Menards' Engines?

Its all speculation on our part if Menards would ever venture into locomotives. Something simple with little chance of failure out of the box like a Beep would be a possibility. I just don't see Menards taking on the additional CS and headaches associated with locomotives.

Always possible, but I wouldn't hold my breath on this one.  New tooling costs are high.  Wouldn't be surprised if they contracted with Lionel, whose sets they sell, to make a Menard's loco, but that's about it.

There is enough out there already. They are not going in to that business. You guys will be PSYCHO scrutinizing a 99 dollar Locomotive. Nick

rockstars1989 posted:

There is enough out there already. They are not going in to that business. You guys will be PSYCHO scrutinizing a 99 dollar Locomotive. Nick

Really ?

cabinet Bob posted:

rockstars1989 posted:

There is enough out there already. They are not going in to that business. You guys will be PSYCHO scrutinizing a 99 dollar Locomotive. Nick

Really ?

Most in here would be Bob I agree with Rockstar1989

From what I got out of CABiNET BOB comment, Menards must be thinking about producing a engine. That would be fine.

 A $99.00 locomotive can be customized and detailed to like a $999.00 locomotive'... Just three requirements.  Patience, time, and money'... 😁

Picking up the old K-line molds and tooling would be a good place to start.......

RSJB18 posted:

Picking up the old K-line molds and tooling would be a good place to start.......

Didn't Lionel already do that, i.e. steam locomotive models?

Worried about today's kids wanting steam?  My three grand-nephews (between 5 and 7 years old) were just recently introduced to Lionel post-war and MTH Proto-sound steam on 3 concentric ovals.  To say they were fascinated would be an understatement.  Another 7 year old I know wants a steam trip promise for next summer as his Christmas gift after experiencing his first steam engine ride in Colorado last summer.

Years from now, none of them might be in the hobby, but a "$99" O gauge steam engine under their tree soon might bring some of them in.  I'm rooting for Menard's to put out a good quality, cheap product like that.

Chuck

IMO, the market is there for traditional sized, bullet proof, reasonable priced locos. Don't try competing with locos with all "the bells and whistles" (electronic features). 

What PRR1950 said...the kids that have come to see my Christmas layout, seem to yawn at the diesels....with the steam locos EVERYBODY wants to see the smoke/chuff....and ask to have me run it backwards then forwards (repeat often) too....to see the smoke billow....any scent will do!

Maybe Menards should introduce a basic 4 wheel switcher kit or motor/shell sold a a individual items.

Power unit with wheels and have the ability to run on AC or DC with a electronic reversing module and just the ability to run conventional.
The motor should have a small terminal block to add a sound module at a later date.

The shell/body could be offered sepertly (Black plastic shell)  without a road name adhered to the shell but comes with road name decals.

The shell or body could be used as is or one could painted for the color of there choice.

Replacement parts should be made available and advertised as such.

Menards could offer this loco as "Make it Your Own".

I remember hearing, figuratively, the jaws hit the floor when Menard's first produced a nifty building,. and again with freight cars, and YET AGAIN, with track!  So...?  And somebody above might have been in that show where he stood behind a table full of reruns of reruns and complained, "there is too much product out there!"  I agree, of the same redundant prototypes, But how many reading this have added to the several wish and want lists that have been posted? Got your wishes?  I haven't, and l was way too lazy to put all on the lists.  Somebody is buying that Menard's "too much product", and raving about it, and the price, on here.  Menard's likes surpprises..they are on here now teasing with another coming announcement.  I would not be stunned if they produced engines, or if they don't, but disappointed.

You can get a Lionel Mickey Lionchief set on sale for $180 right now from a couple of our sponsors. Sounds like Lionel could sell that loco for close to $100 if they packaged it by itself.

Based on that price, what features/quality etc would you expect to see on a $100 steam loco?

Maybe it can be done.

22 of Menards buildings (which are less costly to design and build) are $99.99 or higher and folks are expecting a new locomotive for 99 bucks?

I think it's time for a reality check.  Even RMT's Beeps are selling for over $100, even on sale.

Rusty

You guys realize that the "Menards steam locomotive" you want is already available right? You're basically describing postwar/MPC era Lionel stuff. Cheap, easy to repair, pretty bullet proof. 

Lou1985 posted:

You guys realize that the "Menards steam locomotive" you want is already available right? You're basically describing postwar/MPC era Lionel stuff. Cheap, easy to repair, pretty bullet proof. 

BINGO!

It seems too many of you guys never heard PW OR MPC. Menards is not a toy train company they just import train items from a vendor.

Dave

david1 posted:

Lou1985 posted:

You guys realize that the "Menards steam locomotive" you want is already available right? You're basically describing postwar/MPC era Lionel stuff. Cheap, easy to repair, pretty bullet proof. 

BINGO!

It seems too many of you guys never heard PW OR MPC. Menards is not a toy train company they just import train items from a vendor.

Dave

It appears some folks don't want PW or MPC.  It's not new, exciting and golly gee-wiz wow.  I get the feeling quoting Dr. Seuss is appropriate:

"Snow and rain is not enough, we must have some brand new stuff."  (Bartholomew and the Ooblik)

Even if Menards were to come out with a locomotive, folks would then begin wanting Menards to add command control and more scale-like features.

Rusty

LOU1985

Lou1985 posted:

You guys realize that the "Menards steam locomotive" you want is already available right? You're basically describing postwar/MPC era Lionel stuff. Cheap, easy to repair, pretty bullet proof. 

You're killin the buzz man.

The guys at MENARDS would be able to get a locomotive out quickly if they had BACHMANN produce paint schemes of railroads operating in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois on the Williams line GP30 and GP38-2 locomotives. The cautious men at Bachmann are not going to risk putting CNW, SOO LINE, WISCONSIN CENTRAL, and MILWAUKEE ROAD on their GP30 and GP38-2 locos, unless they have a targeted audience to purchase them.

Andrew