One thing I learned: the chrome wheels have a BIG advantage. You can tell at a glance when your wheels are dirty. My beta 1 was acting up last weekend, and it took precisely 2 seconds to diagnose the problem and about 2 minutes to completely fix it.
I have one of these ordered as well. Should have it in the next day or so. Thanks for giving it a test on your layout and sharing results with us. I previously ordered the Menards Santa Fe 4.5 and was quite pleased with it except for the chrome trucks. Glad to see they dropped that with the UP road name. I’ll be running these regularly on my layout with varied consists and sharing them on my FB group sites and here on UA-cam. 🚂😉
Howdy Craig, I also got the Union Pacific F7’s (A-A). I’m enjoying them allot. For the money they are perfect. I hope to get some Santa Fe, however I will paint the chrome with silver. Enjoyed you video on the unpacking. I did subscribe to your channel.
Hey Jack, thanks for the comment, and sub! I subscribed to your channel as well, and can't wait to watch some of your videos! I was lucky to get the Santa Fe units as well. I wonder what engine Menards will make next?
I own the ATSF silver units power and dummy.......and I'd get these if not for the flag logo. I like the US flag.....fly it daily at home.....but it was never on a UP F unit. Thanks
Thanks Craig! I use MTH Railking rolling stock. I have never tried the Menards rolling stock. Do you find that the couplers work on a consistent basis? Or, do you find that the couplers and trucks on these box car, hoppers and tanks are not worth the $20 plus to build a collection? Great Review!
Hi there. Thanks for the comment! I appreciate the support! Menards couplers continues to be an issue with their rolling stock. You can fix them with rubber bands, but it's frustrating when trying to put together a consist and you have to stop to fix one. I'd say about 1 out of every 4 of my Menards rolling stock has this issue!
Menards is getting very close with the new beta Union Pacific 4.5. Crew talk is A+, Horn is better than any Lion Chief I currently have (except for steam). Bleeding light thru front of cab is annoying but easy fix, Lionel Lionchief is night vs day better at creeping but LC crewtalk is C- compared to beta. Squeaking noise from beta is very annoying, I will need to remedy or return for refund. With Beta at constant 18v same as LC cant see why Menards cant dial in a better start up speed. OK, took both trucks loose from motor with just 1 bolt 3mm hex and left wires hooked but still had access to grease worm gear and inner axle bushing with oil. NO MORE SQUEAK !!. It is now a keeper. Well worth the price. maybe spent 20 min total getting everything right, painting inside front with grey paint, greased both worm gears. It is a smooth runner pulling cars. INFO: easy removal of body from chassis with 4 black screws.
those are sweeeeeeeet... awesome Menards..
One thing I learned: the chrome wheels have a BIG advantage. You can tell at a glance when your wheels are dirty. My beta 1 was acting up last weekend, and it took precisely 2 seconds to diagnose the problem and about 2 minutes to completely fix it.
I have one of these ordered as well. Should have it in the next day or so. Thanks for giving it a test on your layout and sharing results with us. I previously ordered the Menards Santa Fe 4.5 and was quite pleased with it except for the chrome trucks. Glad to see they dropped that with the UP road name.
I’ll be running these regularly on my layout with varied consists and sharing them on my FB group sites and here on UA-cam. 🚂😉
Just subscribed to your UA-cam channel Bruce! Can't wait to see your layout!
For the money I just can't pass these up. Wonder what we will do if the break. No service stations for them. All my Lionel postwar are bullet proof.
Great video😀
look great, sound great....run great. Would love to get one.
Excellent review. 😊
Thanks John! I appreciate the comment!
Howdy Craig, I also got the Union Pacific F7’s (A-A). I’m enjoying them allot. For the money they are perfect. I hope to get some Santa Fe, however I will paint the chrome with silver. Enjoyed you video on the unpacking. I did subscribe to your channel.
Hey Jack, thanks for the comment, and sub! I subscribed to your channel as well, and can't wait to watch some of your videos! I was lucky to get the Santa Fe units as well. I wonder what engine Menards will make next?
@@nollster8 what ever they make next I think I'll get it. At my age I should be selling trains
I own the ATSF silver units power and dummy.......and I'd get these if not for the flag logo. I like the US flag.....fly it daily at home.....but it was never on a UP F unit. Thanks
Hi Dave, thanks for the comment, I didn't know that about the flag, very interesting!
Sweeeeeeet
Thanks Craig! I use MTH Railking rolling stock. I have never tried the Menards rolling stock. Do you find that the couplers work on a consistent basis? Or, do you find that the couplers and trucks on these box car, hoppers and tanks are not worth the $20 plus to build a collection? Great Review!
Hi there. Thanks for the comment! I appreciate the support! Menards couplers continues to be an issue with their rolling stock. You can fix them with rubber bands, but it's frustrating when trying to put together a consist and you have to stop to fix one. I'd say about 1 out of every 4 of my Menards rolling stock has this issue!
Menards is getting very close with the new beta Union Pacific 4.5. Crew talk is A+, Horn is better than any Lion Chief I currently have (except for steam). Bleeding light thru front of cab is annoying but easy fix, Lionel Lionchief is night vs day better at creeping but LC crewtalk is C- compared to beta. Squeaking noise from beta is very annoying, I will need to remedy or return for refund. With Beta at constant 18v same as LC cant see why Menards cant dial in a better start up speed. OK, took both trucks loose from motor with just 1 bolt 3mm hex and left wires hooked but still had access to grease worm gear and inner axle bushing with oil. NO MORE SQUEAK !!. It is now a keeper. Well worth the price. maybe spent 20 min total getting everything right, painting inside front with grey paint, greased both worm gears. It is a smooth runner pulling cars. INFO: easy removal of body from chassis with 4 black screws.
Thanks for the awesome comment! I totally agree!
I have a lion Chief set from about 6 years ago. Can I use that track and power supply to run this menards Union Pacific?
Your none powered unit needs to be turned around. They never have locomotives nose to tail like that in the real world.
Thanks Scott, I've noticed that in other videos! I will change them next time I run them!