I recently rewatched an old video by James Wright (jlwii2000) talking about the now discontinued Spring Mills carrying cases. It's a shame that such a great product was discontinued (they state it's due to shipping fees), but I'd like to know if there's any similar products that match on quality, size, and usability. I've already taken a look at other offerings by Axian Tech and A-Line, but they don't really match, because you have to assemble the A-Line hobby tote boxes, which can be very tedious and a waste of time (time is hard to come by nowadays for me), and the Axian boxes are a bit too short lengthwise for storing large amounts of equipment (you'd be lucky if you fit two HO autoracks in them).
Is there a good alternative to the Spring Mills boxes for a long carrying case? At one point I was debating buying one of those mega-sized crayola pencil storage boxes, but that would definitely not be worth it.
So what do I do? Do I continue just carrying in-box HO models in shopping bags to shows, stuffing what I can into briefcases? It's annoying, sure, but it gets the job done. I honestly just wish a manufacturer takes note of this lacking part of the market and creates long storage boxes like the old Spring Mills ones.
Thanks,
Joe, of the Lehigh Line
Best: Go to Battlefoam Dot Com and use their custom foam creator and get a big "Pack" case.
I use Axian cases, but for transport only, not storage.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
That's really a shame about Spring Mills because their carry cases are so much better than Axians. Most all of my stuff is in a set of Spring Mills boxes from when I packed up to move here. I used them to take my equipment to club shows, never had the slightest bit of damage. I started with a coupel of Axian boxes but since everything lays on its side in those, it was deforming the handrials of my locos, and I didn't dare put a Kadee car in there for fear of breaking off those fragile grabs.
Also there goes my idea of replicating the rolling storage unit fromt he article they had on their web site.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Joe,
I guess you're picker about storage boxes than I am. I use both the A-Line and Axian Tech storage units and like them both. I store my locomotives and tank cars upright in the A-Line Hobby totes and lay the remainder of my rolling stock on its side in the padded Axian Tech storage cases. And, per the Axian instructions, I line all my cases with tissue paper - top & bottom - to keep the foam from possibly sticking to the paint. It's inexpensive insurance, will soak up any oil leaks, and can easily be replaced, if needed.
And I don't find that A-Line boxes that tedious to put together. Once you do one you get a system down and they go together fairly quickly; a few minutes each at best.
Two autoracks per Axian box? How long are they? Longer than 89'? While that would be a bit long for two per row, you should still be able to get one per row - in either the Axian or A-Line boxes - for a total of 4 per box. I can get two 11.6" (84') passenger cars per row (8 per box) with a little buffer space in-between.
I haven't tried or know of any other storage containers to suggest to you. Hope you can find something that will meet your needs.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
rrinker That's really a shame about Spring Mills because their carry cases are so much better than Axians. Most all of my stuff is in a set of Spring Mills boxes from when I packed up to move here. I used them to take my equipment to club shows, never had the slightest bit of damage. I started with a coupel of Axian boxes but since everything lays on its side in those, --Randy
That's really a shame about Spring Mills because their carry cases are so much better than Axians. Most all of my stuff is in a set of Spring Mills boxes from when I packed up to move here. I used them to take my equipment to club shows, never had the slightest bit of damage. I started with a coupel of Axian boxes but since everything lays on its side in those,
If I remember correctly, the cars lay on their sides in the Spring Mills boxes also. Is that not correct?
I use ULine boxes. They have a variety of sizes and styles. The boxes I have right now are corrugated 14" x 6" x 2" (inside space) and they will carry 8 - 40' freight cars or 4 passenger cars standing on their wheels, with room for packing. I just use paper towels.
The next time I order a case I will go a little larger and use dimpled kraft paper packing. Their prices are reasonable and their service is great.
https://www.uline.com/
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterI use ULine boxes. They have a variety of sizes and styles. The boxes I have right now are corrugated 14" x 6" x 2" (inside space) and they will carry 8 - 40' freight cars or 4 passenger cars standing on their wheels, with room for packing. I just use paper towels.
Dave, what you are describing is very similar to how I packed all my train cars away for storage while I finish my house.
I bought a couple of the Spring Mill boxes and for the prices they are pretty decent. I thought about getting a few more but unfortunately waited too long. Shame they are no longer offering them.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
You know what, you're right - the ones I have are the A-Line ones. THOSE definitely stire things upright. And they are still available. So if looking for an alternative:
A-Line Hobby Tote System (HO & N Scales) – PPW/A-Line/Arrow Hobby (ppw-aline.com)
They have HO and N sizes, in 'short' (standard height cars fit these) and 'tall' (for loaded doublestacks, modern autoracks, etc). I have no excess height cars so mine are all 'short'.
They are also a lot sturdier than the ones I used to have that lay the cars on their sides, so yes, they are more expensive. I also used some dabs of white glue when putting mine together.
I just ordered a couple of the A-Line "high" totes and they will be arriving at the end of the week. And they are quite sturdy. I wish they made boxes a little longer so that I could store eight A-B F-units instead of just four.
Well, seeing as Spring Mills will likely never reintroduce the boxes unless there is massive reform in the postal service shipping-charges-wise, I'll go with the A-Line boxes. Like I said I'm still using reusable shopping bags (the Stop N Shop bag hasn't failed me yet) and briefcases to carry my stuff. I will probably go with the A-Line as they are the closest to the Spring Mills ones, even having a similar carrying case.
Here's hoping Spring Mills someday brings their boxes back.
I wonder if SpringMill has any left they could sell at Timonium where there is to shipping charges.
The last Timonium show I went to, what the first show of 2020 or the fall of 2019. They had none. Yes, Spring Mills stopped selling them ''because of shipping cost". I would buy two or three each day, yes I went the second day also, and pick up when I left the show.
I can see that those boxs would take up a lot of room to transport to a show. BUT SM never seemed to have an over abundance of rolling stock to sell at the show.