$200 vs $2,000 Model Train!

[@hoophil]

Menards is very smart. Not everyone can afford a $2,000 engine! At least at $200 more people have a chance at buying trains, that's why I bought the Menards Union Pacific engine.

[@ThunderboltSirenStudios]

I'm waiting till Menards comes out with a steam locomotive

[@Eyrrll]

I prefer Menards over Lionel here due to pricing. The extra detail and sound that Lionel gives is nice and all… but the cost/value ratio is way off imo. If Menards can bump the quality just a hair and keep the price under $250, I may never buy a Lionel engine.

[@Superb_0wl]

Story of my Life when it comes 2 finding a 4014 Big Boy @ a Reasonable Price which will prolly never happen unfortunately 😢

[@ntvinternationalnews4591]

You're right ✅ 👍👍👍. If Menards would bump the details and quality a little but keep it under $300 I would never get the $1000 option. I can't get the $1000 option 😫. I'm thinking 🤔 you could probably spend a little more $$ and add a different speaker to upgrade the Menards 🤔🤔🤔. All the best!

[@thomasking4136]

Price point is hugely in Menards favor. Sounds, details and features belong to Lionel. They both have their place.

[@TrainTracker911]

It is great to see that Menards offers entry-level trains at an affordable price. Helps to recruit new model train people.

[@RBPTrains]

Agree! Prices in model railroading are tough and Menards has been able to create products with greater reach. Thanks for watching!

[@chinesechicken20]

Truth!

[@jub856]

Chris, as you clearly point out, they’re both the winner. Each pulls their own in the battle and when price point is included, they are an even match. Thanks for the video and keep them coming.

[@max.brant4]

My favorite is Menards because I like that it doesn't go slow and has less detail. It gives me nostalgia for my Lionel Postwar trains.

[@ColorMeMozart]

Although it’s almost unfair to compare them, it’s great for someone starting in the hobby to be able to get such a big and nice looking engine at a reasonable price. 🚂 Great vid! Happy railroading friends!

[@chinesechicken20]

Exactly!

[@mongo1964wtf]

The Menards UP is actually the first train that I bought new; all my other trains are used Lionel. With the price point and features of Menards, I have a hard time spending the cash on a high end Lionel. Plus, Menards has improved their trains dramatically in just a few models; I suspect they'll get even better as time goes by. Both are great in their own right but if you're on a budget, Menards can't be beat.

[@spencerfesing4145]

You can see the improvements that menards made to their UP diesel from the first one they released. Personally the menards diesel is a great locomotive to get into the hobby and we need more things like that.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Thankfully there are still some "entry level" offerings these days. I see a lot of people that complain about the price but when you compare the cost of locomotives, at least on the low end, vs inflation and salary averages over the decades they're still as affordable as they ever were. Now myself, I tend to prefer the middle of the road. Either a decent quality DC or even DCC locomotive rather than the entry level stuff but I still do run and enjoy the entry level offerings from companies like Bachmann, etc. because the quality of those compare far more favorably than the same names did 20-30 years ago as far as mechanism reliability. I still have yet to get into the higher end of N or HO scale with something like Scaletrains Rivet counters, fancy brass locomotives, etc. but It's hopefully not too far off on the horizon. I need/want to level up my actual modeling skills before I get into all that. If you've seen the videos on my rescue layout it could definitely use some love in the scenery department. lol.

[@seven6twomm]

I love these comparison videos, really shows that for many casual train hobbyist that the less expensive offerings out there can certainly be just as interesting and entertaining in many ways. I have a modest collection of Lionel trains where most of my pieces are "set grade" from the late 40s to the mid 90s. I love 'em all!

[@kevinwalsh9788]

My max price point is Lionchief Plus 2.0. I will always consider Lionel the overall winner. That Bernards gave the Legacy a tight win. Again thanks for your knowledge and sharing the hobby.

[@VintageRenewed]

The dialogue from the Menards engine is definitely closer to railroad communication than the generic lionel crew talk

[@ZekPatterson]

Great video Chris! As a person without the space or funds for the layout of my dreams (don’t know who among us does), it’s nice to know I could potentially go pick up some sidewalk salt, puff corn, and a solid train set all at one store without spending 1.5 months of my mortgage.

[@robotman321]

Love seeing spotlights put on the entry model brands. Sure, they won't ever have the features of fancy modern lionel, but as long as the entry brands exist so to will new people to the hobby and that's honestly the most important thing. Love it!

[@bernardbob]

The Lionel is spectacular but, in all categories, the Menards is "good enough". I like to run trains and Menards fits the bill at a very reasonable price. I am a bit biased due to my experiences over the last 20 years or so. I have purchased several modern engines and absolutely love the new features in sound, details and control but a couple of them have become bricks due to failures in the electronics. The cost of repairing those electronics is too high and you can't always get the parts, especially as more time goes by. My old post war Lionels, however, will easily outlast me. Now, it will be a much heavier lift for Menards to come out with a steam engine ... Thanks, Chris. You gave us a lot to think about.

[@EricCoop]

Last Lionel set I bought was the Polar Express in 2008. Old school Lionel, as in the couplers have to be manually operated. The tender has a whistle feature but my cat tinkled on the set and the whistle no longer works. These newer sets you have are amazing but if I wanted to build the layout you have and collect the trains you have, it would cost more than my house. You rock, Chris!

[@Siph_Maned_Wolf]

it's amazing how much more effort and skill goes into lionel's O scale sets than some of their HO scale sets

[@deweyhall712]

Thank you for adding the hobo camp. The hobo union is happy, and will be back, to take over your layout..

[@papary7717]

I feel like Menards is the saving grace for anybody who wants to get into the hobby. Lionel has great stuff, however needs to be affordable. At some point, middle aged people will be gone, and no generation will fill the gap at Lionel prices….

[@Allnightexplor]

There is no comparison but I applaud Menards to have models in an affordable price range.

[@betsy662]

Of course there is more detail and better electronics in the Lionel Legacy units, but for those of us out here in the real world, many of us can't afford Legacy anything, so the Menard's units are a very welcome addition to the model train world! And as for the detail, detail parts can be had to bring the Menards units up to par, and from the looks of it, thank God Menard's didn't try to pass off the old Lionel post war shell as some kind of F unit!

[@trainman07011]

Dollar for dollar, I think they both deliver what you are paying for. My bet is the Menard's units will last longer and require less maintenance. It's a win/win. I think Menard's is doing a great service to the hobby.

[@kidamere2408]

Eh those plastic gears are gonna be the question

[@stuart5709]

Sorry but I’m not paying 2000 bucks for a toy train. Hats off to Menards for bringing model railroading to the masses. It’s still the same fun with a less expensive train is running versus the super high cost ones.

[@railchief74]

Lionel IMO has the best sounds but the Menards I has the best cab chatter. Menards might not be prototypical, however the one thing I love about their products is that they don’t go too crazy with their attention to detail. I’ll be keeping my eyes open like a hawk at York this October for a set of those Menards F-units Both engines really sliver around the layout like two slugs. Great video Chris!

[@SchaeferOGaugeLoggingRR]

Great video. I have to say I like them both, for very different reasons. I love all the details and features that you get with Lionel engines. But I Love that Menards is offering engines and cars that are more affordable. Great for people just getting into the hobby. Now I have to say I am not happy with you Chris. I am going to have to start collecting the UP orange and black freight cars.😁

[@carlsoll]

2:00 Lol this is- *The Guy!* I think of when I think ‘Model Trains’ 😄

[@mikefinney5269]

Lionel is certainly the top of the line. Manards is great for someone that doesn't want to spend all their hobby money on one loco set. My grandkids love to run them and at that cost I don't worry about it. I must say, again NO toy (model) train should be run without a caboose! Manards even made one to match the UP set! Great video, and I have been waiting on someone to say something about the light bleed on the nose. I found some silver paint or aluminum foil placed inside would make it not bleed through and look better. Keep em coming Chris, fun stuff!

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks for watching Mike!

[@robertcampbell6713]

Thanks!

[@RBPTrains]

Wow! Thank you so much Bob!!!

[@davehorner8126]

Lionel wins the horn battle. Love the video!!

[@jameslanders4819]

Another great video chris..I really enjoyed your commentary; especially when you talk to yourself. And lionel won the horn wars.

[@daydreamer7852]

As a frequent viewer of your channel, I find it very non-one-sided in which you present the model train hobby in a positive overview of all manufacturers. Your Menards and Lionel overview was great. As your reviews on Weaver engines, and of course, MTH. Again, great review!!!🙂

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you! I like the diversity of products in O Gauge. There is something special about each piece.

[@shaunwilliams4231]

Love the fast trains!!! F units are my fave!!

[@TheBayMan77]

I love Lionel’s train!😄

[@dannotarbartolo8830]

Hey Chris! Great review, thanks for the side by side; I agree with the rest of the comments saying they are both winners! Also I’m digging the new haircut

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Dan!

[@barry3573]

Lot's of people bash the Menards stuff. For the price point they are at, I think they have good features and are a good choice for someone new. I would have to give the horn win to Lionel

[@Theguy493]

Menards is definitely going for more the toy end of the market. And that is perfectly fine. The hobby definitely needs more reasonably priced toy trains that can be sold at department and big box stores. That said I have concerns on whether or not the Menards set can stand up to the rough treatment a kid playing will put it through. I would love the blue warbonnet engine to go with my set of post war Santa Fe blue stripe coaches though.

[@Tomeleck]

Thanks for the really well done comparison, Chris. I was only surprised that you didn't compare their pulling power using the same consist of cars for each. Still a great idea.

[@charlescampbell8895]

Nice vid. I love and admire your passion towards trains.

[@vicferrarisgarage]

I like the simplicity of Menards. I would love a Menards in my collection! 😊

[@cnjrr1216]

Awesome video Chris. Informative and yet fun, always waiting to see what you come with next. I would have to say you are an ambassador to the hobby and inspiration to all and inspiration to me to make better videos and promote the hobby.

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you very much! Working on my next video now. :) Gotta get one posted before the upcoming York Train show

[@cnjrr1216]

@@RBPTrains awesome can’t wait

[@NicksTrains]

Always love seeing the Texas Special in the background....need a whole video on my favorite train....recently I was able to get the Station Sounds and 2 car pack add on to complete the set

[@buecomet831]

The most I spend is 650 and that's the NS OCS ABA Train from MTH from 2008.

[@scottw550]

When I was a kid, my father took me to a wealthy person's house and they told me to go downstairs to play with their son's Lionel train set. When I tried, the spoiled kid would pick up any train car I touched and threw it as hard as he could against the wall and smashed it to pieces. So, I proceeded to touch all the cars and locomotives until they were all destroyed, the next thing I can remember was sitting back inside my father's car in the middle of winter. Even back then a Lionel train set cost an adult about at least a week's pay, so in this case the Menards would have been the better choice for the kid. lol

[@RBPTrains]

The train room of destruction, haha!

[@mindstorms247]

The horn in the beginning sounds amazing 😮. Looks like my diesel engine that I had when I was a kid it was an Emd F7 a and b unit.

[@paulmiller5337]

Its like comparing in 1955 a new Chevy to a new Cadillac. Guess which one is more valuable now? I like the Menards horn best. Thanks Chris for the video. You always do a great job

[@Heroduothecomedian]

Hey 200 vs 2000, you can always repaint the menards locomotives without worrying about losing their value and heck maybe make it go up in value depending on how well you are at painting lol.if I had the money I would repaint them into CSX style F7 locomotives or maybe just give the locomotive the touch up it needs to look better. Ahhh the joy of building model kits, everything looks like it could be a new project with a little paint xD

[@loco4locos142]

Exactly, I have seen many add smoke units to these menards engines, and would love to see someone add a smoker and paint one up or weather one.

[@zachwheeler9846]

Both sets are nice and have different things to offer, the Menards is better priced but is not as detailed, Lionel on the other hand is much more detailed but is a lot more money. I prefer the Lionel version since its more realistic and has more features, but I like both. Lionel took the win in today's horn battle. Great review Chris!

[@mikeyanello3664]

Good video Chris

[@stanleygitler7089]

Nice comparison, but easy choice: If you want the best and can afford it, Lionel hands down in all respects. If you just want a reasonable nice looking and running train, the Menards has a place and can get more new train people into the great hobby! Thanks for the nicely presented video!

[@shaunwilliams4231]

Love the rotating Mars light!

[@Shadowtiger2564]

You can help prevent bleed throughout with some paint on the inside of the Maynards shell Ive seen a few techniques but doing so would definitely improve the look there.

[@janemarkham4133]

LIONEL HAS IT ALL BRO!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA COOL MAN COOL!!! 😀😄😁😁😛🤟🤘👍👍

[@Crash_ton]

In my opinion, the Lionel A-B-B-A won the battle of the horns. And I like the Lionel one more so Lionel wins... also cool video!

[@trainsNwrestlin]

you have the ability to make any video. No matter if we want it or not be worthwhile lol Keep it up, Chris! You have the power!

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you for the motivation!

[@JohnHuntt]

That was demonstration of comparison that I find helpful. It was fun to see the difference between the two. It was not clear if the Menard had smoke unit or not.

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks John! The Menards engine does not have smoke.

[@msskjjackson1422]

I like the Lionel $2.000, Yes.

[@monmixer]

Lionel is obviously the best. I'm just watching and learning.

[@adambowers496]

I love MTH, Atlas, Lionel, Manards I like em all!! I leaned more towards MTH in the mid 2010s because Lionel sadly went downhill, but they came back now they are great again!!

[@OldFrailandDecrepit]

Great video. My two year old granddaughter watched the whole thing!

[@martinlepez6683]

Hey Chris, in your next video you can make the steam locomotives that are not articulated run?

[@ericwilliams2619]

Extraordinary locomotives the lionel horn sounds awesome 👍🏻✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[@josephphillips9692]

Good comparison Chris. If you just want a no frills locomotive to start Menards is great. Then maybe graduate into the more prototypical items. Great way to start.

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

I know a company that made some of the best $200 dollar trains in the o gauge market! And they are still cheaper than Lionel these days. But Menards also beats them too.

[@bobconrad5632]

Just sitting back, I like the Menard's chatter, overall sound and horn was ok. I don't like the bleeding light through the body. They can fit that on a two hundred model. The horn on the Lionel sounded like a ship horn, so they didn't hit it either. So, not bad for either. Also, run the trains as fast as you want! I ❤ it! Good review!

[@janemarkham4133]

COOL VIDEO BROTHERMAN!!!! Very informative, keep them coming BRO>>AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA COOL 😃😄😁😮😯😲❤🤟🤘👍👍

[@gabrielgonzalez3983]

Dude you’re videos are awesome haha 🤣 😍🚂

[@JacobHeiseiGojirayashazilla994]

I like the horn and sound of the Lionel A-B-B-A, sounds more realistic.

[@chumley307]

I love that you have LEGO modulars in your city. Fantastic! Imo, Lionel is better overall, but Menards is a far better value.

[@tomrogers5516]

The price for the Menards Union Pacific set is a hands down winner, Chris. That alone means more collectors will be able to afford this model and enjoy it's features. But the Menard's horn sounds like a door bell buzzer compared to the Lionel more accurate diesel horn. I'm not much into cab chatter. It's of a fantasy, unless you own a communicator. The chances of hearing this kind of thing in a real situation are next to impossible, with all the safety restrictions keeping the general public at a distance, but if you say so, Menards has a unique feature here. The exteriors of both sets matches what I would expect, so no complaints. The Menards model seems to be a smooth puller, but the slow speed of the Lionel is just amazing. All in all, it was a fair comparison between two very different models. Lionel is a clear winner just because of the technology available, but price wise, the Menards model is an impressive model to able to own.

[@Cbtrainnut]

Lol, this has to be the funniest video you have made! Menards puts out some great cheap products! Bought some for my wife and her O scale layout. Yes I said O scale. Me I’m an S Scale guy and prefer the American Flyer and American Models and S Helper Service trains over anything. As far as the horns go I like the Proto 3 F unit horns on my S Scale trains. But all in all a great video!

[@EngineerEd-xt2qu]

Thanks for comparing the locomotives. I just starting out back in O scale again which I love. I’m doing n scale cos of the size of the room. But I eliminated a loop of n scale and I put O scale run and I love the O scale running O since I was a kid. Pls take a look and see what you think

[@shawnvanhorn3754]

Honestly, I think the Menards is giving WAY more bang for your buck... When it comes to diesel's, I would probably rather have the Menards, because I would rather save my money for fun steam engine's, but that is just personal preference. I agree with a lot of other people on here too, I feel like Menard's is offering a gateway for more people to get into the hobby, not everyone has $2000 to plop down on a toy... and that is also a good point, if you are getting something like this as a toy for a kid, the Menards is a much better choice, kids aren't running trains slow and if $200 flies off the the track, fine, if $2000 flies off the track, (tears welling). It is also worth pointing out, some of the Menard's buildings are super nice and blow the Lionel buildings out of the water in detail and design... not to mention price!

[@TheLEMRR]

Those Lionel F-Units are darn sweet, Chris. Thx for posting!

[@roughneckwolf]

The Lionel and Menards crewtalk both kill it for me. The Lionel horn is 10/10. I'll stick with my Williams chassie'd Marx 21's

[@scasey1960]

Gotta love a guy who loves model trains. Why grow up!! 🎉

[@RBPTrains]

Exactly! Thanks for watching

[@bobbydavenport8941]

I can't decide they both seem to be great models

[@waynecasey6375]

Wow, great video thank you… The Lionel is definitely awesome in every way, except the price I suppose… And the Menards is fantastic. Also, I just wish it had smoke but I would end up buying a Menards. It looks great runs great and it’s just so much less expensive.

[@sharkzf6]

First, let me say your videos are excellent! I just came across this one and had to leave a like and comment. Second, your layout is magnificent! I am truly in awe! As for the content, I use to run Lionel trains back in the 70s when I was a kid. The old stuff was very low on detail and eventually, like many other folks back then I switched to HO (my current scale of choice). This new Lionel stuff is amazing! If I didn't have so much time and money invested in HO I would definitely switch! (still don't like the 3rd rail thing though 😐) The Menards unit is admirable and my hats off to them for marketing a more budget oriented product! But there is no doubt the Lionel is tiers above the Menard! Thanks for a great comparison!

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you for watching! There is so much more you can do with H O compared to the O Gauge stuff.

[@fredashay]

Wow! A working Mars light at 1:14. I've never seen that on a model train before! But yeah, Lionel stuff is expensive. I dropped $1000 on two locomotives not too long ago: an Amtrak P42 and a Conrail SD70 both by Lionel. I also like MTH. Never bought anything my Menards, we don't have them here in New York.

[@Paul-gy7dn]

My mth coal turbine has the mars light, it’s pretty cool

[@LEGOALEX97]

Just stumbled into this channel. I loved your video and energetic style! Wish I had the time/space to do model trains.

[@RBPTrains]

Welcome aboard and glad to have you here! For the longest time, I worked with a small loop of track so you never know where you might start. :)

[@flywelder]

Great video, I am a fan of Menards items and what he has made available to us! on a different topic, how would I locate model train fans who would open their doors to visits to see their layout and trains run, and shoot the fat about this great hobby? As I will be traveling to Rock hill, SC on the 21 Of Oct. 2023, and have 3 hrs. of time to kill between my 2PM and 6PM appointments. I greatly appreciate your assistance with this!

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks for watching! Not sure about open house events. Might want to pose that question in the O Gauge Forum. Might be some folks or clubs in that area.

[@kerrykonecny800]

The Lionel is much better but it is 10x the price...so you get what you pay for...and you don't get what you don't pay for!

[@rahulshah1408]

I have no clue how KZbin recommended your channel. My last video was Bruce Rivers CLR. Instant sub. What content! Edit. Figured it out. I looked up the cog trains at Mt Washington and Pikes Peak.

[@RBPTrains]

Glad to have you here and welcome!

[@rovervitesse1985]

Great that 200 dollar sets are availible with this great quality for the price. We need this for the continuation of our hobby. Cheap sets get kids in on uor hobby. We need that

[@RBPTrains]

Agree!

[@carlmiles8655]

Hello Chris my internet train friend thanks for inviting me to your train room great video GOD BLESS ;-)

[@mindstorms247]

Love the Lionel horn❤ Lionel is a winner for me.

[@bshaboogie]

Just catching up on this a year later, but the Menards horn sounds more like a classic F unit diesel to me .... the Lionel sounds like a steamship 😉

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

Great idea for a video. I really enjoyed it.

[@nascartoyseries6332]

At 8:11 the logo on the box car changed from “southern pacific lines” to “union pacific”

[@monmixer]

Are there not dip switches under the hood to change the horn sounds? Maybe just in the high end models. I was watching a video with the new lionel big boy the other day. Vision series.

[@jackstoyOgaugetrains]

I was finally able to get a Menards F7. Now that I’m retired I can’t afford the big dollar Lionel train anymore. But Menards. I’ll looking forward to the next release and I’ll get another.

[@ronaldjoyce7374]

Great review/comparison. Hey, I kinda like the horn on the Menards loco 👍🏻😱 Sure, for the price, it seems to work pretty good, to bad they could’ve put an off/on switch on the dummy unit to shut off the headlight. Maybe a coat of paint on the inside of the body would’ve stopped the lights from shining through? It kinda looks like the first buildings I ever built back in the 60s then later tried to light it, see through building 😂

[@RBPTrains]

Agree! The light could easily be masked with some paint. Thanks for watching! There may actually be a switch on the dummy unit that I failed to mention... I need to check it.

[@louisletourneau3429]

The view of the train passing on the big bridge at 10:03 is a calendar picture !!!!!❤

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks! Sometimes these clips work out. :)

[@joegabuzda976]

Good comparison on the engines. As hoophil said, Menards is trying to fill that need for decent beginners and affordable trains. I agree Menards is smart. And as a side, I don't think you run your trains too fast. I like to have the impression that trains have a destination they have to reach, not just always meandering through a yard.

[@CannonMusic05]

If I wanted to build the north pole, Xpress, the same as the one that runs through Owasso Michigan to Ashley Michigan would it be OK if I put a diesel Loco on the back to pull it backwards without running the steam locomotive and other words can I pull a steam locomotive backwards or will it destroy the internals? I don’t know how it works. Maybe that’s a stupid question but I don’t know.

[@Jack39_sup]

This is so beautiful i can't wait to get another train since i have the o gauge Polar express

[@craigirwin4771]

I’d go with Lionel without the ‘B’ units. I’ll see if Lionel makes it for ‘S’ gauge. Great video thanks.

[@OragamiTobichi-bi6lh]

Yessssss more trains my friend. I just got a new o scale train set. I still have to make a video of it. Ur the best my friend. Any recommendations for new o scale engines. Linol is the best to get and the whistle is amazing.

[@charlesmcclure5994]

If you're just starting out in this hobby and have a limited budget the Menards units is it good 👍👍

[@jacksonthomas1851]

The alternative to either of these is move down in Scales so you can buy highly detailed modeled for under $1000.

[@sjwilson1079]

Would you be willing to compare the lionel lionchief super chief set and the Menards Super chief set??