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Post by david1 on Jul 7, 2024 22:00:32 GMT
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Post by josef on Jul 7, 2024 22:51:22 GMT
Looking good on engines and station. Menards keeps our hobby alive and affordable.
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Post by david1 on Jul 7, 2024 23:42:51 GMT
The F3's as Menards states are about an inch longer then my set of scale F3's. By that measurement they are actually FP7's. But that really does not matter. What matters to me is how they are built.
Most of the detail is molded in but how they picked them out with silver paint for instance on the handrails is outstanding. I thought the handrails were separately applied when I first looked at it.
They run smooth and quiet and look great.
How do they measure up to Lionel and Mth's units. The Menards F unit looks great, the sound is not bad, the crew talk is amazing, and runs nice and smooth.
But no it does not measure up to the Lionel or MTH F units. I didn't expect it to but being 75% cheaper that the other two I got 95% of what I wanted. I think the Menards F units are a an amazing value. If you want a F unit but can not afford $1100 or so for the others take a look at these, you may be surprised!!!
Dave
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Post by seayakbill on Jul 8, 2024 8:49:46 GMT
Been running my Santa Fe Red and Santa Fe Blue for a year now with no problems. They have a lot of operating hours on them now. When I first received them July of last year I ran the heck out of them just to see how well they would hold up, they certainly passed the endurance test.
Bill
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jul 8, 2024 14:54:35 GMT
This is all good to know as the debacle with some of the earlier Menards dummy engines was a real downer in terms of confidence in their products.
I have one of the few original first "beta" run of Santa Fe engines but I really got it to give my first grandson something O gauge to run and neither he nor his sister are up to doing so yet. (Example: She once got hold of my CAB2 but I grabbed it back just before she deleted all my engines from it!) The Santa Fe unit is my only Menards rolling stock and I have not got a great interest in anything else of that kind they have produced so far. The structures are a different matter as I have more than I think I may ever have space for and a few remain boxed up in storage. Looking at the photos above I can see why they and all of the Menards products appeal to traditional O gauge operators. This can only be a good thing for the hobby.
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Post by david1 on Jul 8, 2024 20:15:37 GMT
The one thing that sticks out to me is that without flywheels or some sort of speed control they seem to run around at a steady speed. Does not slow down on curves or anywhere for that matter.
I do have power drops every 4' so this may have something to do with it. One day ill check the gearing but so far I'm happy with the way it runs and looks!!
Dave
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jul 8, 2024 23:02:27 GMT
The one thing that sticks out to me is that without flywheels or some sort of speed control they seem to run around at a steady speed. Does not slow down on curves or anywhere for that matter. I do have power drops every 4' so this may have something to do with it. One day ill check the gearing but so far I'm happy with the way it runs and looks!! Dave
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Post by david1 on Jul 9, 2024 0:32:06 GMT
I didn't mention that as a negative but as a positive on how smooth it runs without flywheels or speed control. While Lionel and MTH depend on some sort of electronic speed control but Menards apparently does not.
Btw I hesitate to watch videos on YouTube because it seems nobody can show a video without blowing the horn or whistle constantly. Its annoying!!
Tell me something about the train or car or who made it, lay off the horn or the music you think is great.
Dave
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Post by dennym57 on Jul 9, 2024 1:06:49 GMT
As soon as they start doing that I stop watching the video.
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Post by phil55 on Jul 9, 2024 15:27:23 GMT
The only negative I've found with mine is the jackrabbit starts and stops. Reducing the voltage some seems to help.
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Post by david1 on Jul 9, 2024 16:33:14 GMT
The only negative I've found with mine is the jackrabbit starts and stops. Reducing the voltage some seems to help. Phil, What voltage are you using on your transformer? I set mine at 14+ which is about perfect for start up and stopping. I even use the same voltage for any of my command engines also. Heat is what damages electronics so the lower voltage will help electronics. I know guys who use 20 volts which I never recommend. Keep it under 16 volts if possible. Dave
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Post by phil55 on Jul 9, 2024 17:07:34 GMT
The only negative I've found with mine is the jackrabbit starts and stops. Reducing the voltage some seems to help. Phil, What voltage are you using on your transformer? I set mine at 14+ which is about perfect for start up and stopping. I even use the same voltage for any of my command engines also. Heat is what damages electronics so the lower voltage will help electronics. I know guys who use 20 volts which I never recommend. Keep it under 16 volts if possible. Dave Not exactly sure as I'm using a CW 80 transformer. Just backed the throttle off about 1/3 of the way
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Post by seayakbill on Jul 9, 2024 20:23:59 GMT
I run my Menards locos at 12 volts, seems to be a good voltage for running on my layout.
Bill
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