Review by Charlie Getz
Menards is a mid-west chain of home improvement stores similar to Home Depot or Lowe’s. Menards offers a variety of train equipment and accessories in their stores each Christmas, and year-round on their website. Both O and HO scale items are available, including assembled structures. I was able to buy an HO Hobby Shop on a recent visit to Iowa. The Hobby Shop cost $59.99, and I noticed O scale Hobby Shops selling for $79.99. Discounts are available if these models are ordered online. They can be picked-up in Menards stores, or shipped to you at an additional cost.
The model is well detailed, and surprisingly, not molded in plastic. It appears to have been constructed of wood, and fiberboard, and has many individual parts. The Hobby Shop comes with interior lights, interior details, and figures. A cat on a trash bin is included, and “Jack,” the German Shepard comes with all Menards buildings. A 4.5-volt a.c. adapter is required for the lighting (also sold by Menards), with a building-mounted, on-off switch for the lights. One nice feature is a plug on the bottom of the building to hide the power cord.
This is a beautifully done model, weathered and well detailed. It rivals many scratch-built models – and I was impressed with my Hobby Shop. I hope Menards will continue to expand its line of train models.
Menards
5106 Menard Dr.
Eau Claire, WI 54703,