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An overview of Menards rolling stock
I’ve added 3 boxcars and 3 long flatcars to my roster this year (my favorite is the CN flatcar with helicopter). You can’t beat the prices! The quality is quite good. I’m looking forward to future releases.
Bob,
Have you heard whether or not they will bring out other types of cars, e.g. tank cars and covered hoppers etc.?
I’m wondering if CTT can arrange an interview with the decision maker(s) that got Menards into the O-gauge train manufacturing business. Would be great to learn more about their personal passion for the hobby and their future plans. Also, they seem to have a mix of scale or near-scale equipment and smaller, traditional-sized equipment (which I personally favor given my space limitations). Likewise they sell a variety of highly detailed scale buildings yet at Christmas time they include more fanciful Lemax and Department 66 buildings and accessories in the mix (I like both, but tend to use the latter due to size and to keep things more accessible/enjoyable to non-hobbyists). So I’d be curious to learn the why’s and wherefore’s of their philosophy of catering to the gamut of light-hearted, seasonal participants all the way to the serious-minded year-round hobbyists. Thanks!
I’d also be interested in learning about Meanards penchant for military train items. They are unique among toy train manufacturers in producing this line.
I just received my first Menard’s boxcar, New York Central, so far I am very impressed with the car. I received both a Lionel and an MTH Railking boxcar for Christmas, each were twice the price of the Menard’s boxcar, but the Menard’s car impresses me more.
Based on the information provided in the recent CTT issue, I ordered the Meanards boxcar set of 14 cars. I look forward to adding them to my layout.
I am wondering if they plan to put out any engines. It would be nice if they offered a military (Army) yard engine to go with their cars.
I agree that the quality of the cars is good. What I would like to see Menard’s do is change the packaging. Using bubble packs makes it extremely difficult to store the cars. If they do not change their packaging, at least separately offer traditional cardboard boxes like Lionel used back in the day.
'Am really happy Menards is selling assorted boxcars,especially with loads. I’m on a really tight budget. So this really helps, Lionel take notice,love your trains,but can’t afford them new.I really like Menards O-Gauage boxed track ,they even sell O 96 curved track. Hay Guys please offer switch tracks.