One of the great things about having a model railroad is that you can populate it with things that evoke happy memories. Menards has tapped into this with buildings that touch both the nuts and bolts of railroading (manufacturing firms, oil wells, and power plants), and the lighter side as well with hobby shops, cow stealing Martians, campsites, and eateries. Liam’s Custard (No. 275-9284) is a classic, familiar to almost everyone who went on a long distance vacation drive!
The model is just the right size for fairly easy placement in a city or rural scene. The base is 8-7/8 inches wide and 6-inches deep. The base is a standard Menards design replicating a concrete foundation.
The exterior has the usual detailing Menards is known for. A colorful 1957 Dodge pickup truck is waiting at the drive through window, a patch of grass and a tree at the rear, and the right front side has a large ice cream cone displayed.
In front of the stand are two auto guard posts and two customers: Two adults and two children. Oh, yes, Jack the German Shepher is nearby hoping against hope that one of the kids will drop their cone for him to clean up!
The building has a pretty cool angled overhang that I’ve seen in the past. keeping customers out of the rain or hot summer sun. First time out of the box and plugged it in, the overhead lighting looked terrific. It resembled gentle pre-LED Fluorescent lighting. Why notice this? The lighting inside the store gave off a nice light blue hue that I thought was an interesting contrast with the overhead lighting.
The inside of the store has a server, with assorted hardware in the back for making those tasty treats. One detail, seemingly trivial, that caught my eye were assorted notices put up on the windows. They included prices, help wanted, and the like. It reminded me of an ice cream stand in Melbourne Florida 50 years ago – Del’s Freez (an old Tasty Freez shop). If there was a school fundraiser, lost bike, or garage sale, you could find it taped on a window.
Like most Menards buildings, Liam’s Custard lighting requires power from Menard’s 4.5 volt power supply. You can use the 279-4061/4361, 4060/4362, or 4050. You can connect it through a single plug over the tabletop or from beneath the shop from a drop down pigtail plug.
For more information go to www.Menards.com/Trains.
Liam’s Frozen Custard Stand (No. 275-9284)
Price: $59.99
Website: menards.com/trains
