O scale automobiles

Yes. Chances are very good that Menards uses 1:43 for cars as this is popular with current production. Trucks are either 1:43 or 1:50.

With Menards target market being low cost, they are buying "off the shelf items"for their rr cars and you section. It wouldn't surprise me if they bought end of run blowout inventory as well.

1:48 diecast vehicles aren’t very common in any era. 

Go to diecast Direct, they have 1/50 Cars of all descriptions.

Mikey

Allegheny48 posted:

I recently purchased 2 of the Menard's bi level auto carrier flatcars each with 6 of their brand of die cast vehicles.  My intentions were to replace the vehicles with ones from the early 1960's.  However I am unable to find die cast autos from that era in either 1/48th or 1/50th scales.  I am beginning to think that what Menard's (and others) use are 1/43rd scale vehicles.  If I am figuring correctly the difference between the two scales is 5 actual feet per 1 model foot.  Any thoughts on this? 

If Menard's would put era-correct vehicles on these auto carriers, they'd probably sell a lot better.  I know I'd be a lot more inclined to buy more.  But that's just my opinion, what do I know about marketing?

On the other hand, I know quite a bit about consuming.  I'm heavily into that.

Or not.  

rattler21 posted:

The difference between 1:43 and 1:48 is a tad over 10%. John in Lansing, ILL

Oh, if that was only true!  Actually, a 1:43 model has 39% greater volume than a 1:48 model of the same thing.  When two vehicles sit side by side, this volume difference is striking.  The 1:43 model is 11.6% longer, 11.6% wider and 11.6% taller.

mikey posted:

Go to diecast Direct, they have 1/50 Cars of all descriptions.

Mikey

Mixed Freight posted:

Allegheny48 posted:

I recently purchased 2 of the Menard's bi level auto carrier flatcars each with 6 of their brand of die cast vehicles.  My intentions were to replace the vehicles with ones from the early 1960's.  However I am unable to find die cast autos from that era in either 1/48th or 1/50th scales.  I am beginning to think that what Menard's (and others) use are 1/43rd scale vehicles.  If I am figuring correctly the difference between the two scales is 5 actual feet per 1 model foot.  Any thoughts on this? 

If Menard's would put era-correct vehicles on these auto carriers, they'd probably sell a lot better.  I know I'd be a lot more inclined to buy more.  But that's just my opinion, what do I know about marketing?

On the other hand, I know quite a bit about consuming.  I'm heavily into that.

Or not.  

In my opinion Menard's is marketing their trains and buildings to the average model railroader and not so much to the O scale crowd.  However they have given the model train world a much needed shot-in-the-arm, so to speak, and I applaud them for that.  Many of their O scale freight cars can be tweaked to work and look well with the more expensive stuff.  I personally like their 50' flat cars.  They are nicely done and adapt well for custom loads.  Their O scale buildings are great and reasonably priced for all that they are.  One of the sales associates in the Mentor, OH store told me that Mr. Menard has a huge model train layout in his Wisconsin home. 

1/48 vs 1/50:

The green PCC is 1/48, the red car is 1/50; a noticeable difference to me.

I use both 1/48 and 1/43.    If they are 2 feet apart you can't tell the difference.   I really like the Menards plug in vehicles.    Until the end of the month if you spend 19.99 on a train item you get a 1953 ford pick up with lights for free.  Cool looking truck! 

Jim