(03/25/20) O Scale Background Building from Menards!

A new freight station? That would be nice....

^^^

I'm with Gilly on this one.  Or it may be a REA box truck

Could be another freight building like the Schneider National they released.

Neal Jeter

A REA cross dock would be a no brainer.

I am with Tom. Hope it is a REA Depot.... Paul 2

Am I the only one who wants to see a new O Gauge release that's actually a railway car of some sort (or an existing car with a new (to Menards) roadname, and not another building ?

REA depot would be great.  BTW never too much military stuff on flats.

A true scale head-end reefer would be very nice.

I'm gonna guess an REA caboose.

Since Menard's has already put out some very cool REA trucks I believe we can expect a freight transfer facility, not so much a track side freight station.

I’m hoping for a freight depot to match the REA panel trucks.

Speaking on trucks, I am hoping Menards can produce Divco Milk Trucks in O Scale. They are difficult to find.

@Menards, any other clues?

Has Menards ever done a full scale car ?

Here's your second hint!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Dang....

My best guess, an REA something! LOL

A Charmin Factory!

Menards posted:

Here's your second hint!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark, you should edit the thread's title to include the date of your second clue so we'll know there is something new in your thread--just a suggestion.

Keith Crook 020419 posted:

Speaking on trucks, I am hoping Menards can produce Divco Milk Trucks in O Scale. They are difficult to find.

The only Divcos that I have seen are way too big at 1/43 and the Divco brand is now owned by the Divco Club of America. 

I’m hoping it’s a REA freight depot with an animated agent.

Keith Crook 020419 posted:

I’m hoping it’s a REA freight depot with an animated agent.

That would be cool and seems like a decent guess given the hints thus far.

PRRMP54 posted:

Keith Crook 020419 posted:

Speaking on trucks, I am hoping Menards can produce Divco Milk Trucks in O Scale. They are difficult to find.

The only Divcos that I have seen are way too big at 1/43 and the Divco brand is now owned by the Divco Club of America. 

They have HO Divco trucks for sale, just hoping they can source some 1:48. I know 1:43 is a little big, but my dairy needs some delivery vans!

Keith Crook 020419 posted:

They have HO Divco trucks for sale, just hoping they can source some 1:48. I know 1:43 is a little big, but my dairy needs some delivery vans!

I'm in for 1:48 with you Keith.

Keith, please don't take offense, but do you know how to edit when using "reply with quote"?

For clues I haven't a clue as to what is coming. But as always the suspense is killing me. And Dad is always tight lipped as to what is could be.But looking at some of the posts a Dairy with a fleet of milk trucks would be a nice addition...........Paul 2

Although I didn't know REA had any now that we have a conductor I second the caboose mentioned earlier.

mask....

Passenger trains have a conductor and also REA front end boxcars & reefers.

Regardless of what it is, now is a great time for new announcements! Too much of a panic out there.

There will be a new version and an old version of the structure or freight car.

Andrew

Here's your last clue. Look for the new release in the next few days.

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

A REA Warehouse building flat? That would be great!!

Building flat? What a great idea! Menards can throw me in that briar patch,

Blazing Saddles town of Rock Ridge?

Sign me up! I love Blazing Saddles!!!

Menards posted:

Here's your first hint at our upcoming O gauge release. Happy guessing!

Have a great weekend!
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Menards posted:

Here's your last clue. Look for the new release in the next few days.

At first I thought Menards might offer REA FREE SHIPPING and/or drop their order handling fee; which would be a nice promotion.  With the most recent clue I now think it's going to be a Railway Express building flat for all of us who filled up much of our layouts w/ various space hungry Menards buildings.  Menards has been sneaky clever w/ their track pass-through building features that provide some flexibility but flats or semi-flats might appeal to a very broad audience and can go a long way to scenic a layout. 

nice prop

For two dimensional people

A building for Flat Stanley?

This could be an animated building where the walls fall over or flip around when a button is pushed.

Andrew

Menards posted:

Here's your last clue. Look for the new release in the next few days.

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

This pic reminds me of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank.  I highly recommend it for anybody visiting in this neck of the woods.  I once had an N scale layout with a mini movie studio backlot.  Kicking around the idea for my O gauge layout.

The Google Maps links in the link below are now in Streetview which makes for an interesting virtual stroll around the backlot: 

https://studiofacilities.warne.../exterior-sets/#wbes

going out on a limb now.. a movie theater... lol...

Menards posted:

Here's your last clue. Look for the new release in the next few days.

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

That pic reminds me of Mel Brooks "Blazing Saddles" when the bad guys were going to "shoot up the town"

The wait is finally over. Check out this new building concept!

Designated fitter: The M&M Warehouse Background Building Shop Now >

Dimensions: 15”W x 1-1/8”D x 10-5/8”H

The basics: This is a low relief, space-saving building is designed for locations unsuitable for a full-size structure. The warehouse is a fully assembled and decorated measuring 15 inches wide, 10-5/8 inches tall, and 1-1/8 inches deep. Five decals are included for use with a sign above the office. The warehouse is illuminated and designed for use with the Menards Plug & Play system.

The facade has a pigtail plug for use with a Menards 4.5 volt power supply, Menards SKU 279-4061, 279-4062, or 279-4050. You may wish to consider the 8- or 9-piece Plug & Play accessory kits (SKU# 279-4035, 4681) and to serve multiple structures and vehicles. All are available separately.

Why you need this: This background building is the first in a new series of flat structures from Menards. Every layout has those hard to fill spots where you lack room for a building - but you want something more than a blank wall. This Warehouse fits that requirement. While it has a modest width, the secret is that it is a mere 1-1/8 inches deep!

This makes it ideal for the edge of your bench work, helping disguise a range of objects like a basement support or a water meter! You could even sit it on the edge of your layout next to a siding to add an extra industry to your railway.

The fully assembled and decorated structure has simulated vertical steel slats, a wide loading dock, two doors, and a central office. The office has a door and two windows and a printed interior. Since this is where the company brass can be found, you’ll find a "Safety is Job 1" sign above the doorway.

Above the office is a large space for a sign. Five different company banners are included. You can fly the flag of M&M candy, Menards, Railway Express, Schneider Transportation, and Whirlpool. The decals may be used with the no. 279-4289 Plug & Play Billboard, and its 26 decals can be used with the warehouse.

Using the Schneider sign, this would be a good companion piece with the no. 279-5098 Schneider Freight Building

The design of the structure allows you to screw it down to your tabletop, or simply let it stand free on the table. This makes it easier to relocate on a whim as your train city prospers and changes.

The Warehouse will appear right at home with your other Menards buildings, and the flexibility with the decals allows you the freedom to squeeze multiple warehouses on your layout, but each with unique brand signage.

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Great new product! No more sawing buildings for a lot of folks.

Clues just a bit obscure. I guess the mask represented a 2D flat version of a real thing.

Nice! Would like to see a companion piece to put beside it having a third rollup door in place of the office. 

MM's melts in the flat, not on your hands...

Mark, hope it is a building flat.  I sure would like to see some building flats from Menards. My layout space is filling up with Menards buildings !!   Unless you decide to offer steel mill buildings 

Tom

Tom Q Fan posted:

Mark, hope it is a building flat.  I sure would like to see some building flats from Menards. My layout space is filling up with Menards buildings !!   Unless you decide to offer steel mill buildings 

Tom

Tom,  if you read the description in the post I think you'll be satisfied.

What a great idea, I'm going to start a collection of these.  

Menards posted:

The wait is finally over. Check out this new building concept!

Designated fitter: The M&M Warehouse Background Building Shop Now >

 

Absolutely sold and ordered. Outstanding!

- The Other Guy 

Edited: I’m having Menards hold off delivery for 30 days. I don’t want some unfortunate shmuck getting sick because they’re delivering a hunk of plastic to my home. 

- TOG

Ordered two.

The announcement said this is the first in a series.  Interested to see want comes next.  Hopefully an early to mid 20th century period warehouse 

An absolute arrow in the bulls eye. 

I wish Menards had started this series a year ago.

Certain to be popular.  

Looking good!

Mark, that is great news! Definitely getting 1, maybe 2!  Scott said that this is first in series. Already looking forward to the next one.

Tom

I could really use some building fronts but I have to pass on this one.  The billboard/sign is totally out of scale with the building.  When I saw it the first thing that came to mind was a drive-in movie screen. Hopefully future flats will be more to my liking.

A trainstatio front would ge great.

Ordered has to ship to house but that's ok. I just don't understand why they they tack on a processing fee?

 A series of flats is a great idea. 

Where, exactly, is the pigtail located?

Jerry

Got to give John Menard credit. In a market that may be flatlining, he's carved out a successful growth niche by offering attractive creative products at affordable prices. My favorite structure is the pickle factory. As many products are only available in the store.  I wish that Menards was located in my area.

Looks great, Mark - do you have the approximate power draw of this accessory ?

Thanks

Richie C. posted:

Looks great, Mark - do you have the approximate power draw of this accessory ?

Thanks

Hi Richie,

Approx. power draw for this is 620 mA. Thanks for asking!

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

JerryG posted:

 A series of flats is a great idea. 

Where, exactly, is the pigtail located?

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

The pigtail is underneath the loading dock, almost dead center. You can drill straight down through your table or run the pigtail out from the back. There are small notches cut out so you can feed the pigtail through and it will still sit flat on your layout.

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

I think Menards should offer some of the same panels without the billboard so a series of these added to one with the billboard becomes a larger wharehouse, industrial park, or factory.   

Also, more backdrop types in the future are a great thing to look forward to.  

I really like what I see!!! Thank You Mark for a really cool idea.

Ken

Looks like a great building for those narrow areas on my layout, I will order one today. Hope Menards adds more of these in the future.

Bases loaded and Menards hit a grand slam with this one. Been clamering for this for a long time. Glad to see Menards deliver. Can hardly wait to see this series expand. "KUDOS".............Paul 2

I received my building 2 days after ordering !!  Fast service from Menards.

I really like it. Comes with several signs. Pretty much zero depth so you can fit in tight places. On my layout I will make a shallow box for sides and back because I have more room. Very happy and looking forward to the next one.

I added a little coil on the dock, they are in business already 

Tom

Nice Menards does a great job.

Nice.

I wonder if that sign is easily removable.

There has been speculation as to when more buildings in the Background Series will be manufactured and ready for shipment.

Unfortunately, there will be a delay in getting out more buildings in the Background Series as we have converted the factory that makes these to largely turn out facemasks for the Covid-19 crisis. There is one more background building in the series that we have finished up production on and will be shipping to our distribution center in Wisconsin sometime (via container), but the rest of the series will be postponed.

Let’s hope this crisis will pass soon and we can get back to a more relaxed lifestyle once again!

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay well!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark

Thank you for sharing this with us and thanks to Menards for helping fellow Americans by switching to making masks. Let's all pray that people stay at home, play with the trains they have and help one another to get through this terrible event. May God have mercy on us all and be with all the sick people and health care workers.

Dean

Thanks for the update Mark. And for sure, Country comes first above everything else.

Menards posted:

Unfortunately, there will be a delay in getting out more buildings in the Background Series as we have converted the factory that makes these to largely turn out facemasks for the Covid-19 crisis. 

Let’s hope this crisis will pass soon and we can get back to a more relaxed lifestyle once again!

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay well!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Can't see anyone faulting your reasons! 

Mark, I echo the posts above. Really appreciate Menards putting the country first.

Tom

Thanks Menards

Thank you Menards.

Thanks Mark for the update. Its nice to be kept in the loop. Hope you and the the rest of the Menards team stay safe.

Mark, Just tried to order and ship out here to CA, but our all powerful Prop 65 prevents shipping the power supply?

I got my two today. I have not installed yet. Trying to determine which location on my layout.

Is there a way to center the sign over the seam of the two buildings?

Dick

Glad I I ordered d early 

Sign is molded in the unit.

Don, let us know where the two end up. I really like your other background buildings and how you have placed. Thanks for the pictures.

Tom