Does anyone have the Menards 1:48 Die-Cast Railway Express Panel Truck? The description states 1/48 and it is different than the panel trucks that come on the flat cars which are 1/64. Is this model really 1/48?
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I bought three of them because they are 1/48. I haven't seen the ones on the flat cars so I can't say about them....Paul
The single sale panel truck is the same one that's on the flatcar. As Paul said, 1/48 scale. Bob
Let me clarify. The panel truck I was referring to is the Soo Line which comes two to a flatcar. There is a newer car with one panel truck which is also a separate sale truck that I was asking about. The two truck to a flatcar are definitely different models and are not listed for separate sale.
The dimensions on the separate sale model closely match the shipping dimensions of the 1942 model (which was the same vehicle) as dimensioned by the Army in WWII.
The Soo Line truck is definitely smaller and per above different. Just was trying to verify the actual scale size of the new vehicle from some who actually has one already.
This discussion tipped me off about the Menards 1:48 Railway Express panel truck - which I had not known about. Who manufactured this vehicle and what year(s)? I ordered one today and will put up a picture when it arrives. It will go perfectly behind the railroad station on my layout.
MELGAR
Parked nearby the oversize 1/43 diecast cars they do look small.
Placed next to a Corgi 1/50 truck it looks much better.
The Menards Railway Express Panel truck appears to be a model of a 1942 Chevrolet.
MELGAR
I have UP vans that came on Menard's flatcars and they do appear to be closer to 1/64 that 1/48.
The UP vans measure 3.7 L x 1.45 W x 1.40 H with a wheelbase of 2.14 (in inches)
The REA truck measures 4.06 L x 1.52 W x 1.67 H with a wheelbase of 2.35 (in inches)
The Menard's ad indicates that the REA truck is 1/48 scale and it appears to look correct on the layout next to scale sized trains.
The UP van looks to be small next to scale sized trains.
My answer to the original poster is that the REA truck is indeed correct at 1/48 scale.
Happy railroading,
Don
Not good. Never seen an REA truck like that 
It amazes me that companies continue to produce trucks from past generations that are no longer with us. The majority of train modelers all grew up in the 60’s, yet that is the least represented era? H.O. is always accurate and gets it, why can’t “O” ever get on board ? Maybe next time around, try this.
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Chevrolet's 1942 1/2 ton delivery truck had a wheelbase of 115". Divide 115 by 48 and an O scale model's wheelbase is a touch less than 2.4 inches. John in Lansing, ILL
rattler21 posted:Chevrolet's 1942 1/2 ton delivery truck had a wheelbase of 115". Divide 115 by 48 and an O scale model's wheelbase is a touch less than 2.4 inches. John in Lansing, ILL
The UP van mentioned in my post above has a wheel base of 2.14 inches.
The Menard's REA truck has a wheelbase of 2.35 inches.
Looks like that measurement matches what a 1/48 scale vehicle should be pretty well.
Menard's had this truck made to match one from an Lionel hobby shop van that was discovered in a barn somewhere in the northwest and original offered it as a model of that truck as it exist today. I think they did a wonderful job with it including the rusty, weathered look. I for one am glad they have offered the vehicle in REA livery as it looks like something that might have been and could have been. I am also hoping they will offer it someday with lighting like thy have done with some of their other vehicles.
Happy railroading,
Don
PS: I have added these dimensions to my post above
SDIV Tim posted:
When I bought the one, I had to buy another. The extra Flatcar was used for my REA Panel Truck
Tim: Where did you find your panel truck ? Thanks.. Bob
I purchased the Menards Railway Express panel truck model and wrote this post when I received it back in December. Didn't post it until after my layout article appeared in OGR Run 304...
The Menards Railway Express Agency Chevrolet panel truck appears to be an accurate 1:48 scale model of a 1942-1946 Chevrolet one-half-ton panel truck. Online documentation gives this vehicle’s wheelbase as 115 inches and its overall length as 198 inches. As best I can measure, the model’s wheelbase is 2.375 inches and its length is 4.125 inches. In 1:48 scale, these lengths correspond to 114 inches and 198 inches respectively. The license plate at the rear of the model says “NY 46” and has the correct colors for a New York plate. Whether or not this paint scheme is prototypical, this model fits perfectly next to a railroad station or freight house on a 1940s-1950s era layout such as mine. A perfect model at a fair price.
MELGAR
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