Menard's Train Show

JIM, say what???????  Menards train show?????  What, when, where?????  How long have I been asleep?  How could I miss that?

Rick

Happened in this weekend in Wisconsin, big show put on and sponsored by Menards and others. 

Menards also announced new items that are coming.

Dave

For a first time show it was packed.  Menards had their everyday low prices on the trains along with new items . Lot of nice running layouts in G, O, HO and N. No big time venders this time around but a number of local venders and individuals selling.....decent prices too. Already planning on attending next year..........Paul

It was a good show, lots of kids and families (which is what our hobby needs more than anything). The room layout was a bit chaotic but lots dealers and lots of deals to be had.

Bought a American Flyer postwar Cow on Track with instructions (no box)  & damaged Lionel caboose for the parts.

If the Iola Old Car show is the same weekend I will not be at the train show.

What a great show, got there a little after 10 on Saturday and the line went out into the parking lot.  First stop was the Menards displays and grabbed a few of their new gondolas and met Mark from Menards and Cabinet Bob that was cool.  I’m not really a collector so I can’t comment on prices but I got a Atlas Soo caboose for $10, a Lionel nw2 for $40, a few misc kits in a bin for $5.95, train book for the grandson, some fast track for the other grandson too. Took the whole family from my 8 month old grandson to my daughters boyfriend’s grandpa at 89 and they all had a blast watching all the trains while I was shopping and with the half off Menards tickets it made my day to treat them all.

Hope they do a show in Indiana. We don't have many train shows anymore.

I only stayed for a little over an hour. I did meet Bob, and saw a few friends. I'm not really interested in Menards' trains because they aren't scale. I never expected to buy anything there so I wasn't disappointed. I didn't spend a nickel. I spent more time driving back and forth than I did inside the show.

Large Lionel and MTH dealers: Not sure, it was an all scale show. Vendors were mostly from within a 100 mile radius. No manufacturers except Menards.

Don't know about the food, I didn't have any. I suspect it was pretty standard.

Personally, I only reminded myself why I stopped attending shows years ago.

My wife and I drove up today and it was worth the trip. Met the Menards staff and got to see all of their buildings and trains displayed and working. Many vendors and displays. I picked up a Santa  Fe war bonnet gondola and Morton salt truck and I was able to use my rebate cards to pay for them. Also picked up some Lionel postwar cars and Set boxes. Will be looking forward to next year, this is a excellent venue.

Here’s some photos

Just wanted to say thank you to all of you who responded to my questions concerning Menard's Train Show. Sounds like most of you had a grand time.

Thanks for sharing the photos. Looks like Menards had a great display for their train stuff.

     Bill T.

Jim : It was a great show. People were lined up for a block to get in Sat.   thousands of people went through the giant building that was full of vendors. People were walking out with bags full of trains both days. Next year even sounds better yet. Please stay tuned.. Bob

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

I only stayed for a little over an hour. I did meet Bob, and saw a few friends. I'm not really interested in Menards' trains because they aren't scale. I never expected to buy anything there so I wasn't disappointed. I didn't spend a nickel. I spent more time driving back and forth than I did inside the show.

Large Lionel and MTH dealers: Not sure, it was an all scale show. Vendors were mostly from within a 100 mile radius. No manufacturers except Menards.

Don't know about the food, I didn't have any. I suspect it was pretty standard.

Personally, I only reminded myself why I stopped attending shows years ago.

There's nothing wrong with this reply. I usually feel the same way. We can go online easily nowadays and get exactly what we're after. Even my girl will point out that many times I have more "stuff" in my basement than was at a smaller show.

 We took the youngest grandson to the Big E. I liked it because he liked it. I have to remind myself of the age when I got to go to Sears Roebuck's store and watch a set of WB diesels run around a loop of track. I thought that was everything back then.

 So I feel these shows help the hobby greatly. They expose people of all ages to toy trains and that, is a very good thing.

I enjoyed this show tremendously.  There were deals everywhere!  Menards was offering its 11% rebate deal on all purchases at the show. But the vendors throughout were dealing.  I got an MTH Premiere TTX TOFC with a Milw Rd trailer, NIB, for $26. The same vendor had Atlas 50' boxcars for $33.  And this vendor was one of many with prices like this.  The displays were pretty good and I liked that they were spread around the hall among the vendors, that way you saw a trains display just about everywhere.

I've taken a pretty dim view of shows over the past year and was thinking I wouldn't attend any in the future (Madison really turned me off).  And even though I don't buy Menards rolling stock, I was very interested in seeing what they would do for this show. They did it right! If this show keeps up like this, with low table prices so vendors can deal, I'll definitely keep going back. It was worth it.

feet posted:

Hope they do a show in Indiana. We don't have many train shows anymore.

Since you're in Seymour, there's the Indy southside train show 3 times a year, and 2 TCA meets in Beech Grove.  Show at the fairgrounds in Jan. or Feb.    

feet posted:

Hope they do a show in Indiana. We don't have many train shows anymore.

I can't imagine they would.  Menards is headquarted in Eau Claire and they own the Expo building where this event took place, at least I believe they do as everything around it has "Menards" on it and there is a huge sign for Menards' employment office right there.

Seriously thinking of attending next year if only to see Bob(Dad) ,Mark and some of my brothers! About 14 hrs from here drivetime! Worth the trip! Maybe stop at Mr Muffin's on the way back! 

feet posted:

Hope they do a show in Indiana. We don't have many train shows anymore.

I thought the "Muffin Man" was working on something... Somewhere in the Atlanta, IN. Area.... No?

Seems like Menards' is really cementing their status as a significant player in our community.  It's great to see and a breath of fresh air.  I enjoy several of their products and this event seems to have been quite a topper.  A lot of folks good-naturedly lament how us "East Coast guys" have it made with the local shops, shows, history, etc. etc., but Menards has introduced a mighty big weight to achieve some regional balance--great job!  

What are the new products Menards will be coming out with?? Any word if they are going to do Tubular O Gauge Switches???? I bought some straight sections from their website, and it is exactly like Lionels Tubular O without the the Lionel Stamp on the ties. Good Stuff!

ZWPOWER13 posted:

What are the new products Menards will be coming out with?? Any word if they are going to do Tubular O Gauge Switches???? I bought some straight sections from their website, and it is exactly like Lionels Tubular O without the the Lionel Stamp on the ties. Good Stuff!

be ready !  Great things are on the way !!   stay tuned...

Do give some hints Bob!

ZWPOWER13 posted:

Do give some hints Bob!

There is another post that was put up a day or two ago on their newest products they revealed. Not sure if that's what you're talking about.

The 12 new products that were brought out Sat. Should be on line today.. Bob

Train Nut posted:

ZWPOWER13 posted:

Do give some hints Bob!

There is another post that was put up a day or two ago on their newest products they revealed. Not sure if that's what you're talking about.

Not really into their freight cars or vehicles, just the Tubular Track since Lionel Stopped making it. Just interested if they were going to come out with switches for their track.

We had a great time at the show. About 100 miles each way from Wausau. We got there early and spent some time talking to Jason from Menards who is in charge of the Paul Menard #21 stock car and the Matt Crafton #88 Truck NASCAR show vehicles that were on display. Talked to Bob and Mark, picked up the 4 new Nose Art boxcars and the REA flat car. Bought a lightly used Weaver Milwaukee Road VO-1000 cheap. The grease was hard as a rock, I was able to get it cleaned out and relubed and it runs great! Also picked up a Marx tank car to fill out a set. There was a lot more that I was interested in, but the money only goes so far. We will for sure be back next year! Time to start saving up! Thanks to everyone that put this show together!

Since this train show was held in Wisconsin, how about a box car representing St. Croix fishing rods. These fishing rods are made in St. Croix Wisconsin. They are also, the rods I use.

Any ideas on how to obtain extra copies of the Dec. 2018 mini-catalogs like the pull-out one inside my Classic Toy Trains magazine?

BurlingtonBill posted:

Any ideas on how to obtain extra copies of the Dec. 2018 mini-catalogs like the pull-out one inside my Classic Toy Trains magazine?

Burlington Bill,

We had some extra catalogs printed for our retail stores. The Wichita stores should have stock of these in the train aisle for 99 cents each.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Cabinet Bob,

Sounds like a great Train show, see if you can get Mark & Menard' to set up a show for the Pittsburgh/Monroeville area, here in Pa!  We still have a lot of Train guys here in this area.

PCRR/Dave

Menards should have a booth at the April York show. (I hear there will be some room available)

Note to change to April 

Menards posted:

BurlingtonBill posted:

Any ideas on how to obtain extra copies of the Dec. 2018 mini-catalogs like the pull-out one inside my Classic Toy Trains magazine?

Burlington Bill,

We had some extra catalogs printed for our retail stores. The Wichita stores should have stock of these in the train aisle for 99 cents each.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark, thanks for responding.

I have NEVER seen any of these at EITHER of our two stores! It would be great to be able to buy a dozen or so of these. I have grandsons who visited for Thanksgiving & we took them to see "a Menard's" (what's that? - they don't have a store within 200 miles) and they flipped out when they saw the train cars & buildings, but no catalogs. Miniature thumbnails on a computer screen or phone screen aren't good enough. Your little catalog is a TRUE 21st-century "wishbook."

Thanks for all you and Menard's is doing to keep O-gauge toy trains viable and a true gateway to a lifetime of a great hobby !!

Bill