Rocket Diner **O Scale – Menards

Meet you at The Rocket: The Rocket Diner from Menards

For decades, old railroad gear has been utilized for many non-transportation purposes. Dining cars and trolley cars have become eateries; cabooses have become tourist information offices, coffee shops, or craft stores. The Rocket Diner combines an iconic piece of railroad equipment with a trendy spot for a burger. The Rocket turns sitting trackside and having your breakfast into big-time fun!

The basics: This is a fully assembled and decorated restaurant with a difference. The main structure is a diesel locomotive body! The accessory’s footprint is 18 x 8-¾ inches with a height of 3-¾ inches. The locomotive has an illuminated headlight and markers and an electronic sign on the front side. There is also an operating smoke unit (to simulate frying those burgers) utilizing water vapor (no smoke fluid needed).

A service area for the wait staff wraps around the side and rear of the building. The patio is equipped with tables, chairs, customers, a waiter, and even menus.

The accessory is designed for use with the Menard’s 4.5-volt power supply sold separately (Menards SKU nos. 279-4061/4361, 4062/4362, or 4050). Power may be applied through a power connection on the back of the building, or by a drop-down pigtail plug from beneath the building.

Why you need this: For an outdoor bistro, the landscaping is attractive and designed to make customers linger! The base is decorated with grass and 22 bushes. The L-Shaped patio has planters on four sides, and yes, the flowers are in full bloom. The patio has timber plank-style flooring. You’ll find four brown round tables and white chairs for eight customers. Each table even has a menu mounted in the center.

The main structure is the body of an Electro-Motive F-unit diesel. Alas, the once majestic locomotive has been gutted of its diesel engine and now serves up tasty food for hungry patrons. The model is decorated in homage to the iconic Rock Island graphics, with subtitle “GOOD FOOD” emblem on the nose. In years gone by, Rock Island and its passenger service was once dubbed “The Route of the Rockets.”

The nose of the locomotive features an illuminated headlight. Both sides of the nose have number boards bearing the word “ROCKET.” About mid-structure you’ll see chase lighting for the word “DINER.” This sequences as D-I-N-E-R and then flashes twice, and restarts again. This is positioned just above the name “The Rocket.”

The locomotive is clearly the kitchen now. A smoke unit is placed in the middle of the body. The “smoke” is water vapor poured into the unit through a hole plugged with what looks like a fan with a filter to catch grease! It generates a nice wisp suggesting the cooks are in action.

A side extension has been added to the building. It has gently curved lines and darkly tinted pass-through widows and doorways serving patrons on the deck.

The patio has four seated customers and a waiter on standby. Jack the German shepherd rests near a doorway – no doubt hoping someone will trip and drop an order of cheesy French fries at his paws!

Parked nearby is a die-cast metal 1957 Dodge Sweptside pickup truck. This officially licensed model is a throwback to an era when pickup trucks could have fins and non-traditional colors. Two pleased customers are making their exit from The Rocket.

The Rocket Diner ups the ante in the passenger car-turned-eatery category is concerned. The cab unit has plenty of “Wow” packed into it, and the layout of the serving area is actually very pleasant, and just what your O gauge town folk will appreciate!