I think Mark the Menards Train guy just answered this yesterday under another thread:
https://ogrforum.com/t...74#71678964378300974
Or are you asking about the history of the "Made by Menards cars" only?
Anyway, here's his response from the other thread:
Our first train cars (not counting sets) were made by Lionel and sold exclusively at our stores.
2007 - Paul Menard #11 Pittsburgh Paints Racecar on "Menards" flatcar
2008 - Paul Menard #15 Johns Manville Racecar on "Menards" flatcar
2009 - Paul Menard #98 Johns Manville Race Hauler on "Lionel" flatcar
Following these train cars, we started making our own and the selection expanded exponentially from there.
-Mark the Menards Train Guy