I wasn't specifically referring to the ATSF locomotive, just the LionChief diesel line in general as a direct competitor to the future possible Menards diesels.
LionChief is the standard entry level locomotive in Lionel's sets and they make some separate sale locos in the same price range as Menards. Neither operate in conventional mode. Both use essentially command control and come with a remote. Neither is intended for the rivet counter 
. LionChief locos do not have some of the problems seen with decorating, packaging or strange abrupt starts that the prototype Menards loco, so it remains to be seen if Menards fixes these problems. As for burning up engines and lack of pulling power, these may be unrealistic expectations on the part of buyers and unwise attempts to pull very long trains, but I wouldn't know for sure.
Just thinking out loud about what competition Menards might have for the budget conscious buyer or beginners.
