I do keep all my boxes and put away locos and rail cars when not in use. My basement is always full of dust
I had a project this fall where I took scrap leftover plywood and mdf in my building from other residents' projects and combined it to form a narrow rolling cart with shelves that neatly stacks all the boxes. Thankfully, manufacturers follow consistent sizes for boxes, especially Walthers. The carts shape and size is a lot like those catering carts on planes. I then roll them beneath my bench. Eventually each cart will be sorted by type....passenger car, tank, hopper, boxcar, intermodal, etc.
This spring I'll wire up some electrical with staging tracks on top to run tests or do dcc programming.
nycmodel Full disclosure: I have saved the boxes from a 1954 Lionel Texas Special set as the classic orange Lionel boxes are just plain cool.
Full disclosure: I have saved the boxes from a 1954 Lionel Texas Special set as the classic orange Lionel boxes are just plain cool.
For years I kept most of my HO engine and rolling stock boxes. Then I started a G scale garden railway and aquired a number of Bachmann Spectrum steam locos. Like the engines, the boxes were massive. At some point I said enough is enough and binned the lot. Under the HO layout and in the garage the boxes were taking over too much space. I don't care about perceived lost value or anything like that. I just like my trains. Full disclosure: I have saved the boxes from a 1954 Lionel Texas Special set as the classic orange Lionel boxes are just plain cool.
After many years of happy kit building and rolling stock buying I have more rolling stock than will fit on my layout. I store the extra rolling stock in the boxes in which it came. A piece or two of foam keeps them from rattling around. It is better than storing them loose on shelves or in drawers.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I keep all my boxes. Having moved several times I find them very handy. Even after I retired and made my final move I saved them. Good thing because I made another final move.
I also get enjoyment out of collecting model trains in several scales and the boxes are part of the collection.
Paul
I hold onto boxes that steam locomotives come in, although I really can't justify it. No plans to move any time in the next couple of decades. Even then, I probably won't use them. I used to save a few other boxes here or there, but started pitching those too. I've successfully moved my stuff other ways too many times to make hanging onto empty cardboard boxes worth it. Besides, did you see Ed's photos?
Mike
Like to keep-em
Don't know. There's thaughts on both sides of the coin. It's said with many collectibles, they are worth considerably more in the original box for sure. MIB (mint in box) Is our a train stuff collectible though, that is the question? Some of that old Lionel stuff certainly is, and worth more in the original box.
There is guys out there that are very serious locomotive or rolling stock collectors or both. Some of them as their only hobby and don't even have a train layout. My late Dad, rest his soul, was one of those guys, as a locomotive collector (mostly steamers) and kept all the boxes.
There is special runs and limited editions where they run a lesser amount of them. MTL had a special run of Jack Daniels whiskey cars, where they only made 50 (or was it 250) of them with their own individual number. Seen one of those go for hundreds on eBay. Would imagine it's viewed by most as a must, to have the original box for stuff like that.
For the most part, keeping one's boxes or not (from a value standpoint) really isn't that big of a deal, unless it's something of significance.
https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1986-07-27-2541066-story.html
Not to do with trains but found this article interesting.
TF
MidlandMike I save all the boxes, and even throw the sales slip in the box. Not all models have the makers brand on them, so with the box I have the make and model, and with the sales slip I have a record of price and date bought. Plus ready storage and moving container. I think selling in a box not only adds value, but lets the buyer assume that the item was well cared for.
I save all the boxes, and even throw the sales slip in the box. Not all models have the makers brand on them, so with the box I have the make and model, and with the sales slip I have a record of price and date bought. Plus ready storage and moving container. I think selling in a box not only adds value, but lets the buyer assume that the item was well cared for.
Rich
Alton Junction
yes i need somewhere to store it after i bring it home lol
I've bought lots of stuff on ebay and I don't pay much attention to whether an item still has its original box or not because I don't care. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. It doesn't matter to me as long as it arrives in one piece. I can't recall an incident when it didn't.
I have a small fleet of Rivarossi steamers from the 1980s that I intend to sell on ebay if I ever get around to it. Some I bought in AHM boxes and some I bought in the Rivarossi red boxes. I don't have any of the original boxes although I have a few red boxes that came with Rivarossi passenger cars I bought. I could substitute those and as long as I pack them safely, it shouldn't be an issue. I will make it clear that the items don't come with the original boxes.
John-NYBW Given the resale value of most model railroading equipment is fairly low to begin with, having the stuff in original boxes is not going to add that much to it. Let's say it's 20% added value. An Athearn BB boxcar will probably be listed on the second hand shelf of my LHS for $8-10. That means they would probably offer no more than $3-4. An extra 20% is going to add less than $1 of value to it. I doubt my estate would get more than $300 for all my rolling stock combined. Having it all in boxes is probably only going to add about $50-60 to what my estate could get for it, if that much. Right now, I have 14 heirs that would split my estate equally. Saving all those boxes is going to net each of the heirs an additional $4. Big deal. So to give all my heirs an additional $4, I would have to go to all the trouble of storing all those empty boxes in some sort of logical order. Not going to happen.
Given the resale value of most model railroading equipment is fairly low to begin with, having the stuff in original boxes is not going to add that much to it. Let's say it's 20% added value. An Athearn BB boxcar will probably be listed on the second hand shelf of my LHS for $8-10. That means they would probably offer no more than $3-4. An extra 20% is going to add less than $1 of value to it.
I doubt my estate would get more than $300 for all my rolling stock combined. Having it all in boxes is probably only going to add about $50-60 to what my estate could get for it, if that much. Right now, I have 14 heirs that would split my estate equally. Saving all those boxes is going to net each of the heirs an additional $4. Big deal. So to give all my heirs an additional $4, I would have to go to all the trouble of storing all those empty boxes in some sort of logical order. Not going to happen.
maxman selector Not the thin rubber almost see-through foam, but it's more like a fiber. That stuff is great wrapped around your precious caboose. Maybe so, but I think I’d rather wear a pair of pants.
selector Not the thin rubber almost see-through foam, but it's more like a fiber. That stuff is great wrapped around your precious caboose.
Not the thin rubber almost see-through foam, but it's more like a fiber. That stuff is great wrapped around your precious caboose.
Me, too. To be honest.
NorthBrit I understand each answer and respect them. I must take the unorthodox approach. I do not keep the boxes because I run the rolling stock. I have no intention of selling any items, therefore no need to keep the boxes. When I am gone my grandchildren will have the trains. David
I understand each answer and respect them.
I must take the unorthodox approach.
I do not keep the boxes because I run the rolling stock. I have no intention of selling any items, therefore no need to keep the boxes. When I am gone my grandchildren will have the trains.
David
Pretty much my thinking although I'm sure my heirs would rather have the money than the trains. My estate will sell what it can for what it can get. Given the resale value of most model railroading equipment is fairly low to begin with, having the stuff in original boxes is not going to add that much to it. Let's say it's 20% added value. An Athearn BB boxcar will probably be listed on the second hand shelf of my LHS for $8-10. That means they would probably offer no more than $3-4. An extra 20% is going to add less than $1 of value to it.
Locos are another matter. First of all, there aren't that many of them as compared to the rolling stock. They have a much higher value so being able to sell them in the original boxes is going to add a good amount of value to the estate. Enough that hanging on to those boxes is probably worthwhile.
Keep'm. Store rolling stock in origina boxes and for any I need to sell, buyers prefer items in original boxes.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
I stopped by my LHS this morning. They deal in second hand merchandise. I asked the proprietor how much added value an item in its original box has. He told me he couldn't give me a dollar value but having an item in a box makes it easier to display and to sell. He said boxed items can be stacked on shelves. That would indicate to me he thinks boxed items are a little more valuable.
He did say that Lionel stuff is considered collectible and collectors very definitely want the original box so having the box for that stuff makes it very much more valuable.
Like many have stated, yes I save all of mine. Storage, moving and transporting are safest in the original boxes.
Resale value or not makes zero difference.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
selector
I generally keep my boxes. They've proved handy as I've had to store virtually all of my locos and rolling stock for the last decade or so as I'm currently without a layout. Just load what I need into an apple box for toting to the club when I want to run my own stuff. I also think they will benefit any future owners (or sellers) of my gear.
I note some mention in other posts here about A-Line's boxes/tote system. I don't have any of that as it appears to be for bulk. But I did order a couple dozen individual kit boxes (with plain ends for my own labels) a couple years ago from Accurail. These are helpful for storing the occasional boxcar or whatever that I may pick up at a swap meet or first-chance grabs out of collections that are turned over to our club for sale. I also have them for individual storage of a dozen cars from two old Walthers Work Train sets that I'm in the process of upgrading. The original boxes for those sets just didn't don't cut it for shelf storage because they are over-sized and therefore rather flimsy. Accurail still carries these empties at the bottom of their on-line parts catalogue, including longer ones for lengthier rolling stock. Still under $2 a box when ordering a half-dozen of the regular size (shipping excluded). If you're going to store individual cars, it was much more functional to buy these pre-made rather than gather the materials and go into production of my own. I tend to wrap in bubble wrap where custom innards (as for RTR) are not provided.
Attuvian John
I save and use original packing. I just do. I figure I might sell it, or gift it (to a grandson, for example), and the beneficiary should have a clue as to its type and provenance. Who knows, maybe somebody they know will be glad to part with some cash because it's something they've been looking for.
So, about 90% of my rolling stock and engines are stored as they came to me. If I have to make up a box of 'odds 'n sods', or just want them off the layout and I'll get to 'em later, I use remnants of that cloth-like white wrapping that covers new TVs and some leather furniture. Not the thin rubber almost see-through foam, but it's more like a fiber. That stuff is great wrapped around your precious caboose. Even bags of those strips of painter's cloths, often just cut up bedsheets, that are at the paints section...they're super and cheap. Great for wiping the rails, too.
Hi Ed. I'm glad everything went smoothly for you when you went through that rather unfortunate ordeal. Sounds like you hired some Good Ol' Joe's, leaving a happy trail of customers by taking pride in their work. The only way to go
I liked how the only thing you mentioned repowered after the temporary wiring, was the Trains downstairs. Priorities my friend
I've only looked at one fire job in my life. I got this voice in my head that screamed YUK! Then ran from it, and never looked at another one. Perhaps it takes a certain breed to do those. I always liked the custom craft jobs, working with beautifully milled wood and leaving the charcoal under the cheese burgers...
ATLANTIC CENTRALBeing a construction professional, former home inspector, and the son and father of firefighters, I understand.
My son is a lieutenant with the VFD. He was quickly on the scene and when the axes came out to smash the windows I asked him to intervene. I showed them that the Pella windows can be completely opened and the sliding door removed. So, fortunately no glass shattered to "vent" the fire.
The next day a board-up crew arrived and they all mentioned, "Hey! How come none of the windows are smashed?!"
Track fiddlerHopefully you had a good insurance company and found a decent contractor to take care of things in a timely manner back then.
Couldn't have been happier. The fire chief suggested that we should vacate the property but we explained we have to be here to look after the cats, goats and chickens. Dee Ann's sister has a huge RV and we brought that on to the property and the insurance company reiombursed them for use of the RV instead of paying for a hotel, which would have been miles away.
Contractor was great. Fire department was great and within four months most everything was back to normal.
Track fiddler I've also heard the fire smell doesn't ever go away, is that true?
Every square inch of the attic area where much of the smoke damage occurred was completely spray painted with pigmented shellac (Kilz or Binz) and most of the drywall and studs were replaced on the main floor. Then Servicemaster cleaned everything and a complete interior repaint was done. All good.
Fortunately, very little water made it into the basement. After temporary wiring was made I was running trains within 48 hours
Cheers, Ed
Dang! You had a fire Ed. That musta sucked. Besides the nightmare of the fire, I understand the aftermath can be a nightmare as well. I've heard of some insurance company's dragging their heels, something to do with the investigation and reports to see if they're completely liable or can find some kind of a loophole somewhere.
Hopefully you had a good insurance company and found a decent contractor to take care of things in a timely manner back then. I don't blame you a bit for putting that kind of stuff in a shed separate from the house after all that. I've also heard the fire smell doesn't ever go away, is that true?
I agree with you Kevin, that those jewel cases for N scale are the cats meow. I just can't throw those away as I will need them not too far down the road. Judy and I are going to eventually get out of the city and retire on a lake up north. All that fragile stuff will be protected one day for that move.
Hi Rich. At the train shows I go to in the two state area up here, they just gently roll up unboxed locomotives or rolling stock in a couple of paper towels, then in a couple Walmart bags. Seems to work fine. Haven't came home with anything broken yet. I would imagine there's more delicate ones that you wouldn't want to do that with. Would rather have the original box when buying them but when the deals are good....
BigDaddy richhotrain How do buyers transport those items home? I carry one of those cheap nylon carry bags that pharmaceutical companies bribed me, as doctor. I also got free pens a couple t-shirts and clip boards. It would be rare that I bought more than 1 car from the soda boxes. As to whether to keep the boxes, having downsized and moved at age 69, I wish I saved every box. At Timonium, Spring Depot Models sold, perhaps still sell, boxes that hold a couple dozen cars.
richhotrain How do buyers transport those items home?
I carry one of those cheap nylon carry bags that pharmaceutical companies bribed me, as doctor. I also got free pens a couple t-shirts and clip boards. It would be rare that I bought more than 1 car from the soda boxes.
As to whether to keep the boxes, having downsized and moved at age 69, I wish I saved every box. At Timonium, Spring Depot Models sold, perhaps still sell, boxes that hold a couple dozen cars.
Spring Mills Depot announced a while back that shipping costs and slow sales have forced them to get out of the storage box business.
Sheldon
richhotrainHow do buyers transport those items home?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I tend to keep most of the boxes for rolling stock and locos. Not sure why.
Some of the cars at train shows don't have boxes, but I never buy locos from there.
Once again, I see things differently than a lot of folks on this forum. I save all boxes, but it has nothing to to with transporting them in a move, or reselling the items (although they are helpful in both areas.
I used them because that's where the cars that are not currently on the layout are being stored. I handle the cars frequently, taking them on and off the layout frequently. I swap out different cars and locos probably monthly or so. Run different themes sometimes, but mainly just to see a fresh set of cars to run.
Like the OP, I have no reason to store empty boxes. All of mine are full of cars and locos.
Its much safer to ship an unboxed car by wrapping it in bubble wrap than to try and fenagle foam and packaging around a car in an Athearn BB box. I sold my older BB and MDC cars without boxes so I had empty boxes with which to store cars I purchased from train shows. So in that vein, I guess I still have some empty boxes laying around.
- Douglas