Boxes (Variation Question)

[M1Tanker]

I have 4-5 large storage bins of train boxes. Needless to say these take up a huge amount of room. Should I just recycle the boxes? I figure the only move I have left is when I retire from the Army. Opinions please?

V/r,

LTC Smith

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't. Having the oiginal boxes definately adds to the value of the trains if that's a concern. Also, packing the trains well enough to protect them during even one move seems like a real challenge without the original boxes. And of course there could always be another move or two you can't foresee now.

If you do decide to get rid of them, you should be aware that they may have some value. You do see boxes listed for sale on e*bay. Here's a recent sale -
http://cgi.ebay.com/Collection-of-Empty-Lionel-boxes-w-2037-Loco-and-243W_W0QQitemZ5993867581QQcategoryZ4146QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

In case you don't have an ID, the boxes were for

2037 Loco
243W Tender with whistle
6821 Flat w/ crates (part of the perferated window is detached)
6826 Flat w/ christmas trees (part of the perferated window is detached)
6361 Log car
6636 Hopper car
252 Automatic crossing gate (the gate is in the box with this one)
1020 90 degree crossing

They sold for $127.50 + shipping.

[Warburton]

I stored empty train boxes at my mother's house until she moved into assisted living. The I faced a real dilemma as I don't have room at my place for all of them. What I finally did was decide which boxes I thought had the most potential value in the future, and I tossed the rest. I saved engine boxes, all postwar boxes, and boxes for the rarer or more expensive or exotic new production stuff. For instance, the value a box for an ordinary "starter type" freight car adds to the car is pretty small if any at all while the value it adds to a $1,000 engine is a lot greater, etc.

I can't say that what I've done is right or not, but that's the rationale I used. I had to do something! Time will tell if I chose wisely. Hope this helps!

[M1Tanker]

Thanks for the valued input so far. I know I will keep at least engine boxes and for the pieces that matter more to us. Space is always a premium in a house.

Smitty

[brianel027]

You don't metion M1 whether your trains are modern or original Lionel Corp. vintage: that is pre-1969. Most modern trains are not worth that much more at this time whether they do or don't have the box, although having the box never hurts.

If your trains are older, you might want to hang on the boxes. Many of these boxes were not taped, so you can undo the ends and flatten the box so that you can store more boxes in a smaller amount of space.

The big difference with today's trains, especially modern era, and even more so with the ones made in China, is that the boxes are larger and come with a good deal of packing material. Whether it is styrofoam, or molded plastic components, these boxes most decidedly take up more space.

Ultimately it is a personal decision. I knew one guy who had a huge collection of train boxes in a storeage shed. He didn't realize it, but the shed had a bad roof and so nearly all of the boxes were ruined. Another guy I know kept them in the back of his basement where they eventually over time they started decomposing because of the moisture and mildew.

It does take extra space to store the boxes - and to store them properly. So you have to ask yourself if it is worth the cost and space to keep and store all the boxes? I myself just couldn't save all my boxes. I decided it was my trains and my enjoyment of them that gives me the greatest value - and that I simply can't put a price on (that anyone else would want to pay). Besides, from a collector standpoint because I do so many alterations and repainting, my train collection is junk. From a personal standpoint, not even Bill Gates has enough money to buy my trains from me.... they're works of art, each one with a story. I like it that way.

[choochin3]

I would keep 'em!

Carl T.

[Warburton]

As previously mentioned, the newer production pieces are packed in solid clear plastic holders which can't be flattened. This development has been the biggest problem I've faced with keeping boxes. You can store a heck of a lot of boxes if you can flatten them rather than having to store them whole! For that reason, I have most of my older Lionel boxes and far fewer of the newer ones.

One more thing I did: I made an inventory of boxes and where in my shed or house I stored them, etc. Makes it a lot easier to find them when I need them.