Well I finished updating my "bad order" cars with new Kadee "Whisker" couplers. I was appalled by the number of "Blue Box" cars I still have, and all crammed in a 15"x15"x15" box. The "HobbyTote" -- or something close to it -- is more or less what I had in mind, and should handle my small -- compared to most people's -- collection of cars and locos. The Bayou Interchange & Yard is very loosely based on the 3 railroads that ran through Lake Charles, LA, in the 1950s - 1980s which means I have 3 different railroad motive power, though the KCS followed by the SP are the major two with a small sampling of the MoPac. Still even with this mix of motive power I expect that just two boxes *should* handle the whole shebang -- I mean how many cars and motive power can run on a 3'x14' switching layout??
I temporarily solved what to do with the Proto 2000 E8/E9: While updating the freight and locos with new Kadee couplers I came across an old Athearn Blue Box L-O-N-G SD 40-2 box which had a bunch of "kit bash" parts from old locos I had planned to rebuild into something else.. which I never got around to. I combined then into another Long Blue Box which had other parts, thus freeing up one long Blue Box. Having emptied it of it contents I lined it with a thing layer of foam, and an even thinner layer of packing foam sheet and laid the E8/9 on it then put the lid on it, and taped it shut. I want to get rid of the 30-40 boxes and consolidate them into 2 maybe 3 Hobby Tote boxes that can hold my entire collection and easily removed or put back in rather than opening then repacking each piece.
Thank you all for your help and suggestions.
hdtvnut Here's my idea for larger collections. I wanted dust-free upright storage for locos with good visibility and very easy access.
Here's my idea for larger collections. I wanted dust-free upright storage for locos with good visibility and very easy access.
Me too! Case #1 is a Sauder book case with glass sliding doors and a gun case lock, and case #2 was found at a Saab dealer when the franchise folded, the case was free for the asking, I just had to repair the lighting and add shelves.
Everyone can see em, but grandson's can't touch!
Karl
NCE über alles!
I bought a metal two-door office cabinet about 70 inches high and had about 14 wooden shelves made to fit into it on ball bearing full-extension slides. The shelves were track-grooved at 45 degrees to maximize visibility and ease of placing items. They can be closely stacked, since I don't have to reach inside, and support full loads of heavy engines. The cabinet is close to the layout so I can pick up a loco, turn, and put it on the track.
Costs more than boxes or plastic tubs/cabinets, but lots better.
Hal
doctorwayne These storage boxes are very economical to make (mine cost only the glue sticks used to assemble the parts), are strong, easy-to-carry, and can be custom made to match your particular requirements. Wayne
These storage boxes are very economical to make (mine cost only the glue sticks used to assemble the parts), are strong, easy-to-carry, and can be custom made to match your particular requirements.
Wayne
Wayne, more of that ingenuity. One club member does the same only used "Foam core" to construct the boxes needed. On others he builds the box to drop into a larger storage container and fabricates them quite similar to the Train boxes from Proto West. White vinyl packing tape and hot glue make for some rather immpressive containers. Even places fold down tape lift tabs to remove each "tray" from the larger container. Line the bottoms w/ thin foam and place foam chuncks to protect ends and they work fantastic. I statred to do some myself in place of the regular almost $20/ pop Proto storage boxes.
To the OP, if you do as Wayne mentioned by cutting out the foam of the P2K box the E unit will nestle inside and be quite protected. I usually buy locos in pairs. All my P2K boxes are modified to accept 2 engines in each box. SD7/9s, E units and my GP9s work out well and saves space. Since they run as pairs, I only need to pull out 1 box. to run or transport.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
They make a storge box with two flip down retainers that is exactly the right heith for OH. You get the foam for the bottom and foam strips for the top and for the sides use cartop liner with foam available from a fabric store, keeps even the fragil cars nice and safe (the reason for foam strips on the top is I run cars with top mounted break wheels, very fragile so I need to have the foam miss them).
For storing locomotives, passenger cars, and other rolling stock which won't fit into its original boxes, I make multi-tiered boxes. I prefer boxes which have a separate lid which slips over the box. You should be able to find suitable ones at any supermarket - the best ones are those for tomatoes or other fruit. Mine were originally pear boxes, while the trays were made-up from whatever corrugated cardboard was available. Appliance boxes work well, especially for the trays which hold the individual loco boxes. Cut them to suit in accordance with the length, width, and height of the locomotives you wish to store, making sure that the sides are higher than the highest part of the locomotive. Allow a little extra width for the sheet foam material - mine is from packaging for electronic devices, but you can buy similar material from a fabric shop. Assemble the boxes and trays using a hot glue gun.
A tray of individual boxes:
Removing a locomotive and tender:
Place the loco and foam on the layout:
Put the loco on the track - I don't need a re-railer.... yet
Depending on the depth of the box, you can store multiple trays (this is why the individual boxes within the trays need to be higher than the locos):
I also store my MoW equipment in similar boxes, although this one was made before I started using the foam sheets:
The individual boxes can be lifted out:
...and then one side can be flipped down to allow access:
If I were to invest in any of the commercial train storage box products, i think I would be inclined to get the ones sold by PPw-Aline: http://www.ppw-aline.com/hobbytote.htm. This is because my preference would be to store the cars on their wheels, rather than on their sides as is done with the other systems.
An alternative to this would be to look at their design, find some similar boxes, purchase some foam, and roll your own.
If one were inclined to think out of the box, or maybe into the box, another alternative would be to look for individual boxes for individual pieces of equipment. I just purchased some boxes to package some items I'm going to try to sell at an upcoming train show. The boxes are die-cut and are shipped flat. You have to assemble them, which is basically a folding process. The boxes I purchased were 9" X 2" X 2", but you can put in your own dimensions to suit what you want to store. The following link will take you to the website: http://www.papermart.com/Product%20Pages/Product.aspx?GroupID=18885. The product I purchased is 073540. The downside is that you have to buy a bundle. For the item I purchased, the per box price came out to around 40 cents after shipping was included. If I were to use these for cars/locos, I'd purchase some 1/2 inch upholtery foam from a place like Joanns Fabrics ans cut a piece to fit the bottom of the box. Then I'd get some bubble wrap and cut that to line the sides/top of the box.
If you only need one box, maybe you can find a similar small box at a UPS or FEDEX store.
For some models I have used this method: http://gp30.com/planobox/
Probably would be the hot setup for your E-unit situation, assuming the boxes are available.
For freight cars, I usually get some soda flats, those boxes the 24-packs come in. I get a dozen 50' boxcars on one flat, and they stack up inside plastic tubs. If you have finer detailed cars, this won't work as well, can be a fair amount of breakage.
For the rerailing, this might help: http://rixproducts.com/6280002.htm Your local hobby shop should have it, or be able to get it.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
Since I'm never going to repack the shell and chassis separately again, I just trim out the styrofaom so the complete loco will fit in the original box.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
Gidday, with regard to question (2), here's a link to rerailer images, as to which is the best brand to purchase, i have no particular axe to grind.
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=ho+rerailer+ramp&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=P2D6UNrAFcSViQe9jYHoDw&ved=0CHIQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=1046
My inelegant solution for my locos that won't fit in their original box, or if I don't have the box, is to wrap them in light weight foam sheet then place them in an old shoe box which then goes in an old chest of drawers.
Here's a link to storage boxes, I'm sure there must be more
http://www.grandcentralgems.com/salt-lake-city-engine-boxes.cfm
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Hi
I like the Axian sotrage boxes, tough I do wrap the locos/cars in Tissue paper first so the foam doesn't stick to them { the wrapping kind, not Kleenex or toilet tissue}. Bubble wrap can stick to them as well, so IF you choose it, be sure to wrap in the packing tissues first. The boxes can hold up to 20 HO cars and locos and the ones I use are here:
http://www.axiantech.com/ModelRR.html
You can get a carry tote case for several boxes at once. Look at the site.
Here is a nice rerailer - available form Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/PECO-HO-Rerailer/dp/B001BHGCUI/ref=sr_1_28?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1358586658&sr=1-28&keywords=rerailer
About half the price is the RIX model Rerailer:
http://www.amazon.com/628-0002-Rix-Products-Rail-It-Rerailer/dp/B004C38JOU/ref=sr_1_40?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1358586723&sr=1-40&keywords=rerailer
Have fun with the hobby!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
As I mentioned before the P2K SP Daylight E-8/9 has been finished, and the couplers have been attached. Currently it is sitting out on the layout along with bad order cars that need to be fixed before being stored away. As I pondered this two questions come to mind:
1) Is there a product that will allow one to either safely store either locomotives either singularly or as multiple units when not in use. The same goes for freight cars. While placing each locomotive /freight car back into its original box will protect it, it is a royal PITA when it comes time to put it back on the layout.
2) I frequently find re-railing locomotives to be a real chore. Is there a product out there that allows one to re-rail a locomotive with a minimal amount of handling, which only makes it more likely you are are going to break some fine part. Same goes for freight cars.
My immediate problem is trying to figure our how I am going to store that E8/9. Short of taking the shell off, etc,, etc, etc., -- which would be kind of silly -- and storing back in its original box, there is no "box" to store it in. I'm thinking right now of going over to WalMart and buying a bunch of bubble wrap, wrap it up in the bubble wrap, and trying to find some place save to stash it.
Ant ideas?!?