(05/20/21): New! Auto Carrier with Ford Trucks from Menards!

I was wondering when the next release would occur.

I say it is a car dealership.

Ford auto dealership

50’s Ford F-100 hood emblem. Maybe a dealership, farm truck, farmers market, gas station, flatcar with truck?

A beer delivery truck!

I'd guess something related to FoMoCo, so of course I'll have to buy it.

Road Kill Restaurant. A restaurant specializing in Road Kill cuisine. 

Found On Road Dead.

@MartyE posted:

Road Kill Restaurant. A restaurant specializing in Road Kill cuisine.

Found On Road Dead.

Roadkill Café.

You kill em’ We grill em’

Ford Gear and Lightning Bolt Hood Emblem for 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1956 F-100s

Above is probably correct a dealership or just an f100 from that time period in diecast   If I might be so bold to say both can be found pretty easily in the secondary market.

My hope is a Ford industrial facility!

Can we get an additional hint?

Automobile manufacturing plant.

I bet the toy cars made in this plant will work better than the ones made in the real Ford plant!!  (ツ) (ツ) (ツ)

How about some Chevy cars and trucks, I will never by another Ford.

Marty

I always like the first hint. Gets the mind working overtime. Like ScottyRR maybe it is a diecast truck or a beer delivery truck like Mike g is always hoping for. A dealership with a rotating sign. Maybe a ford factory. Weekend is a long time to go without another hint. It will be interesting to see what it will be....................Paul 2

I'll go with a Ford dealership.  There's already a ton of Ford cars and trucks out there priced in the $10 - $20 range .

@Grampstrains posted:

Anyone remember that Ford also made Tractors?   Maybe a farm supply?

Gosh I hope not, they weren't anything to brag about. I operated a few... it was not a pleasant experience.

The logo pictured from Menards was used on the F-100 pickups from 1953 to 1956.

@wild mary posted:

I'll go with a Ford dealership.  There's already a ton of Ford cars and trucks out there priced in the $10 - $20 range .

If it is a dealership, I'd be interested, especially if it comes with a few mustangs.

Menard's does not normally release items that old (1950s), so I think it will be a junk yard with some parts off an old F-100 rusting away in it.

Other possibilities:

Auto Parts Store

Drive-in or Drive-thru Restaurant (maybe McDonalds or Big-Boy)

Gas Station and/or Repair Garage

Ford Factory (probably too big to be likely)

Drive-in Movie Theater

@CAPPilot posted:

Menard's does not normally release items that old (1950s), so I think it will be a junk yard with some parts off an old F-100 rusting away in it.

Bravo - That would actually be awesome!

Kingsford Charcoal Boxcar

If its a dealership, I hope they "punch it up" a little and include a rotating

illuminated sign. K-Line/Lionel had a stand alone one, although it wasn't actually neon.

UnclePeteRR

My guess is the Dearborn truck plant, a basic white box with a "green" roof and a huge Ford Emblem.

Henry’s mail box emblem on his old time farm house.

The image shows a chromed emblem.     What could the Stoney Creek residents use?   A great dealership, a repair facility, a small plant that produces parts for the truck, or a lighted truck pulling a horse trailer.  

A couple of weeks ago I asked the question about Menards missing from the scene and folks said it was too early in the year for them to post an offering.  So my gut hunch was right that something was afoot.

I hope the offering comes with a nice option to get a lighted vehicle as a bonus.

It’s a mechanic’s garage for the cars and trucks with parts that to be Fixed Or Replaced Daily! 😉

Harry Potter Ford dealer. (Lighting bolt)

Ford truck with working lights?

My guess/hope ...

Not a Ford dealership (that's been done) or a Ford pick-up truck (that's been done many times), but a FORD Used Truck Lot with a modest "office," several figures, and some pick-up trucks (all different colors) lined up under lights - with sales banners.

Mike Mottler     LCCA 12394

@Mike H Mottler posted:

My guess/hope ...

Not a Ford dealership (that's been done) or a Ford pick-up truck (that's been done many times), but a FORD Used Truck Lot with a modest "office," several figures, and some pick-up trucks (all different colors) lined up under lights - with sales banners.

Mike Mottler     LCCA 12394

Maybe a Ford A-1 used car lot with bunting. Perfect for a 50s or 60s theme layout. GM & Chrysler products in the lot because that is a new car sales tool, they say look at all the Dodges and Chevy's that were traded in on Fords. I'll probably get nasty replies but that's how they try to sell cars. 

Airport hangar with a Ford Tri-motor plane

Learned to drive on a Ford Golden Jubilee tractor.

Would love an O scale one but I doubt that is it.

Ford boxcars would be cool.

I wish I had gotten the Ford Farming one K Line did.

My sort of local hobby shop had it but they wanted $10 more than list price for it.

That turned me off so I didn't buy it.

Now I wish I had, oh well.

Whatever it is, I will probably buy one.

BTW, Menards can you make us an O scale forklift?

I saw some forklifts in the toy bin at the store but these were at least G scale if not bigger.

First

On

Race

Day

I might be interested in something to go with my Ford Mustang Dealer already on my layout.     I have a covered junk/Hobo scene near bye, so a junk piece would be appreciated.  Not likely, Menards hasn't done well used.

New truck, A Ford F100 1953-1956.
Maybe it will have operating head light or a load in the bed?
Hopefully Menards may of weathered the truck🤔
It could always be two trucks on a flat car?

Everyone is guessing a structure or a boxcar. I think they are doing something really big! A motorized inspection vehicle: a scale Ford F100 running on either conventional or with Bluetooth. This will be their first motorized unit, to be followed by an industrial switch engine next year.

Do we get a prize if we guess correctly?

Is it a new Automobile Carrier loaded with new trucks?

Andrew

@falconservice posted:

Is it a new Automobile Carrier loaded with new trucks?

Andrew

Oooooh good idea!

Would be the perfect emblem for the new Ford electric truck.

We're live! Check out this new TTX Auto Carrier with officially licensed 1953 Ford trucks! Show Now >

This Bi-Level Auto Carrier comes fully loaded with six 1953 Ford® trucks, making their way from Detroit, MI to your train layout! Constructed primarily of wood, this innovative flatcar is the first construction of its kind. From its silver ladders to the authentic "TTX" markings, this bi-level auto carrier boasts exceptional detail and expert craftsmanship. Along with the Ford® emblem on both sides, you can decorate this train car to match your favorite railroad with any of the 36 interchangeable decals included (two of each road name).

After its initial introduction in the 1960s, the TTX F89F Flatcar became an important addition to contemporary railroads. Decidedly different from other long-bodied flatcars, the TTX F89F was outfitted with an auto carrier rack to accommodate a new kind of payload: automobiles. These inventive flatcars allowed trains to haul brand-new vehicles from an assembly plant in Detroit, MI to automotive dealers nationwide. While we took a bit of an artistic license as we carefully crafted this car, we believe it captures the essence of this revolutionary flatcar. Each model features ladders, safety railing, and prototypical painting and lettering that are true to the spirit (if not the letter) of its historic form.

Terrific, just terrific. What an innovative car.

hoping to see a FLIP-UP cross connect bridge between the cars that is used when unloading the trucks.

alas I'll need to 3D print them.

Very nice - but a '53 Ford Truck with a modern Pepsi logo seems a little out of place.

@Menards posted:

We're live! Check out this new TTX Auto Carrier with officially licensed 1953 Ford trucks! Show Now >

This Bi-Level Auto Carrier comes fully loaded with six 1953 Ford® trucks, making their way from Detroit, MI to your train layout! Constructed primarily of wood, this innovative flatcar is the first construction of its kind. From its silver ladders to the authentic "TTX" markings, this bi-level auto carrier boasts exceptional detail and expert craftsmanship. Along with the Ford® emblem on both sides, you can decorate this train car to match your favorite railroad with any of the 36 interchangeable decals included (two of each road name).

After its initial introduction in the 1960s, the TTX F89F Flatcar became an important addition to contemporary railroads. Decidedly different from other long-bodied flatcars, the TTX F89F was outfitted with an auto carrier rack to accommodate a new kind of payload: automobiles. These inventive flatcars allowed trains to haul brand-new vehicles from an assembly plant in Detroit, MI to automotive dealers nationwide. While we took a bit of an artistic license as we carefully crafted this car, we believe it captures the essence of this revolutionary flatcar. Each model features ladders, safety railing, and prototypical painting and lettering that are true to the spirit (if not the letter) of its historic form.

Is it a plastic flat car with wooden upper deck?

Very nice truck hauler.  With respect to the modern Pepsi logo on the 53' Ford, well we can consider it as a back to the future truck that was accidently loaded onto the car hauler.

Now, how about the same type of flat but with enclosed racks?

Except for the red one, the colors for the other five trucks are incorrect for what they would have been out of the factory in 1953. Police usually would purchased a Ford sedan, yellow was not available (and yellow was a pastel shade circa 1955) except for taxi cabs, two tone paint for trucks was not available from the factory, the blue is way off for the mid-50's, and the commercial door logos are not historically time appropriate. For that matter, neither is the car carrier.

A swing and a miss.

Bob

I like it .

@Richie C. posted:

Very nice - but a '53 Ford Truck with a modern Pepsi logo seems a little out of place.

So does an ES44AC in a Pennsylvania RR paint scheme.

@Grampstrains posted:

It's Menard's, not Neiman Marcus.

we took a bit of an artistic license as we carefully crafted this car

Only announced two hours ago and there are at least three complaints!

The car appears to be based on the fourteen inch scale-sized flat. If the trucks are true 1/48 and not the over-sized 1/43 like the modern F150, I might get one to convert to two-rail. Note that the trucks can be re-painted!

@Grampstrains posted:

It's Menard's, not Neiman Marcus.

Aw, come on. They could do better than that, even for a toy.

Bob

This release caught me off-guard.  I was sure we'd next get the "promised" reissue of the double stack intermodal car with shipping containers.  Or maybe I'm getting ahead of the powers that be.....

Really cool product, but I’ll probably sit this one out. Now if it was loaded with mustangs or mopar muscle cars it would be a different story.

@BwanaBob posted:

This release caught me off-guard.  I was sure we'd next get the "promised" reissue of the double stack intermodal car with shipping containers.  Or maybe I'm getting ahead of the powers that be.....

I may be up for a few double stack cars! If they change the shipping container company name to one that I’ve heard of, it’d be a big help.

Just ordered a 4 pack just for the Fords!!!

The trucks are a nice size. I do not care about their color.

Get over this picayune cr***.

60s flatcar with new 50s pickup trucks painted in some neat, though maybe not realistic, colors.  Yes, it is a toy.  Besides, that F89F does not look 22" long.  However, that flatcar looks really good.

@Csxcellent posted:

Really cool product, but I’ll probably sit this one out. Now if it was loaded with Mustangs or Mopar muscle cars it would be a different story.

A better idea than the wayward pickups.

Bob

Going to stop by Menard's Friday while traveling. If they have these on hand may pick up one. I'd repaint the trucks in a more correct color........but I am running on 3 rail truck so not too picky !

@AMCDave posted:

Going to stop by Menard's Friday while traveling. If they have these on hand may pick up one. I'd repaint the trucks in a more correct color........but I am running on 3 rail truck so not too picky !

Menard's doesn't usually have train stuff out at this time of year.  My local one doesn't as of this morning.

Rusty

@AMCDave posted:

Going to stop by Menard's Friday while traveling. If they have these on hand may pick up one. I'd repaint the trucks in a more correct color........but I am running on 3 rail truck so not too picky !

I think you'll have to order it online and have it shipped to your store which is free.  Menards online shows my location and all of the neighboring stores as this being a special order item.

@BwanaBob posted:

This release caught me off-guard.  I was sure we'd next get the "promised" reissue of the double stack intermodal car with shipping containers.  Or maybe I'm getting ahead of the powers that be.....

Menards had one at one point?

@Rusty Traque posted:

Menard's doesn't usually have train stuff out at this time of year.  My local one doesn't as of this morning.

Rusty

I'd stop anyway......always do. They carry a few things I like and my store has a place upstairs where they have the left over model train stock.....marked down sometimes. A good break as the store is one minute off I-64.

@Bob Bubeck posted:

Except for the red one, the colors for the other five trucks are incorrect for what they would have been out of the factory in 1953. Police usually would purchased a Ford sedan, yellow was not available (and yellow was a pastel shade circa 1955) except for taxi cabs, two tone paint for trucks was not available from the factory, the blue is way off for the mid-50's, and the commercial door logos are not historically time appropriate. For that matter, neither is the car carrier.

A swing and a miss.

Bob

Yeah.  And I'll bet there's no Flathead V8 under the hoods either.  Travesty, travesty, travesty.

----------------------

----------------------

...Oh, and by the way...

THANK  YOU, MENARD'S, FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO IN SUPPORT OF THIS GREAT FUN HOBBY!!

KD

@Richie C. and @Bob Bubeck,

You're not in Menard's target market.  As a result they didn't consult you before proceeding with their product design.

The word "toy" is important here.  They can take whatever liberties they want with the toys they produce.  If they happen to make a mistake on one of them the product flops due to poor sales.  With enough of those the whole product line collapses.   We see absolutely none of either -- just the opposite in fact.  Overwhelmingly their stuff is in demand, whether new or 'pre-owned'.  Overwhelmingly.  They surely make good money (or at least break even) the way they're doing it now.

Based on this I'd say there's nothing to complain about.  It'll fall on deaf ears, and rightly so it should -- you're not in their target market.

Now, what would be a good suggestion is for you to insist that they expand into a new market segment that does include you, say "period-, detail-, and color-accurate scale models".  We'd probably all benefit from that, especially given how well they've done with toys.

M.H.M.

@dkdkrd posted:

Yeah.  And I'll bet there's no Flathead V8 under the hoods either.  Travesty, travesty, travesty.

----------------------

----------------------

...Oh, and by the way...

KD

<snip> etc.

Oh, you guys are giving me way, way too much fun about this.

Bob

Bazinga?

A home run in my book!  Another great job for a reasonable price.

Thanks Menards!

I love it, and my grandkids will love it

thanks Menards !!!!

@Micro posted:

Menards had one at one point?

Yes, it sold out over a year ago.  I snoozed and lost.  Then I noticed in a TCA magazine that some group had a custom run of them (with a nice surcharge which I don't begrudge them) but it was a little too rich for my blood.  Someone from Menard's commented that perhaps this spring we'd see a rerelease of the publicly released version.  So I am waiting patiently.

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

It's high time for Menards to quit playing kindergarten games with loyal return model railroaders and WORK with them when developing new products.  The name of the game is Century 21 FEED BACK.  Is that too much to expect?  I don't believe it is.

Seriously?! You're saying that?

How's that new CENTURY 21 layout coming?

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

Truly a Looser from the Get Go!

Which is probably why it will sell out quickly.

Rusty

It never ceases to amaze me how many complainers there are on this site. 

Menards is a home improvement business that caters to home owners and professional builders.

The toy line and "Trains Stuff" they carry is simply a sideline that helps to get people into the store.

Yes their products may not necessarily be perfectly prototypical for every release.  They use poetic license to offer products that most customers of this line would be inclined to purchase. 

If you want greater graphic precision you need to purchase from someone else or decorate it yourself.

And we all know too well how the major manufacturers of toy trains have done in the graphics department.

For most of us, close is good enough and the price point is spot on.   

After all how many prototypical freight cars have lettering on them stating they were built by Lionel or MTH?  Yet many of the complainers have rolling stock like this on their layouts. 

Just enjoy the products Menards puts out and if it doesn't meet your needs simply pass on it.

I'm certain that Mark of Menards is looking to create great products whose graphics are more prototypically accurate. 

Just work with them vs. against them.

@Allegheny posted:

It never ceases to amaze me how many complainers there are on this site.

Menards is a home improvement business that caters to home owners and professional builders.

The toy line and "Trains Stuff" they carry is simply a sideline that helps to get people into the store.

Yes their products may not necessarily be perfectly prototypical for every release.  They use poetic license to offer products that most customers of this line would be inclined to purchase.

If you want greater graphic precision you need to purchase from someone else or decorate it yourself.

And we all know too well how the major manufacturers of toy trains have done in the graphics department.

For most of us, close is good enough and the price point is spot on.   

After all how many prototypical freight cars have lettering on them stating they were built by Lionel or MTH?  Yet many of the complainers have rolling stock like this on their layouts.

Just enjoy the products Menards puts out and if it doesn't meet your needs simply pass on it.

I'm certain that Mark of Menards is looking to create great products whose graphics are more prototypically accurate.

Just work with them vs. against them.

Thank You - Well Said

Looks like those trucks were already on sale, but were likey not moving.  Put them on a new auto rack, and presto, they are being sold!

Not exactly prototype.  But nice looking car.

Then again, did not Lionel "throw together" some train sets from locomotives and cars that did not sell for non-hobby shops?

Interesting, differs from what others offer, decals that allow you to have the road name of your choice, looks like they did well here.  Since when did toy train operators become rivit counters? 

The Menards link isn't working for me like it did yesterday.  Are these cars sold out?

yes they appear to be all SOLD OUT.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

@Richie C. and @Bob Bubeck,

You're not in Menard's target market.  As a result they didn't consult you before proceeding with their product design.

The word "toy" is important here.  They can take whatever liberties they want with the toys they produce.  If they happen to make a mistake on one of them the product flops due to poor sales.  With enough of those the whole product line collapses.   We see absolutely none of either -- just the opposite in fact.  Overwhelmingly their stuff is in demand, whether new or 'pre-owned'.  Overwhelmingly.  They surely make good money (or at least break even) the way they're doing it now.

Based on this I'd say there's nothing to complain about.  It'll fall on deaf ears, and rightly so it should -- you're not in their target market.

Now, what would be a good suggestion is for you to insist that they expand into a new market segment that does include you, say "period-, detail-, and color-accurate scale models".  We'd probably all benefit from that, especially given how well they've done with toys.

M.H.M.

First of all, my comment about a '53 Ford Truck having a modern Pepsi logo on the side was not a complaint. It was simply an observation that it, "seems a little out of place". I mean, how difficult would it have been for someone at Menards to figure out that it didn't make sense and just use the correct period logo ? We're not talking Mensa, here. I agree they don't need to consult me first but, in this particular case, maybe they should have.

Second, don't lump me in with anyone else who may have actually complained about certain aspects of this Menards release. If, and when, I ever complain about something you'll know it in no uncertain terms. I'm not a rivet counter. I understand that these are toys and that Menards, in particular, produces product of a certain type and style that may not be for the purists among us and I am more than ok with that.

Third, when someone can't make an observation that a logo on a product  "seems a little out of place" without being labeled and castigated as a "complainer", it's time for you guys to stop being so overly sensitive to a simple observation.

Fourth, I own many Menards products and have them incorporated around my layout and have always enjoyed their products and, in fact, I purchased this auto carrier yesterday.

@Micro posted:

Menards had one at one point?

Yep.

Well it looks like the non-prototypical truck hauler has SOLD OUT in less than 24 hours!   I had hoped to order a few.

I would buy it if they'd sell an empty version with no vehicles on it.

@Former Member posted:

I would buy it if they'd sell an empty version with no vehicles on it.

My thoughts exactly.  the regular autos are too new for the era i model and the fords too old.

I also tried to order but was unsuccessful. So Menards....when are more coming??

I have never ordered any vehicles from Menards, but these 1953 Ford F-100s look terrific, and are era-appropriate for my layout, so I will order one car.

Oh well, so much for that. Looks like there was a run on these and they are currently sold out. Will have to wait until Menards replenishes the stock.

Pat

@Richie C. posted:

First of all, my comment about a '53 Ford Truck having a modern Pepsi logo on the side was not a complaint. It was simply an observation that it, "seems a little out of place". I mean, how difficult would it have been for someone at Menards to figure out that it didn't make sense and just use the correct period logo ? We're not talking Mensa, here. I agree they don't need to consult me first but, in this particular case, maybe they should have.

Second, don't lump me in with anyone else who may have actually complained about certain aspects of this Menards release. If, and when, I ever complain about something you'll know it in no uncertain terms. I'm not a rivet counter. I understand that these are toys and that Menards, in particular, produces product of a certain type and style that may not be for the purists among us and I am more than ok with that.

Third, when someone can't make an observation that a logo on a product  "seems a little out of place" without being labeled and castigated as a "complainer", it's time for you guys to stop being so overly sensitive to a simple observation.

Fourth, I own many Menards products and have them incorporated around my layout and have always enjoyed their products and, in fact, I purchased this auto carrier yesterday.

Richie,

If I put my marketing hat on it comes down to this: Would you personally buy one of these, or is the modern Pepsi logo on the truck a deal breaker?  Obviously not since you bought one.  Marketing folks look at comments such as those we post here in order to formulate their product plans.  By tradition ANY negative-leaning comment, even one that only implies that things seem a little out of place, is logged as a "complaint" in their analysis.  Maybe it's a poor choice of terms but there is no suitable alternative.

In the end product marketing is a balancing act between gotta-haves, nice-to-haves, and not-requireds.  In your mind is a logo change required?  (There's no wrong answer here -- if you don't agree with the typical members of the target market for this product it's not a big issue.  Your comments are simply representing the desires of a different target market, one that could be just as profitable, but is not the same.)

Sorry if you mistook my comments.  I did not intend for you to take them quite so negatively.

Mike

@Csxcellent posted:

I may be up for a few double stack cars! If they change the shipping container company name to one that I’ve heard of, it’d be a big help.

My suggestion was to sell the doublestack cars without containers and simply let the buyer add some of the separate-sale containers offered as part of the train lineup. (currently MSC, CSX, CN and Santa Fe), and you won't have to figure out what to do with a bunch of orphan YANG MING containers once you mix things up.

---PCJ

I feel I'm the reason why Menard's sells trains.  It introduces people to their store/brand.  I had no idea who Menard's was until I started to buy their trains.  I was a loyal HD customer.

I've spent around $10k with Menards this year while finishing a basement (future layout room) and not a penny of that spend was on trains.

Tell me their model doesn't work.

I love the auto carrier.  It's a toy.  Read carefully that the product was licensed so a lot of people signed off on this design (including Pepsi which probably wouldn't allow a vintage logo)

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Richie,

If I put my marketing hat on it comes down to this: Would you personally buy one of these, or is the modern Pepsi logo on the truck a deal breaker?  Obviously not since you bought one.  Marketing folks look at comments such as those we post here in order to formulate their product plans.  By tradition ANY negative-leaning comment, even one that only implies that things seem a little out of place, is logged as a "complaint" in their analysis.  Maybe it's a poor choice of terms but there is no suitable alternative.

In the end product marketing is a balancing act between gotta-haves, nice-to-haves, and not-requireds.  In your mind is a logo change required?  (There's no wrong answer here -- if you don't agree with the typical members of the target market for this product it's not a big issue.  Your comments are simply representing the desires of a different target market, one that could be just as profitable, but is not the same.)

Sorry if you mistook my comments.  I did not intend for you to take them quite so negatively.

Mike

No problem, I understand where you're coming from on a marketing perspective - it's just that categorizing someone (and there were others, as well) as a "complainer" just because of a little constructive criticism leveled at a manufacturer (and I don't think my observation of the logo even rose to that level) tends to tick me off and, perhaps I overreacted.

If manufacturers actually did take into account what is posted on the Forum (and I seriously doubt that they do), then they're not paying close enough attention or these sorts of things wouldn't happen. Look at the paint issues on Lionel's new 10 wheelers as an example. These issues, from major to minor, keep happening repeatedly which tells me either someone is asleep at the wheel or the manufacturers really don't care about what we think. If manufacturers really want to respond to input from the Forum, then perhaps we should nominate a Forum Ambassador to which the various manufacturers can run by their pre-production samples for comment and suggestions.

I think each model train enthusiast draws their own "line in the sand" as to what they are willing to tolerate or not when it comes to authenticity, but IMHO there's no excuse not to get it right when doing it the right way requires zero extra effort. Now, maybe Mark at Menards will tell me that their licensing deal with Pepsi requires them to use the new logo on any new product they sell with no exceptions and, if that's the case, then I'd still be disappointed, but least I would understand and appreciate the reason.

At any rate, I look forward to receiving my new auto carrier. I also ordered a construction crane and an NH box car 4 pack at the same time. But I might have to remove the blue truck with the new Pepsi logo

I bought two of them yesterday.  Of course I know they aren't prototypical, but I wouldn't be able to run a prototypical car in my small room.

Nice job Menards. 

@Richie C. posted:

Yep.

Thank you very much!  I missed them.  I first started paying attention to Menards Trains in 2019.

Also, i find it unbelievable and astonishing that this sold out already.  Seriously, Menards?  Maybe make the product runs bigger?  PLEASE? Also, please bring back the double stack car!  And the cabooses with blinking lights!  And get a passenger car!  And an engine!

@Richie C. posted:

If manufacturers actually did take into account what is posted on the Forum (and I seriously doubt that they do), then they're not paying close enough attention or these sorts of things wouldn't happen. Look at the paint issues on Lionel's new 10 wheelers as an example. These issues, from major to minor, keep happening repeatedly which tells me either someone is asleep at the wheel or the manufacturers really don't give a rat's a** about what we think. If manufacturers really want to respond to input from the Forum, then perhaps we should nominate a Forum Ambassador to which the various manufacturers can run by their pre-production samples for comment and suggestions.

I think each model train enthusiast draws their own "line in the sand" as to what they are willing to tolerate or not when it comes to authenticity, but IMHO there's no excuse not to get it right when doing it the right way requires zero extra effort. Now, maybe Mark at Menards will tell me that their licensing deal with Pepsi requires them to use the new logo on any new product they sell with no exceptions and, if that's the case, then I'd still be disappointed, but least I would understand and appreciate the reason.

Here’s the thing I don’t get… the toy train operators don’t seem to care if it’s accurate or not.  However, if the manufacturers made them accurate, they’d sell not only to toy train operators and collectors, but maybe also to those that do care.

Seems like that would be more money in their pocket, but what do I know?

Another couple of thoughts on the (apparent) issue...

1) John Menard (Owner and namesake) is a model railroader, apparently.  O3R guy, apparently.  Has some "skin in the game"...most probably.  Besides money, too.

2) To date there is a consistent level of genre among the products Menard's has released.  I have a pretty good idea of where on the bell-curve of O3R-ism John's own layout lies.  Don't you?

3) Elsewhere in the post responses is the revelation that this new release is "sold out"...so far.  OMG, gosh, gee whiz, holy moly...anyone want to dispute that Menard's (John + staff) is doing a pretty good job of appealing to fellow O3R genre-ites??  Sold out...in a matter of hours.

4) Improving upon the various nits in producing a product of this sort requires, among other things, a lot of research...which translates to more money spent, more time required from original idea to announcement of product-on-the-shelf,...   And, as Lionel, Atlas, MTH, et al have found out in trying to make more of the O3R genres happy, the nits will continue to be found and abound.

5) Considering all their successful products, are their price points competitive?  Well, duh!  On price, alone, do they really have any OEM competition?

6) I seriously doubt Menard's would benefit from a select panel of OGR Forumites reviewing their new product ideas, making design modification suggestions, pointing out nits from A to Z.   Call it meddling, call it censorship, call it trying to 'help' Menard's business, call it what you will.  I don't think it would be make a difference to their current strategy, success,...and fun.  No offense intended.

FWIW, of course...and just MHO...like yours.

KD

@dkdkrd posted:

Another couple of thoughts on the (apparent) issue...

1) John Menard (Owner and namesake) is a model railroader, apparently.  O3R guy, apparently.  Has some "skin in the game"...most probably.  Besides money, too.

2) To date there is a consistent level of genre among the products Menard's has released.  I have a pretty good idea of where on the bell-curve of O3R-ism John's own layout lies.  Don't you?

3) Elsewhere in the post responses is the revelation that this new release is "sold out"...so far.  OMG, gosh, gee whiz, holy moly...anyone want to dispute that Menard's (John + staff) is doing a pretty good job of appealing to fellow O3R genre-ites??  Sold out...in a matter of hours.

4) Improving upon the various nits in producing a product of this sort requires, among other things, a lot of research...which translates to more money spent, more time required from original idea to announcement of product-on-the-shelf,...   And, as Lionel, Atlas, MTH, et al have found out in trying to make more of the O3R genres happy, the nits will continue to be found and abound.

5) Considering all their successful products, are their price points competitive?  Well, duh!  On price, alone, do they really have any OEM competition?

6) I seriously doubt Menard's would benefit from a select panel of OGR Forumites reviewing their new product ideas, making design modification suggestions, pointing out nits from A to Z.   Call it meddling, call it censorship, call it trying to 'help' Menard's business, call it what

It’s completely obvious that John Menards’s layout is a modern hi-rail layout, set in the 2000s, that has perfect 1/48 proportions and scale sized couplers. I have also deduced that the layout has a minimum curve of at least o96

rplst8:  My thoughts exactly!  Take a new product one step further and that will help boost sales.  Menards doesn't sell toy trains just for fun.  There has to be a profit involved as well or even the trains would be eliminated from their product line.

I deleted my earlier post since it rubbed some do gooders the wrong way or so it seems.  I apologise if my constructive critisism was taken the wrong way.  It wasn't intended to do so in any way.

Item: Menards continues to release older as well as new products which has made them the leader of afforable O gauge trains.  The TTX double deck auto loader flat proves this.  The Ford trucks regardless of color or names placed on them or none at all will be EZ to sell or trade to fellow model railroaders or guys who collect vehicles in 1:48 scale.  No one will get stuck with any of them and if you have accumulated too many why not model a car lot on the layout?  Don't see to many of these as it is and the Menards vehicles are perfect for such a project.

To quote the onetime Model Railroader slogan that adorned the top of each months cover in the mid-20th Century: Model Railroading is FUN!  It still is regardless if you model in Z, G, HO, N, S or O (tinplate, scale, proto48).  There's something in the World's Greatest Hobby for everyone from child to senior citizen.

That's what makes model railroading so unique and Menards has given the O gaugers just what was missing:  Affordable trains.  Thanks Menards, you're on the right track!  Please continue to provide the O gauge market with Fantastic Nice Price Products!

Happy Rails everyone

@rplst8 posted:

Here’s the thing I don’t get… the toy train operators don’t seem to care if it’s accurate or not.  However, if the manufacturers made them accurate, they’d sell not only to toy train operators and collectors, but maybe also to those that do care.

Seems like that would be more money in their pocket, but what do I know?

Unfortunately it's still very true that the devil is in the details.  The further you go with them the more time and money it takes to include them.  Adding the nth detail is much more costly than including the basics originally and then adding the first few details.

Someone's got to pay for it.  Raising the cost of the product to cover the extra costs associated with this would force Menard's to price its stuff proportionally higher -- removing the very advantage that draws nearly all of its current customers.

They do a good job for the market they've targeted.  However, maybe someone can convince them to create a new product line, one with the extra detail, and of course with the accompanying price increase?

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Unfortunately it's still very true that the devil is in the details.  The further you go with them the more time and money it takes to include them.  Adding the nth detail is much more costly than including the basics originally and then adding the first few details.

Someone's got to pay for it.  Raising the cost of the product to cover the extra costs associated with this would force Menard's to price its stuff proportionally higher -- removing the very advantage that draws nearly all of its current customers.

They do a good job for the market they've targeted.  However, maybe someone can convince them to create a new product line, one with the extra detail, and of course with the accompanying price increase?

Mike

To be clear, I don't have any gripes or complaints about Menard's offerings.  I'm just pointing out that there is money being left on the table.

rplst8:  Right you are again.  Why not expand and capture the entire O Gauge market if the opportunity is there without having to invest much if any additional $$$ at the same time?  Why let the other manufacturers cash in on the market if you can offer good quality products as well like the new TTX auto carrier has proven in just the very short period since it was introduced to the O gauge world?

These car to car flip ramps I 3D printed and added to the MTH and LIONEL Autocarriers.

It would have been nice if MENARDs had made them for their new autoloaders.

You only need the bridge on one side, either the right one or the left. The car being coupled to or the loading/unloading ramp will have the opposing mate.