(05/20/21): New! Auto Carrier with Ford Trucks from Menards!

@Menards posted:

We're live! Check out this new TTX Auto Carrier with officially licensed 1953 Ford trucks! Show Now >

This Bi-Level Auto Carrier comes fully loaded with six 1953 Ford® trucks, making their way from Detroit, MI to your train layout! Constructed primarily of wood, this innovative flatcar is the first construction of its kind. From its silver ladders to the authentic "TTX" markings, this bi-level auto carrier boasts exceptional detail and expert craftsmanship. Along with the Ford® emblem on both sides, you can decorate this train car to match your favorite railroad with any of the 36 interchangeable decals included (two of each road name).

After its initial introduction in the 1960s, the TTX F89F Flatcar became an important addition to contemporary railroads. Decidedly different from other long-bodied flatcars, the TTX F89F was outfitted with an auto carrier rack to accommodate a new kind of payload: automobiles. These inventive flatcars allowed trains to haul brand-new vehicles from an assembly plant in Detroit, MI to automotive dealers nationwide. While we took a bit of an artistic license as we carefully crafted this car, we believe it captures the essence of this revolutionary flatcar. Each model features ladders, safety railing, and prototypical painting and lettering that are true to the spirit (if not the letter) of its historic form.

Is it a plastic flat car with wooden upper deck?

Very nice truck hauler.  With respect to the modern Pepsi logo on the 53' Ford, well we can consider it as a back to the future truck that was accidently loaded onto the car hauler.

Now, how about the same type of flat but with enclosed racks?

Except for the red one, the colors for the other five trucks are incorrect for what they would have been out of the factory in 1953. Police usually would purchased a Ford sedan, yellow was not available (and yellow was a pastel shade circa 1955) except for taxi cabs, two tone paint for trucks was not available from the factory, the blue is way off for the mid-50's, and the commercial door logos are not historically time appropriate. For that matter, neither is the car carrier.

A swing and a miss.

Bob

I like it .

@Richie C. posted:

Very nice - but a '53 Ford Truck with a modern Pepsi logo seems a little out of place.

So does an ES44AC in a Pennsylvania RR paint scheme.

@Grampstrains posted:

It's Menard's, not Neiman Marcus.

we took a bit of an artistic license as we carefully crafted this car

Only announced two hours ago and there are at least three complaints!

The car appears to be based on the fourteen inch scale-sized flat. If the trucks are true 1/48 and not the over-sized 1/43 like the modern F150, I might get one to convert to two-rail. Note that the trucks can be re-painted!

@Grampstrains posted:

It's Menard's, not Neiman Marcus.

Aw, come on. They could do better than that, even for a toy.

Bob

This release caught me off-guard.  I was sure we'd next get the "promised" reissue of the double stack intermodal car with shipping containers.  Or maybe I'm getting ahead of the powers that be.....

Really cool product, but I’ll probably sit this one out. Now if it was loaded with mustangs or mopar muscle cars it would be a different story.

@BwanaBob posted:

This release caught me off-guard.  I was sure we'd next get the "promised" reissue of the double stack intermodal car with shipping containers.  Or maybe I'm getting ahead of the powers that be.....

I may be up for a few double stack cars! If they change the shipping container company name to one that I’ve heard of, it’d be a big help.

Just ordered a 4 pack just for the Fords!!!

The trucks are a nice size. I do not care about their color.

Get over this picayune cr***.

60s flatcar with new 50s pickup trucks painted in some neat, though maybe not realistic, colors.  Yes, it is a toy.  Besides, that F89F does not look 22" long.  However, that flatcar looks really good.

@Csxcellent posted:

Really cool product, but I’ll probably sit this one out. Now if it was loaded with Mustangs or Mopar muscle cars it would be a different story.

A better idea than the wayward pickups.

Bob

Going to stop by Menard's Friday while traveling. If they have these on hand may pick up one. I'd repaint the trucks in a more correct color........but I am running on 3 rail truck so not too picky !

@AMCDave posted:

Going to stop by Menard's Friday while traveling. If they have these on hand may pick up one. I'd repaint the trucks in a more correct color........but I am running on 3 rail truck so not too picky !

Menard's doesn't usually have train stuff out at this time of year.  My local one doesn't as of this morning.

Rusty

@AMCDave posted:

Going to stop by Menard's Friday while traveling. If they have these on hand may pick up one. I'd repaint the trucks in a more correct color........but I am running on 3 rail truck so not too picky !

I think you'll have to order it online and have it shipped to your store which is free.  Menards online shows my location and all of the neighboring stores as this being a special order item.

@BwanaBob posted:

This release caught me off-guard.  I was sure we'd next get the "promised" reissue of the double stack intermodal car with shipping containers.  Or maybe I'm getting ahead of the powers that be.....

Menards had one at one point?

@Rusty Traque posted:

Menard's doesn't usually have train stuff out at this time of year.  My local one doesn't as of this morning.

Rusty

I'd stop anyway......always do. They carry a few things I like and my store has a place upstairs where they have the left over model train stock.....marked down sometimes. A good break as the store is one minute off I-64.

@Bob Bubeck posted:

Except for the red one, the colors for the other five trucks are incorrect for what they would have been out of the factory in 1953. Police usually would purchased a Ford sedan, yellow was not available (and yellow was a pastel shade circa 1955) except for taxi cabs, two tone paint for trucks was not available from the factory, the blue is way off for the mid-50's, and the commercial door logos are not historically time appropriate. For that matter, neither is the car carrier.

A swing and a miss.

Bob

Yeah.  And I'll bet there's no Flathead V8 under the hoods either.  Travesty, travesty, travesty.

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...Oh, and by the way...

THANK  YOU, MENARD'S, FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO IN SUPPORT OF THIS GREAT FUN HOBBY!!

KD

@Richie C. and @Bob Bubeck,

You're not in Menard's target market.  As a result they didn't consult you before proceeding with their product design.

The word "toy" is important here.  They can take whatever liberties they want with the toys they produce.  If they happen to make a mistake on one of them the product flops due to poor sales.  With enough of those the whole product line collapses.   We see absolutely none of either -- just the opposite in fact.  Overwhelmingly their stuff is in demand, whether new or 'pre-owned'.  Overwhelmingly.  They surely make good money (or at least break even) the way they're doing it now.

Based on this I'd say there's nothing to complain about.  It'll fall on deaf ears, and rightly so it should -- you're not in their target market.

Now, what would be a good suggestion is for you to insist that they expand into a new market segment that does include you, say "period-, detail-, and color-accurate scale models".  We'd probably all benefit from that, especially given how well they've done with toys.

M.H.M.

@dkdkrd posted:

Yeah.  And I'll bet there's no Flathead V8 under the hoods either.  Travesty, travesty, travesty.

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...Oh, and by the way...

KD

<snip> etc.

Oh, you guys are giving me way, way too much fun about this.

Bob

Bazinga?

A home run in my book!  Another great job for a reasonable price.

Thanks Menards!

I love it, and my grandkids will love it

thanks Menards !!!!

@Micro posted:

Menards had one at one point?

Yes, it sold out over a year ago.  I snoozed and lost.  Then I noticed in a TCA magazine that some group had a custom run of them (with a nice surcharge which I don't begrudge them) but it was a little too rich for my blood.  Someone from Menard's commented that perhaps this spring we'd see a rerelease of the publicly released version.  So I am waiting patiently.

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

It's high time for Menards to quit playing kindergarten games with loyal return model railroaders and WORK with them when developing new products.  The name of the game is Century 21 FEED BACK.  Is that too much to expect?  I don't believe it is.

Seriously?! You're saying that?

How's that new CENTURY 21 layout coming?

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

Truly a Looser from the Get Go!

Which is probably why it will sell out quickly.

Rusty

It never ceases to amaze me how many complainers there are on this site. 

Menards is a home improvement business that caters to home owners and professional builders.

The toy line and "Trains Stuff" they carry is simply a sideline that helps to get people into the store.

Yes their products may not necessarily be perfectly prototypical for every release.  They use poetic license to offer products that most customers of this line would be inclined to purchase. 

If you want greater graphic precision you need to purchase from someone else or decorate it yourself.

And we all know too well how the major manufacturers of toy trains have done in the graphics department.

For most of us, close is good enough and the price point is spot on.   

After all how many prototypical freight cars have lettering on them stating they were built by Lionel or MTH?  Yet many of the complainers have rolling stock like this on their layouts. 

Just enjoy the products Menards puts out and if it doesn't meet your needs simply pass on it.

I'm certain that Mark of Menards is looking to create great products whose graphics are more prototypically accurate. 

Just work with them vs. against them.

@Allegheny posted:

It never ceases to amaze me how many complainers there are on this site.

Menards is a home improvement business that caters to home owners and professional builders.

The toy line and "Trains Stuff" they carry is simply a sideline that helps to get people into the store.

Yes their products may not necessarily be perfectly prototypical for every release.  They use poetic license to offer products that most customers of this line would be inclined to purchase.

If you want greater graphic precision you need to purchase from someone else or decorate it yourself.

And we all know too well how the major manufacturers of toy trains have done in the graphics department.

For most of us, close is good enough and the price point is spot on.   

After all how many prototypical freight cars have lettering on them stating they were built by Lionel or MTH?  Yet many of the complainers have rolling stock like this on their layouts.

Just enjoy the products Menards puts out and if it doesn't meet your needs simply pass on it.

I'm certain that Mark of Menards is looking to create great products whose graphics are more prototypically accurate.

Just work with them vs. against them.

Thank You - Well Said

Looks like those trucks were already on sale, but were likey not moving.  Put them on a new auto rack, and presto, they are being sold!

Not exactly prototype.  But nice looking car.

Then again, did not Lionel "throw together" some train sets from locomotives and cars that did not sell for non-hobby shops?

Interesting, differs from what others offer, decals that allow you to have the road name of your choice, looks like they did well here.  Since when did toy train operators become rivit counters? 

The Menards link isn't working for me like it did yesterday.  Are these cars sold out?

yes they appear to be all SOLD OUT.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

@Richie C. and @Bob Bubeck,

You're not in Menard's target market.  As a result they didn't consult you before proceeding with their product design.

The word "toy" is important here.  They can take whatever liberties they want with the toys they produce.  If they happen to make a mistake on one of them the product flops due to poor sales.  With enough of those the whole product line collapses.   We see absolutely none of either -- just the opposite in fact.  Overwhelmingly their stuff is in demand, whether new or 'pre-owned'.  Overwhelmingly.  They surely make good money (or at least break even) the way they're doing it now.

Based on this I'd say there's nothing to complain about.  It'll fall on deaf ears, and rightly so it should -- you're not in their target market.

Now, what would be a good suggestion is for you to insist that they expand into a new market segment that does include you, say "period-, detail-, and color-accurate scale models".  We'd probably all benefit from that, especially given how well they've done with toys.

M.H.M.

First of all, my comment about a '53 Ford Truck having a modern Pepsi logo on the side was not a complaint. It was simply an observation that it, "seems a little out of place". I mean, how difficult would it have been for someone at Menards to figure out that it didn't make sense and just use the correct period logo ? We're not talking Mensa, here. I agree they don't need to consult me first but, in this particular case, maybe they should have.

Second, don't lump me in with anyone else who may have actually complained about certain aspects of this Menards release. If, and when, I ever complain about something you'll know it in no uncertain terms. I'm not a rivet counter. I understand that these are toys and that Menards, in particular, produces product of a certain type and style that may not be for the purists among us and I am more than ok with that.

Third, when someone can't make an observation that a logo on a product  "seems a little out of place" without being labeled and castigated as a "complainer", it's time for you guys to stop being so overly sensitive to a simple observation.

Fourth, I own many Menards products and have them incorporated around my layout and have always enjoyed their products and, in fact, I purchased this auto carrier yesterday.

@Micro posted:

Menards had one at one point?

Yep.