If you're in an area with Menards hardware stores, most stores carry a variety of their O scale selection, usually most of the buildings and some of the freight cars and accessoreis. I imaging all will stock around the holidays, I've only been to one recently that didn't carry anything.
If you buy these cars on Menards website and have them shipped to your home, they charge a "processing fee" plus shipping. If you buy one car it will be about $30. You can get new or like new Lionel cars on ebay for less than that, shipping included, and have better quality. Also, Menards charges a 25% restocking fee on returns. (Note: some unscrupulous sellers on ebay are flipping $20 Menards cars for up to $40 plus shipping! Some sellers call these cars "unbranded")
The coal load is held on my pegs which can be removed. The hopper tops are held on the same way so if you want, you can convert your grain hopper to coal or the other way around.
One hour ago I was able to get my Lionel Santa Fe 159 diesel and passenger cars ( including baggage and dome car add on set) on the track ..... just put in an order for Menards box cars ( Southern Pacific maroon and Rio Grande ) ...those two will go behind me Lionel Santa Fe 2 4 2 steam , along with Menards Santa Fe Grand Canyon , Union Pacific and Railway Express Agency boxcars to form my western consist .... trailed by a Lionel porthole Santa Fe caboose in brown paint job ..... thanks for the videos and for showing me the Menards line a few months ago ..... and remember ....Menards gives you freebies when you order .... a great reason to shop with them 🙂 👍 🇺🇸
I got three of those hoppers plus the Shell station and some other goodies in the Menards surprise carton they offered not long after Christmas. The coal loads and the tops of the covered hoppers are removable (with a bit of careful work) and can be interchanged. Pretty neat. Neat too that the hatches on the covered hopper operate.
Nice review, enjoyed the background music. Those are hard to beat for the price. The KCS hopper looks great, and the flashing lights on the caboose are pretty cool.
I never thought you'd make a video on Menards o Gauge stuff, the stuff is actually pretty cool. What I like about them is the wheels, they are butter smooth on my tracks.
apparently, that person was never in they boy scouts and isn't in the model train hobby. Don't feed the dumb trolls! They're just bored and scared of everything around them, knives, cats, yes people too.
I have probably 15-20 Menards cars but they sit on my wall display until my new layout is running. And guess what, since I wanted 36” curves I’m buying Menards track since it’s a hassle to connect tubular 027 to tubular O. I have boxes of 027 track and maybe I’ll sell some of it. I’m excited that Menards is selling 2 packs of ore cars for just $30. I’m hoping for DM&IR versions to hit the shelves. For their size you have to pay an arm and a leg for O scale 3 rail ore cars painted DM&IR.
Did they fix the issue all their hopper have of the trucks hitting the steps at the end of the cars? It’s only an issue on tighter curves. The issue is well documented on a few of the forums. I had to return the hopper from their first run and one I got from the second batch. My dad had to return a few as well, all seemed to have the issue.
Good for you , give those malcontents help over that knife remark .Are the wheels plastic or metal ?I would like to see a review of O gauge small autos and trucks for street layouts .
God bless Menard's for refilling the notch left vacant by traditional O gauge companies. They are the later day Weaver and Williams. Now, if only they would produce some S gauge stuff. It's time to cross back over to O gauge!
I have had to tune trucks on my more detailed and expensive cars as some come tight from the manufacturer so a little tuning here and there on these isn’t even a problem. I didn’t know the hatches worked on the covered hoppers need to pick up a couple
You royally missed the boat here, Eric. I know you like Chessie the cat and the Yellow Coal hoppers with HIM from C&O from Manards, you did not order them for the same price at $20.00 each to complete that contest! I like to see your cat as as part of all your videos. Edmond953
From what you have shown, all your hoppers have metal trucks that run smooth. I just bought 12 hoppers that have plastic trucks and the wheels don't spin that freely. Plus they short out on my O-27 switches. Any shorting issues on your end?
They do come out you just have to get your fingers wedged between it and pull it. You can also pull the top off of the covered Hopper and switch it with Cole
Hey Eric! just made my very first order from Menards, now I'm gonna head on over to Legacy Station's web site. I'm tired of buying stuff off of ebay that is is either not working or missing to many parts.
Excellent product review as always. I only have one Menard's Boxcar that I won at our club's Christmas party and very happy with the quality and detail! I don't think you can beat the value of Menard's O gauge accessories and rolling stock. I do like the fact that have unique identification numbers on the car sides and you can order multiple car packs as well to take advantage of some bundling. There is so much potential for their flats without loads and again the price is unbeatable for what you get. Sure it's not the most detailed, but for big and small hands it's great. Makes me wish they would open some stores near by or inspire Lowes and Home Depot to have some "toys" like this during the holiday season.
Duncan Black anything can be APPEALING to kids. That means a kid likes it. But that in no way means the content is DIRECTED for kids. For example, my nephews are in love with dead pool. They like dead pool, but that doesn’t mean that dead pool is directed at them. It would be a very bad idea to show them the movie.
I’ve had to snip off the side ladder stirrup on a few of my Menards covered hoppers to get the truck to turn freely. Other than that I have absolutely no problems with my Menards cars and I have a very switch happy layout!
Love trains! I’ve had issues with Menards rolling stock. I don’t purchase there brand anymore. I miss Williams model trains, before Bachman purchased them. My dad gave me an ‘Ol Timer knife for my 13th birthday. I carried it in my pocket all through school. Oh the good old days back in the 70’s 80’s.
Excellent video. I have Menards cars of other types, and they are excellent values. BTW, you might consider a video segment on the type of "tweaking" you do on the trucks/bogies/wheelsets. I have one car that has those issues, and I haven't bothered to return it for a replacement...I'd rather fix it myself. ALSO, I have a modest knife collection, including my childhood "Mumbledy-peg knife", and I enjoy seeing yours.
Just received 8 box cars and 3 tank cars for father's day from my wife. they all came from Menards. I also have a farm house, barn /silo. All excellent products for the $
