You could produce your switches in several radius's. So please, roll up your sleeves and get this done.
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The rubber roadbed would be a hit I believe. Good idea
I’d be totally in for rubber roadbed. As for switches, I wouldn’t want to be one of Menard’s guinea pigs for new switch designs. Besides, Menards tubular track already works just fine with tried & true and readily available post war Lionel switches.
Actually, cheap plastic ties that would go with tubular track would be good too. A bag of 300 for $19.99 let’s say. I’m just too lazy to make them myself! Lol!
I’d really like them to implement supersnap track and switches as a premium option to their standard track.
Hi Jim
Maybe you should put up your own money to make those switches/turnouts . Maybe hire some Chinese company to make them ?
Menards has their ideas , you have your ideas .
Maybe they have other projects before they think about switches .
Not nice WR.
It kind of feels like o scale needs another track system- switches like I need a hole in the head.
The tooling involved in the production of switches would probably make it cost prohibitive, and the fact that they have had trouble with their truck design leads me to believe that something as complicated as a switch isn’t going to happen. As far as roadbed if it isn’t universal it will probably be a hard sell. Have you looked into Rossplate switches ? Smooth as glass and they are tubular so they look great with Menards track.
If Menards could pick up the tooling from the K-line super snap line then it might be possible. Super snap switches are still available new on the secondary market and they are well designed, almost flawless and run just about everything.
I never say never but unfortunately the odds are not in your favor for newly designed switches, however if they produced a roadbed that would work with Lionel tubular I would be in for a bunch.
Good luck either way
I would bet that the Rick Johnson roadbed dies are available. Rick made rubber roadbed in O, S and I believe Standard Gauge. An easy and cheap way to get into the Rubber Roadbed business. I just sold all my Rubber Road Bed in less then 2 weeks, with an ad that spoke of the cost vs the Fastrack Rip Off. Lionel could care less about us (their loyal customers). Sorry guys that is the truth.
Another option is the Tidy Cat gray clumping cat litter. You can dump it out like ballast then spray it with water to make it clump together.
Andrew
@Former Member posted:Actually, cheap plastic ties that would go with tubular track would be good too. A bag of 300 for $19.99 let’s say. I’m just too lazy to make them myself! Lol!
Is 3r Plastics no longer making them? They made a wonderful product in both O and O-27 with wood grain and tie plates.
Jon 
How about Menards buying the Rail King line from MTH? Rail King would make an excellent fit with their other offerings.
Not going to happen. The owner of Menards is in his 80's, and once he goes, the sideline of trains will probably go with him. I wish him a LOOOOONG life in the meantime.
in my mind, the SuperSnap track and switches are the best; realistic, quiet, available (were) in most radii and mate up with tubular track if you want. I have run the SuperSnap (031) switches for the past 5 yrs, flawlessly. K-Line's manufacturer SandaKan , I believe has the dies. I would like to see the line available in the States again
WRGMILW,
Good Morning,
Sir, The only reason I suggested for Menards to build switches and rubber roadbed was because both would work with their tubular track. Also, they have a large network of stores to sell their products. Sir, you suggested that I have them built. Sir, I'm sorry but I do not have that kind of money. Nor do I have a large dealership of stores to sell the product in. WRGMILW, you take care and have a wonderful and safe day.
@MerCrewser posted:I’d really like them to implement supersnap track and switches as a premium option to their standard track.
From your lips to God's ears. I am giving up my FastTrack due to the noise. I have a fair amount of the Kline/RMT track and switches already. I gave up on the Christmas layout after last year's. The noise was so bad even on carpet and a snow blanket. And then this year in my new man cave. I did the first cut with FastTrack. It was awful. I pulled it up and put up the SuperSnap. It was amazing how much more quiet it was. I ran my Happy Holidays RS-3 and the Lionchief PE and a Christmas trolley (on O27 track) and you could actually have a normal conversation.
I've already got a lot of straights and 31", 42" and 72" curves. And then 31" and 72" turnouts I got in the box so I think they were new and a pair of 42" turnouts that worked fine last time I used them. I have actually considering just going to Menards 3 rail to supplement the SuperSnap (not that I need any right now), but turnouts. I know the 72" ones have a problem, one of mine has it. Hopefully whoever buys the rights to it will fix that (and has more sane prices than RMT.
But yes, Go Menards!
Frank
It’s the 072 rights that have the issue. Easily fixed with electric tape! I have 10 supersnap turnouts on my small 8x5 layout and never a problem. Supersnap/shadow rail is the perfect combination of traditional and modern o gauge IMO.
Another track system ?? How deep into this hobby does Menards want to get into?? There a home improvement chain after all. I think trains are just a side thing they can sell at a low price not part of there overall business plan.
Hi Jim Sutter
I never meant disrespect to you . My wording did come off wrong .
I enjoy all your post .
I sometimes think , everyone thinks Menards will be the second Christ in our Train world .
I agree Menards has a Big group of stores . As Mr. Artyoung said above , Mr. Menard is up there in age . When He passes , the train stuff will most likely end.
Is it true you once ran a train shop? If so did you have a train layout there in any scale ? did you have some customers that rubbed you the wrong way ?
Anyone can have a bad hair day.
I asked you that last question , because sometimes I would like open a Hobby Shop. I get along with 99% of people ,its the 1% that sometimes cause me not to open the shop. Of course money is another thing. How did you handle that 1% ?
thanks in advance
They could sell more track if O gauge operators could expand beyond the HO gauge sized 4' x 8' table top layouts.
Long shelf layouts with more track.
Andrw
WRGMILW,
Good Morning Sir,
Yes, my wife and I ran a train shop for thirty years. Yes, we had a 10' x 18' layout with seven "O" gauge trains running on it. We sold only "O" Gauge trains. Almost all of our customers were fantastic. WRGMILW, there is a video of our layout on youtube. Just type in Jims Train Shop Layout. Please take care and have a wonderful and safe day. Should you decide to open a store, you can call me with any questions you might have. 724-549-2672.
@wb47 posted:Anyone can have a bad hair day.
Only if you still have hair. 8)
@KOOLjock1 posted:Is 3r Plastics no longer making them? They made a wonderful product in both O and O-27 with wood grain and tie plates.
Jon
They are, but you have to buy on Amazon. Recently bought 2 bags. I love 'em.
