Menards Tubular Track Update

It is nice to see Menards pick up the ball on tubular track after Lionel cut back. But more interesting to see the larger radius. I can see Menards maybe adding to the track with more radius's and either a manual or a remote control switch and possibly a uncoupling track. Although it would be nice to see an engine down the road that would constitute a big investment and also a creation of a service department. With all the manufacturers out there producing engines I myself would rather see Menards make new freight cars that never have been made before....................Paul

My barrel racing, country musician fiance wants to know what a "real train wife" is.

What is the track made out of? Hopefully its got a finish that lasts longer than lionels.

By weird coincidence, I just commented on another thread that Menards might be

worth keeping your eyes peeled for, as they seemed to be getting up to speed quickly, and now another surprise.  Abandon a market and somebody will fill it....I, too, am surprised so many appear to be using tubular track....I am not happy with any of its replacements out there, but don't want to use that, either.  But...what's next?   Way in the future, some realistic low (0-27 height or less), mutli-tied (thin wood ties), solid rails,  with no funny incompatible connections, all interchangeable with the tubular, with height adjustment. (I know, I'm dreaming) Given that the Williams by Bachmann 2-8-2 or 2-8-0? did not materialize, and both companies before their merger were players in getting locomotives made, a Menards loco might be long coming.  However, diesels, maybe, as somebody produced a few of those for RMT... an RDC, etc., so that has happened, without taking GE, IBM, or crowd-funding to effect it.

Awesome!!!! Another alternative to Lionel's O Gauge Tubular which is being phased out...It looks like the classic track choices will be Williams by Bachmann and Menards!!

I am sold!!

More great news from my favorite store!

I'm not kidding, I have a framed autographed pic of the Menard's Guy in my office.

I have a question for the Menard's Train guy. 

Is this the personal layout of one of the Menard's higher ups?

You really need to write up an article and submit it to your favorite train magazine about that layout.  Take a lot of pics, make a few more videos.  I would love to know how he got the cars and trucks to move on that highway.

Thanks for posting the Menards YouTube layout link, Garfield. I would also be interested in learning more about the movement of those cars and trucks on the highway.

That layout looks to have a mine with moving machinery as well.  Way too nice to have been built just for a commercial.

Garfield,

Thank you.  I never saw the Quaker State station or mill before.

K line made a station like that then Menard's did a run of them one year.  I missed out on it and they have never made them again.  I think they are a great item and I wish they would re issue them using different brands.  They look great and don't take up a lot of room.

It's great to see Menard's offer such a variety of tubular track.  I think 036 is a great idea.  I guess Lionel's decision to scale back on tube track isn't a big deal.  

1) Take her to York or any large meet; she'll figure it out.

2) The operative word here being FIANCE.

Bill,

10” Straight (3 ties)

30” Straight (5 ties)

31” Curve - 8 Pieces Per Circle (3 ties)

36” Curve - 8 Pieces Per Circle (4 ties)

42” Curve - 12 Pieces Per Circle (3 ties)

54” Curve - 16 Pieces Per Circle (3 ties)

72” Curve - 16 Pieces Per Circle (4 ties)

96” Curve- 16 Pieces Per Circle (4 ties)

Thanks,

Mark the Menards Train Guy

That's just to see if you are payin' attention.

Great product line up!

Mallard,

 Think you better check definition

of FINACE !

Sill watching this thread as I am getting ready to start on my layout. I collect mostly prewar Marx, Flyer, Hafner and like the nostalgic look of tubular track. I for one are hoping the plating is a improvement over the last I bought of the big L mfg, it started flaking almost from the time of installation on the Christmas Tree layout .

I will be honest though I was hoping for the cross tie count to be higher on the larger radius curves and long sections.

I wounder how may would purchase extra cross ties and insulators if they were available to purchase separately.   

That would be nice.

I'm anxiously awaiting the O36 entry into the tubular world

I dunno what is available now, but in the past the model mags had ads for suppliers of

additonal ties intended to be added under tinplate track.

If you want to try to bring a bit more realism to this kind of O-gauge track, I suggest making your own ties from wood. The metal ties of the track serve two functions: to hold the three rails together and to be able to secure the track to a sub-base. This type of track (Lionel or any other make) was not produced for realism. I had a bunch of O-gauge track from my layout in the 60's and I did not want to throw it away, but I did want a more realistic appearance. I made ties from 1/4" x 3/4" x 96" wood window screen molding. The molding is almost exactly the same width as the ties. I cut them to the length I wanted them which was close to the length of the metal ties, painted them black, and then spaced them between the metal ties. I then ballasted and voila...for old (or new Menards) three rail track, it turned out well.

Mark,

These were actually two separate tests that took place on two different days and thus the wardrobe change.

It was discussed that during trial #1, our engineers forgot to account for the weight of the test subject’s boots and other clothes. This resulted in the structural failure you observed and also sent our engineers back to the drawing board.

The obvious answer for weight removal from the test subject, as occurred to the young fellows, was quickly rejected on moral and ethical grounds. Alas, we will never know if those few pounds of clothing would have made the difference!

Calculations were made and it was decided that two pieces of track would easily do the job. A few days later, trial #2 was conducted with the exceptional results you see, despite even bigger and heavier boots J!

It seems as though a train guy’s work is never done!

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

When will this track be available? And please consider adding more ties to the longer straights and broader curves like the ones we have now.

Glad to see Menards picking up the tubuluar!!

Mark,

We plan to have 10” straight and O-31 curved pieces available for sale around November 1st. More sizes will become available in the November to December timeframe and all sizes should be available in early January. I will pass along the request for more ties but I assure you this track is perfectly sound.

Thanks for your support!

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark

More ties is an appearance issue, not structural.  I image that it is too late to change as manufacturing is already committed.  Probably only some of us care about this issue.  If I could buy a box of 100 ties, I would add to them as I wanted.  This would really catch my interest.

Bill

OK... as many of others, as myself, like to use tubular track, Menard's has really hit upon a positive thing.  So.... just suggestions as Menard's likes to see.  yes, if the track has lesser amount of ties, why not supply for purchase (at a very reasonable rate) extra ties to be placed under the track for the preferred look we all want.  Also,

to have the track look all the better, and to set it apart from other manufacturers, to capture even more of the market: sell tubular track with the sides of rails with a "brown, aged" look.  I know if I could acquire pre-painted rail sides, that would be a very determining factor in purchasing from that supplier.

Jesse 

Jesse and Bill,

      I hope Menard's can meet your request, but I doubt that more ties will be added since not even the original Lionel track had many ties. I will double down on what I recommended previously...make your own. You can add as many ties between the metal ties that you want. You can glue them down and they will stay in place. Just a couple of more pictures to show....this is some of my original Lionel track from 1954. Other is longer pieces I purchased new. You can crank out a lot of ties in short order!!! The slight irregularities of the ties add to the realism.

Rick

Go figure. Everyone clamors for someone to make some good quality, low priced products. When someone does, many start chiming in on the changes they want, all that ADD COST. I am amazed at the quantity, price and volume of product coming from Menards. You'd think more would be thankful.

Steve

I agree with Ranger Rick and Steve.  Menard's is doing 3 railers a big favor by offering such a nice variety of track.  We shouldn't be too picky about the number of ties.  As the Rolling Stones said, "you can't always get what you want."

I agree with Rick, Steve, and BARailroad.  I'm just glad to see Menards is going to offer a product to tubular fans that I'm sure will be well made and at a reasonable cost.  Many thanks to Menards for taking on this new offering.

Speaking of tubular track, if Menards could manufacture some Johnson's Rubber Roadbed (now discontinued) that would make a nice addition to the tubular track line.

Just a suggestion.

While I'd love to see a Menards in my area, York would be a great place to promote the new track when it is ready to go (gotta get the word out - lots of O gaugers aren't on this forum), and you could probably sell a lot of rolling stock and die cast vehicles there, as well (to pay for the  trip ).

Andy

To all, I, too, am very grateful to Menards for adding tubular track to their line of products.  Also, I do not believe I am being "picky" about them.  Read my post and you will notice I make suggestions for their consideration.. feedback.  Any manufacturer, or supplier, wants feedback from potential customers.  It is this input that drives many a market, as it should.  It is something for Menards to consider, not a complaint about their fine product.  Such ideas help a manufacturer to have "one up" on the competition in many cases.  To supply what all, or many, consumers look for is beneficial to that supplier/manufacturer.  This is proven well by the response of their introduction of tubular track to their product line.

Jesse

Ranger Rick...   I also make my own ties to inset between the manufactured ties on tubular track, and have done so for many years.  There are also many suppliers of manufactured ties to use with tubular track.  Should Menards decide to enter this market, to provide for those who do not make their own ties, it would be beneficial to all and a fine addition to what they already have.  Thank you for your comments.

Jesse

Sorry for being brutally honest, but I have enough 36" and 40" straights, and O72 curves to last a lifetime. Only reason I don't sell the straights on fleabay is dealing with the shipping (pull out pins so they don't go thru box?? Find a box??). Not sure if I am speaking for the majority of tubular runners.

The oddball curves, that has my interest.

I have so many straights, I go over them, pick the ones that have dings, take them apart and put the ties on other straights, makes tubular look a lot better. Your hands might end up getting some cuts though.

To quote the Stones again: "I can't get no satisfaction.".

I concur 100% with you.

I am amused every time Menard's announces their next product;  products that are not designed around pure prototypical fidelity.  Rather they are designed and marketed for those of us who don't need 100%scale accuracy and like running the $20 box car, warts and all.

Then the scale runners jump in and tell Menard's they should do this or do that.  If that happens, we're back up to the $65-$90 MSRP box cars.

Just to add, I also run true scale stuff.  I just like the old style traditional non-scale items.    A bit like Industrial Rail was before going under then being taken over by Atlas.  The majority of my rolling stock is  pre Atlas Industrial Rail. 

I cannot find any information on the Menards website concerning the track, anyone have a link?

I missed this little tidbit earlier. This made me chuckle!!!

I use 3R Plastic ties in my tubular track from Lionel & K-Line. Used to buy from Moondog Rubber ties until they went out of business. Just purchased a whole bunch of foam rubber ties down in Miami FL about three weeks ago, so I will have more then enough ties for my new layout. 

Lee Fritz