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Where do we keep our trains when outside

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Palm Bay, Florida
  • 38 posts
Where do we keep our trains when outside
Posted by Sp1d3y on Thursday, November 18, 2010 9:12 AM

I just got my gardenrailroad up and running and now I'm wondering how many people leave their rolling stock and locomotives outside?  I really hate carrying the trains in and out all the time.  Any ideas?  I don't want to ruin them but keep them functional.  Train sheds etc, I'd really like to see pics.

I guess i can always keep them on the porch again but was wondering what  everyone else was doing.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Shire Counties UK
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Posted by two tone on Thursday, November 18, 2010 11:37 AM

Hi   Here in the UK I keep my rolling stock in a shed in the garden and my locos live in totes on track, so I just have to put them next to a spur and they are ready to roll.         If you are leaving any items out doors make sure your house insurances covers them.      Hope this helps

                Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life

  • Member since
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  • From: Chatham, Ont
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Posted by DennisB on Thursday, November 18, 2010 12:08 PM

?action=view&current=STORAGECABINET.jpg

   I use a storage cabinet made by Suncast. Shelves are adjustable and doors can be locked. I keep it nearby the train layout. Have had it for 4 years now and am very satisfied with it. Cost at the time was $150. Regards, Dennis.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Sunny West Coast of Florida
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Posted by IRB Souther Engineer on Thursday, November 18, 2010 8:00 PM

I had a friend that left 25+ aristocraft cars in his mailbox tunnel. Sometimes he even left his SD-45's in the tunnel too. I thought he was crazy to do that...

  • Member since
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  • From: Burke, Virginia
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Posted by TheJoat on Friday, November 19, 2010 5:18 PM

I keep 14 of them in one of my buildings.


 

It also serves  as one of my industries

 

 

Bruce
  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Sunny West Coast of Florida
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Posted by IRB Souther Engineer on Friday, November 19, 2010 5:25 PM

Does a lot of water get in that building?

  • Member since
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  • From: Burke, Virginia
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Posted by TheJoat on Friday, November 19, 2010 5:33 PM

Not much.   It's all acrylic.   I think some water comes in through the chimneys, but I put some sponges in there to absorb any moisture.   No problem.

Bruce
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Friday, November 19, 2010 8:11 PM

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

 Click here for Greg's web site

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Palm Bay, Florida
  • 38 posts
Posted by Sp1d3y on Saturday, November 20, 2010 10:57 AM

so awesome thank you.  I love the rolling cabinet idea. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Anaheim, CA Bayfield, CO
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Posted by Southwest Chief on Saturday, November 20, 2010 1:27 PM

We use a heavy grade plastic tarp and wrap it around our two six foot bridges.  I store our passenger trainset under the tarp.  Works well to keep things dry.

 

Here is a similar angle showing the area without the tarp:

 

For some locomotives and other pieces of rolling stock I want to keep clean and dry, I sometimes store them in our roundhouse:

Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, CO
Click Here for my model train photo website

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Posted by ztribob on Saturday, November 20, 2010 7:20 PM

[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/

Here are a couple of pictures of my outside storage area.

shed2:550:0]

[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/P6030011:550:0]

  • Member since
    October 2004
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Posted by ztribob on Saturday, November 20, 2010 7:25 PM

And my inside storage area.

[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/P6030005:550:0]

 

[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/P6030004:550:0]

  • Member since
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  • From: Michigan City, In.
  • 781 posts
Posted by spikejones52002 on Saturday, November 27, 2010 2:09 PM

I run a spur track into my house. I have a drop style door. the inside spur will hold 3 passenger cars.

Once inside I remove the cars and place them on shelf that are two car deep. I do not use track. I placed a 1/4 thick strip as wide as inside of the truck to aline the car and keep then from rolling off.

When I want to run a long train. I just keep moving it outside 3 to 5 cars at a time.

Also if you get caught in a quick storm. You are inside and your train comes to you.

The design has to up to you. Design for your house access. You can also keep your controls inside and just run the wires under or alongside the spur out.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Monterey Peninsula, Calif.
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Posted by Independent Operator on Sunday, November 28, 2010 10:13 AM

I keep all my rolling stock in Rubbermaid type storage cabinets (the stand up type).  I've got six of them spaced out around different parts of the layout.  Makes it convenient when picking rolling stock to run.  I keep my locomotives in a metal storage shed that also serves as my control station for the transformers and such.  The only problem I had with a few of the Rubbermaid type cabinets was that they leaked water in during the rains and storms.  These were the type that you have to assemble out of the box.  I ended up doing a lot of silicone work inside these cabinets after every storm.  No problems as of late.  The cabinets that come in one piece out of the box I had no problems with at all as far as leaks go.  I did to be on the safe side anchor all of the cabinets to the ground.  Sometimes the wind around here gets really bad.

 

Sp1d3y

I just got my gardenrailroad up and running and now I'm wondering how many people leave their rolling stock and locomotives outside?  I really hate carrying the trains in and out all the time.  Any ideas?  I don't want to ruin them but keep them functional.  Train sheds etc, I'd really like to see pics.

I guess i can always keep them on the porch again but was wondering what  everyone else was doing.

RUDY JAGER, CEO OF THE LONE WOLF RAILROAD 

TRUST ME--I USED TO WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT!

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • 103 posts
Posted by Dick Friedman on Friday, December 3, 2010 12:41 AM

Last fall I built a storage shed to house my stuff.  I always bring the electric stuff inside, but (except in rainy season) I leave a few cars outside so the layout looks "in service."  I usually leave my buildings outside year 'round, but I'm taking a few of the newer ones inside so they don't get covered in mud.

The shelves in the shed are grooved to accept flanges.  I also built a track from the RR to the shed, so I don't have to carry equipment back and forth.

Reply off-line if you'd like to see how it looks.  Can't figure out how to connect my photos from my computer (which I shut off) to this site.

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • 1 posts
Posted by colinj on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 4:36 PM

I keep mine in the garage under my truck (only place there is room). I cut a hole in the back of the garage to allow the trains to travel in and out from the three spurs under the truck. The track then runs to the backyard and connects to the layout. I would include some pictures but have no idea how to do that.

  • Member since
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  • From: Oakley Ca
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Posted by dwbeckett on Friday, December 24, 2010 5:37 AM

Go digital, then read, How to add photo's

Dave

The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.

  • Member since
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  • From: Nebraska City, NE
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Posted by Marty Cozad on Saturday, December 25, 2010 8:11 AM

Locos always stay inside and dry,

 cars year round  in

Is it REAL? or Just 1:29 scale?

Long live Outdoor Model Railroading.

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