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Maybe they could take over for Williams ...
Menard's Locomotives
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Unpowered is easy, it's just like another piece of rolling stock. It's when you add power and electronics that the wheels start to fall off.
That was my thought/wish too if Williams goes down. But I'm afraid it's just wishful thinking.
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I don't believe there was any issues with the Blue AT&SF power unit last issued, it was the unpowered unit that had the lighting issue blowing the fuse or whatever in the unpowered unit.Unpowered is easy, it's just like another piece of rolling stock. It's when you add power and electronics that the wheels start to fall off.
Yes. It went all the way to Wisconsin (but not on its own power) when I returned it for a refund.
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GRJ - You should be their technical advisor...Unpowered is easy, it's just like another piece of rolling stock. It's when you add power and electronics that the wheels start to fall off.
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220 Posts
Personally, I'd like to see another entry into the locomotive arena.
Lionel -- too big to fail; they know it and want to make sure that everyone else knows it (just look at their prices)
Williams -- not what it used to be
MTH -- at this point, who knows...
Lionel -- too big to fail; they know it and want to make sure that everyone else knows it (just look at their prices)
Williams -- not what it used to be
MTH -- at this point, who knows...
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211 Posts
So far, Menard's is the Yugo of locomotives. Rough analogy. Functional, but with some drawbacks. What folks want is the Toyota or Kia version . I don't get the complaints over pricing. Like getting your knickers in a twist about people who buy high end Mercedes. Who cares and why? Take a look at the Lionel catalog from 1958 or so and you'll find sets for $25 and sets for $100. That was serious money back then.
The Lionel top of the line stuff is the equivalent of spending money on a BMW or Lexus. Some folks want that extra luxury and cachet and have the money to afford it. But the Honda or Subaru or similar equivalents cost tens of thousands less and are just as functional and safe. Likewise, a LionChief + loco will do most of the stuff the Big Boy can do. Command control, electrocouplers, etc. One quarter or one fifth the price. You want high end scale models? They are hand assembled and very complex, low volume. Be prepared to spend between $1200 and 2000, whether it's Lionel, MTH or 3rd Rail for steam locos of any size. If you want reasonably priced locos, Lionel has some LionChief locos in their catalog that have street prices of a couple of hundred dollars and rolling stock for 50 bucks or so. Not strikingly more than Menards.
. I don't get the complaints over pricing. Like getting your knickers in a twist about people who buy high end Mercedes. Who cares and why? Take a look at the Lionel catalog from 1958 or so and you'll find sets for $25 and sets for $100. That was serious money back then. The Lionel top of the line stuff is the equivalent of spending money on a BMW or Lexus. Some folks want that extra luxury and cachet and have the money to afford it. But the Honda or Subaru or similar equivalents cost tens of thousands less and are just as functional and safe. Likewise, a LionChief + loco will do most of the stuff the Big Boy can do. Command control, electrocouplers, etc. One quarter or one fifth the price. You want high end scale models? They are hand assembled and very complex, low volume. Be prepared to spend between $1200 and 2000, whether it's Lionel, MTH or 3rd Rail for steam locos of any size. If you want reasonably priced locos, Lionel has some LionChief locos in their catalog that have street prices of a couple of hundred dollars and rolling stock for 50 bucks or so. Not strikingly more than Menards.
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I like chrome on certain things, but yes, YUCK on the chrome trucks on the locomotives.
We agree on something?
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1,596 Posts
No Menards for me, and frankly with what I have on order or purchased in the last 4-6 years, I am set. There are still a few unicorns out there from MTH I don't have but I have plenty, duplicates in some case. So there is nothing Menards will offer in the next 5 years that will make me have to have it. I'll be 65 then, and considerations for budget would take over.
Menards has been quiet on the Locomotive scene for quite awhile and some of the last communications from them regarding warranty issues or whatever that might be called on Betas, is not promising.
Menards has been quiet on the Locomotive scene for quite awhile and some of the last communications from them regarding warranty issues or whatever that might be called on Betas, is not promising.
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I found the "stuff it" attitude that was described here recently to be somewhat troubling. That's the kind of thing that will bury a project like this in a hurry!
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