Menards O Scale Train cars, issues & Solutions.

Um...didn't you say the car cost $19.00?

I guess if you want to spend $25.00 for trucks to put on a $19.00 car that's one way to go...

Or...don't buy any more cars at $19.00.

What he said.

In my travels, I picked up a Menards' army ammo box car, with the (oversized) shells on a pallet, $25.

Then I got a four pack of the ammo cars, with different number, $85.  First thing I did was get a fatter washer to stop the wobble. On one of the cars, I remove the pallets of shells and added a stain wooden floor with two (Corgi) soldiers (train guards) and reinstalled the pallets of shells.  On the second car interior I just added the floor for now, but have plans to added crates on both sides (photo shop on cardboard) and a WW2 era hi-lo with another train guard. The rest of the cars are stripped of their load and the doors closed.  All five cars have their bright door rivets paint army green and a few coats of dullcoate.  Added a Lionel army 0-4-0 with slope tender, a Weaver army 40' flat ($40), two O Gauge Reproduction (former RMT) army 1-d tank cars, ($70) and a Lionel army work caboose (modified). and that my little army train on the cheap.  Since the Medards' cars are low cost, I have no trouble in modifying 'em.  I'm even thinking of adding steps under the molded in ladders.

Have fun with trains....Andy O.

Menard's makes some nice products. These products are more affordable than LIONEL and MTH. I would quit talking about the negatives and be greatful you can make a quality Military train without putting thousands of dollars. 19 dollars a car, your not expected nice trucks brand new. Be greatful they are metal wheels.

Thats why I said I will wait until I get a great deal.

And we do have choices. My choice is to let Menards know they are not meeting expectations, so they can make their choice.

If I were Menards, I would partner with Lionel and MTH, to become the Sunday train/ hobby store. They are already open.  

I don't think there is any disagreement that there are faults with some of the products that Menards is offering.  I do, however think that they have been consistently improving the product over time, and even that is more than I would ask when selling product for 1/3-1/2 the cost of any competitor.  For me, I vastly prefer having a low cost option out there, and don't mind having to do a little tweaking on my own time, and my own dime.  If the product is not for you, I think that's fair, and you have the right to vote with your wallet.  For me, Menards offers the only new rolling stock that fits into my budget.  Without their offerings I would only have used rolling stock on my layout.  For the folks that prefer "flawless" operation and "perfect" models, there are any number of competitors offering similar product for double to five times the cost.  

As an aside, I thought these cars have the thumbtacks to uncouple?  I've never had trouble poking at that to uncouple, and it is a heck of a lot easier than the couplers on many of my big L branded products with the metal couplers and plates under the trucks to uncouple.  If they don't have thumbtack couplers, my mistake.  

JGL

Speaking of Menards, I got my first order from them yesterday. Timely shipping and some nice looking box cars.

Picked up several of the new C&Os and also a B&O Sentinel Service box car.

Good job, Menards. And the price is right!

Hope to get some pics up soon.

I have several Menards cars and love them. My wife got me the Canada rescue helicopter car for Christmas and I absolutely love it. Now I need the Coast Guard car. These cars have a wooden deck and have more details. The details are not comparable on the lower priced cars, but for 19.99 I can add some. I would never be able to afford ten to twenty military tank cars if Menards did not make them. As for wobble, I get that with some newer products from other makers. 

I support Menards by buying cars, buildings, and accessories. Keep the products coming!!! 

Bob

Given that you started with a $19 car, you have room to modify them all you want, and your suggested modifications sound like they will address what you described as issues.  Go for it.

I personally think that the Menards cars offer a lot of bang for the buck as they are presented, even more so when compared to the sticker price of other rolling stock.  It's good to have another player in the toy train marketplace, and look forward to what they have coming up next.  And I hope that Menards can hold the price point of their offering for rolling stock and buildings, and now track.

For goodness sakes, I bought Menards scale length flat cars for $25 and, after a few simple modifications, I have a great looking car with cast, sprung trucks. 

I love my Menards cars. 

I have enjoyed following these topics. Amazing how when something reasonably priced comes along we start critiquing about how it should be better but wanting the same low price. When someone starts out there will be bumps along the way. But Menards has listened and changed some things. But you have to say to yourself if you like the very reasonable priced cars then you buy them. You can always make them what you want later. A point, when my wife and I would go out to eat (we still do ) it took a bit of time to explain to her that when we go to a restaurant and get a 10.00 dollar steak dinner it is not going to be or taste the same as a 30.00 dollar steak dinner at a better restaurant. So if you want the better freight car buy the 70 to 100.00 dollar freight car. I don't have any of the cars, mainly because I have so many cars now I can't run them all now but if I didn't I would be buying these cars. So really the bottom line is that you'll say at a point what even happened to the twenty dollar cars.......................Paul

Sounds like you want an eighty dollar car for twenty bucks.

Pete

It's the price that keeps me going back. Buildings are fantastic and the versatility of the flat cars and ease of conversion without "modification guilt" is big on my list. As far as the boxcars; I love being able to make a longer consist without hurting the pocketbook too much. Eight C&O's are on the way after being more than satisfied with eight PRR and eight B&O's. They look great and roll well. I remain a satisfied customer.

I have a box car w/shells wobbled like crazy that drove me crazy(some people say that`s a short trip)

Took car apart added sheet metal shims to trucks no more wobble.

Menards makes great affordable products

Texas Pete posted:

Sounds like you want an eighty dollar car for twenty bucks.

Pete

I agree Pete. I mean for twenty dollars they are great cars for the price. 

Maybe if Menards teams with Lionel, you could get a $40 car for $80.

I actually had the opposite problem with the truck on my Menards box car. One of the trucks was so tight it would derail going into or coming out of a turn. Pulled the E-clip off and sanded it a little with some sand paper and bingo, all fixed. I think they are well worth the money. I'm not a fanatic for extreme detail but I understand why some are as they are as much into the modeling as they are trains. Its an artistic expression for them. I hope Menards continues for a long time. The lack of an uncoupling tab on the side is not enough to bother me. And as far as the tab goes , I've found that where the uncoupler plate turn up at the coupler end of the truck you can take a small rod and push in and it will decouple. Possibly a rod could be attached to that location letting it stick out along side the coupler making it easy to decouple. I aim to try that myself in the future.

I like what I've seen from them so far. They almost seem to be filling the gap Marx and Kline left in the producers lineup, and I like it. Wish they had some engines to go with them, though...

Wow.  Seems I struck some nerves. Glad to see so many are "invested" in this topic.

Yes, they are good cars for the price.

And I would be willing to pay a little more to get the features I seek.

And perhaps Menards will see my comments and take advantage of the potential market, I believe they will have.

But, as a Consumer, before I take my $$$$$ somewhere else, I attempt to get the Seller to meet my expectations.

And if enough people have similar expectations, then the Seller will adapt, or lose profit. 

I do not mind spending money, but I do all I can to avoid just giving it away. And I have no problem voicing my opinion in the hopes of getting a better product and a better deal.

Since after all, Socialism is the unacknowledged motor that drives Capitalism, I will use social networks to "steer" it my way.

Happy New Year.

Run the wheels off of your trains.

I guess others feel as I . Even though you would pay more for upgrades, others are happy with what is offered as is. To make the upgrades, Menards will surely increase the price and then we wouldn't have the cars at the price point we currently have. They offer a good car at a great price. You can always make the improvements you like, or go for more expensive cars from the other companies. Many of us our happy with what is offered. Just my two cents.

Mike

Right now, I do not see Menards losing profit. It appears that what they offer so far is in demand and has many requesting more. I personally had decided to stand pat in spending any more money in rolling stock and buildings, but then with the prices Menards is offering, I have had to rethink my budget. You cannot find those kinds of deals at train shows, flea markets, or e-Bay. I am one of the fortunate chaps living in an area where several Menards are within an hour drive or less. I can check out in person many of the items that are offered and can then decide to spend my dollar or not. They have also emptied money out of my wallet while I was there to purchase items that normally would have gone to Lowes or Home Depot. Maybe that is their main purpose in this train bit, enticing customers away from the other two main box stores. It is working. 

I Wish we had a Menards in Seattle!

Ranger Rick posted:

Right now, I do not see Menards losing profit.

If it wasn't working for Menards bottom line, they wouldn't be doing it.

Rusty

"You cannot find those kinds of deals at train shows".

yes you can. I average about $15-$20 on used MTH CARS.

With boxes and warranty cards in tact.

It is how I have accumulated 140+ rolling stock.

Also, my local USED train store makes me great deals on MTH...average $20 per car.

And yes, Menards is making money.  But the three cars I bought may be the last, unless they put them on sale, because of the issues I stated.

History has shown, that if we, as consumers seek a common improvement to products, that we can get it.

So, if Menards replaced the clip with a screw, for easier adjustment, and certainly a lower cost point.  And they improved the coupler by adding a release lever, are any of you saying, at this point in time, that in the future, you would not pay a few dollars more?

You are definitely in the minority here with your opinion of what you got for what you paid from Menards.  They have filled a void in this hobby with their O scale offerings.  Perhaps your expectations are much higher than what the rest of us look for, when spending under $20.

Some people really expect a lot for $20. I just sold a flatcar with diecast sprung trucks for that price, and had to refund $5 because it didn't have a weight attached that wasn't on it brand new. I just figured it was $5 of good will, but it goes to show:"Hey, you never know!". I just wish there were train shows around here that sold 20- MTH for $20.

Menards gives great value for the price. That is the reason why they are successful.  If the details and features are not up to expectations then opt for higher priced rolling stock for which there are numerous choices.  You get what you pay for. It is unreasonable to expect Cadillac features at Chevy prices. 

1drummer posted:

"You cannot find those kinds of deals at train shows".

yes you can. I average about $15-$20 on used MTH CARS.

With boxes and warranty cards in tact.

It is how I have accumulated 140+ rolling stock.

Also, my local USED train store makes me great deals on MTH...average $20 per car.

 

And yes, Menards is making money.  But the three cars I bought may be the last, unless they put them on sale, because of the issues I stated.

History has shown, that if we, as consumers seek a common improvement to products, that we can get it.

So, if Menards replaced the clip with a screw, for easier adjustment, and certainly a lower cost point.  And they improved the coupler by adding a release lever, are any of you saying, at this point in time, that in the future, you would not pay a few dollars more?

 

Not meaning to sound snippy, But why even worry about Menards?

I agree with the above statement. I have been fallowing this and you seam to be the only one tooting the bad car deals. Spend the money you have that some of us don't and buy the high priced stuff.

I love Menards, and I love their product and price point. Thank you Menards.

The 14" flatcars I bought came with roller-bearing style sprung die-cast trucks with rotating bearing caps, a screw mount and t-bar couplers with the uncoupling lever in the same spot as on MTH's newest trucks.

These trucks are recent developments. Maybe the cars the OP bought were made before these upgrades.

edit: (in fact, I'm pretty sure they were--the weathered boxcars are a year or two old by now)

---PCJ

Drummer, 

I think you have every right to ask for better product, but I think it was probably the tone of your comments that set people off a bit on what many of us feel is a truly amazing product line.  The fact of the matter is Menards has continually improved their product over time, with each new product a bit better than the last.  There are issues but for the folks that seem to be buying the product, the price is more important of a factor than the quality.  Offering suggested improvements seems to work over time, but coming out and pretty much saying "this is worthless junk" tends to polarize folks.  

As to a comment somewhere above about the profitability of the train items to Menards, I really doubt they make much profit at all at the current price point.  Enough to pay for it's self, sure, the company isn't going to sell at a loss, but trains are not their business, just a little bit of seasonal real estate in the stores and some warehouse space in a in a hub location filled with millions of other household/home improvement items.  I'm sure there's someone in the company that can't wait until the bosses stop making them waste time with such a Little, Tiny, Niche market that really does nothing for the bottom line besides perhaps providing good will and a little marketing to the customer base.  

JGL

John : WELL SAID !!

The tone of my comments?

Thats a perception issue on your part.

I addressed the price, which I liked. And the issues I felt were a problem.

I hope to see Menards become an MTH and Lionel authorized dealer.

Because they are already open Sunday, they could get every "model train hobby dollar" that the LHS, who are closed, is leaving on the table.

I doubt Menards is not making a worthwhile profit on these trains.

VALUE FOR VALUE.

Maybe I have rosey colored glasses but I think the rolling stock I've purchased is fantastic.    I just received the 12 car military set for Christmas bringing my total military set to 15 cars.  The cars all look and run great and all for the equivalent price of 4 or 5 Lionel or MTH cars.  Which is certainly not a dig of any sort against them. They also make great stuff.  I wish I had the budget to be able to buy a bunch of their rolling stock.  

IMO Menard's is addressing the needs of a fair sized portion of 0-gauge hobbyist's who are looking for quality reasonably priced products.  And they are doing it very well.  

Ed

Very well said Ed!

I seem to be the only one who critiqued a product I found lacking in a few areas.

Obviously, I am the only one who seeks to get Menards to improve their product.

In this instance, there are two types of people in this world, those who accept whatever they are given, and those who want to improve on what is available.

Perhaps the first type of person is the reason that MTH and LIONEL do not have standards similar to DCC, that HO trains operatorsenjoy.

I work hard and long for my money, and I do all I can to get the most for my money. 

If a product I buy lacks features, or has issues, I address them. I posted them in this forum, which I thought would be helpful, by sharing information.

As I will address directly to Menards, in the hope of getting improvements, which I believe will help Menards, and the consumer.

But, if I were Menards, based on the replies here, I would see that the majority of consumers, will accept whatever I deem to sell them.

I have found this string interesting.  Now I will find out what Menards thinks.

 This forum is not to come here a bash a forum sponsor.  if critiquing was your intent it did not come across that way.

there was a very long thread about the menard's plain flat cars and not one post bashed the company. instead what we did was work together to get a solution. someone even posted pictures of what was needed to grind out the tight coupler. and I posted how to fix the gauge.

we worked through the issues, menard's stepped up and now the plain flat cars are 1000 percent better.

I do not care for Menard's. But give them credit. They had the re-labeled Woodland Scenics buildings for the first couple seasons that I was able to buy at a better price. This fall I bought an assortment of cars and trucks for the WWW.milwaukeerailroadshops.org O gauge layout the we are building. 

Dick