storage

[crip]

I had some water damage to my train boxes due to the heavy rain we had in the last couple of days (more to continue!). Nothing major, just the bottoms of my starter set boxes getting wet. The only reason I use these is because I haven't found a way to store my extra trains while I run what is on my layout now. Short of building an enclosed glass display case,(MY DREAM) does anyone have any suggestions on storage. My wife suggested plastic containers.

Mark

[Demon09]

those plastic storage bins are not a bad idea at all. some, if you position them just right, you can fit several boxes in. If you buy the larger ones that are sometimes available around the holidays, you can even get a lid to protect the boxes from sunlight and fading to keep any value you might want to accrue. Right now i have all my boxes stacked in one of those to make sure that any water that does come in wont get to the boxes.

[Warburton]

You can use underbed storage boxes (available at discount stores like K-Mart). They work great if you keep your cars out of their orig. boxes. That way you can store more in a smaller space. Also, try sport card/comic shops for sports card storage boxes. These are square cardboard boxes with dividers inside and usually accommodate 5 passenger cars or at least that many freight cars. I use a lot of these and they can be stacked 5 high due to the reinforcement of the dividers inside (they are very sturdy). And, of course, the plastic underbed boxes are stackable too.

[Anonymous]

I wrap my unboxed trains in tgift tissue wrap, then insert them in plastic sleeves (which I do not tightly seal). I store them in either cardboard boxes or the plastic storage containers as described above. I add packets of dissicant silica gel--the stuff that comes with most every locomotive and electronics items that you buy--as an added measure of protection against moisture.

[Warburton]

Allan, I agree : the dissicant gel paks are an excellent precaution. it's no fluke that the maufacturers put them in with their new offerings. Moisture is the big enemy of train storage!

[Sturgeon-Phish]

The rubber maid or sterilite containers are great. Sprinkle cat litter in the bottom to absorb moisture. Best not to wrap in bubble wrap or plastic grocery bags as these may harm plastic.
Jim

[bomber]

Mark,

Depending on the size of the box and the plastic inserts, you might want to fold - out the boxes, stack them and store in a 'space-pack' bag. These are the ones you suck the air out of with a cavuum. We use them for packing suitcases for travel and storage of blankets, etc. You can store the boxes in them, air tight, no moisture, and stack the plastic inserts.

Bruce