Hi Everyone,
Here is your first hint at our upcoming release.
Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Menards!
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M&M loads for the hoppers?
More M&M's cars.
Steve
Tanker !
M&M Candy factory.
M&M Milk Chocolate Tank Car!
A plain-Jane, red-oxide Rock Island Rocket 40' box car!!!
It's about time, I've been waiting forever for Menard's to do one of these! Do I get a free bag of peanut M&M's for the winning guess? 
Its going to be a Kyle Busch flatcar with his race car on it!
Seeing Kyle Busch won the Nascar championship this year!
Yardmaster posted:Its going to be a Kyle Busch flatcar with his race car. Seeing Kyle Busch won the Nascar championship this year!
There would be few buyers in that case.
RadioRon posted:Yardmaster posted:Its going to be a Kyle Busch flatcar with his race car. Seeing Kyle Busch won the Nascar championship this year!
There would be few buyers in that case.
I agree, I was rooting for anybody but him.
Steve
Maybe a Gondola or Tank car with M&M logos like on the boxcars
or a Mars Candy Factory ?
Or maybe a Caboose !
Well they have done Hoppers, and Boxcars, so maybe a flat car with them tied down on it. 
Maybe a M&M's truck of some kind. ( ie Tractor trailer )
They just did some boxcars. So what is next?
Well.... here's my 2 cent guess.. a corner store that sells appliances and candy....lol.. maybe even comes with a box truck made just for Play Trains....
Oh goody, another box truck! Thank you Santa! LOL
A model of a Menards store building. Menards sells both M&Ms and Whirlpool appliances
A corner laundromat. With an M&M's vending machine visible inside the front window. 
M&M's and Whirlpool, strange combination. Maybe a small version of a Menards store with in store advertising for both vendors.
Pretty safe to say it is NOT the weathered coaling building I've been hoping for for several years
OH NO -- here we go playing games again -- just say what it is so we can go out and buy it!!!!!!
It a tractor trailer full of M&M products for the old man and a complete set of whirlpool appliances for the wife with all the money he saved buying his beer direct from the Brewery!
Can you say, when you will announce your new product? Will it be this week or next?
Bro, waiting for the grand reveal is getting to you! Go sprinkle some snow on your lawn! LOL
A brewery??!!
Well, Mark said TBD. So, when we see it, I'm sure it will be great...I know it will be great !!!!!
A box truck carrying M & Ms crashes in front of an appliance store letting out the cows that were cownapped by aliens. See, thought it would be hard, huh?
Menards posted:Happy Friday!
Here's your weekend hint. We are shooting for a Tuesday (12/10) release, so keep an eye out for updates!
Have a good weekend!
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
A see thru glass enclosed factory!!
I have absolutely no idea! Final answer! LOL
Semi Trailers
Menards posted:Happy Friday!
Here's your weekend hint. We are shooting for a Tuesday (12/10) release, so keep an eye out for updates!
Have a good weekend!
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
KLEARVUE CABINETRY... WHAT THE HECK !!!! this scares me...….
How about a Menards store? They sell M&Ms and Hersheys at the checkout aisles, and carry Clearvue and Whirlpool products.
cabinet Bob posted:Menards posted:Happy Friday!
Here's your weekend hint. We are shooting for a Tuesday (12/10) release, so keep an eye out for updates!
Have a good weekend!
-Mark the Menards Train GuyKLEARVUE CABINETRY... WHAT THE HECK !!!! this scares me...….
Just thank your lucky stars it's not Clearview Porta
If it is a giant Menards will we see the train stuff through the windows?
Ken-Oscale posted:How about a Menards store? They sell M&Ms and Hersheys and carry Clearvue and Whirlpool products.
There was a Menards store, and separate garden center several years ago.
RadioRon posted:Ken-Oscale posted:How about a Menards store? They sell M&Ms and Hersheys and carry Clearvue and Whirlpool products.
There was a Menards store, and separate garden center several years ago.
Looks like a reissue to me....
A Crossroad of Commerce: The O Scale Strip Mall Shopping Center. Shop Now>
Dimensions: 21”W x 5-3/4”D x 5-5/8”H
The basics: This is a fully assembled and decorated strip shopping center with five retail outlets ranging from food to appliance sales. The building has a 21- by 5-¾-inch footprint and the building is 5-5/8-inches tall. Stores have a color interior with ample interior and exterior lighting.
The front has a simulated concrete sidewalk with six support columns. Placed in front are 10 customer figures, a coin-operated riding horse, and Jack the German shepherd. The structure has a simulated tarpaper roof and four heating and air conditioning units decorating the topside.
The building is illuminated by 54 LEDs. This requires a Menards 4.5 volt power supply, Menards SKU# 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: Gone is the shopping mall; the day of the strip mall has begun.
The style of this great new building is purely modern. This is an architectural design that you’ll find all across the country.
The building packs in five shops that provide a good cross section of the retail trade. The Chicago Burger Co. satisfied your town folks’ need for a tasty burger. Next door is the Candy Shop where you can get your fix of M&Ms or chocolate-covered peanuts.
The anchor storefront is the Dollar Store. The familiar store will attract the harried shopper who needs a convenient place to get paper towels and laundry soap without needing to fight the crowds at the Mega Market!
The two remaining shops are a boon to homeowners: Klearvue Cabinets for that kitchen renovation on the books, and a Whirlpool appliance store for all the major appliances your citizenry needs.
Each shop has a color cardstock interior matching the theme of the business: Restaurant, candy, a mini market, kitchen counters, and rows of stoves and refrigerators.
The shops have clear windows with bracing and doorways. The front walkway is simulated concrete. Figures are placed in front of the shops: Five women, four men, one tyke, and Jack the German Shepherd going on a walk. A salute to shopping center nostalgia is a coin-operated horse ride.
The support columns are painted to match the structure’s tan decoration. The end and rear walls are smooth, so you can place multiple strip malls in a row for an impressive shopping experience. The roof has simulated tarpaper covering. You’ll find four heating and air conditioning units spaced evenly on the roof. Lighting for the storefront signage and the stores themselves is covered by more than 50 LEDs.
The shallow depth of the building gives you flexibility in placement on your layout, and the styling fits right in with modern Menards buildings such as Starbucks, Taco Bell, and the County Hotel by Menards.
The strip mall shopping center adds another level of depth realism and texture to your O gauge railroad.
____________________________________________________
In case you missed it, I've included today's train email below.
If you want to receive these special offers and new product announcements, click here!
____________________________________________________
Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy
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That looks great! 
GREAT JOB Team Menards !! A fantastic looking building and priced right too !!
Does the child's riding horse operate? I think your new building is great.
jim sutter posted:Does the child's riding horse operate? I think you new building is great.
no, It doesn't
Certainly will look like it fits right in on a modern layout.
Very nice building, too late for the Christmas layout but maybe room on the permanent one! Jim, I think the horse operates if you have a really tiny quarter! LOL
Thanks Cabinet Bob,
I didn't think it did, but you never know with Menards. They come up with some pretty neat things.
RadioRon posted:Dave Ripp. posted:Nice for a modern era layout.
Can't help wondering why people copy the complete original post just to make a comment.
Dave, it's not to late; just go back to your post; and use the "edit" tab in the "take action" drop down menu in the lower right hand corner; i.e. the same drop down menu containing "reply with quote".
When can we order the strip mall?
Is it possible to receive before Christmas?
IMO, best building for my Christmas layout.
Excellent , very nice !
Modern guys should love it!!!! I can see two of them set in a L shape with new signs on one. There is a center just like that near me!!!
I love it. I think it will fit very nicely in an early 60's setting. Before there were malls there were shopping centers very similar to this one. The only thing I would change would be the signage from DOLLAR STORE to WESTERN AUTO. I'm ordering one now.
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TM Terry posted:When can we order the strip mall?
Is it possible to receive before Christmas?
IMO, best building for my Christmas layout.
Hi TM Terry,
The strip mall is available now on our website. Here's a link.
It should give the approximate arrival date when you pick a shipping option. I hope this helps!
Thank You!
Mark the Menards Train Guy
Just orderer strip mall for my Christmas layout.
Instead of Whirlpool, it should have a company with NO customers: Maytag Repairman.
There could be more room.
You will have to rotate everything around.
Looking good, just need to detail it now
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Dad, maybe surround it with some trees, and some box trucks pulled up in the back!LOL
Dominic Mazoch posted:Instead of Whirlpool, it should have a company with NO customers: Maytag Repairman.
I would have picked Alliance Laundry Systems AKA SPEED QUEEN, Based in Ripon, WI
Dad, the building looks good on the layout. But I agree with PLAY TRAINS. You have a real estate problem. All deliveries should be at the back. Getting back to what is important. Menards never ceases to amaze. This is one great building and nobody has made one yet. Kudos to Mark, Menards, the crew and dad...........Paul 2
So Cabinet Bob.., If your layout is in fact an all Menards layout, where did the auto loader ramp shown in your second photo come from? I haven't seen that on the Menards site yet. What are you hiding from us? Inquiring minds want to know.
This is a nice modern building. I hope that we will see more modern buildings...Family Dollar, Lowe's, Popeye's, McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc. I have seen most of these in HO scale. There is even a Walmart in HO scale.
Dave
luvindemtrains posted:There is even a Walmart in HO scale. Dave
Hmmm, a Walmart in O would take up most of the layout!
Dollar stores can be found in the less fortunate neighborhoods, a good fit for the skid row areas.
John Pignatelli JR. posted:Dollar stores can be found in the less fortunate neighborhoods, a good fit for the skid row areas.
Come on now! Dollar stores are middle class neighborhoods.
TM Terry, I agree, at least around my area in upstate NY, the dollar stores are in the suburbs! And very popular!
Looks good Mark.
Merry Christmas 
You would be hard pressed to drive 5 miles around S.E. Mi.without seeing a Dollar Store/Dollar General/etc. ...middle class penny pinchers by the score 😁
Dollar stores can be found in the less fortunate neighborhoods, a good fit for the skid row areas.
John, they're right, we were delighted to have a brand new Dollar Store as the centerpiece of downtown Paulden, AZ, and now we have an Ace Hardware too!
Took a pic of a Dollar Tree in a strip mall near me.
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TM Terry posted:John Pignatelli JR. posted:Dollar stores can be found in the less fortunate neighborhoods, a good fit for the skid row areas.
Come on now! Dollar stores are middle class neighborhoods.
Yeah no kidding.
There's a Dollar Tree near me, in the same center as a new SuperTarget. It's next to a Staples Office Supply, and there's even a Lowe's. We are far from a "less fortunate" neighborhood.
John Pignatelli JR. posted:Dollar stores can be found in the less fortunate neighborhoods, a good fit for the skid row areas.
To be fair, the man said "can" be found not "only" found. The statement is true. None the less the product would be another great addition to any modern era layout. I plan to get one. Thanks Menard's!
Dave
Menards posted:A Crossroad of Commerce: The O Scale Strip Mall Shopping Center. Shop Now>
Dimensions: 21”W x 5-3/4”D x 5-5/8”H
The basics: This is a fully assembled and decorated strip shopping center with five retail outlets ranging from food to appliance sales. The building has a 21- by 5-¾-inch footprint and the building is 5-5/8-inches tall. Stores have a color interior with ample interior and exterior lighting.
The front has a simulated concrete sidewalk with six support columns. Placed in front are 10 customer figures, a coin-operated riding horse, and Jack the German shepherd. The structure has a simulated tarpaper roof and four heating and air conditioning units decorating the topside.
The building is illuminated by 54 LEDs. This requires a Menards 4.5 volt power supply, Menards SKU# 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: Gone is the shopping mall; the day of the strip mall has begun.
The style of this great new building is purely modern. This is an architectural design that you’ll find all across the country.
The building packs in five shops that provide a good cross section of the retail trade. The Chicago Burger Co. satisfied your town folks’ need for a tasty burger. Next door is the Candy Shop where you can get your fix of M&Ms or chocolate-covered peanuts.
The anchor storefront is the Dollar Store. The familiar store will attract the harried shopper who needs a convenient place to get paper towels and laundry soap without needing to fight the crowds at the Mega Market!
The two remaining shops are a boon to homeowners: Klearvue Cabinets for that kitchen renovation on the books, and a Whirlpool appliance store for all the major appliances your citizenry needs.
Each shop has a color cardstock interior matching the theme of the business: Restaurant, candy, a mini market, kitchen counters, and rows of stoves and refrigerators.
The shops have clear windows with bracing and doorways. The front walkway is simulated concrete. Figures are placed in front of the shops: Five women, four men, one tyke, and Jack the German Shepherd going on a walk. A salute to shopping center nostalgia is a coin-operated horse ride.
The support columns are painted to match the structure’s tan decoration. The end and rear walls are smooth, so you can place multiple strip malls in a row for an impressive shopping experience. The roof has simulated tarpaper covering. You’ll find four heating and air conditioning units spaced evenly on the roof. Lighting for the storefront signage and the stores themselves is covered by more than 50 LEDs.
The shallow depth of the building gives you flexibility in placement on your layout, and the styling fits right in with modern Menards buildings such as Starbucks, Taco Bell, and the County Hotel by Menards.
The strip mall shopping center adds another level of depth realism and texture to your O gauge railroad.
____________________________________________________
In case you missed it, I've included today's train email below.
If you want to receive these special offers and new product announcements, click here!
____________________________________________________
Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy
What you really needed in there, was to eliminate one of the shops, and put lease available call 800-555-1000 or something like that.
rtraincollector posted:Menards posted:A Crossroad of Commerce: The O Scale Strip Mall Shopping Center. Shop Now>
Dimensions: 21”W x 5-3/4”D x 5-5/8”H
The basics: This is a fully assembled and decorated strip shopping center with five retail outlets ranging from food to appliance sales. The building has a 21- by 5-¾-inch footprint and the building is 5-5/8-inches tall. Stores have a color interior with ample interior and exterior lighting.
The front has a simulated concrete sidewalk with six support columns. Placed in front are 10 customer figures, a coin-operated riding horse, and Jack the German shepherd. The structure has a simulated tarpaper roof and four heating and air conditioning units decorating the topside.
The building is illuminated by 54 LEDs. This requires a Menards 4.5 volt power supply, Menards SKU# 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: Gone is the shopping mall; the day of the strip mall has begun.
The style of this great new building is purely modern. This is an architectural design that you’ll find all across the country.
The building packs in five shops that provide a good cross section of the retail trade. The Chicago Burger Co. satisfied your town folks’ need for a tasty burger. Next door is the Candy Shop where you can get your fix of M&Ms or chocolate-covered peanuts.
The anchor storefront is the Dollar Store. The familiar store will attract the harried shopper who needs a convenient place to get paper towels and laundry soap without needing to fight the crowds at the Mega Market!
The two remaining shops are a boon to homeowners: Klearvue Cabinets for that kitchen renovation on the books, and a Whirlpool appliance store for all the major appliances your citizenry needs.
Each shop has a color cardstock interior matching the theme of the business: Restaurant, candy, a mini market, kitchen counters, and rows of stoves and refrigerators.
The shops have clear windows with bracing and doorways. The front walkway is simulated concrete. Figures are placed in front of the shops: Five women, four men, one tyke, and Jack the German Shepherd going on a walk. A salute to shopping center nostalgia is a coin-operated horse ride.
The support columns are painted to match the structure’s tan decoration. The end and rear walls are smooth, so you can place multiple strip malls in a row for an impressive shopping experience. The roof has simulated tarpaper covering. You’ll find four heating and air conditioning units spaced evenly on the roof. Lighting for the storefront signage and the stores themselves is covered by more than 50 LEDs.
The shallow depth of the building gives you flexibility in placement on your layout, and the styling fits right in with modern Menards buildings such as Starbucks, Taco Bell, and the County Hotel by Menards.
The strip mall shopping center adds another level of depth realism and texture to your O gauge railroad.
____________________________________________________
In case you missed it, I've included today's train email below.
If you want to receive these special offers and new product announcements, click here!
____________________________________________________
Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train GuyWhat you really needed in there, was to eliminate one of the shops, and put lease available call 800-555-1000 or something like that.
I think the structure is wonderful as is, but perhaps providing the ability to change out store names and items might have been a nice touch.
Menards! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
It's as almost as my post from June 21st for modern retail buildings was answered
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...33#87732256113830933
Simply beautiful. I need to buy a couple and learn how to kitbash so that I can have them with different retailers.
Awesome! Another modern building!!! Menards , you guys continue to crush it! So many possibilities with this one for customization. I’m looking forward to see what you all do to modify your store fronts!!
I want to complement Menard's on a very prompt delivery, especially this time of year, of their O Scale Strip Mall. I ordered on-line Wednesday afternoon (the 11th) and it was at my door Monday evening (the 16th). It has upgraded my Christmas layout to Menardsville status.
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PeterA posted:Dollar stores can be found in the less fortunate neighborhoods, a good fit for the skid row areas.
John, they're right, we were delighted to have a brand new Dollar Store as the centerpiece of downtown Paulden, AZ, and now we have an Ace Hardware too!
My bad, I was thinking of the Dollar general stores in the Fredericksburg Va. area. An older woman was recently mugged by one in stafford. the neighborhood is a low income housing area. Skid row may have been a little harsh.
Although I have no more room on my layout, I think something like this was long overdue. If I may offer a suggestion, since many of us have 1940s-50s era layouts...offer a version with different signage. Perhaps a 5&10 in place of Dollar Store. It would be great if one was a Hobby Shop.
My observation concerning where you might find a Dollar-type store: Our town of Media, PA is in a area considered "high income". Within a 5 mile radius, there are 7 "Dollar Trees", and 8 "Dollar Stores".
I bought the mall and looks good on layout . And bought power house to go with it. Plus 2 bridges.I like Menards stuff
JerryG posted:Really nice. I'd definitely want one. However, it's about 3 years too late for me. As usual, no room for more.
Jerry
And about six years too late for me!
And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Alex
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Sounds like it's time to add on to the existing layout to me. LOL
Ingeniero No1 posted:JerryG posted:Really nice. I'd definitely want one. However, it's about 3 years too late for me. As usual, no room for more.
Jerry
And about six years too late for me!
And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Alex
Hey Alex. Definitely missed your posts. As you may recall, I got the idea from you, and couldn't have completed it without your help. Many thanks!
These are the latest pics, taken today. Because of space limitations, mine is up high. It can't compare to your craftsmanship. As you can see, there are a whole lotta workarounds. Cutting out the foam board behind those store fronts to add the interior lights, was a read project.
![20191227_082609[1]](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/114755612767717065/filePointer/121933556444407881/fodoid/121933556444407875/imageType/LARGE/inlineImage/true/20191227_082609%255B1%255D.jpg "20191227_082609[1]")
![20191227_082654[1]](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/114755612767717065/filePointer/121933556444407884/fodoid/121933556444407876/imageType/LARGE/inlineImage/true/20191227_082654%255B1%255D.jpg "20191227_082654[1]")
![20191227_082716[1]](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/114755612767717065/filePointer/121933556444407886/fodoid/121933556444407877/imageType/LARGE/inlineImage/true/20191227_082716%255B1%255D.jpg "20191227_082716[1]")
Regards,
Jerry
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![20191227_082609[1]](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/114755612767717065/filePointer/121933556444407881/fodoid/121933556444407875/imageType/LARGE/inlineImage/true/20191227_082609%5B1%5D.jpg "20191227_082609[1]")
![20191227_082654[1]](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/114755612767717065/filePointer/121933556444407884/fodoid/121933556444407876/imageType/LARGE/inlineImage/true/20191227_082654%5B1%5D.jpg "20191227_082654[1]")
![20191227_082716[1]](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/114755612767717065/filePointer/121933556444407886/fodoid/121933556444407877/imageType/LARGE/inlineImage/true/20191227_082716%5B1%5D.jpg "20191227_082716[1]")
Jerry,
Yes, now I remember. Yours looks just great - I really like your choice of backdrop. Do you plan to display those nice pinups; perhaps as billboards?
Thanks!
Alex
Thanks, Alex.
No, the ladies are most of my favorite movie stars. They're there to fill up a rather large space under the mall. I've tried to add favorites to tunnel entrances and empty spaces, sometimes to hide wires. Here are a few....
This last one of the theater covers the back of a large wooden box that holds one of the rec room speakers.
IMO, this works for a toy train layout. The people like them, but, the only one who needs to like them is me, haha.
Jerry
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Joe Hohmann posted:My observation concerning where you might find a Dollar-type store: Our town of Media, PA is in a area considered "high income". Within a 5 mile radius, there are 7 "Dollar Trees", and 8 "Dollar Stores".
How many Dollar Generals Joe. They had a story on the local Fox news how a bunch of folks do not care to see them in their hood.
Me thinks that a handy person could animate the "bouncy horse" out front!
Surgically remove the horse, set aside, drill a hole under the horse location for a spindle attached to a motor. You could have the horse move up and down. ....or slowly spin. If it were me, I'd switch the horse for a Godzilla figure and fashion a smoke unit to spew smoke out of its' mouth...
