Fantastic!!!!! Thanks Menards!!!!!! Love your train stuff!!!!!! My order for a F3 is in!!!
Will provide feedback. So happy you are offering locamotives!!!
Dave
ok, so when does this thread turn into a discussion of how Menards will be purchasing MTH Railking tooling? Asking for a friend, LOL!
Nice looking train at a fantastic price. I sure hope they continue down this path.
Being an operator, the following comments. First, why not remote controlled couplers. I think that is a must. Secondly, these were usually sold in AA sets so a dummy should be offered ( with remote controlled coupler). Thirdly, why not use bluetooth or one of the other control systems ( the listed range is rather limited.)That being said I am glad you are in the loco arena. Art
Looks Like I'm in, Will love to test. At the price point I am glad for Whistle/Bell/Commentary, and hopefully is a good runner like some of the Original RMT models before they got pricey.
I'm sure reasonably priced sets will follow that will get kids into the hobby, hence the controller system. Maybe 5 years down the line we will be talking about Menards Monarch Line of High End trains 
Curious to know about tech support and part availability as you launch into Engines, don't need a lot of tech support for buildings and rolling stock. This changes the game.
I am not sure why Menard's doesn't realize that they could clean up if they produced turnouts in addition to their tubular track (even just manual ones). I love their track as do many, but have to look elsewhere at high priced turnouts to attach to it.
Anyway looking forward to testing the dual motor Santa Fe.
John
@Strap Hanger posted:ok, so when does this thread turn into a discussion of how Menards will be purchasing MTH Railking tooling? Asking for a friend, LOL!
Nice looking train at a fantastic price. I sure hope they continue down this path.
That’s already been discussed with most rolling their eyes. At the time I thought it was a pipe dream. Now, who knows. I just want to see a continuation of the railking line at decent prices.
@Art Lites posted:Being an operator, the following comments. First, why not remote controlled couplers. I think that is a must. Secondly, these were usually sold in AA sets so a dummy should be offered ( with remote controlled coupler). Thirdly, why not use bluetooth or one of the other control systems ( the listed range is rather limited.)That being said I am glad you are in the loco arena. Art
Having to target a certain pricing point, somethings that you or I might consider must haves need to be left off.
If you look closely at the underside pics, there are other areas where some design issues had to be taken into account as far as cost go.
One has to be very careful with feature creep after initial design, or else one begins to miss the target price point
This is exciting. On another note... are you going to sell the highway with the moving automobiles as well? That looks great!
@Art Lites posted:Being an operator, the following comments. First, why not remote controlled couplers. I think that is a must. Secondly, these were usually sold in AA sets so a dummy should be offered ( with remote controlled coupler). Thirdly, why not use bluetooth or one of the other control systems ( the listed range is rather limited.)That being said I am glad you are in the loco arena. Art
Obviously, Menards wants to keep the price point under $150. (And as stated, there are folks that can't take advantage of the rebate offers...) Bluetooth and remote couplers would probably push the retail over $200 for a powered unit.
Rusty
@peter allen 072518 posted:BIG THUMBS DOWN, they were soooooo close, but for the love of god why do your own control system! Blue tooth, TMCC, DCS dont do a new thing!
Those are closed systems and would require licensing from MTH and Lionel, which adds cost plus the tech. This would be a $350 engine if they did that. Bluetooth requires an app to run, which are very expensive to build and maintain relative to this market size…I still cringe from past personal experience.
For the target market this price point and remote is fantastic. This is an awesome entry level offering
I was pleasantly surprised to see this but I sort of figured down the road they would be doing this. I ordered one to try it out. I am amazed at the price but also understand that you get what you pay for and that you can't get all the bells and whistles for that price. I think Menards will definately be helping those who want to get into the hobby by offering reasonably priced engines. They already offer rolling stock and buildings at reasonable prices..........................Paul 2
@EricTrainMan posted:Those are closed systems and would require licensing from MTH and Lionel, which adds cost plus the tech. This would be a $350 engine if they did that. Bluetooth requires an app to run, which are very expensive to build and maintain relative to this market size…I still cringe from past personal experience.
For the target market this price point and remote is fantastic. This is an awesome entry level offering
While it may not be Bluetooth, the remote bears a striking resemblance to those found in Lionel sets. Could it be that it is the same control system used in earlier LC sets? These were not Bluetooth.
@MartyE posted:While it may not be Bluetooth, the remote bears a striking resemblance to those fond in Lionel sets. Could it be that it is the same control system used in earlier LC sets? These were not Bluetooth.
Striking resemblance is right. First thing I noticed in the ad before any loco features.
For this price I ordered one as well. It will be perfect for my TCA divisions portable layout and it will go well with my K-line B Unit Dummy that doesn't have an A unit to go with it. I'll be curious to compare it to my other F3s.
@Menards - waiting for an answer regarding whether or not it will operate conventionally.
Love the look and price point, but if the only way to run it is with the proprietary remote, then I'm probably out. Concerned about availability of a replacement controller, and don't want to deal with yet another control system.
Also hoping for a dummy A or B unit to accompany it. If there are no plans to produce a dummy A or B, I would suggest selling a road switcher - a lone F3 just looks odd to most train folks.
Ordered! Christmas came early in July
Definitely looks great! I would be happy to try one, but by the time I get home, I’ll bet the 200 are spoken for! 😄
Menards, thank you, thank you, thank you. This is fantastic news! And your price point hits this out of the ballpark. Love the old school vibe, with the remote control twist. Don’t need smoke, remote couplers, this is a fantastic entry level offering. I’m not a Santa Fe guy, but will definitely pick up some with U.P. Or Milwaukee Road Livery. My Grandson will be very excited that he will be able to afford a nice loco. Hope the testing goes well. Such exciting news!
Joel
I ordered one and am looking forward to trying it out.
Neal Jeter
Wow Christmas in July!!!
Thanks my order is in 😆
