friend as well as mine Richard, has to modify some of the cars we get from you guys so they run flawless. Thanks

Hot Water,

I'm pretty sure Tim meant the wheels were out of gauge.

Out of Gauge was what I mean't and bigdodgetrain made a jig for the wheel gauge that is proper to the scale of the track width. Richard used a hammer and lightly hit the axle into the proper size

On one of my army flats, one set of wheels (rear) wobbled and on the same truck, the coupler would not stay closed and I could not see any way of correcting the coupler.

Don,

I apologize for the issues you have encountered. I emailed you, along with customer service, and I am certain we will come to a solution. Let me know if you have any questions.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark. No need. Your service department expeditiously resolved the issue. Thank you for your prompt service.

Close the coupler, and then pivot it left and right while keeping the truck still.  I had a Lionel truck that when the car went around a curve it'd open.  Took forever to figure out, but I finally noticed that part of the uncouple mechanism would move, allowing the coupler to open, when the coupler pivoted more than the truck did.

Whatever the problems or issues with a Menard product, its comforting to see someone from Menard's come on here that cares to resolve issues. That means to me they take pride in their product, and they cherish their customers.
I may not buy evry new issued product, but Menards will get the majority of my purchases on items I can and will use on my layout. Kudo's Menards and Mark, and thank you.