Thoughts on New Menards Tubular Track

[JTrains]

There have been a couple of threads talking about the various cars and buildings Menards is offering this Christmas, so I thought I would start one about the tubular O gauge track they are now manufacturing. 

 

As a quick setup: I went to two local Menards stores in the Chicago suburbs over the past few days – buying about 8 pieces each of straight (retailing for $1.99) and curved (retailing for $2.99) sections.  Each store had one box (perhaps 30 pieces to a box) of each.  Some pieces had been bought from each box at both stores, but not a lot.  I wanted to add a few straight pieces to my layout anyway, so I hooked those into my basement floor layout and have been running with them for about a week.  My observations are as follows:

 

• The straight track seems to be of the same thickness and strength of metal as Lionel’s current tubular track.  Although I don’t have a micrometer to verify this, it seems to me that they are made of equivalent sheet metal.  The curved pieces seemed to be similarly manufactured– however, in the store I had to sort through some curve pieces that were a bit “loose” in their ties.
• The width of the splayed section at the bottom of each rail is a tad wider than Lionel track.  This has the unfortunate side effect of making the “outside of outside rail to inside of middle rail” distance too wide to accept LockOns – they just won’t engage and immediately pop off, even with a bit of finagling and bending of the LockOn’s middle rail clip.
• The surface of the track is significantly rougher than Lionel track.  It was true of every piece and at both stores.  Even compared to some of my old track that’s been banging around loose in boxes since the Truman administration, the rails have more little scratches and imperfections in them.  They’re certainly not big enough to catch on anything and from observation don’t seem to generate any more sparking with collectors than my old track, but over time I imagine they’ll attract dirt and grime more easily.

 

Given the above, I decided to return the curved sections (which I hadn’t yet used) and keep the straights – but I don’t think I’ll be buying any more of this run.  Compared to new Lionel track, the price differential on the curves isn’t that much – and on the straights, it’s not enough to make me want to add more to my layout to save a few dollars.

 

I sincerely applaud Menards on their getting into the market – but I’ll be more interested next year if they can make a few tweaks to their manufacturing process.  What do others think?

[BARailroad]

I just ordered a circle of 0-36, so I can't comment on its quality.  I'm pleased that Menards has stepped in to offer some new O gauge track.

[ADCX Rob]

JTrains

... Compared to new Lionel track, the price differential on the curves isn’t that much – and on the straights, it’s not enough to make me want to add more to my layout to save a few dollars.

As it is questionable as to whether Lionel is in or out of the "O" track business(they seem to waffle on this - "no more", "limited supply", and then "order all you want", Menards is becoming a big player in the market now.

[KRM]

We use O27 profile track so it don’t matter at this point to us but I will look at it next time I got to Manards. My understanding is that Lionel is or has stopped producing tubular track so I do hope they get it right.
It would be nice to see Menards build display layouts for their stores with only the products they offer. That would be a great sales pitch. I like most of what I have got from them but the $7.99 flat cars couplers.

[JTrains]

ADCX Rob

As Lionel is out of the "O" track business, Menards is the big player in the market now.

I thought that they are just out of the continuous production of O tubular - but will produce again when the existing stock in their channels are depleted. Even if another foot of O tubular is never produced, there's ceraintly enough lying around the US to keep us stocked until at least 2030...

[JTrains]

BARailroad

I just ordered a circle of 0-36, so I can't comment on its quality.  I'm pleased that Menards has stepped in to offer some new O gauge track.

I thought they were only making 0-31 curves?

[JTrains]

KRM

It would be nice to see Menards build display layouts for their stores with only the products they offer. 

That would be awesome - as this stuff is buried in their toys section, occupying only about 6' of shelf space.  A layout in each store would not only be way cool - but would probably move a ton of product.

[ADCX Rob]

JTrains

I thought they were only making 0-31 curves?

O-31, O-36, O-42, O-54, O-72 & O-96 curves, as well as 10" & 30" straights, all HERE.

[JTrains]

ADCX Rob

 

 

JTrains

I thought they were only making 0-31 curves?

 

 

O-31, O-36, O-42, O-54, O-72 & O-96 curves, as well as 10" & 30" straights, all HERE.

Holy shnikes! I searched for "trains" a couple of weeks ago and followed the "O Gauge Train Stuff" link - but apparently there are different things listed if you follow the "O Gauge Train Stuff from Menards" link. Huh.

[emdmike]

Last word I got was Lionel was completely done with tubular track as they feel most buyers prefer the new Fastrack.  Menards stepping in is a nice sign.  Loose ties wouldn't be an issue for me as I have a pair of proper tubular track plyers to recrimp them.  These should be in every tubular track modelers tool box IMHO.  They can reshape the end of rails, crimp loose rail pins tight and recrimp the ties if they become loose.   I do not think we will have an issue of running out of track.  One LHS in Indianapolis acutualy scrapped a huge box of old Lionel O and O27 track that had sat on the shelf for years with no interest in it.  I have about cleaned him out of postwar Lionel O31 that was in nice shape in the last couple weeks.  He has loads of 0-27 track in great shape and a bunch of boxed American Flyer from a collection. Mike

[BigAl 956]

It's a bit confusing to customers as they no longer sell FasTrack to match the starter sets they are selling. There is still gazillions of used track out there but it begs to differe why by used if you can get a case of new from Menards for about the same price?

As for Fastrack, it has 2 chief drawbacks,

• Its expensive
• and noisy

For a starter layout sure but a semi permanent layout with switches? Big problem.

Back to Menards, they sell starter sets they should have supporting fastrack. Problem is they do not have the employees to support it but thats what the internet is for.

[ADCX Rob]

BigAl 956

It's a bit confusing to customers as they(Menards) no longer sell FasTrack to match the starter sets they are selling...

I think you will see more FasTrack at Menards - they had an incredible price on it last Christmas(enough of a deal to actually be able to resell it on eBay and make a nice profit). I will admit, their timing seemed to be off on when they had it.

[Penny Trains]

I posted this originaly on  Wednesday, May 21, 2014 8:59 PM:

My LHS (Parma Hobby) May newsletter says:

"As you all know, Lionel introduced the FasTrack several years ago.  They kept the tubular track, both O-27 and O-31, but the demand for this type of track has been decreasing.  Distributors and hobby shops received this note from Lionel in mid-April:

Tubular track will remain in the catalog and Lionel is estimating a 3 year supply.  While we plan to have the track in stock for several years, we are encouraging customers to order soon, as the primary focus going forward will be on FasTrack.  Lionel introduced it's tubular three-rail track in 1906.  After more than 100 years, it's time for a more modern track system to take the lead.

The current Lionel catalogs show the tubular track with "Limited Quantities" notation."

http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/229838.aspx

 

Becky

[phrankenstign]

I went to that link, and I saw the track Menards has for sale.  Curiously, I didn't see any lockon-type of power connector for sale.  Do they make any?  If not, then it is a silly oversight to design a track that won't accept Lionel's lockons.  The only thing I can think of in their defense is customers can always buy as many Lionel straight or curve tracks with each Lionel lockon as they need to power their own layouts in addition to whatever Menards track they buy.

I also noticed there didn't appear to be any O27 track.  It all appeared to be O track only.  Is that how it is, or do they only sell O27 track in stores---not online?

[ADCX Rob]

There is no reason Lionel Lockons will not work with this track... it may take a little crimping adjustment to the rail web base. Marx Lockons will certainly work, Lionel UTC Lockons too.

Only "O" at this time - everybody knows 'it's "O" Gauge or No Gauge"...'

[BARailroad]

Menards could easily offer a lockon if they feel there is a demand for one.  Unless you're running a temporary layout, you probably won't use them.

[BigAl 956]

The Menards by me had a stock of FasTrack straight 4-packs marked down for 3+ years before they finally dissapeared. I wound up purchasing 4 paks before I finally fugured out I was not going to use Fastrack in the future. O is what I will stay with.

Menards has not caried any more FasTrack in stores or on the web since. So if you buy a starter set you are out of luck, at Menards anyway. As for lockons, almost never use em. If you are going to apply power with a lockon youre probably better off using FasTrack which is intended as newby track anyway.

Honestly, I do not know the motivation behind them selling tube track, but for whatever the reasons, the tube track supply at my store is almost gone, sold out in 3 weeks what took 3 years with FT.

[ADCX Rob]

BigAl 956

The Menards by me had a stock of FasTrack straight 4-packs marked down for 3+ years before they finally dissapeared.

They had the best online price anywhere last year.

[tinplatacis]

I don't get why Lionel stopped making it to begin with. I mean, I don't know any of the mernards, having always used PW 027, but surely there was still demand for tubular track?!? Mebe the fact that we all began using used track created all of this...

[JTrains]

BigAl 956

As for lockons, almost never use em. If you are going to apply power with a lockon youre probably better off using FasTrack which is intended as newby track anyway.

I would agree for those with permanent layouts.  But, in my case, my layout isn't permanent and so I don't solder things to sections of track as those sections are going to move frequently.  Mostly use them for accessory ground returns to simplify wiring.

It interesting that neither I, my father, or my grandfather have ever had a mounted layout.  It's always been on the floor - meant to be ephemeral, enjoyed for a time, and then put back into storage until the mood strikes again & the process repeats.  That's where I find the fun.  Perhaps am I minority in this hobby, but I must admit I've never had a real urge to truly "model" a train with much scenery and attention to detail.

[ADCX Rob]

emdmike

Last word I got was Lionel was completely done with tubular track...

That was the word until this week, Lionel is back in the tubular track business and will be cataloging it again.

[KRM]

ADCX Rob

 

 

emdmike

Last word I got was Lionel was completely done with tubular track...

 

 

That was the word until this week, Lionel is back in the tubular track business and will be cataloging it again.

 

 

 

[JTrains]

ADCX Rob

 

 

emdmike

Last word I got was Lionel was completely done with tubular track...

 

 

That was the word until this week, Lionel is back in the tubular track business and will be cataloging it again.

Is there a source?

[rtraincollector]

BigAl 956

The Menards by me had a stock of FasTrack straight 4-packs marked down for 3+ years before they finally dissapeared. I wound up purchasing 4 paks before I finally fugured out I was not going to use Fastrack in the future. O is what I will stay with.

 

Al fastrack makes great track for shelves to display your trains on.

[ADCX Rob]

JTrains

ADCX Rob 

emdmike

Last word I got was Lionel was completely done with tubular track...

That was the word until this week, Lionel is back in the tubular track business and will be cataloging it again.

 

Is there a source?

Yes, Charlie at 516-378-9594.  He says the switches and track got the go ahead early this year, the switches will be in the new Track & Power catalog and are already in stock but not in the system yet for distribution at this time... but will be soon.

[JTrains]

Another consideration for those of us with temporary layouts: the ties on the Menards track are farther away from the end, so they don't accept track clips without wrangling the ties back closer to the next section of track.

[BigAl 956]

rtraincollector

Al, fastrack makes great track for shelves to display your trains on.

A very expensive track to use for display indeed. 

[ADCX Rob]

BigAl 956

It's a bit confusing to customers as they no longer sell FasTrack to match the starter sets they are selling...

...Back to Menards, they sell starter sets they should have supporting fastrack.

As I predicted, check HERE, Menards now has FasTrack back in stock, similar timing as last year... 3.75 per section(cheaper than eBay).

[JTrains]

One other little update: one of my straight sections developed a short in it. Apparently one of the insulators for the center rail of one of the ties was just barely wrapped around one side of the rail, and under the right train or track forces would make contact.  Took a while to narrow it down to that one piece. Don't think I've ever had that happen with Lionel track. YMMV.

[joe323]

Actually I was thinking of ordering some of the long Menard's track for displaying the trains that only operate in December.