Got my Menard's Power & Light building....

Thanks for the quick and insightful review!  I have one on order and am looking forward to seeing it in person.  -Ken

AMCDAVE : I agree on everything you said. It looks GREAT on my layout too.. Can't wait for  Thursdays release !!  Bob

Mine comes tomorrow, excited, now more than ever after your great review! I think these buildings just keep getting better and they were very good to begin with! If I had the room I could picture a Menards only layout with just their buildings, their rolling stock, and their track, and just keep adding to it as they release more products! This would of course be in a separate building because my Dear wife would banish me from the house!! Lol

I know what you mean about never having too many Menards products  !!

I have been checking my order status so much I wore out my keyboard. It was not that I am frugal and wanted to save shipping costs having it sent to the store. I thought one trip would be better then two but now that I see how long it takes to get to the store I think the next train order will be to the house so I can enjoy it more because I am jealous of those who are enjoying theirs now. But in the same vein I am so focused on Thursday for the next announcement..................Paul

Mine came yesterday, unfortunately it is going back today as it arrived damaged.  Things happen and Menards is making it right with a shipping label and sending another one out.  It does look nice and should be a focal point to any industrial area.

PS....does the 'free' truck ship separate???

AMCDave posted:

PS....does the 'free' truck ship separate???

Mine were attached to the main package.

I really like the looks of that building and may have to invest in one. 

But it does have one thing missing.  Do to lack of grass, no dog.  Or he got "hi-JACKed"!

AMCDAVE;      Did you ORDER the FREE Truck? It doesn't come automatically. It has to be ordered at the time the building was ordered. The cost is $14.99, but that gets subtracted when completing the order. My FREE trucks always come with the other item purchased and are in fact banded together so they are handled at the same time, and one box doesn't go one way and the other box another. If you did NOT order the truck, you are probably out of luck.

Hope that wasn't the case for your sake.

AMCDAVE: If you did forget to order it,just call customer service, they will help you out I'm sure.. Bob

Dave,

Thanks for review,mine should be here tomorrow. The one thing I would like to do is add smoke to the stacks if possible?

Doug

It's on the invoice....we'll see....not a biggy.....thx

AMCDave posted:

It's on the invoice....we'll see....not a biggy.....thx

AMCDave,

Thanks for your review, we hope you thoroughly enjoy this building!

As far as the free truck goes, if it was on the invoice, it should be coming. Just let us know if it doesn't and we'll take car of it.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

AMCDAVE, Can you peek at the neon sign please. Does it appear if you can gently

peal it off? I wanted to modify mine by putting on my own creation, I know some of the signs on the engine shop were removable. Thanks Chris

Mine came today real nice.

Mine arrived as well today with the two military flat cars with trucks. No issues. I will have to do some construction work.

It's a  large building  I think.

Very well made for the cost.

Larry

Got mine today as well.    Everything was perfect, no issues and the "Free" truck was "Piggy-Backed" onto the large box with plastic strapping material.  The building is very cool with plenty of LEDs for the lighting effect.   The Santa Fe truck was a nice "Perk" too.   This building will go very nicely with my Lionel Rotary Tipple, (actually, it's a Rotary Car Dumper).   Nice job Menards! 

Chief Bob (Retired) 

Great idea about adding smoke to the building.   Please let us know if this looks possible!

UnclePeteRR posted:

AMCDAVE, Can you peek at the neon sign please. Does it appear if you can gently

peal it off? I wanted to modify mine by putting on my own creation, I know some of the signs on the engine shop were removable. Thanks Chris

Looking at the sign it seems like it is surface mounted and would pop off if the edge was lifted. The thing is the replacement sign needs to be just slightly larger as there are engraved marks on the structure to help with location during assembly.....so those will need to be covered. thx

I need to figure out where I can put this one and a couple of others. They sure look sweet.

Mike

Hi all, Received mine yesterday in perfect condition and it's one nice building for sure.  Like Dave there was no truck,I opened the invoice and it was on there? There was no extra tape on the box or a mark from like a nylon strap to hold it.  

As far as adding the smoke the stacks sit on the roof with no hole which is no problem, the big thing I see is the stacks appear to be about 3/4" on the inside and would look silly (to me) if it only had a small wisp coming out of them.  I have to do some testing and see.

Doug

trnluvr posted:

Hi all, Received mine yesterday in perfect condition and it's one nice building for sure.  Like Dave there was no truck,I opened the invoice and it was on there? There was no extra tape on the box or a mark from like a nylon strap to hold it.  

As far as adding the smoke the stacks sit on the roof with no hole which is no problem, the big thing I see is the stacks appear to be about 3/4" on the inside and would look silly (to me) if it only had a small wisp coming out of them.  I have to do some testing and see.

Doug

My shippi ng box had no marks/tape that made it appear the truck was at one time attached.....so it sounds  like it happened more than just me.

GOOD thing is my truck is in the mail now...Menard's is first class.

Dave how did you contact them, I don't see a email in their profile?

trnluvr posted:

Dave how did you contact them, I don't see a email in their profile?

trnluvr,

The best way to get a hold of us is by emailing guest@menard-inc.com. I hope that helps!

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

I used the 'Customer service' e-mail addy on the Menard's website. 

Took at total of about 36 hours to e-mail back and forth and get new truck shipped. Pretty good service. 

MARK/Menard's guy....how can I contact you off forum?? I had a few things to ask/share. Thanks

AMCDave posted:

MARK/Menard's guy....how can I contact you off forum?? I had a few things to ask/share. Thanks

AMCDave,

I would suggest emailing guest@menard-inc.com. From there, questions are delegated to the most knowledgeable person.

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Picked-up my Power & Light Building this afternoon at the local Menard's. I placed the order last friday and after some delay, I received notification yesterday, that it was in. Brought it home, unpacked it and using the adapter I plugged it in and turned on the switch. Only some of the lights came on...but I could get them all to light by playing with the switch and finding the sweet spot. The illuminated sign, however, does not work at all and when I checked for any loose wires the back side of the switch felt hot! I haven't read of anyone having any big issues with this release, so I was a little surprised when this occurred to mine. I have sent an email to Menard's CS and will see what they can offer as a remedy. The structure itself is quite nice overall and would be great addition when added to most layouts...

I checked mine the other day when I received it. I did not power it up, but I will in the AM just to make sure.

Larry

Getting mine tomorrow. I can't wait, so between working on my airfield, a PS2 board, I will get a chance to have something I don't have to work on right away!

Got mine this morning. Had it sent to the store. That way I figured to kill two birds with one stone. I also needed lumber for my basement layout. That is where this building will be going. Did not open it till I got home but when I did the pictures do not do it justice. One heck of a building for the price. I cannot imagine what will be coming down the road but if this is a prelude then Menards I am ready to buy, buy, buy........................Paul

Just opened my Menard's Power and Light Building! Great looking building will look wonderful on any layout! One small thing, one of the roof vents was lose and tilted, but nothing a little glue cant fix. I still love the building and think Menard's is really showing how things should be made and for a fair price!

Just got home from a short stint in the hospital and there was a box waiting for me from Menard's with the Power and Light building.  What a great surprise.

In short, the building is terrific.  Well made, nice detail and a bunch of lighting.  I was pleasantly surprised at the size of it.  It is bigger than I imagined and it really looks like a big power plant building.   IMO another winner from Menard's.

The free vehicle is just icing on the cake.

Thanks,

Ed

Ed, don't know you, but hope you are well and enjoy your new building as I am enjoying mine!

Play Trains,

Thank you for the well wishes.  I am doing much better and I cannot wait to get out to the train room to set in its new home.  

Thanks,

Ed

AMCDave:  Thanks for posting.  I was not aware of this structure.  I liked it so much I ordered one today.  THANKS AGAIN FOR THE POST!!!

Just ordered one! Now I have a great industry to deliver coal hoppers to on my switching layout! Thanks for all the positive comments on this.

I got mine yesterday. I rate it as an outstanding value. I just wish Menards would ad some artwork to there boxes. I was just about to get the Korber kit until I saw this. John

A great model. Kudos to Meynards!

Thank you very much for the post. I also was not aware of this release. I ordered one today along with the free truck deal. I noticed on Ebay they are selling way above Menards list price and without the free truck. Given how nice this structure is I am sure it will sell out fast.

FYI.....

my missing Santa Fe delivery truck came today. Very nice little truck....a great bonus!!!!

But better was the super services by Menard's customer service folks.  A great deal all around!!  thx

PS...no one has talked about how the truck cab tilts forward like the real truck!!!!!

PPS.....nice little printed train catalog too!!!

Dustin tipped me off to this building. Very impressive and it's design lends itself to a loads in/empties out operation if placed against a backdrop with a coal mine on the other side. I think I'm going to get one even though I have no place to put it...yet.

Hi Matt, IMO Everyone should get one of the Power and Light buildings! They are great looking and I bet can be made to fit on any layout in any location! Chudos to Menard's!

Ok. I got one and it's quite nice overall. The lighting system is pretty much worth the money. Out of the box, I have one building LED light out which looks prototypical actually. So I probably won't fix it right away...until OCD takes over. It's probably reverse connected or something.

Also I had to glue the side mirror back on the free truck.

But I like it. Good deal. Nice detail and safe shipping.

What is the footprint of this building please?

Michael, Here you go. this should answer your questions.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/f...American%20Power.pdf

AMCDave posted:

FYI.....

my missing Santa Fe delivery truck came today. Very nice little truck....a great bonus!!!!

But better was the super services by Menard's customer service folks.  A great deal all around!!  thx

 

PS...no one has talked about how the truck cab tilts forward like the real truck!!!!!

PPS.....nice little printed train catalog too!!!

I didn't know about the truck cab tilting forward.. Thanks !!

I didn't know that either, great! I'm picturing a repair shop next to my terminal now!

Be extra careful when removing bottom base as the floodlights on the building sides can easily come off. Just lay on its super carefully or have superglue ready. Chris

Is there any way to lock the big sign into a particular flash mode that will survive power-down?  I want to put my unit in a remote location on the layout where I can't reach it, and I would like one of the 2-phase patterns rather that the start-up default of just "ON".

I had yet to light my power plant....I had a  bunch of power supplies with 4.5 output so I did not order one. But I did have to order some of the barrel plugs. Got 5 of them for $1 shipped....they came today. The power station lit up really is great...it will be a focal point of my industrial area. thx

I haven't pulled the sign electronics out of the power house, but I wonder if one could at least parallel the switch that is on the pcb and remote the push button.

Dale Manquen posted:

Is there any way to lock the big sign into a particular flash mode that will survive power-down?  I want to put my unit in a remote location on the layout where I can't reach it, and I would like one of the 2-phase patterns rather that the start-up default of just "ON".

Dale,

I have the same question, and not just for this Menard's Building, for other buildings of theirs as well. I hope someone (Menards?) chimes in.

Alex

I got mine a week ago but haven't really played with it yet. I'll check this weekend if the pattern stays after powering down.

drodder posted:

I got mine a week ago but haven't really played with it yet. I'll check this weekend if the pattern stays after powering down.

My sign resets to solid on each time power is cut. Make switch accessible or move switch if you want to use other light pattern.

If building is out of reach.....use a dowel to cycle button for sign.....

Mine is also inaccessible.  The button is inside the building with no easy access for soldering wires. 

A brute-force method would be to mount a small solenoid on the outside (concealed by a shed, perhaps) with a capacitor in series with the coil so that it only operates once on powerup.  I don't think I have any solenoids rated at 4.5V, but maybe a 12V would have enough oomph to push the button.

My powerhouse button is on the outside surface but part of a pcb on the inside. I think I might pull it and see if it's remote able.

HELP....

Question on the 4.5V 2000mA White 3-Outlet AC to DC Power Adapter Model Number: EL4006WH  |  Menards^® SKU: 2894006.  Menards site shows it as an 8.8’ extension.  Will someone, who has one, please measure it and tell the measurement between the point where the extensions branch out from the main wiring and the plug that goes into the buildings.  In other words, how far apart can the buildings be to use the three outlets in a practical manner?  Thanks in advance.

Doh!!!  KISS!  Jamming the button ON will give - flag first, then text.  That works for me!

I looked under it and it would be a chore to remote the button. Jamming sounds expedient and a good solution.

My one building light is out because there's no led in the hole. Too hard to get to it so it remains prototypical with a bulb out.

SURFLINER posted:

HELP....

Question on the 4.5V 2000mA White 3-Outlet AC to DC Power Adapter Model Number: EL4006WH  |  Menards^® SKU: 2894006.  Menards site shows it as an 8.8’ extension.  Will someone, who has one, please measure it and tell the measurement between the point where the extensions branch out from the main wiring and the plug that goes into the buildings.  In other words, how far apart can the buildings be to use the three outlets in a practical manner?  Thanks in advance.

SURFLINER,

Each extension is about 30" from the branch. I hope that helps!

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

I posted this tip on the wrong thread:

The pushbutton has two sets of redundant parallel leads.  The bottom pair go into the circuit board, but the top pair just stick out into open space.  I used a dental probe to twist the upper leads sideways so that they touch, thus permanently closing the switch.  It isn't very secure or elegant, but it does the job.  Trying to get a soldering iron into that cramped space was more than I wanted to risk.

Hmmm...a challenge though!

Yes.

In responce to responce to surfliners question,  try these 5.5 mm adapters then you can run then as far apart as you want

You get 10 in a package for $2.59

Thank you Mark and Menards. With new construction going on I was having a power drain so I got the Menards power plant up and running supplying me with free power for the time being LOL...........Paul.

..

Menards posted:

SURFLINER posted:

HELP....

Question on the 4.5V 2000mA White 3-Outlet AC to DC Power Adapter Model Number: EL4006WH  |  Menards^® SKU: 2894006.  Menards site shows it as an 8.8’ extension.  Will someone, who has one, please measure it and tell the measurement between the point where the extensions branch out from the main wiring and the plug that goes into the buildings.  In other words, how far apart can the buildings be to use the three outlets in a practical manner?  Thanks in advance.

SURFLINER,

Each extension is about 30" from the branch. I hope that helps!

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark,

Thanks for answering - you solved my problem - now I'll await two more of your buildings that fit my needs.

SUELINER

Bill_R posted:

In responce to responce to surfliners question,  try these 5.5 mm adapters then you can run then as far apart as you want

Bill.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my post.  Using the adapters will allow me even greater flexability in the placement of Menard's buildings.

SURFLINER

Just got my power plant.  Wow!  It is really well built.  My only issue is finding a place on the layout for the power plant.  It is pretty large.  I may have to post pics to get some ideas.  

Mark,

Now I'm going to purchase a power plant myself. 

Don't let the right hand know what the left hand is doing here !

That was great !

Good luck, John  

jjmmagoo posted:

Just got my power plant.  Wow!  It is really well built.  My only issue is finding a place on the layout for the power plant.  It is pretty large.  I may have to post pics to get some ideas.  

Well, it's all setup.  Let's start off and say at least in my humble opinion this is a top notch model replica of a power plant.  It's heavy and has 22 led lights on the building alone!  When it's on it lights up the room.  The size is impressive as well. I only have a 4x8 layout with a desire to expand but the planning and doing is taking longer than expected.  Anyways the model fits snugly on my layout.  It's not too over the top and certainly not small.  I have to say I am impressed with this.  I have been looking for a power plant for a long time.  The only thing I wished for is possibly aviation warning lights on the smoke stacks and possibly the ability to have smoke come out of said stacks but I am one happy camper. 

Power plant looks fantastic there! Layout looks great also! Thanks for sharing!

Mine only has 21 lights, one hole is empty but it's kind of prototypical...one lamp needing replacement, eh?

Can't help myself, some nighttime pics.  Thank you for all the kind words.  I'm happy this worked out.  I thought I had something that was just too big for the layout.  

Super!

You guys just cost me $89.99!

quit griping , you got a Kubota, on a flat in the deal !!!!!!!!!!!!  FREE!

   I already went thru , the same, PAIN<  mine is in the Den floor waiting !!!!!!!

Best built (sturdiest) Menards building yet. Tricky to find space for it, though.

Used an aluminum 'clamp' to hold the button.

Alex

pretty neat Thread

Alex, since my package will not be opened for a bit,   are you direct wiring , the building, and not using the Menards

wall wart.  ????

I wired it directly using the 12vDC I already had close by, and through a Buck Step-down LM2596 Power Converter Module DC 4.0~40 to 1.3-37V LED with Voltmeter ($2.45). Shipping was $2.80, but it covered all five units I ordered. Besides accepting various voltage levels and reducing them to almost any level you want, it will display the input or output voltages. BTW, I checked the voltage displayed for input and output using 12vDC as input and 4.5vDC as output, and as received it was off by just 0.1 volt - not bad; and yes, it can be calibrated as well.

Actual installation (under the layout):

Alex

Tricky to find space for it, though.

Very true. Mine is still on the shelf. May be a project waiting for next winter. I'll have a major project of land clearing a area.

BUT, it's going on this layout.

Larry

Larry Sr. posted:

Tricky to find space for it, though.

Very true. Mine is still on the shelf. May be a project waiting for next winter. I'll have a major project of land clearing a area.

BUT, it's going on this layout.

Larry

You wont be disappointed.  Would normally never say this but its going to be a long spring, summer and fall if you wait till next winter to install this!  Its that good!

Jim

Yes your correct. But, I have so many mickey mouse things to do on my layout and that don't count what I might drag home from York this month .

Maybe at least I can find the parts up there for the smoke stacks and get that part done.

Never ending. That's why I love this hobby.

Larry

WOW. Most of you know I'm no fan of all the stuff they make, but that's a really cool looking structure.

Stuff like this sometimes makes me wish I'd decided to model the modern era...

Mine arrived!  It is awesome.  I just wish that there was someway to make the sign flash after the power supply has been turned off and back on again.  I was going to use a push button on my fascia to turn the building lights on and off as I do for every other building and now can't because I've got to reach the back anyway.  I placed it against a backdrop and cut out an access so one may access the button that makes the sign flash!  It's a great building! 

John C. posted:

Mine arrived!  It is awesome.  I just wish that there was someway to make the sign flash after the power supply has been turned off and back on again.  I was going to use a push button on my fascia to turn the building lights on and off as I do for every other building and now can't because I've got to reach the back anyway.  I placed it against a backdrop and cut out an access so one may access the button that makes the sign flash!  It's a great building! 

John,

On the second page of this thread, Dale Manquen posted (3/26 at 12:53 PM) how to modify the pushbutton switch so the sign will flash when first turned on. 

Also, on my post, above, I  wrote and showed how I  "Used an aluminum 'clamp' to hold the button." so the sign will flash when first turned on. Any method you can use the hold the button pushed in will work.

Alex

Got my power and light in today!!! My first "purchased" building. 

Has anyone run "power lines" from it yet? What did you use for the wire and how did you attach it to the building? I've got 4 high power towers to run wires on!

Looks great on your layout! I wish I was that far along!

  This member used spandex thread here.

Where's all the catenary lines for the electric coal shuttles ...

Don't mind me I'm just jealous  

I have used a product called Stretch Magic for wires. Any craft store that has beading products should carry it. It does come in different thicknesses. It's proper use is for stringing necklaces and bracelets, but makes great wire and is stretchy so is forgiving. Here is some I strung for telephone poles, transformers, and buildings.

My question is, where do you get the poll wire insulators and transformers ?

Mike,

     The transformers are homemade. I took thick doweling and cut them to what I thought was proper size. I painted them gray and then took very small wood screws and screwed them in the doweling at one end. I then cut off the screw heads. The end result was good enough for my eye. The insulators are also from a craft store in the same section as the beading. I used two small beads for one insulator and chose colors that sort of matched what I remember the insulators to be. The telephone poles are homemade. I drilled small holes where the insulators were to be placed in the cross sections and stuck thin wire in the holes. I then slid the beads onto the wire held in place by a little glue. (Maybe all of that is overkill). Here is a better picture. You might also note that there is two different thicknesses of the Stretch Magic threading material. One I used for the electrical wires (smaller gauge) and the other for the telephone wire (thicker gauge). If you look closely too, you can see the thin wire protruding just above the insulators that I was talking about.  I know that you can buy transformers and probably insulators from vendors somewhere, but it is kind of fun using your imagination and making your own.

Rick

Here is a recent "how to" for building telephone poles - Telephone pole article

I prefer to see some sag in the wires.  Looks more realistic to me.

Electrolytic capacitors with radial leads are a good starting point for pole-mounted transformers.

I've used the power plant on a module at one show, but it is too nice a structure to sit boxed up for weeks on end. I have to find some place on the layout to squeeze it in. the place has to be reachable, so I can easily remove it to go to a show. Here's my first idea.

Looks good there!! Only thought is whether it blocks view of other things behind it? Hard to tell from the picture. Layout looks great!

Rick, Thanks for the information. Also like you I like to build it if I can, Plus when you can't afford everything like me your kinda forced to improvise.

Just a heads up on this cool building. Menards as of this post has only has 40 left on their website. When I bought mine 3 weeks ago they had close to 300. So if your on the fence do not wait to much longer. Otherwise you will be at the mercy of eBay. I am glad to have mine. Fits great on my layout.