Noticed this today on the Menards site. When did they come out with this?
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Seeing a box for a set like that sure did make me nostalgic for my first train set! I wonder how many kids are going to cut there teeth on that set.
I was just heading here to post about this. Some FB groups I am in are sharing a photo of one of these on a shelf. So they are out in some stores.
And it finally happened. I was just thinking about Menards the other day and that we hadn't seen anything new with the engine for a while.
Brings back memories of the old Lionel starter sets.
Just in time for Christmas too!
They could have included 2 freight cars for not much more money.
@necrails posted:They could have included 2 freight cars for not much more money.
yea- especially since they have so much Santa Fe stuff.
Do I hear "4- car add on packs" for X $$$$
Perhaps they will include a coupon or offer in the box for a free boxcar or something. Maybe a rebate. Easy way to get someone back in the store to get more trains!
Engine and caboose doth not a train set make!
So will we see black bonnet and blue bonnet versions too? And did they make any final fixes to the engine, or is it the same as the last Beta (warts and all)?
With that tubular track Menards should look into making track clips - setting up and taking down that type of track leads to loosening of the connections over time. I’m on a phone - what sort of power supply comes with the set?
I wonder if that power source might become available as a separate sale item down the road...
At least it's a start, and box clearly shows what is inside it. So people will know there are no freight cars included.
Lionel track clips and trestles don't work with Menards track unless you move the ties further out.
Add a couple of cars at $25 each and the set is competing with LionChief sets that cost perhaps 50-100 bucks more. The LionChief loco will have Bluetooth and will respond to the app and Universal Remote. And the LionChief set contains Fastrack, a bit easier to use, safer and more attractive (to me) than tubular. So it's good to have choices and some competition overall. I wish them success with these sets, which seem very reasonably priced.
Would be nice if they also offered a dummy engine in all bonnet versions.
The box definitely needs to include a catalog of Menards rolling stock and accessory offerings so the buyer can put together a complete train consist.
I like how they packaged this. You can get the set for a kid and then others can add rolling stock, more track or a building and nobody is individually spending a lot of money to help build the railroad. Whether it works is to be seen
@KRM posted:Noticed this today on the Menards site. When did they come out with this?
They were on store shelves yesterday and on their website this morning.
Steve
@BwanaBob posted:So will we see black bonnet and blue bonnet versions too? And did they make any final fixes to the engine, or is it the same as the last Beta (warts and all)?
Blue Bonnets including dummy’s are already out there. I have had a set for a while. Made my own Black Bonnet. Also Up is out there.
Steve
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@Richie C. posted:Would be nice if they also offered a dummy engine in all bonnet versions.
They did, but sold out quickly. Dummies were also made for the UP version.
Steve
I ordered the set, but was really hoping for a different road name. They have done plenty of Santa Fe.
Steve
@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:They were on store shelves yesterday and on their website this morning.
Steve
Thanks, and just in time for Christmas! I hope them the best and now that Beta is over I would think you will see them expand sales of single engines, and dummies, and hope sales of more road names. Maybe even other models of engines now that they have the base components. I like the no cars thing also, you can let the kids pick the cars they want to make their set complete. Thanks Menards for putting the TOY back into Toy Trains. 
@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:Blue Bonnets including dummy’s are already out there. I have had a set for a while. Made my own Black Bonnet. Also Up is out there.
Steve
Not to nit-pick, your shells are on backwards. The batteries are towards the cab end.
For those concerned about Black Bonnets.... its time for Menards to totally move on from Santa Fe, especially with the release of this "final version." So many road names to go... so little time. Where to start! NYC & Pennsy are likely the first candidates.
@RadioRon posted:For those concerned about Black Bonnets.... its time for Menards to totally move on from Santa Fe, especially with the release of this "final version." So many road names to go... so little time. Where to start! NYC & Pennsy are likely the first candidates.
I generally agree. They have produced an over a thousand various war bonnets. The UP set was a nice change.
Steve
This will sell to folks that don't already have track or transformer. Add rolling stock, it's ready to run around the tree!
Great Job Mark!!!
@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:I ordered the set, but was really hoping for a different road name. They have done plenty of Santa Fe.
Steve
It may be that they're limited by licensing as to the road names.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:It may be that they're limited by licensing as to the road names.
They make rolling stock with just about every road name that ever existed. Would that not apply to locomotives?
Steve
Since the Rock Island Diner looks to be the same shell, I think that would be an easy addition.
When will they offer passenger cars?
Gunny
I visited my local Menards last weekend. They had two of the UP engines on the shelf. Hopefully they'll stock the sets soon. I probably will not purchase one but it might just increase the number of O gauge hobbyist in my area.
Edit: I just checked online and they are showing 2 sets in stock at the Davison Menards ....
Was just at Menards. They had 2 or 3 of the engine/caboose sets on the shelf. $249 before rebate - not sure how competitive it will be with the basic Lionel options. They didn't yet have any Lionel sets out, but as I recall Menards would price them around $300, and those include a car or two.
I would imagine they released one road name labeled set of engine and caboose to see how they do selling them this year, and giving the customers to choose what they want for rolling stock for add-ons. How that goes on with most popular items purchased this season may determine how they plan to put out more road name sets next year, whether it's just engine and caboose, or rolling stock included in complete train sets. At least they're trying to move ahead with products, slowly, but without jumping in with both feet and going overboard. I think it's a smart business plan and wish Menards good luck going forward.
I'm curious if we'll see any Black Friday / Thanksgiving weekend deals on these. I suspect they were subject to what Lionel wanted in terms of MAP pricing in years past, but now they're free to do what they please in terms of sale price, etc.
@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:Or put the diner shell on another power chassis.
Steve
Steve,
The Rock Island engine looks sharp. Did you need to modify it at all or was it completely painted where covered by the diner?
@Mike M posted:Steve,
The Rock Island engine looks sharp. Did you need to modify it at all or was it completely painted where covered by the diner?
I cut fans off the donor engine to cover the smoke and filler holes on the RI. Also the hole on the side where the sign harness went through had to be filled with a piece cut from the donor engine.
I’ll be all in if they do a Rock Island engine.
@Allan Miller posted:The box definitely needs to include a catalog of Menards rolling stock and accessory offerings so the buyer can put together a complete train consist.
I visited our local Menards yesterday. Both UP & SF sets in stock.
I noticed on the back of the set box a clear plastic window. A label with a QR Code and text that stated scan this for more info on Menards Trains. While I would like a physical catalog included within the box, This set is targeted to young families with smartphones and tablets.
Looks like another great Holiday season for Menards.
