New stake trucks from Menards

The new 1956 stake trucks from Menards will add a touch of realism when you are 'night running' your trains.

Just rolling into Classic Toy Trains are the new staked delivery trucks from Menards. The latest addition to the Plug & Play line are nicely detailed trucks in a 1950s design that fits in with any railroad modeling the late 1940s to the early 1960s.

Where most previous Menards trucks have been a mix of plastic and die-cast metal, these are crafted with plastic. This allows greater detailing such as wood texture in the stakes, side grills, hand grabs, and simulated rooftop running lights.

The paint schemes are well applied to the models. I especially liked the Pennsylvania and Railway Express designs. The Santa Fe paint scheme even includes a hood-top Santa Fe logo. 

The headlights and brake lights look great and will provide bright spot illumination to your layout when you are running in dim lighting. The rear tailgate can be lowered, and the deck is painted brown and has wood texture. You can load quite a few odd boxes and crates for delivery. And don't forget, these could easily be integrated into a trackside track maintenance scene.

Six liveries are available: The nos. 279-4601 1956 Menard Cashway Lumber stake truck, the 279-4602 1956 Better Sash & Door stake truck, the 279-4603 1956 Pennsylvania RR stake truck, the 279-4604 1956 Santa Fe stake Truck, the 279-4605 1956 Chicago & North Western stake truck, and the nos. 279-4606 1956 Railway Express Agency stake Truck. 

The trucks cost $29.99 each plus shipping. 

Lighting requires a Menards 4.5 volt power supply, Menards SKU 279-4061, 279-4062, or 279-4050 sold separately.

Also available is the no. 279-4681 9-Piece Plug & Play Accessory Pack to illuminate several vehicles or buildings with a single power supply. The 9-Piece Pack includes one four-way line splitter, one 5-inch, one 4-inch, and one three-inch extension section. The three Y-splitters can power up to six vehicles.

Have some old buildings with no lights? The set also includes two four-inch LED tape lights that can provide additional interior lighting wherever you need it. The accessory pack costs $19.99.

Order online at www.Menards.com/Trains. Live in Menards Country? Select free shipping to your local Menards.

Arguably the most popular livery in model railroading is the Santa Fe, and Menards adds a striking red paint scheme with Santa Fe graphics.

The gentle curves of the truck evoke memories of the steam-to-diesel transition era and the Santa Fe logo proudly proclaims who own this vehicle!

The cabs feature silver painted grabs, door handles, and vents. The rooftop has five simulated running lights.

The Railway Express Agency trucks is at the ready to deliver fragile loads!

Did you buy the Better Sash factory? You can now add a delivery truck in a paint scheme that matches the building. In the back is the Menard Cashways Lumber stake truck. Cashway Lumber was the earliest iteration of Menards as a cash-only retailer.

The Menard Cashway Lumber truck has a clean white body with add-on Menard graphics.

Vetter Sash Co., Menard, and Railway Express trucks are ready to roll by night!

Looking down on the cab, note the range of color and texture.

Though it is probably safe to bet this Pennsy paint scheme isn't prototypical, I could see this backed up the the diner of the Broadway Limited, unloading provisions for the cooks!