On the coupler issue, with hoppers and ore cars,,those can be considered as unit trains, super glue the coupler shut, they won't come undone again, my pla plan of course is to use kadee couplers, still not a permanent fix however
Not that I am aware of. You can go to the menatds website and follow their link to their model railroad specific website and there you will find all they sell for model railroading.
I have 3 Menards O Gauge Buildings and 1 M&M Box Car. Everything operates well. Personally all the Menards products I have look very nice for a fraction of what Lionel would have charged. Thanks for sharing
Hey George. That's awesome the everything you have bought from Menards has worked well for you. I have some stuff that works great and a few that that don't, bit for the price I will continue to buy from them and take that chance. Thanks for watching and commenting. Take care and happy railroading.
I bought quiet a few Menards rolling stock and done some reviews on my channel as well. For the price you can’t beat it. Simple fix for couplers in my video get tiny clear rubber band like for braces work great. Can’t see them and they hold the plastic in the lock position.
@@RoadsAndRailsHobbies they still operate the same way rubber bands done effect the magnet pull it just enough to keep pressure on the pin I found. Weird is some my rolling stock from Menards has metal couplers and some have the one ms that just uncouple. Not sure why there not standardize but the been listing to my reviews which is weird to me since my channel is so small
Hey John. I'm sorry, but I made this video a very long time ago, so I'm not sure exactly what you are asking. However, as far as the flat cars go. I have had very little issues with them. Overall, I like Menards. Even with the flaws you cannot beat the price. I hope I answered your question. Thanks for watching and take care.
I just wanted to hear what the appraisal was. I really don’t care as I’m only into pre 1958, post war Lionel and not in the “new” market. But it’s interesting to know what is currently offered in toy trains. Good job sharing your impression. Thumbs up for sharing the information.😊
Thank you very much Gene. It is interesting you mentioned that you are into pre 1958 Lionel. I had an HO scale train set as a child, but what really got me into the hobby is when I inherited my grandfather's Lionel set. Now don't ask me what year it is, but it is definitely in the same vintage as what you collect. Anyhow, when I got it 2 dozen or so years ago it didn't run. I was a college kid and of course broke, so I had to figure out how to fix it myself. Long before the easy access to the internet thst we have today. Getting that Berkshire engine running brought back that connection I had with my grandfather and it made me realize that if I'm frugal, I can have a model railroad and keep thar connection going and possibly pass it onto my grandchildren some day. Anyway thank you again for watching. Take care, and happy railroading....
You get what you pay for. I probably have bought 10 Menards Cars. 7 were good, 3 were bad and had problems. They do like to come unconnected and I've had problems at times with the wheels not lining up together correctly for the Track. Plus I have had screws come loose too. I think some of their different types of Cars they make are better made than others. But overall for the Price they are great for Beginners and anyone on a budget and for kids getting into the Hobby. I do love the Menards Buildings. Great Pieces for a very good price. And always remember buy from the Menards Site and if you have a local Menards go there and buy. They are always running 11 percent off all the time plus something they give you a free item. Stay away from ebay sellers because they drastically raise the prices on Menards items.
Hey Jebbs. I have a local Menards that I bought my items from. I do like their rolling stock for the same reasons that you mentioned, but then again I don't model in O scale nor have I ever had a high end piece of O scale rolling stock to compare them with. I do like their buildings also, but if you watched my Menards Haul video I posted right before Christmas you will see that I purchased the Rocket Diner. I was so excited for that one, but the smoke unit didn't work. The horns were not only broken from the top of the cab, but they were completely missing from the box. The windshield was caved in, because the horns were broken off, and it gave off a terrible high pitched sound when the sign lit up. I was so disappointed. And as far as ebay goes. Yeah people on there are ridiculous. I really want the burned down engine shed with the steam engine in it, and oh my are they asking three to four times what they cost originally. I do wish Menards wouldn't do just a short release cycle on their products. Thank you for watching and commenting.
@@RoadsAndRailsHobbies I have that Engine House. Picked it up brand new from Menards. I think I paid around 80 dollars for it and got a free Mustang in their promotion.
Thank you for watching and commenting. I'm more into HO scale and I just saw an advertisement for their new rocker launch platform with smoke. It looks pretty awesome.
Whenever I purchase rolling stock from Menards, I also go over to the plumbing department and buy #6 7/16”O.D. x 5/16” I.D. “O” rings for both couplers ($0.79 each)
With the menards rolling stock coupler fails I usually do the old rubber band tactic Which works, They make good rolling stock for a good price, Planning to buy a couple of their candy themed railroad cars for my Halloween train ft the Lionel Transylvania railroad general, Menards buildings also look very nice,
I very much enjoyed your video and its observations. As to what I call "spontaneous uncoupling." It happens to Lionel as well, particularly in the early (not late). MPC eara. As an operator particularly at train shows, a very small rubber band around the coupler draft gear to include the uncoupling armature, solved the problem. As to misaligned body pieces; I have not run into that problem. I agree it is aggravating, even at $24.99. The issue is quality control. I do not know where Menards trains are built or who builds Menards trains. However, quality control is obviously the issue. I suspect whoever builds them, and wherever they are built, serious quality control will solve the apparent problems. Finally as to the moniker, "Built by Menards;" heck Lionel emblazoned, "Built by Lionel" on their rolling stock going back to the iconic Santa Fe F3's of the late 40's. Are these now not badges of great honor, indeed reversence, in Toy Traindom? Best. BDS
I usually add stick-em wheel weights inside the cars over the trucks. Sometimes wire the plastic couplers shut. Sometimes glue loose parts! Accepting all that; they are a bargain!
If you have defective pieces of rolling stock, contact Menards they will replace them. I have had issues with some Menards buildings return and replacement was very easy. It’s not how you mess up. It’s how you respond to the mess up!
Hey Peter. I have heard that from others that Menards is really good at replacing and or fixing their products. I may have to check in to that with the coupler issue that I am having. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Menards rolling stock is tge best in my opinion Menards rolling stock works for my layoutt if you have problems with the couplers i webt to atlas and round a replacement couplers i had to make a couple of adjustments for the atlas couplers to work i bought atlas o couplers
Amen Dave. As one commenter mentioned. The Menards rolling stock is also great for young kids just starting out in the hobby. At least if they accidentally break that, then dad or grandpa won't be quite as upset, LOL. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Hey BoxCar Jerry. I feel the same way. Their not perfect, but I just received a comment from another viewer that said they are having problems with the newer Lionel Lion Chief rolling stock. It happens to all of the manufacturers. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Ha, I didn't think they were too bad, but then again as I mentioned I don't model in O scale, so I don't have much other higher end pieces of rolling stock to compare these with. But I still think they are perfect for someone that wants to increase their fleet on a budget, or for young kids that are just getting into the hobby. At least if they break one of the Menards pieces it's not as bad as breaking an expensive high end piece of rolling stock. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Hi Guss. Wow thanks for the information on the newer Lion Chief problems. Would love to hear more about what types of problems you have run into. Thank you for watching and commenting.
@@RoadsAndRailsHobbies mostly is just poor workmanship in general. the wiring on drawbars the sound systems are wonderful, when they work. but the ones made in china are better, stay clear of anything from vietnam.
Really. I don't have a whole lot of experience with Lionel products other than. What came in the sets. I will say though I bought an add on car for the polar express. It is the car that has the boy walking across the roof and I did turn that feature off because it is so loud when it is working.
I had the same problems
some of mine have coupler issues ....some broken already with light use
On the coupler issue, with hoppers and ore cars,,those can be considered as unit trains, super glue the coupler shut, they won't come undone again, my pla plan of course is to use kadee couplers, still not a permanent fix however
Does menards makes passenger train coaches
Not that I am aware of. You can go to the menatds website and follow their link to their model railroad specific website and there you will find all they sell for model railroading.
Great video. Have a few cars that do the same thing there Lionel
I put a narrow strip of electrical tape around the coupler it works
🚂🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃😎
I noticed was the repeated numbers ,thinking they were all to have there own number ?
Not Menards. It's all the same.
I have 3 Menards O Gauge Buildings and 1 M&M Box Car. Everything operates well. Personally all the Menards products I have look very nice for a fraction of what Lionel would have charged.
Thanks for sharing
Hey George. That's awesome the everything you have bought from Menards has worked well for you. I have some stuff that works great and a few that that don't, bit for the price I will continue to buy from them and take that chance. Thanks for watching and commenting. Take care and happy railroading.
I bought quiet a few Menards rolling stock and done some reviews on my channel as well. For the price you can’t beat it. Simple fix for couplers in my video get tiny clear rubber band like for braces work great. Can’t see them and they hold the plastic in the lock position.
That's an awesome idea. Have you come up with any ideas so that you can still use the couplers easily for switching operations?
@@RoadsAndRailsHobbies they still operate the same way rubber bands done effect the magnet pull it just enough to keep pressure on the pin I found. Weird is some my rolling stock from Menards has metal couplers and some have the one ms that just uncouple. Not sure why there not standardize but the been listing to my reviews which is weird to me since my channel is so small
What about the GOOD trucks on the long flat car?
Hey John. I'm sorry, but I made this video a very long time ago, so I'm not sure exactly what you are asking. However, as far as the flat cars go. I have had very little issues with them. Overall, I like Menards. Even with the flaws you cannot beat the price. I hope I answered your question. Thanks for watching and take care.
I just wanted to hear what the appraisal was. I really don’t care as I’m only into pre 1958, post war Lionel and not in the “new” market. But it’s interesting to know what is currently offered in toy trains. Good job sharing your impression. Thumbs up for sharing the information.😊
Thank you very much Gene. It is interesting you mentioned that you are into pre 1958 Lionel. I had an HO scale train set as a child, but what really got me into the hobby is when I inherited my grandfather's Lionel set. Now don't ask me what year it is, but it is definitely in the same vintage as what you collect. Anyhow, when I got it 2 dozen or so years ago it didn't run. I was a college kid and of course broke, so I had to figure out how to fix it myself. Long before the easy access to the internet thst we have today. Getting that Berkshire engine running brought back that connection I had with my grandfather and it made me realize that if I'm frugal, I can have a model railroad and keep thar connection going and possibly pass it onto my grandchildren some day. Anyway thank you again for watching. Take care, and happy railroading....
Couplers open up on my stack cars but the price is low. Wired them shut and added weight.
See that sucks.
@@RoadsAndRailsHobbies new product shouldn't have issues. Subbed.
Joey I wish that were true, but the ore cars that I had issues with were brand new. But hey like I said. For the price I'm not going to complain much.
I only have four items, . but I’m pleased with them.
You get what you pay for. I probably have bought 10 Menards Cars. 7 were good, 3 were bad and had problems. They do like to come unconnected and I've had problems at times with the wheels not lining up together correctly for the Track. Plus I have had screws come loose too. I think some of their different types of Cars they make are better made than others. But overall for the Price they are great for Beginners and anyone on a budget and for kids getting into the Hobby. I do love the Menards Buildings. Great Pieces for a very good price. And always remember buy from the Menards Site and if you have a local Menards go there and buy. They are always running 11 percent off all the time plus something they give you a free item. Stay away from ebay sellers because they drastically raise the prices on Menards items.
Hey Jebbs. I have a local Menards that I bought my items from. I do like their rolling stock for the same reasons that you mentioned, but then again I don't model in O scale nor have I ever had a high end piece of O scale rolling stock to compare them with. I do like their buildings also, but if you watched my Menards Haul video I posted right before Christmas you will see that I purchased the Rocket Diner. I was so excited for that one, but the smoke unit didn't work. The horns were not only broken from the top of the cab, but they were completely missing from the box. The windshield was caved in, because the horns were broken off, and it gave off a terrible high pitched sound when the sign lit up. I was so disappointed. And as far as ebay goes. Yeah people on there are ridiculous. I really want the burned down engine shed with the steam engine in it, and oh my are they asking three to four times what they cost originally. I do wish Menards wouldn't do just a short release cycle on their products. Thank you for watching and commenting.
@@RoadsAndRailsHobbies I have that Engine House. Picked it up brand new from Menards. I think I paid around 80 dollars for it and got a free Mustang in their promotion.
Ok now I'm jealous. LOL
@Paul's Railroad lol. I don't have it on our New Layout but I had it on our older Layout. It's a really cool piece.
I have all o scale got a few cars from them not to bad I will buy from them again thanks for video
Thank you for watching and commenting. I'm more into HO scale and I just saw an advertisement for their new rocker launch platform with smoke. It looks pretty awesome.
Whenever I purchase rolling stock from Menards, I also go over to the plumbing department and buy #6 7/16”O.D. x 5/16” I.D. “O” rings for both couplers ($0.79 each)
Thanks for the info. I never would have thought of that.
There building are very nice
With the menards rolling stock coupler fails I usually do the old rubber band tactic Which works, They make good rolling stock for a good price, Planning to buy a couple of their candy themed railroad cars for my Halloween train ft the Lionel Transylvania railroad general, Menards buildings also look very nice,
I very much enjoyed your video and its observations. As to what I call "spontaneous uncoupling." It happens to Lionel as well, particularly in the early (not late). MPC eara. As an operator particularly at train shows, a very small rubber band around the coupler draft gear to include the uncoupling armature, solved the problem. As to misaligned body pieces; I have not run into that problem. I agree it is aggravating, even at $24.99. The issue is quality control. I do not know where Menards trains are built or who builds Menards trains. However, quality control is obviously the issue. I suspect whoever builds them, and wherever they are built, serious quality control will solve the apparent problems. Finally as to the moniker, "Built by Menards;" heck Lionel emblazoned, "Built by Lionel" on their rolling stock going back to the iconic Santa Fe F3's of the late 40's. Are these now not badges of great honor, indeed reversence, in Toy Traindom? Best. BDS
I usually add stick-em wheel weights inside the cars over the trucks. Sometimes wire the plastic couplers shut. Sometimes glue loose parts! Accepting all that; they are a bargain!
Mine all work
If you have defective pieces of rolling stock, contact Menards they will replace them. I have had issues with some Menards buildings return and replacement was very easy. It’s not how you mess up. It’s how you respond to the mess up!
Hey Peter. I have heard that from others that Menards is really good at replacing and or fixing their products. I may have to check in to that with the coupler issue that I am having. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Very cool
Thank you
Menards rolling stock is tge best in my opinion Menards rolling stock works for my layoutt if you have problems with the couplers i webt to atlas and round a replacement couplers i had to make a couple of adjustments for the atlas couplers to work i bought atlas o couplers
Hey again. I never thought about replacing the couplers. Is there a lot of tweeking involved?
It all comes down to what you can afford.
Amen Dave. As one commenter mentioned. The Menards rolling stock is also great for young kids just starting out in the hobby. At least if they accidentally break that, then dad or grandpa won't be quite as upset, LOL. Thank you for watching and commenting.
I don't think you can go wrong with things they make, its cheap in price and looks good . Its great for filling up yards .
Hey BoxCar Jerry. I feel the same way. Their not perfect, but I just received a comment from another viewer that said they are having problems with the newer Lionel Lion Chief rolling stock. It happens to all of the manufacturers. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Not much tweeking involved in changing the couplers on menards rolling stock to atlas o couplers
Their buildings are pretty good
All Menards look like a cross between Fisher Prices and 80's Life Like !
Ha, I didn't think they were too bad, but then again as I mentioned I don't model in O scale, so I don't have much other higher end pieces of rolling stock to compare these with. But I still think they are perfect for someone that wants to increase their fleet on a budget, or for young kids that are just getting into the hobby. At least if they break one of the Menards pieces it's not as bad as breaking an expensive high end piece of rolling stock. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Well they were cheap. If you want to spend a lot of money, get the lionel lion chief latest editions. Lots of problems.
Hi Guss. Wow thanks for the information on the newer Lion Chief problems. Would love to hear more about what types of problems you have run into. Thank you for watching and commenting.
@@RoadsAndRailsHobbies mostly is just poor workmanship in general. the wiring on drawbars the sound systems are wonderful, when they work. but the ones made in china are better, stay clear of anything from vietnam.
half of the Lionel stuff doesn't work right out of the box
Really. I don't have a whole lot of experience with Lionel products other than. What came in the sets. I will say though I bought an add on car for the polar express. It is the car that has the boy walking across the roof and I did turn that feature off because it is so loud when it is working.