In regards to Menard's and all its O gauge offerings, does anybody know how they got in the train biz? Was there a China company that just decided to crank out O gauge stuff and Menard's became their US outlet? I don't think a design team at Menard's decided to spec out what they wanted and find a company to build it. Mattel, when it wanted to outsource stuff to China, had to show them how to chrome plate plastic. and maybe sold them the machines. Did some Chinese company glom onto all the Lionel style 3 rail making equipment and now are cranking out Lionel style sectional track? Am I complaining? Not at all, I have purchased a lot of stuff from Menard's via online and having it shipped, and not just train stuff. Their O gauge items have been top notch so far. It would be nice to have one in NC to give Lowe's and Home Depot some competition. While I have been to one when visiting my son when he lived in Illinois, it appeared to be a big box home improvement store and a Walmart all in one. My son said, yes it would be nice to have one in NC, but it would have been nicer to have a Waffle House in Illinois. The closest one to him was in Indiana, and he actually took a trip just to go there when he needed a WH fix.
Original Post