For the most part I like this line of structures. The level of detail as well as the packaging is so similar to the Woodland Scenics line of prebuilt structures that I have wondered if the same company is producing both. I do have one gripe about them. I wish they would exclude the sidewalks or the perimeter landscaping around these structures as they are not the least bit helpful. Most modelers are going to have their own type of sidewalk system and these attached sidewalks are not going to blend in well with them. It's a pain to have to cut these things off the building, especially since there are some details attached to them. Ditto for the grass strips around some of their structures. They aren't going to blend well with what the modeler is using to simulate grass so why bother. Unlike the structures themselves which are very well done, these perimeters do not look good at all. If the company feels it needs to include these, make them seperate attachments so the modeler can either use them or not at his discretion.
I see potential in a few of the Menards structures. I can't use any of them straight out of the box, but then, I doubt they are being made with me as the target consumer.
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-Kevin
Living the dream.
I got the hobby store model and it looks good. I totally agree about the scenery and sidewalks being added to the base, they need to leave that off. I haven't tried to get mine off yet, but it doesn't look too easy.
Pre-built structures aren't for me, either, but I'm sure they've done their market research and identified their target market.
I have fun building structures. 4 walls and a roof takes me a month at least, because I want to add illumination, at least a simple interior, signs, details and weathering. Starting with a pre-built means a lot of extra work to take it apart for painting and preparation.
I wish Menards well. Any time there are more products available, it's going to benefit the hobby. I realize that my concentration on structures and scenery isn't everyone's cup of tea, or iced mug of beer, so I'm happy if someone else is happy.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have some of them I use with my Lionels. Since my "scenery" for the Lionels is green indoor/outdoor carpet, these work well.
I suspect there a lot of folks who do HO like my Lionel layout. So for them, these would work quite well.
RTR is the present and future of model railroading. I expect it will continue to grow.
Paul
I don't think Menards buildings are aimed at most of the modelers that frequent this forum. More for plug-n-play RTR group. I have been using pre-built buildings more and more the last 2-3 years because of the arthritis in my hands. Having the small details already installed is a big plus for me. And it's not that difficult to incorporate the sidewalks with a little paint and some imagination. IMHO
MisterBeasley Pre-built structures aren't for me, either, but I'm sure they've done their market research and identified their target market. I have fun building structures. 4 walls and a roof takes me a month at least, because I want to add illumination, at least a simple interior, signs, details and weathering. Starting with a pre-built means a lot of extra work to take it apart for painting and preparation. I wish Menards well. Any time there are more products available, it's going to benefit the hobby. I realize that my concentration on structures and scenery isn't everyone's cup of tea, or iced mug of beer, so I'm happy if someone else is happy.
I use both pre-built and kit-built structures on my layout. Having a large layout, pre-builts save time but I have to balance that against the budget which is why I also use kit-builts. I don't have the time to use all kit-built structures and don't have the money to use all pre-built. WS offers some structures in both kit and pre-built form and the pre-builts are almost double the cost. I do very little kit bashing although I might make a slight modification to a kit. I never paint the pre-builts although some need some weathering to look right. The stuff being produced lately by Woodland Scenics is outstanding right out of the box and and needs no weathering or detailing.
NYBW-John...I agree 100%. To me it's a "situation dictates". I use kits and pre-builts to fit the my theme. I'm building my final layout and at my age I want to get it done before the bucket is no longer standing.
willy6 NYBW-John...I agree 100%. To me it's a "situation dictates". I use kits and pre-builts to fit the my theme. I'm building my final layout and at my age I want to get it done before the bucket is no longer standing.
I hear you. I'm in the home stretch of the layout. As for that other finish line, I'm not sure where that one is, so I want to make sure I get this last layout done before I reach it.
I don't really like these buildings. They look fake and unrealistic, but I like the Red Owl store.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
With the closest Menards hundreds of miles away, I have not seen any of their buildings in person. After seeing photos in on line reviews, the workmanship is not great and many of them are very toy like. I'm not surprised since their line was initially offered in "O", where the majority use Lionel. They continue to offer new structure, so obviously the are selling, just not to me.
angelob6660 I don't really like these buildings. They look fake and unrealistic, but I like the Red Owl store.
A lot of HO structures looks fake because the majority is to small for rail service but,there's nothing new there its been a on going issue for as long as I care to remember due to our limited space.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
slammin With the closest Menards hundreds of miles away, I have not seen any of their buildings in person. After seeing photos in on line reviews, the workmanship is not great and many of them are very toy like. I'm not surprised since their line was initially offered in "O", where the majority use Lionel. They continue to offer new structure, so obviously the are selling, just not to me.
I can't say I've seen the entire line but the two I've purchased, the hobby shop and the two story house are the equal of Woodland Scenics prebuilt IMHO. I wouldn't call them toylike. In addition to my initial gripe about the attached sidewalks and landscape border, the hobby shops has a plug on the side of the building I assume for lighting the structure. Why not just run the wires out the bottom of the building and let the modeler hook it up as he sees fit. It's just one more thing that needs to be hidden.
I have two of their lighted buildings in HO scale; Morton Salt and American Power & Light. While they may seem toy-like, for some they do the job. Also, when you add other things to the surrounding area, you create a scene, don't you? Both models have plug-ins or a switch, I just hide them with crates. I drilled a hole in the bottom of my layout and ran the power plug to them. I didn't buy their power supply, just too expenisve. I had old cordless phone wall warts lying around, and they work just fine. I don't keep them lighted all the time, only when people come over who havent seen the layout yet.
Both models have tracks on the side and in to them, so they make a nice switching job on my layout...
Neal
They are way ahead of Plasticville and most other plastic RTR structures. In many respects they are pretty close to Woodland Scenics. A well built/finished craftsman is probably better, but of course they cost more in money and time. Like most of O scale RTR structures they tend to be undersized.