Unless the original cardboard boxes are looked at as an extension of collecting or authenticity, I found that cardboard is a lousy storage medium..crush-able, prone to moisture issues, tearing.....Then you have a sizable amount of these little boxes to place in storage ..storage for the storage containers...So...I went with plastic tote boxes and wrap the long term stuff just as I would sending a shipment from a Ebay sale. Bubble wrap being cheap.
Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.
Besides the original loco and car boxes, I use repo and card boxes for used purchases. I then put them in copier paper boxes for master storage (free at most companies). 11 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 10. I will also put unboxed cars in the master boxes using scrap styrofoam to separate to avoid scratching. These master boxes are sturdy and can be stacked quite high depending on weight of contents. Boxes are numbered and contents listed on front and sides with a label maker. Contents of a master box may be by car type (boxcar) train type (all cars for a work train) or sets (where a set box is available). Cars are entered into a spreadsheet by number, description, type, etc. and box number and location of master box. If not stacked too high, bottom boxes can be pulled out easily when desired. I have about 250 items in 25 masters. Avoid placing cardboard boxes directly on unpainted concrete as they will absorb some moisture.
Hielsie
BoydI bought 8 Bella brand blue 10 gallon plastic totes. Nice compact size for storing below layout. I forgot to say I got them at Menards for 5.11 each with tax.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
I use 15 1/2" x 12" x 4 1/4" white corrugated boxes from Staples. They have several other sizes too.
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Large plastic storage boxes whether I have boxes for the trains or not.
One solution you may want to try is purchasing "Baseball Card storage boxes", which come in different sizes to accomodate putting trains in. One supplier I found was BCW Supplies, and the prices seem reasonable. Just do a "Google" search for BCW Supplies and check on what they have. It may help, if you aren't interested in trying to accumulate original boxes at above average prices on Ebay.
For putting away my trains that have no boxes I have purchased repro. Lionel boxes and liners on ebay. You can also use trading card storage boxes but they are not found at big box stores. But at a neighborhood card shop.
For general pack away storage I prefer to use plastic storage totes over cardboard. You can often find them on sale at the big box stores.
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