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Menards... THANK YOU!   Awesome!  Awesome! awesome!  Nice job recreating the look of an Amtrak station.  Canton Ohio had a small station which was of this type.  Amtrak had flowers and topiary around the perimeter much like the flower boxes on Menards version.  Excellent job on this!!!

Order is in and I've spread the word to my friends!   

Thank you Menards !!!!!

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Last edited by VistaDomeScott
@jhz563 posted:

It's an Am-Shack!  It looks too good - Amtrak would never have paid for a sign that fancy

The 1970s stations of this type did have nicely illuminated Amtrak arrow signs.  The Cleveland Ohio station had a three sided concrete sign lovingly referred to by my friends at Amtrak as the "monolith."  It had 3 neon Amtrak logos on each of the 3 sides.  Unfortunately Lake Erie was nearby and the harsh winds and ice wreaked havoc on the neon logos.   The monolith sign was removed at some point in the 1990s.  To validate your point after arguing against it,  Amtrak never replaced the sign. 

Ok I'll be "that guy".

Do that many people run/collect Amtrak trains to justify creating a specialized station for them?  I would have thought there'd be more clamoring for a Santa Fe station, or any of the other "most popular" rail lines.  Seems like this is catering to a real narrow segment of O scale modelers, or am I  out of touch of what lines are really popular?

Now fire away.....

@BwanaBob posted:

Ok I'll be "that guy".

Do that many people run/collect Amtrak trains to justify creating a specialized station for them?  I would have thought there'd be more clamoring for a Santa Fe station, or any of the other "most popular" rail lines.  Seems like this is catering to a real narrow segment of O scale modelers, or am I  out of touch of what lines are really popular?

Now fire away.....

Playing devil's advocate, I'd say there is less of a chance someone would want a santa fe station out east or a pennsy station if they model western RRs. Amtrak is kind of a crossover that spans the nation. This station is not my cup of tea exactly, but I can understand why they chose Amtrak.

I model Amtrak in my 3r side of things and I actually like this quite a bit.  Might have to look into picking one up for modular 3r layout when I have more space to get it out of storage.

Fairly decent interpretation of the "Amshacks" that have been built since the 70's often next to existing deteriorated stations that were no longer serviceable without significant investment.

If you run modern stuff, this is a good trackside building,  remember freight trains and passenger use the same tracks. you don't have to have an Amtrak train. I will probably get one.

I do run Amtrak and MTH makes a bunch of Amtrak and it sells quick. I'm looking forward to my GGD Amtrak cars on order.

Last edited by clem k
@BwanaBob posted:

Maybe I would have expected a station where the buyer could use one of several supplied translucent signs of various railroads so that it could be tailored to the buyer's desires.  Much like how the TTX autotransporter car came with multiple railroad signs so one could brand it to their line or choice.

The auto transporter came with a set of different stickers.  That was quite a different situation than your suggestion that Menards offer multiple "translucent signs" for this station.   Since it is a modern building, what could Menards offer in addition to Amtrak, perhaps a dozen or more regional transit signs?

@RadioRon posted:

The auto transporter came with a set of different stickers.  That was quite a different situation than your suggestion that Menards offer multiple "translucent signs" for this station.   Since it is a modern building, what could Menards offer in addition to Amtrak, perhaps a dozen or more regional transit signs?

It would not necessarily have to be a train station, that building could have many non-rail related uses.

This is the third or fourth train station Menards has put out, right?  Each of a different era and size.  They are doing their best to provide options to cover the entire hobby base and this stations aligns with many of their other buildings that fill a gap for those hobbyists who model more modern times.

Part of me wishes they would focus less on the animated signs and allow signs to be inserted like they do on other buildings.  Doing so would've made this building allowed to be used for all sorts of other businesses simply by replacing the sign.  But I can't complain as it's a great building.

I'm hoping for a Greyhound bus station one day.  I really like the MTH one, but it's way too big.

@Canes RR posted:

I think I may want one of these if I can find a good spot for it...but before I buy it, is it safe to assume that I can wire this thru my MTH AIU / Z1000 brick I'll be using for most of my accessories and don't have to buy the Menard's power supply?

Canes RR, you have to use the Menards' power supply or another 4.5 vdc power supply.  You can do a quick search and find a few different ways to make your own 4.5 vdc supply or a converter that allows you to use your Z1000.  I made a power supply with the forum members' help  and I am a novice at electronics.  Once you do you can buy as many Menards buildings, lighted vehicles and signs as you want.

Love the enthusiasm for Menards' products.

@BwanaBob posted:

Ok I'll be "that guy".

Do that many people run/collect Amtrak trains to justify creating a specialized station for them?  I would have thought there'd be more clamoring for a Santa Fe station, or any of the other "most popular" rail lines.  Seems like this is catering to a real narrow segment of O scale modelers, or am I  out of touch of what lines are really popular?

Now fire away.....

In terms of modern-era accessories, you are out of touch, lol.  Why would they make a modern-era building with a Santa Fe sign?  What year did Santa Fe end passenger service?

For those questioning the demand for Amtrak items I would like to mention that this is Amtraks 50th year providing national passenger service.  Im 55 and so I've grown up riding and seeing Amtrak trains.   Anything pre Amtrak is only pages from the history book for me. 

All the O scale manufacturers have offered Amtrak nearly continuously from MPC Lionel and Williams sets, to MTH repeated Amtrak offerings, various modern Lionel items, K-Line, thru to upcoming GGD scale Amfleet and Viewliners.   I would bet manufactured Amtrak items if totalled up would exceed many of your historic lines. 

Our new Menards Amtrak station got here last night!  Plugged it in right away...looks great...lights/signs work great...except one problem...the sign lights make this high pitch noise...as the animated sign moves from one piece to the next the noise moves with it then when the entire sign is lit it's a consistent noise.  Is this normal?  This is our first lit building on our layout...again, looks great but the noise is annoying.

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