Menards has a new Union Pacific Engine offer

If it's still Beta 4.5, what are we testing, the color of the paint?

I see your point.  At least it is a test in which we know the answers.

They solved the shiny truck issue earlier Beta testers did not like.  For those looking for more road names, this should be a welcomed newbie, too.  With the gray trucks I think it is a fine new addition to our hobby and kudos to the Menards team for continuing to create new products.

Methinks "beta" is akin to other companies Railchief, Premier, Legacy, Railking, etc.  Menards line of power units is Beta.

@Johnsgg1 posted:

Methinks "beta" is akin to other companies Railchief, Premier, Legacy, Railking, etc.  Menards line of power units is Beta.

Maybe "BETAking" would be more appropriate.  LOL!

In all seriousness once these are in full productions they should do very well for Menards.  It will be interesting to see if they'll continue to sell them as stand alone or try to make sets. 

My computer indicated that the link in the OP was suspicious.

@EML posted:

Menards is listing a new Union Pacific F-? engine and dummy A.

Here is the site: https://mail.aol.com/d/folders...AYZWhZLbHBwQmgEVL-sU

I realize that some list mates may be tired of these beta tests but some may still be interested.  In hopes of giving those who are interested a chance to purchase before it is sold out,  I'm listing it now.

Why is the site address an email signin?

John,

That was what was emailed to me.  Thanks for the heads up.  I have removed the link. I have tried to insert the Menards notice but it is not cooperating.  I can only get the label.

Manny

Ben,

Try this link:   https://links.menard.mkt1946.c...S2&mt=1&rt=0

The original included AOL.  This one directs you to Menards.

Please pardon the confusion.

Manny

I followed the link and ordered one.  I missed the others, so this is my chance to test the remote and such and evaluate for my purposes when they actually have production engines for sale. The bummer was you had to get the dummy from a Menards store. None within  500 miles of me. You also had to guess which distant Menards would have one. I did without.

Are the rebates still for “in store” use only? If yes, I will never buy another Menard’s toy train item. If they want to sell me a train over the internet, they should allow me to use their rebate over the internet.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Are the rebates still for “in store” use only? If yes, I will never buy another Menard’s toy train item. If they want to sell me a train over the internet, they should allow me to use their rebate over the internet.

Yes. Still in store. Still a strategy to bring in foot traffic intended for a huge home improvement business chain. Still doesn’t matter if someone can’t accept that the train line is not a profit center for the company, which isn’t going to change its strategy because a hobbyist objects.

Thanks for the econ 101 lesson. My posture is unchanged.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Thanks for the econ 101 lesson. My posture is unchanged.

And that matters to no one.

@Jim R. posted:

the train line is not a profit center for the company,

I strongly disagree with that statement. There’s plenty of different ways to create foot traffic.

While I don't have one in front of me I have watched the videos.

Owning every red version of the Menards Santa Fe it appears to me that the bell of this one is identical, the anemic sounding warbling horn that wasn't fixed since version 2.0 of the SF unit is identical.  The performance seems identical as well.  Engine sound - identical.

The voice of the announcers is changed (a good thing), but the messages are the same.  The UP paint job is nice.  I like the look of the trucks.

But why these are still "Beta" ??

John

Bottom line:  Worth having if you don't already have one or want a UP version of the same thing.  But please Menards stop calling these Betas unless you plan on making actual changes other than road name.

@Craftech posted:

But why these are still "Beta" ??

John

Bottom line:  Worth having if you don't already have one or want a UP version of the same thing.  But please stop calling these Betas unless you plan on making actual changes other than road name.

Why are you asking us?  Why not contact Menards directly and ask them?

(By the way, I agree with your bottom line, but given that many, many fellow forumites have already expressed these same sentiments in this and other threads, and nothing has changed, how is this going to help?)

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Why are you asking us?  Why not contact Menards directly and ask them?

Then how, specifically, are we supposed to help?

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Then how, specifically, are we supposed to help?

Mike

The post and my reviews are for informational purposes only.  If you click on the link to my collective review of all the red SF models there are 10 members who liked it.  Think of this latest post as a follow-up. 

John

List mates,

If I may add my $.02 for you to consider.  My first post was simply to let people know that they may have a chance before this lot of Menards UP Engines runs out.  I pointed out that some may be tired  of the Beta tests but some may not.

On the other hand, I have been told that when first meeting someone, you should try and say their names three times so you will remember it latter.

Apparently, the way we are wired, for people like me, very little of the name sinks in the first few times you are introduced.

So extrapolating that theory to a billion dollar operation, repeating problems to Menards may finally sink in if they are repeated.  What does it hurt for another list mate to explain their issue? As Frank Sinatra might have pointed out "Look there goes another banana tree plant."

And if someone is willing to stick their neck out to do it, do we really need to play whack a mole?  I am sure that in your own way you may think you are helping them avoid wasted effort but it may not come out that way in print.

Finally, Menards,  if you permit me to ruin another metaphor, is like an elephant that we are trying to turn in a different direction.  Most of the equipment we are seeing as Beta test was probably on a boat when we were first commenting.  I agree that it is odd to call them Beta tests.  It certainly does not fit the mold of what we are used in other Beta models.  However, Menards may be the only train manufacturer that appears to regularly communicate with us directly on a routine basis.  It is answering some of our requests for different models.  It is not asking us to preorder.  It has made changes, good and bad in the past.  Reading some of the other discussions about their oil pump, there may be someone at Menards that actually fixes or replaces bad units.

In a world with many problems, there is more positive than negative in our relationship with Menards.

Manny