The Big Surprise: the factory-assembled O gauge structure is made of wood.
Let me be frank. If someone walked up to me, handed me a box of parts for this building, and said, “I’ll pay you $100 to assemble this kit for me,” I’d look at the wood and window frames and decals and just laugh and walk away. Having screwed up a fine wood structure or two, I realize I don’t have the patience to get a kit two-thirds complete and then do something wrong, making the kit suitable for display only as a storm-damaged building.
That is why I’m amazed at this new building from Menards.
For less than a C-note you get a fully assembled wood structure, meticulously painted, decaled, decorated, and weathered. Even better, it has interior illumination and even a blinking Budweiser sign. This is a no-brainer.
Opening the box
When I opened the shipping box, I didn’t know what to expect. The Camaraderie Bar & Grill is packed in a see-through plastic box. I was careful removing it from the box and discoverd the detailing was very, very fine.
The base differs from that found on most structures since it has a red tile/brick pattern versus the simulated concrete of many building sidewalks. One corner has two trashcans and a garbage dumpster, while another hosts oil drums and a number of shipping crates.
The other two sides might best be called “alley sides” because the sidewalks end, and there are no additional ground-level details. The piece is probably best used at a corner, but I think a few minutes with a blade could crop the corner into a square end, allowing it to be slid amid other structures.
The entrance for the store is very nice. It has that chopped corner with lots of “glass” to see inside. The woodwork is gray, and it is accented to appear worn with age. It gives the bar a bit of an aged patina, as they say on the TV show American Pickers. There’s a narrow gray step running the length of the gray storefront.
There are three framed spots for signs. On our sample one had the name of the bar, the second offered the enticement of live music and karaoke, and the third was an ad for RC Cola. There is decaled signage for Fisher’s nuts, Dr Pepper with 10-2-4 graphics, Pick Up Sticks, Pittsburgh Paints, and of course, on the rear of the shop, Menards.
Why the back?
I suspect that the store faced Main Street and the rear faced the tracks – commuters get reminded of where they can “Save big money!”
The siding of the building looks very nice. The slats seem to be right for the scale, and the painting is a warm, light brown. The variation of color is enough to suggest age, but not derelict status.
Second-floor details
Perhaps the standout detail point is the overhang above the tavern entrance. I’ve seen this style of older building before, and I suppose it was a way to maximize the floor space for dwellers of the second floor. The window frames are nice and deep, and there are variations in the venetian blinds – some fully down and others partially down.
The stairway to the second floor is truly old school (it reminds me of the steps to “Doc’s place” on the TV western Gunsmoke). That intricate wood feature was flawlessly assembled. As the photo of the second-floor doorway illustrates, there is plenty of good-looking wood texture on the door and the door frame.
The back of the building has an electrical connection/meter box and a ground-to-roof ladder. The roof has a simulated exhaust vent and two “pipe” vents. The roof is a weathered-looking black. There are also 20 separately applied supports for the roof overhang.
Oh, there are 13 two-pane windows on the second floor and two two-pane windows on the side and rear of the lower level. At the base of the rear, next to the power plug, you’ll find two on/off switches. One triggers the building’s lights (including the downward lights above the bar entrance and the second-floor doorway).
The other activates the Budweiser sign that flashes on and off.
So mark me down as astonished in two ways. First, that Menards has so fully embraced the role of purveyor of holiday toy train fun. Second, that the firm is offering a highly detailed product so clearly targeting owners of O gauge layouts and not around-the-tree operators.
Let me give Menards a hearty “Well done.” I can’t wait to see what they come up with in 2014! – Bob
Features: Wood construction, fully assembled and detailed, interior illumination, flashing beer sign. Requires 4.5-volt power adaptor (not included). See your local Menards store or go to
www.menards.com and search “Menards collectibles.”
I looked at these at local Menards. Fine to find a mass retailer that has "this n' that" for my favorite hobby. I don't care for pressed PLASTIC. The model described here appears very carefully assembled. Though I "really" love tin-plate.. you may be very happy with this and can often be found at discount price. Give Menards a visit for your Lionel train set and model needs.