richhotrain JEREMY CENTANNI It appears most of you haven't checked out how much they have available in O scale yet. I also never said a word about the prefab buildings other than they are following the same pattern as they did in O scale. I don't care for buildings pre assembled at all. Menards does not manufacture its own products. Does anyone know who produces these HO scale structures? Rich
JEREMY CENTANNI It appears most of you haven't checked out how much they have available in O scale yet. I also never said a word about the prefab buildings other than they are following the same pattern as they did in O scale. I don't care for buildings pre assembled at all.
It appears most of you haven't checked out how much they have available in O scale yet.
I also never said a word about the prefab buildings other than they are following the same pattern as they did in O scale.
I don't care for buildings pre assembled at all.
Menards does not manufacture its own products. Does anyone know who produces these HO scale structures?
Rich
You can bet they are just recycled Lionel, K Line, or some other existing tooling. Might be Bachmann making Williams stuff and branding it for them.
Sheldon
I can't see how Menard's, or anybody else, will be capable of making a highly detailed product yet undercut the competition by much money. A highly detailed product is usually very labor intensive, so maybe their supplier opens a factory in Vietnam to undercut Chinese labor or menard's gets a great deal on shipping since they could concevably combine it with their big box business.
The reality is that if a product is going to significantly under cut the price of another...and not just one competitor but undercut about 5 competitors, chances are Mendards will be offering less of a product...measured in one way or another.
- Douglas
Menards is a arge big-box chain of building supplies. The will sell you all of the parts you need to build any sort of a 1:1 scale house.
They are a big company, and they are not going to bomb.
They have a line of model railroad products under thier own name and these look to me to be well made, some what high end on the credit card, but what do I know about money, I entered the Monastery when hot dogs were still 25c.
It looks to me like Mr. Mennard (There is such a person) is a model railroader and thought this would make an intersting side line.
No serious modeler would go into Menards looking for model trains. But the average Joe Shopper will indeed see these when he is buing christmas gifts and be totally inspired to buy them as a gift or for himslef.
It introduces a new market to the world of model railroading, and that is not bad at all.
The buildings are nicely done, and alll pre lit, but none of them would make a great addition to my subway layout.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
To complete a village with Menard's structures, you need one addition - the mad scientist's house where the cloning machine is that makes the dog that appears as a figure on like every single one of them.
"Whimsical" about sums it up, and while my model railroad may not be a rivet counter's dream, it IS a lot more realistic than those buildings, and unless they produce rolling stock that is more to scale and has some resemblence to an actual prototype, I certainly wouldn't be buying any.
My limit of whimsy comes from naming some businesses after family, although even then it's sort of cheating since in at least one case the structure kit ALREADY was named for my Uncle. And is similar enough to others in his home town that it's not out of place. Frankly, I'd have to point it out to non-family. There may or may not be an overabundance of a certain breed of dog scattered across my layout when I get done, but they won't all be carbon copies of the same figure. Problem is I will probably have to have them made because there are no commercial ones available.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Seems folks don't like their buildings. But to the op's point, does anyone have any experience with their O scale rolling stock? that may be an indication, good or bad, of the prospects for their HO rolling stock.
JEREMY CENTANNI richhotrain JEREMY CENTANNI Some of the comments here have come off as sounding elitist about who is in what market. You mean like pontificating from a high dudgeon? Hardly, some people just don't like honesty. ...
richhotrain JEREMY CENTANNI Some of the comments here have come off as sounding elitist about who is in what market. You mean like pontificating from a high dudgeon?
JEREMY CENTANNI Some of the comments here have come off as sounding elitist about who is in what market.
Some of the comments here have come off as sounding elitist about who is in what market.
You mean like pontificating from a high dudgeon?
Hardly, some people just don't like honesty.
...
Oh, so WE'RE the ones who are all out of step. We just needed you to tell us.
M'kkaaayyy....thanks for that.
Well, every hobby has those who style themselves as superior in intention to others in it. To each their own, I'm not defined by what I will or won't buy, preferring to welcome all, instead of looking down my nose at others, and to define myself by what I do.
People often decry the lack of access the public has to our hobby. I think Menards is doing us all a service by selling the lines of model RR items. I've watched this develop over the last 5 years or so, first with the O stuff that I didn't need but which made some old-fashioned fun available to entice a new generation into fascination with the hobby and trains in general.
Then they started with HO scale offerings a year or so back. The first couple of buildings were quaint, but they've paid attention and improved things considerably. YMMV.
Dave has a good point here:
hon30critterIf Menards gets people started because of attractive pricing that will be a good thing IMHO. Look at how well the President's Choice train sets sold in Canada. They must have sold well if a major grocery company was giving them that much shelf space and doing it year after year
Indeed, the American P&L sold out relatively quickly, as was discussed in a thread here earlier. They have a nice group of affordable diecast vehicles in HO that are similarly selling well. Whether some folks here will or won't buy them, people are and I agree with what Lion sez:
BroadwayLionIt introduces a new market to the world of model railroading, and that is not bad at all.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Those buildings are priced way too high for "starter stuff," especially with Model Power and some of the other building kits still out there.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
Bayfield Transfer Railway Those buildings are priced way too high for "starter stuff," especially with Model Power and some of the other building kits still out there.
No they are not at all over priced for a starter set. hey look good, they are fully built, and people starting a railroad these days (other than a kid) likely has enough money to go with this.
If a kid already has a layout, Uncle Bob would say "Hey let me get this for..."
mlehmanThey have a nice group of affordable diecast vehicles in HO that are similarly selling well.
Go back to their web site, enter trains in the search box at the top, and when that opens, look on the left side, where you can search by catagory, select diecast.
Most of it is 1/50, or 1/43, close enough for O scale, but in the mix, (3 pages) they have HO scale also.
Mike.
My You Tube
mlehman Well, every hobby has those who style themselves as superior in intention to others in it. To each their own, I'm not defined by what I will or won't buy, preferring to welcome all, instead of looking down my nose at others, and to define myself by what I do. People often decry the lack of access the public has to our hobby. I think Menards is doing us all a service by selling the lines of model RR items. I've watched this develop over the last 5 years or so, first with the O stuff that I didn't need but which made some old-fashioned fun available to entice a new generation into fascination with the hobby and trains in general. Then they started with HO scale offerings a year or so back. The first couple of buildings were quaint, but they've paid attention and improved things considerably. YMMV. Dave has a good point here: hon30critter If Menards gets people started because of attractive pricing that will be a good thing IMHO. Look at how well the President's Choice train sets sold in Canada. They must have sold well if a major grocery company was giving them that much shelf space and doing it year after year Indeed, the American P&L sold out relatively quickly, as was discussed in a thread here earlier. They have a nice group of affordable diecast vehicles in HO that are similarly selling well. Whether some folks here will or won't buy them, people are and I agree with what Lion sez: BroadwayLion It introduces a new market to the world of model railroading, and that is not bad at all.
hon30critter If Menards gets people started because of attractive pricing that will be a good thing IMHO. Look at how well the President's Choice train sets sold in Canada. They must have sold well if a major grocery company was giving them that much shelf space and doing it year after year
BroadwayLion It introduces a new market to the world of model railroading, and that is not bad at all.
And again, not everybody has Menards, and not everybody will buy such a product sight unseen from a web site photo.......
ATLANTIC CENTRALAnd again, not everybody has Menards, and not everybody will buy such a product sight unseen from a web site photo.......
Last month's train show I was at in Chantilly, VA, there were some dealers with Menards O freight cars. I don't know if it's a sign of anything in the future or not.
Paul
mbinsewiGo back to their web site, enter trains in the search box at the top, and when that opens, look on the left side, where you can search by catagory, select diecast. Most of it is 1/50, or 1/43, close enough for O scale, but in the mix, (3 pages) they have HO scale also.
selector JEREMY CENTANNI richhotrain JEREMY CENTANNI Some of the comments here have come off as sounding elitist about who is in what market. You mean like pontificating from a high dudgeon? Hardly, some people just don't like honesty. ... Oh, so WE'RE the ones who are all out of step. We just needed you to tell us. M'kkaaayyy....thanks for that.
No, but people sure make it seem that way...... I know lots of folks who don't visit here for the same reason.
Instead of picking personal gripes, contribute to the thread.
I think my thoughts on the initial post are accurate and time will tell us all the answer. I like seeing alternatives.
Some of us love the Accurail, Bowser, Trainman kits that are fun to build and look good. Nothing wrong with it. Same goes for the $40-50 cars, they sure look good, but I can't justify $200 locos along with $45 cars.
For the guy disappointed in not having cheap intermodal cars and containers, it will probably happen at some point. If you check out all their O scale offerings and if they do indeed move to HO rolling stock I would expect it to be simliar. Have some faith.
JEREMY CENTANNI Menards drops the bomb on them? I can see 5 pack stack cars with containers going for what they sell us 3 packs for? Affordable 6, 10, 12 or 24 packs of cars???? Containers that aren't $10 plus a piece?? I'm curious to see what happens, since they are going on the same path they did for O scale stuff. Me? I'm going to sit back, crack a Pepsi open and laugh.
Menards drops the bomb on them?
I can see 5 pack stack cars with containers going for what they sell us 3 packs for? Affordable 6, 10, 12 or 24 packs of cars???? Containers that aren't $10 plus a piece??
I'm curious to see what happens, since they are going on the same path they did for O scale stuff. Me? I'm going to sit back, crack a Pepsi open and laugh.
OK, Menards is selling some HO stuff made by third party manufacturers. Not really sure who manufacturers them, and they are built up structures, not kits. All well and good.
I really don't think that Walthers is too worried about all of this? In fact, which manufacturer(s) would be worried....or should be worried? Menards is merely selling something made by someone else, so hardly a competitor moving in on Walthers.
Menards is going to drop a bomb on them? I hardly think so.
"Me? I'm going to sit back, crack a Pepsi open and laugh".
I have read this statement more than a few times, and I have yet to figure out exactly who the OP is going to laugh at.
Menards? Or, the HO manufacturers?
Alton Junction
Jeremy,
Your thread title was like a challange to the existing industry. I asure you they are not the least bit worried.
I like Accurail, Bowser, old Athearn, etc, as well. I'm not one who has to have only high detail recent RTR, in fact I still run Athearn and Varney metal cars from the 50's.
But everyone in this hobby is in it for slightly different reasons, and has a different set of goals and standards for their modeling.
To think that a regional home improvement chain can have a few pieces made for them, and that they will have some big impact on this industry is a pipe dream.
There are $20 freight cars and $50 freight cars.....take your pick, I buy my share of both......
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Jeremy, Your thread title was like a challange to the existing industry. I asure you they are not the least bit worried. I like Accurail, Bowser, old Athearn, etc, as well. I'm not one who has to have only high detail recent RTR, in fact I still run Athearn and Varney metal cars from the 50's. But everyone in this hobby is in it for slightly different reasons, and has a different set of goals and standards for their modeling. To think that a regional home improvement chain can have a few pieces made for them, and that they will have some big impact on this industry is a pipe dream. There are $20 freight cars and $50 freight cars.....take your pick, I buy my share of both...... Sheldon
BroadwayLion .........No serious modeler would go into Menards looking for model trains. But the average Joe Shopper will indeed see these when he is buing christmas gifts and be totally inspired to buy them as a gift or for himslef. It introduces a new market to the world of model railroading, and that is not bad at all. The buildings are nicely done, and alll pre lit, but none of them would make a great addition to my subway layout. ROAR
.........No serious modeler would go into Menards looking for model trains. But the average Joe Shopper will indeed see these when he is buing christmas gifts and be totally inspired to buy them as a gift or for himslef.
That's a very good point Lion (not the ones on your fangs!). It is probably for a market that is not the fine scale market.
BTW, I wouldn't want the Woodland Scenics prebuilt structures either. Too many details that I would never choose to put on my buildings. And just as pricey.
BroadwayLion Bayfield Transfer Railway Those buildings are priced way too high for "starter stuff," especially with Model Power and some of the other building kits still out there. No they are not at all over priced for a starter set. hey look good, they are fully built, and people starting a railroad these days (other than a kid) likely has enough money to go with this. If a kid already has a layout, Uncle Bob would say "Hey let me get this for..." ROAR
Again I agree. All pre-built structures and kits are pretty pricey, IMO.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL And again, not everybody has Menards, and not everybody will buy such a product sight unseen from a web site photo....... Sheldon
As an aside. I was at WGH not long ago and they had all of the Menards structures on display. I was curious. They actually looked better in person than in the photos. Some seemed more toylike and quaint than others, but we can say that about any manufacturers products.
BroadwayLion No they are not at all over priced for a starter set. hey look good, they are fully built, and people starting a railroad these days (other than a kid) likely has enough money to go with this. If a kid already has a layout, Uncle Bob would say "Hey let me get this for..." ROAR
chutton01Where are the HO scale vehicles listed?
http://www.menards.com/main/home-decor/toys-recreation/train-stuff/c-13318.htm?Spec_ShopByType_facet=Die-Cast
Most are O scale (or close to it) but they have 4 or 5 1:87 pieces right now. I believe these are the first HO offerings, so would expect more down the road.
FWIW, I doubt Menards is worrying folks in the HO marketplace right now. The pricing is reasonable, but doesn't undercut other offerings substantially in HO at least. Don't know about O. And it is a limited selection. I suspect they know there's lots of other stuff there that people building a layout also buy (lumber, wire, switches, lighting, etc) and this is one way to appeal to them, too.
As for people not buying mail order/off the internet, Menards is in no worse a position there than most others selling to our hobby are if there's no local store.
Sir Madog Bayfield Transfer Railway Those buildings are priced way too high for "starter stuff," especially with Model Power and some of the other building kits still out there. I think you´ve nailed it! So what´s the fuss about?
You've seen the MGM slogan "Ars Gratia Artis" (art for the sake of art)? This is Fuss Gratia Fussis - translation left to the student.
Andre
Doughless ATLANTIC CENTRAL And again, not everybody has Menards, and not everybody will buy such a product sight unseen from a web site photo....... Sheldon As an aside. I was at WGH not long ago and they had all of the Menards structures on display. I was curious. They actually looked better in person than in the photos. Some seemed more toylike and quaint than others, but we can say that about any manufacturers products.
And now we just need to know what WGH is?
ATLANTIC CENTRALAnd now we just need to know what WGH is?
WGH = Worlds Greatest Hobby, a major train show.
.
Seriously, does Menard's even carry model railroad supplies in their stores? I have been in three Menard's, all in Indiana, and never found a model railroading section.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
When you shop Menards
Jim
[quote user="SeeYou190"]
ATLANTIC CENTRAL And now we just need to know what WGH is?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL WGH = Worlds Greatest Hobby, a major train show. . Seriously, does Menard's even carry model railroad supplies in their stores? I have been in three Menard's, all in Indiana, and never found a model railroading section. . -Kevin .
Well thank you, never been, I can't recall it ever being around here, and I surely did not know it by its acronym.
I hear a lot of "I wouldn't buy it, so it shouldn;t exist." We can build something from scratch, or buy a nice building from Walthers. Sure. Now imagine you are a young dad with a five year old kid. You go to Menards for a couple 2x4s and see the trains. 60 some years ago, my dad bought me a Lionel 027 set. He put a spare bedroom door on sawhorses, added a strip along one side to widen it. It was a panel door, with the raised cross parts and panels depressed inside. We had a basic squared oval with a siding. The door raised parts were "streets". I had a couple shiny Plasticville structures. We had one of those Lionel self reversing "line cars". The train was a steam loco, a caboose, and a few freight cars. I was in hog heaven, it was the coolest thing.
http://www.tandem-associates.com/lionel/lionel_trains_50_gang_car.htm
If we never had that, I likely would never have gone on to HO and followed the hobby. Not prototypical, not accurate, but fun. That young dad at Menards, he never heard of Walthers, has no idea what kitbashing might be, but knows his kid would like a train set. In 1954, I didn't care about how that Plasticville stuff looked, and today, a 7 year old won;t care what Menards power plant looks like. It looks like a big factory...to him.
Why would someone buy these toys when they could buy an expensvie scale model? Why does anyone eat at McDonalds or Dennys when there are nice upscale restaurants selling chef food? There is a market for both.