(10/29/21) Ray's Wreckers from Menards!

what is it with you guys and backwards signage?

Is it backwards??

A gas station, I’d rather have Sinclair. 😕

An oil tanker with ocaxeT not spelled backwards

A Saglibom pickup?

A gas station sign as seen by someone who works at the Sprecher brewery and samples too much at work?

Things look best in the rear-view mirror.

Rusty

Oil company related?  If l can use it, it will be rebranded to Frontier, Conoco, or other Colorado brand. I have lots of defunct signs for the region.

A mirror for a gas truck

John

A pick up truck with the logo on backwards at a really good price because someone in QC really screwed up.

Hey Dave, help me out here.....

It's a banner being towed behind a plane past the brewery reminding guys to fill up on the way home do to bad weather coming!

A Texaco service station complete with Jack Benny and his Maxwell?

@Richie C. posted:

An oil tanker with ocaxeT not spelled backwards

This may be the best guess - but I love the one about a rear view mirror for the pickup truck!!

@AlanRail posted:

what is it with you guys and backwards signage?

Is it backwards??

Alan - It could be the guys applying the decals need glasses.

Every time I see the Texaco logo, I remember Ed Wynn, and also the Met Opera broadcasts.

I would prefer something from this backwards company.   

@artyoung posted:

Every time I see the Texaco logo, I remember Ed Wynn, and also the Met Opera broadcasts.

My son is a classical musician, more than a few years ago when he was young he and my wife were at a concert at I think Carnegie Hall, and there was this older gentleman sitting next to us who we were talking to, and he told us about growing up in rural Texas and how much those broadcasts meant to him (the Texaco broadcasts of the Met Opera). It is still going strong, these days Toll Brothers sponsors it)

UNCLE MILTIE?!

Mitch

(a tad before my time, but still fun) 

A refinery would be interesting, but the backwards aspect of the clue indicates some twisted logic. So, no refinery.

The TEXACO flying car filling station in 2015 Hill Valley from the movie "Back to the Future Part II" with several flying automobiles or flying cars.

Andrew

I bet it's a Valero gas station!

Here it is! Check out Ray's Wreckers from Menards!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Nice. From the price, I suspect that it is kind of a "false front" and not a regular building?

@PRRMP54 posted:

Nice. From the price, I suspect that it is kind of a "false front" and not a regular building?

A simple click on the ad and all your questions will be answered

Is this the first structure where "Jack" the German Shephard fails to make an appearance?

Chuck

What year is that truck? 1940s? Thanks.

@PRR1950 posted:

Is this the first structure where "Jack" the German Shephard fails to make an appearance?

Chuck

My exact question

@CAPPilot posted:

What year is that truck? 1940s? Thanks.

Looks something like a 1954 (or maybe 55) Ford C800.

@artyoung posted:

Every time I see the Texaco logo, I remember Ed Wynn, and also the Met Opera broadcasts.

WOR 710,  Milton Cross, Saturday afternoon Mom cooking shake and bake chicken.

Brings a smile to me.

How interesting this topic of the Texaco broadcasts of the Met Opera came up.

My mom sang in the Michigan Opera Company as a Soprano for 25 yrs until her premature death at age 47.   However this broadcast was on every Saturday in our home.  I've heard just about every opera out there.  During the week she played operettic music in addition to the practices held in our home.   She turned down a television spot from a producer in Calif.  Once she demonstrated her voices capabilities by matching every key on the piano.  An amazing feat.

I can't sing a note though - as I inherited dad's vocal cords ,large hands and feet. 

@Menards posted:

Here it is! Check out Ray's Wreckers from Menards!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark,  I want to say thank you for making this recent release available.  I ordered Ray's Wreckers this afternoon and received shipping information for it about 45 minutes later.  Wow, that's great service!

I like that you continually offer interesting and detailed lighted buildings at a very modest price that are different than what other manufacturers offer.  I already have a few other Menard's buildings and they are some of my favorites for the layout.

Despite not being able to please everyone, I sincerely hope that you continue to make products like this one for years to come.

Steve

Don't forget the Huntley-Brinkley Report sponsored by Texaco from @ June 1958 for a few years: "Good Night, David .... Good Night, Chet .... and Good Night from Texaco.".

Might grab it in the future, but for now I already have two gas stations for my fairly small temporary Christmas layout.

Is the back of this building really "paper"?

John

@mustang posted:

Mark @ Menard's;

Shouldn't you be calling this "Repurposed", rather than "New". You're just doing the same thing MTH and Lionel have done for years, where you take the same building, mold it in a different color and add some new stickers. I think you've bought and resold this building at least twice before, Quaker State as mentioned and maybe "Ford" in the earliest of years. I'm sure this is not a special build for Menard's, other than maybe the stickers.

Needless to say, I'm disappointed. I expected something better from Menard's. Please don't get stuck in that rut.

What's next, UPS Sign instead of FEDEX on the same building? Maybe Corvette Carl's instead of Mustang Sally's with Corvettes instead of Mustangs. I could go on and on.

Needless to say, this one is NOT on my radar.

Why the hate?  If you invest in a mold, you want to get your money out of it.  You also want to make as many customers happy with it by releasing it in several names and color that will appeal to everyone.  There is nothing wrong with doing this while ALSO releasing brand new buildings. 

Additionally, the supply chain issues are going to be preventing the regular releases we had come to expect.  Mark from Menards has already said they have tons of buildings in the works, but all stuck in the process.

@towdog posted:

Why the hate?  If you invest in a mold, you want to get your money out of it.  You also want to make as many customers happy with it by releasing it in several names and color that will appeal to everyone.  There is nothing wrong with doing this while ALSO releasing brand new buildings.

Additionally, the supply chain issues are going to be preventing the regular releases we had come to expect.  Mark from Menards has already said they have tons of buildings in the works, but all stuck in the process.

You are correct. Menards has been promising buildings for what feels like forever (see cluster duck from the economic policies/COVID), so the frustration is building up. When you think of things to do and most are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive, people get ticked. While I can intellectually understand the situation, it is very irritating that every market is screwy, instead of a shortage/bubble in a given industry. Thus, getting excited for a new product release and seeing a quasi rerun is a tad irritating. I missed the mustang Sally’s building, so I’m hoping for a Challenger Charlie’s or a Mopar marks muscle car restoration.

@mustang posted:

Mark @ Menard's;

Shouldn't you be calling this "Repurposed", rather than "New". You're just doing the same thing MTH and Lionel have done for years, where you take the same building, mold it in a different color and add some new stickers. I think you've bought and resold this building at least twice before, Quaker State as mentioned and maybe "Ford" in the earliest of years. I'm sure this is not a special build for Menard's, other than maybe the stickers.

Needless to say, I'm disappointed. I expected something better from Menard's. Please don't get stuck in that rut.

What's next, UPS Sign instead of FEDEX on the same building? Maybe Corvette Carl's instead of Mustang Sally's with Corvettes instead of Mustangs. I could go on and on.

Needless to say, this one is NOT on my radar.

Unlike captain sunshine here, I’m pretty happy with this. I think it’s a great idea to issue different versions of the same building. It’s not like we are all awash in nicely lit $40 gas stations. Also what if somebody hates Quaker State but loves Texaco? Or one was regionally or chronologically inappropriate for someone’s layout?

Nope, unlike captain sunshine and the thousands like him around here I like to see new stuff, even if it’s just a new name or paint scheme. It beats not having anything new. And I’m always up for new stuff. Especially new Southern Pacific stuff.

@Csxcellent posted:

You are correct. Menards has been promising buildings for what feels like forever (see cluster duck from the economic policies/COVID), so the frustration is building up. When you think of things to do and most are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive, people get ticked. While I can intellectually understand the situation, it is very irritating that every market is screwy, instead of a shortage/bubble in a given industry. Thus, getting excited for a new product release and seeing a quasi rerun is a tad irritating. I missed the mustang Sally’s building, so I’m hoping for a Challenger Charlie’s or a Mopar marks muscle car restoration.

Excellent points. Putting a Mopar name on things also makes it better.

I’ve been waiting over 30 years for a 1966 Chrysler Newport convertible in daffodil yellow with a black top and interior. Frankly I’d be delighted in any color. This doesn’t exist on the planet, Menard’s! You could own the market!!

I think it's great; it is tempting to me even though I hardly need more stuff for the trains.  I like the Texaco name (it has a certain nostalgic appeal for me) and the design of the station - a paint scheme that is an attractive use of colors and looks realistic.  The lighted tow truck is the icing on the cake.

@mustang posted:

Mark @ Menard's;

Shouldn't you be calling this "Repurposed", rather than "New". You're just doing the same thing MTH and Lionel have done for years, where you take the same building, mold it in a different color and add some new stickers. I think you've bought and resold this building at least twice before, Quaker State as mentioned and maybe "Ford" in the earliest of years. I'm sure this is not a special build for Menard's, other than maybe the stickers.

Needless to say, I'm disappointed. I expected something better from Menard's. Please don't get stuck in that rut.

What's next, UPS Sign instead of FEDEX on the same building? Maybe Corvette Carl's instead of Mustang Sally's with Corvettes instead of Mustangs. I could go on and on.

Needless to say, this one is NOT on my radar.

I think Menards does a pretty good job in its' offerings be it repurposed buildings or not,  Sometimes we forget that Menards is not in the toy train business.  They are doing us a service by offering what they do.  Thanks Menards.  BTW where is Jack?

Well it looks like a very nicely done building plus you get a lighted tow truck! 

Poor Jack may be missing because lying around outside a gas stations drive is dangerous - thus he's inside the building where he's safe!

Nicely done menards, now if only you could expand towards the east coast.

@Mark Holmgren 110217 posted:

Excellent points. Putting a Mopar name on things also makes it better.

I’ve been waiting over 30 years for a 1966 Chrysler Newport convertible in daffodil yellow with a black top and interior. Frankly I’d be delighted in any color. This doesn’t exist on the planet, Menard’s! You could own the market!!

Yes. And when was the last time I heard anyone say "Chrysler Newport", though they were thick on the ground at one time? A friend had a beautiful '64 2-door hardtop Newport in college in the late 60's. I loved driving it, even with the square steering wheel. It was no 300K, but the 361 and Torqueflite would haul and handle well enough.

OK - I'm off topic here. Back to the trains.

My late father in law had a Texaco station in his early life.

I ordered one and will change the name.

The people have spoken! 2022 will be a big year for Menard’s and the Chrysler Newport!

@mustang posted:

Mark @ Menard's;

Shouldn't you be calling this "Repurposed", rather than "New". You're just doing the same thing MTH and Lionel have done for years, where you take the same building, mold it in a different color and add some new stickers. I think you've bought and resold this building at least twice before, Quaker State as mentioned and maybe "Ford" in the earliest of years. I'm sure this is not a special build for Menard's, other than maybe the stickers.

Needless to say, I'm disappointed. I expected something better from Menard's. Please don't get stuck in that rut.

What's next, UPS Sign instead of FEDEX on the same building? Maybe Corvette Carl's instead of Mustang Sally's with Corvettes instead of Mustangs. I could go on and on.

Needless to say, this one is NOT on my radar.

This item was also made by K-line first, also in a Texaco scheme, something I always wanted to point out with the Quaker State station but the Quaker State had upgrades vs. the K-line

Thanks for thinking of us, Menard's! Your latest release isn't my cup of tea, but it looks like a nice building for those layout-builders pressed for space who also have backdrops or retaining walls that can support a business in front of it. And it's got lighting, too!

Though that may be true that KLine did originally did make this, it was made over 15+ years ago.  At that time it was only the station.  It definitely didn't come with interior lights nor a lighted pickup truck.  I image many folks who don't have that earlier version will get one.

Mine arrived today.  I'm pleased with it.  Here are a few more pictures of it:

@SteveH posted:

Mine arrived today.  I'm pleased with it.  Here are a few more pictures of it:

Steve,

Looks nice.

What about the paper part they mentioned in the back?  Is it an issue?

Thanks,

John

John, The front definitely looks much better.  The paperboard on the back is glossy and has some glare when viewed from certain angles.  If it was a problem, maybe a spray matte clear coat would eliminate the glare?

It's fine for my purposes.  I plan to use it up against a backdrop.

I like it.  I think I'll order one.

Thanks Steve,

John

Looks neat

I like it, but I don't have a place for it. Hopefully they will make the truck available for separate sale in the future.

@SteveH posted:

Mine arrived today.  I'm pleased with it.  Here are a few more pictures of it:

Steve,

  I something thru the window, is Jack in the building?   Inquiring minds want to know.

@Allegheny posted:

Steve,

  I something thru the window, is Jack in the building?   Inquiring minds want to know.

Yes, you could look at it that way Power input Jack, I prefer to think of it as a large hose from the air compressor

Edit, I just realized you're probably talking about Jack the German Shepard, no I haven't been able to find his likeness at Rays, he and his brothers are currently hanging out at Wally's Gas Station and the Dairy Barn.

@SteveH posted:

Yes, you could look at it that way Power input Jack, I prefer to think of it as a large hose from the air compressor

Edit, I just realized you're probably talking about Jack the German Shepard, no I haven't been able to find his likeness at Rays, he and his brothers are currently hanging out at Wally Gas Station and the Dairy Barn.

Thanks Steve!  Yes I was referring to the Jack the German Shepard.   Glad to hear he's having fun with his pal's instead of lying around all day!  He needs his steps too!

I am not sure if this was discussed with the similar prior issue.

Usually you  can power unit from the side or below. The current unit only has a side power port and an empty hole below.

You need to unglue the port and move it to the base hole.

If you do that, does it leave an unsightly hole in the side ?

Yep!

Lighted unit with sign named for my late father in law.

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

UNCLE MILTIE?!

Mitch

(a tad before my time, but still fun)

Thanks for the memory jog!  Remember it well!!  Anyone remember watching "Test Patterns"?  TPs would appear on screen before the days broadcast which usually began around 4pm and ended at midnight!

Cheers, Dave

I have the K-Line version. I wish the wrecker were a separate sale item.