Menards tubular track.. two years later. How do you like it?

RADIORON,

Seeing it in person would be the best way to answer your questions. If I had a store near me, I would gladly take the time and examine if fully.

This may not be what you were looking for, but I have an O72 carpet loop with 5 straights each side; down for 7 months.  The pins are pretty loose on a lot of the sections.  So much so that I bought the “tinmans” track pliers.  Which of course solved the problem.  I also had a dead short in a section due to the crimp machine  pressing through the insulating paper.  So had to check continuity on all sections.  Should be normal practice anyway, I just didn’t know any better.  All the sections had a machinery processing film on it, that I just cleaned off with alcohol. Seems heavy compared to FasTrak, but I have no other comparison. Once down however, I have had no problems with it.  Hope this helps.

I bought a loop of 096 curves from Menards awhile ago and plan on using it on my layout, but not after re crimping all of the pins and wiping all of the track down with either goo gone or alcohol. The track fits extremely loose together due too the pins I feel being way too small. And after removing the packaging, the rails are covered in machining oil and will need a good wipe down. Honestly if I didn't already have so much invested in tubular track and switches, I would have taken another route. 

John-

It’s obvious that the first and last tie is too far back from the ends allowing for the loose pins. Compare to Lionel and you will see. Way too much Lionel and Kline still out there to pass up for the Menards. Just my opinion. 

Rod Miller

Rod Miller,

+1 buddy

PCRR/Dave

 I bought an 0-36 circle. It is perfect. Tight pins, no shorts, no film, no oil. I can pick it up and roll down the hall if I wanted.  Magnetraction works on it, lock ons fit, it's strong; like Lionel O give or take a few thousandths.

I bought some of the 096 curves and extra long straights last year due to the attractive price. Ties and pins were loose. Track was coated with machining oil. Nearly every other section had a short. Several sections were not in gauge. Rather than mess with it further,It all went into the recycle bin. You get what you pay for. 

My Menardsville layout has 100% menards track minus the switches and with no problems with anything, I'm happy with it.

Adriatic posted:

I bought an 0-36 circle & it's perfect.  Tight pins, no shorts, film, no oil.  I can pick it up & roll down the hall if I want.  Magnetraction works on it, lock ons fit, it's strong; like Lionel O give or take a few thousandths.

Thanks you Adriatic & all who relpied.   It was great to hear everyone's experience.  Too bad that a track tightening tool sounds to be necessary to get this stuff in operating shape.  It kinda spoils the "good deal" on pricing.  But then, Adriatic observed no such problems.  The oily coating is something I hadn't heard about either.  I Menards  doesn't want it rusting during transit/storage?

jim sutter posted:

RADIORON, seeing it in person would be the best way to answer your questions.   If I had a store near me, I would gladly take the time and examine if fully.

 

Jim... you are correct.... partly.  Seeing the track is ok... but hearing directly from the guys who bought & have used it is even better.  If I were just looking at the track, I might be very tempted, but hearing the negative stories from just these 6-7 guys is enough to change one's mind.

I bought two cases of  0-54 curves,  another case of 0-48 curves, and a case of 30 inch straights about a year ago from Menards.

I have not had any shorts nor was there any film on the track when I bought it. 

I mix and match it with Lionel track that I also have.

I do not have any problems with the Menards track.

I have a feeling it depends on when it was made. Sounds like the first run or so is not good. Later runs of track were built correctly. Trouble is, you don't now what run of track, your order is being pulled from.

Mark The Menard's Man,

Can you shed some light on this subject? We could use some information pertaining to your "O" Gauge Track.

The solution sounds pretty simple to me. If you have any reservations about the quality of Menards track, or other products, then don't buy it. I've bought some Menards track for a layout I have planned for this winter. I guess I'll find out then the quality of what I've purchased from them. I only live ten minutes from my Menards, picked up what I ordered from the store. I buy a lot of stuff year around from them, not just train stuff. The materials to build my layout will be purchased from them as well.

I tried to buy Lionel and K-Line O Gauge Track from sellers on ebay many times, but, could never get any of it bought for what I thought was a decent price, or the shipping was in my opinion, outrageous. So, I decided to buy my track from Menards, I'll find out then if there are any issues with it. Also, from reading Menards threads here on the forum, I feel that Menards costumer service tries to resolve any and all issues of quality with their products.

Rusty  

Bought a full O-72 loop and a half and pieces short out on me. Certain engines like my MTH Niagara with a centipede tender don't much care for it but i really like the durability of the track and need only to find some better switches. 

I purchased some 30" straights from Menards two years ago, in preparation for a new layout I was building.  I found the tie spacing disappointing.  The oil coating is a necessary evil and didn't bother me, and was easily wiped off.  The galvanized coating is rough, in my opinion.  Cutting the pieces to make custom lengths, which are inevitable, takes much care and a jig is highly recommended.  

I would only use this track on sidings for train storage.  I wound up selling two cases of straights and the buyer was not happy with it either, so I refunded his money.  Sometimes a bargain is not a bargain.  Since then I have been buying Lionel and K-Line tubular track from Ebay sellers.  As for the cost of shipping, I look for listings with reasonable shipping costs.

I have purchased some short straights and 027 curved pieces to add to my Lionel tubular track and found everything worked perfectly - no loose pins or crimps needed.

Will not be buying any More Menards track do to the loose pins issue. Even with a track pliers I cannot tighten track ends. Apparently the metal thickness is off.

For what it's worth I visited my local Menards over the weekend and they now have a full track display of all curve sizes and 30" straits. These tracks do fit together tightly. So maybe they have addressed the problem.

areizman posted:

Will not be buying any More Menards track do to the loose pins issue. Even with a track pliers I cannot tighten track ends. Apparently the metal thickness is off.

For what it's worth I visited my local Menards over the weekend and they now have a full track display of all curve sizes and 30" straits. These tracks do fit together tightly. So maybe they have addressed the problem.

I agree, I too was at my local Menards and did a test fit on several pcs.  they all fit very well.. Bob