Having just converted from N scale (well, I am still there too) I am starting to build up a fleet of HO equipment. Before it gets out of hand, I plan to convert them to metal wheels and Kadee couplers. Since it might be many years before I have a layout to run them on, I need to find a way to store them. Except for my locomotives, I want an easy way to store my cars.
I was thinking about purchasing an Axian brand storage box but wondered if there were any other suggestions you guys had? I have read that the cars must be wrapped in plastic for long-term storage, and I was going to use some plastic wrap or cut up ziplock bags or something.
Excuse me if another thread covers this subject. If so, just point me there and I will be on my way.
Thanks.!
Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/
Interesting. I keep my HO in the original boxes. I cut pieces of soft urethane foam to make a close fitting nest for each car. I stack the boxed rolling stock into empty liquor cartons. It's cheap, and the cars are padded against damage for when I take them down to the club or to the show.
A lot of guys at the club built "rollies", big boxes on castors that fit under the layout. Inside the rollie there were a lot of pull out shelves and the rolling stock stood upon its wheels on each shelf. The rollie kept the dust out and was perfectly adequate so long as the rollie stayed indoors. Rollies do not offer much protection against the bangs and bumps of motor transportation.
Some guys bought roll around tool boxes from Sears or Horrible Freight. These worked about like rollies but came ready to run.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Benjamin,
You could try using Dell keyboard boxes. They're smaller than the Axian boxes but pretty much the same height. Since the boxes aren't lined, you'd need to come of with some foam, newspaper, or something to keep your locomotives and rolling stock from becoming "mobile". Putting them in their original boxes is another altenative.
I have four (4) of the Axian storage/tote boxes and like them very much. The nice thing about them is that the foam helps keep the contents separated and secure. They also come with labels and additional foam inserts.
For long-term storage, Axian does suggest as a precaution using either plastic (e.g. drycleaning bag) or tissue paper to wrap your storage items in because the foam liners may stick to certain paints in rare cases. I chose to use tissue paper because it's thin and any oil will be more readily absorbed in the paper rather than with plastic.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I use "Pizza Boxes" for excess freight equipment, get the good ones that are sturdy and not those thin cheap ones. Just go to your favorite Pizza place, the independents are usually easier to work with, and ask them what they'll sell you some of thier boxes for.
I bought about 50 of them quite some time ago for 25 cents each and am still using them, they're just the right size for HO.
Mark
I like keeping mine in the original boxes too. A few of the 50's become a little long when you add the couplers. If you can't turn the trucks a slightly larger box may be necessary. I tend to use packing peanuts to keep the cars from moving around.
For cars that I pick up at shows that do not have boxes, check boxes make a good substitute for 40' cars.
My wife gets food from Schwanns and some other place that comes in heavy cardboard boxes. Open up like a briefcase. They are a little deeper than pizza boxes and more rectungular. I have thought of getting some soft foam for the top and bottom liners and using pink or blue extruded foam between the rows. Have seen some commercial ones that look very much like this being used buy the members of the club that brought the layout.
Good luck,
Search this forum, someone recently posted pictures of an art porfolio case they picked u and added foam to, makes a perfect HO carrying case.
Reminds me, I need to get one before Timonium in October so I can take some of my stuff to run on the RCT&HS modular layout.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I use cardboard boxes designed to hold 5000 baseball cars
http://www.bcwsupplies.com/products/Trading-Card-Boxes/Super-Monster-Storage-Box-5000-Ct.htm
I store my rolling stock in their OEM boxes. I keep the boxes in plastic flip-lid crates:
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
I purchased the Axian boxes, and like them. I lined mine with clean, white packing paper, and I just shipped mine across the ocean, in a large metal box, to one of the hottest places around during the hottest months. No paint damage of any kind.
I did have some damage from cars sliding back and forth (mostly just box cars coming off of their frames), Axian gives you extra foam which I discovered you should use, cut into small pieces, to prevent them from doing exactly that.
I doubt folks may be shipping their items internationally via container as I did on a regular basis, but overall I'm very pleased with how they've worked, and pleased with the space savings I get versus original packaging.
I'm trying to model 1956, not live in it.
All my cars, 300+, are at the layout!
But a friend uses Train Safe. It's expensive but good. You can attach it to the tracks and ready.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
Wolfgang,
your link seems broken, but I was able to get on their website. They list H02L, am I correct in presuming that is standard HO scale 2 rail?
Wow, thanks for all of the great replies. As I was before I asked, I am leaning towards the Axian boxes but the suggestion to use pizza boxes is also interesting. If I showed up to my club with some of them, though, and opened them up without having pizza inside there would be a lot of unhappy campers!
I store both of my rolling stock in the original boxes and keep them in my desk drawer..........
If you also want to carry your HO or N gauge places in a case that will stand up to knocks, water, etc, pull up 178538
Hal