Menards truck came today! Photos.

They really turned out Great !!!

Looks great, I've got one coming next week. One of the very few "must haves" being made in the train world today....

terrific! Contact info to get one made for my layout please??

Chris Lonero posted:

This really came out nice. Thanks Menards. 

I love it!!

Carey TeaRose posted:

terrific! Contact info to get one made for my layout please??

Carey. All you have to do is order one from Menards. Here is the link. Click on die cast cars you'll find it  

https://www.menards.com/main/O...-Menards/c-14331.htm

Chris Lonero posted:

Carey TeaRose posted:

terrific! Contact info to get one made for my layout please??

Carey. All you have to do is order one from Menards. Here is the link. Click on die cast cars you'll find it  

https://www.menards.com/main/O...-Menards/c-14331.htm

you ENABLER you! ordered one

I ordered two of these to put on a flatcar.  I live near where this hobby store was, but it was before my time in having moved to the Seattle area.  I do have a Western Pacific F3 restoration by French's Train House.  It's an MPC shell on a post war chassis.  I added details, and it's pretty nice.

I'm a bit surprised by the finish on the truck.  It looks weathered.  I'm used to new issues being kind of shinny.  I'm judging by the pictures as I have not yet received mine.  I wonder why?

Alan

CHRIS LONERO,

Thank you for sharing with us pictures of your new panel truck. Happy to know that you are very pleased with your purchase. Please take care and have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Mine came too.  Pretty sharp.

ajzend posted:

I ordered two of these to put on a flatcar.  I live near where this hobby store was, but it was before my time in having moved to the Seattle area.  I do have a Western Pacific F3 restoration by French's Train House.  It's an MPC shell on a post war chassis.  I added details, and it's pretty nice.

I'm a bit surprised by the finish on the truck.  It looks weathered.  I'm used to new issues being kind of shinny.  I'm judging by the pictures as I have not yet received mine.  I wonder why?

Alan

yeah, I'm kinda surprised its weathered too, to go with tinplate that is all bright and shiny... I may paint the fenders and the foot rails glossy black like the original had.

My guess is that they were trying to make the truck look like it is currently. Should be more maroon though.

Chris, you bought me one too, right? 

Got both of mine today and they are really gorgeous!

NJCJOE posted:

My guess is that they were trying to make the truck look like it is currently. Should be more maroon though.

Chris, you bought me one too, right? 

I would have got you one Joe but I figured you wouldn't like the paint.     On the bright side you are now an official member! 

Carey TeaRose posted:

ajzend posted:

I ordered two of these to put on a flatcar.  I live near where this hobby store was, but it was before my time in having moved to the Seattle area.  I do have a Western Pacific F3 restoration by French's Train House.  It's an MPC shell on a post war chassis.  I added details, and it's pretty nice.

I'm a bit surprised by the finish on the truck.  It looks weathered.  I'm used to new issues being kind of shinny.  I'm judging by the pictures as I have not yet received mine.  I wonder why?

Alan

yeah, I'm kinda surprised its weathered too, to go with tinplate that is all bright and shiny... I may paint the fenders and the foot rails glossy black like the original had.

They were going for the prototype that exists today.   Some time us shiny tinplate types have to make an exception.   You could spray it with clear gloss if you want a shine on yours.

Chris Lonero posted:

Carey TeaRose posted:

ajzend posted:

I ordered two of these to put on a flatcar.  I live near where this hobby store was, but it was before my time in having moved to the Seattle area.  I do have a Western Pacific F3 restoration by French's Train House.  It's an MPC shell on a post war chassis.  I added details, and it's pretty nice.

I'm a bit surprised by the finish on the truck.  It looks weathered.  I'm used to new issues being kind of shinny.  I'm judging by the pictures as I have not yet received mine.  I wonder why?

Alan

yeah, I'm kinda surprised its weathered too, to go with tinplate that is all bright and shiny... I may paint the fenders and the foot rails glossy black like the original had.

They were going for the prototype that exists today.   Some time us shiny tinplate types have to make an exception.   You could spray it with clear gloss if you want a shine on yours.

I'll be OK with it.  If I gloss it it will just look like glossy weathering.

Alan

I'm NOT nitpicking, but has anyone else noticed that the original says "French's", and the model says "Frenchies"?

Chris,

Thanks for sharing, will buy this one and the Blue one released back in January and will put them in Flatcars soon

I find it hilarious that Lionel's current management team is so out of touch with their own company's history they let another company beat them to the punch with this offering.    They should have offered this years ago, and in a SuperStreet's version.

Another great offering by Menards without the added premium of coming in an orange and white box with "Lionel" printed on it.

-Greg

artyoung posted:

I'm NOT nitpicking, but has anyone else noticed that the original says "French's", and the model says "Frenchies"?

That was noticed in the original announcement thread, see here.

The later descriptions in that thread could easily suggest the differences were fully intentional. 

Even though the business apparently no longer exists, I can see it being less hassle if it can be claimed that there are enough differences in the address, etc. that it is not a direct copy of the real item.

Interestingly the description on the Menard's site itself does use the correct spelling for the business name.  But they are not selling the description on their web site.

-Dave

Another difference is the original one has a mirror only on the drivers side as did most of the vehicles from that era.  The Menards version has a mirror on both sides.

I realize there are diferences from the prototype.  My guess is Menards was intended the wording to be different.  Mine came yesterday.  I love it, and so does my wife!  Thank you Chris for the great photos of the model!!

Greg Houser posted:

I find it hilarious that Lionel's current management team is so out of touch with their own company's history they let another company beat them to the punch with this offering.    They should have offered this years ago, and in a SuperStreet's version.

Another great offering by Menards without the added premium of coming in an orange and white box with "Lionel" printed on it.

-Greg

Actually, the box does have the Lionel logo printed on it, which tends to confirm that it is a Lionel licensed product.  So rather than letting "another company beat them to the punch with this offering," they were probably fully aware of it through signing the licensing agreement.  

What leads you to allege "that Lionel's current management team is so out of touch with their own company's history?"   In talking with them, I have found them very aware of the company's history.  Maybe they are choosing to concentrate on core functionalities for the future like Bluetooth connectivity and to license things like this.  By doing so, they may help ensure that the company, history and all, doesn't come to the end of the road. 

Mine has been "staged" for delivery in Eau Claire for the last 2 days. I assume that means they are waiting for the stagecoach to pick it up. 

I am not concerned about the weathered paint job or the differences from the prototype. Is that a separately applied rear license plate? This is one of the "cooler" vehicles Menards has issued.

What I find intriguing is the Lionel logo on the package. Aside from the Lionel train sets that Menards has sold in the past, have any of their separate train items borne this logo? Does this portend a future closer relationship between the two companies? The mind boggles. Oy. 

When we were kids my Dad used to visit French's quite a lot.  Always took us along.  HUGE layout .... really HUGE!!!  All  Lionel.

jay jay posted:

Is that a separately applied rear license plate?

Yes, it is.  It looks like it is part of or glued to the light housing.

PGentieu posted:

Actually, the box does have the Lionel logo printed on it, which tends to confirm that it is a Lionel licensed product.  So rather than letting "another company beat them to the punch with this offering," they were probably fully aware of it through signing the licensing agreement.  . 

Smart move for Lionel - Hitch a ride on a winner.

Hope they release them with real RR logos too.

I put mine on a flat car. I was going to paint over the letering but it kind of works considering the prototype was salvaged. 

Chris Lonero posted:

I put mine on a flat car. I was going to paint over the letering but it kind of works considering the prototype was salvaged. 

Where do those wheel chocks come from?

Thanks,

Alan

These were ones I had from some parts from an MTH flat car. You may be able to order them from MTH. 

I really don't  know if these will be on line, but I found these at the local Menards today.

ajzend posted:

Chris Lonero posted:

I put mine on a flat car. I was going to paint over the letering but it kind of works considering the prototype was salvaged. 

Where do those wheel chocks come from?

Thanks,

Alan

It looks like the ones on the MTH Flats with Automobiles

That truck is still around the Seattle area last I heard.

This barn find is a remarkable story. 

I liked it so much that I ordered two models. Thanks to Mehnards I can have one on my 3 rail postwar type layout and one on my scale 2 rail switching layout. I will post photos when they arrive and layout up again. Laouts currently taken down for major renovations and hues repairs.

Btw, does anyone know of a Madison Hardware O scale panel truck? Seems like I may have seen a model of that many years back. But not sure. Anyone have one?

Thanks much. 

I received mine yesterday and WOW!!  This fits my era perfectly and the subdued weathering/fading is outstanding.  I'm going to do a little additional weathering on the front and rear bumpers and the hub caps.  Additionally I'm going to fabricate an antenna from music wire to duplicate the original and possible a windshield wiper as seen below.  I'm really hoping that Menards continues to offer more 1:48 die cast vehicles from this era.

I really should know better than to give my opinion on a Menard's item by now,but I just can't resist in this case.This is an extremely poorly executed model.Menard's is the luckiest business in the world that customers will buy this and excuse the lousy look of their model.Many forum readers will defend the flaws and demean me for pointing them out,but here they are anyways:

1.Body color is bronze instead of maroon.

2."Frenchies"instead of"French's"graphics on the side panel.

3.Maroon plastic headlight housings on the front fenders should be the same color as the rest of the fender,like in the model in the top photo.

 4.Right side headlight housing appears to be noticeably drooping down in the middle photo.

Dan please tell us how you feel!!!!!  This isn't a high end die cast model and is priced accordingly.  The truck I received isn't bronze but more a faded maroon.  I've been critical of other Menards offerings but for all its' flaws this one is believable.

Apples and oranges.  You can't compare a Brooklyn or Franklin mint quality model with something you could buy in a local Walgreen's for $10 bucks!   Just like Menards rolling stock some people compare and nit pick historical accuracy or it doesn't have this or that bla,bla,bla Everyone wants high quality but doesn't want to pay the price.   Not everyone has endless resources to spend on top of the line toys. That's why in my opinion Menards has done well filling a market that is reasonably priced and decent quality.    

Don't buy a smart car and expect to get a Cadillac!   It is what it is! 

Chris Lonero posted:

Apples and oranges.  You can't compare a Brooklyn or Franklin mint quality model with something you could buy in a local Walgreens for $10 bucks!   Just like Menards rolling stock some people compare and nit pick historical accuracy or it doesn't have this or that bla,bla,bla Everyone wants high quality but doesn't want to pay the price.   Not everyone has endless resources to spend on top of the line toys. That's why in my opinion Menards has done well filling a market that is reasonably priced and decent quality.    

Don't buy a smart car and expect to get a Cadillac!   It is what it is! 

Broke down and just placed my order for one, could not resist