Hi Paul:
I'm not sure anyone was talking about 'used' pizza boxes. I could be wrong. I think the reference was a bit 'tongue in cheek'.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hobo9941I got some wide plastic storage boxes at Walmart
I've thought about those plastic boxes as an alternative to anything cardboard. However, all the plastic items come with tapered sides so that they can all nest together on the store shelf. It would seem to me that the upper layers of cars would tend to flop around unless each layer had custom fit separators.
Have you found a way around this, or are you only using boxes deep enough for only one layer of cars?
Thanks
hon30critter Hi Paul: I'm not sure anyone was talking about 'used' pizza boxes. I could be wrong. I think the reference was a bit 'tongue in cheek'. Dave
You can buy new pizza boxes from some shops..I did that not so long ago to store some N Scale. I spoke to the manager and she agree to sell me some at 25 cents each. While there I also bought a 6" sub.
I must agree with today's prices why bulk at another $140.00 to protect them while they are being transported? I know I would buy the boxes and carrying case if I decided to join another club and was going to transport mine to and from or I would just leave them on the layout at the club..
For Roundhouse and BB cars and locomotives those pizza boxes would work-just add some bubble wrap on the bottom of the box and on the cars before closing the lid.You will need the large pizza boxes.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Paul3 Nerfball6,Protecting 4 or 5 boxes of cars/locos that may be worth thousands of dollars with a $150 worth of carboard, foam, and fabric is outrageous? What would you consider to be an appropriate cost? Spend your money anyway you want, but if you want to take a chance with greasy pizza boxes to carry your trains in, don't complain when damage to equipment results.
Nerfball6,Protecting 4 or 5 boxes of cars/locos that may be worth thousands of dollars with a $150 worth of carboard, foam, and fabric is outrageous? What would you consider to be an appropriate cost?
Spend your money anyway you want, but if you want to take a chance with greasy pizza boxes to carry your trains in, don't complain when damage to equipment results.
I think you are missing my point. What is being charged for what you are buying is what is outrageous. No matter what the contents, it still comes down to 4 cardboard boxes, same foam, and a vinyl bag. And I doubt I would trust any of those cardboard box/vinyl bag systems if I was routinely transporting thousands of dollars worth of brass engines.And why do you find it necessary to automatically jump to "greasy pizza boxes". Why are you even upset over this? Sounds like you work for the company. As I said ... I'm sure there are creative people who have found ways that are just as safe (if not more so) without paying $150.00 for $5.00 worth of materials; or using greasy pizza boxes.
maxman hobo9941 I got some wide plastic storage boxes at Walmart I've thought about those plastic boxes as an alternative to anything cardboard. However, all the plastic items come with tapered sides so that they can all nest together on the store shelf. It would seem to me that the upper layers of cars would tend to flop around unless each layer had custom fit separators. Have you found a way around this, or are you only using boxes deep enough for only one layer of cars? Thanks
hobo9941 I got some wide plastic storage boxes at Walmart
The sloped sides are the issue I have found with those plastic home storage boxes. However I was just looking at a lockable, hanging file folder box and the sides are vertical. They are plastic with metal reinforced edged and corners, and a carrying handle on the top. And come with a combination lock. And they look pretty crush proof.
Nerfball6,I'm not missing your point at all. I asked you what you think is an acceptable price for 4 cardboard boxes, dividers, foam, and a carrying case. Obviously, you think $150 is too much. I don't. But what would be okay to you? $100? $50? $20? $5?
BTW, I have stuffed my A-Line carry bag with multiple boxes containing brass locos. I must have had over 50lbs. of cars and locos, and nothing broke. The bag and the boxes are tough and sturdy and held up just fine.
I'm not the one that brought up pizza boxes, but I did add "greasy" implying used boxes. The way some people are really cheap about this hobby, I wouldn't put it past them.
I am not upset over this; why are you? I am not "outraged". There are a lot of things to be outraged over and the price of 4 boxes and a bag isn't one of them to me. I am merely a satisfied customer of the A-Line tote system. I know it's rare for someone to post good things about a hobby product, but I thought I'd give it a shot.
Look, if you think that the A-Line tote is $5 worth of materials, then I could say the same about the latest Division Point brass steamer or Rapido plastic diesel. Yes, it's only about $5 worth of brass/plastic in raw material, but someone had to make it. Like everthing else in this hobby, you get what you pay for.
Paul3 ,
I never said YOU were outraged. I said the price was outrageous. And that you seemed angry over my opinion. I have been in advertising and marketing for 35 years. I've designed box dies and know the costs. I'd say those sytems should be around $50 - $60 bucks retail for the whole deal, including case. And no matter how great you think they are, they are still just cardboard boxes in a vinyl bag.
That said, I started this thread to find alternatives ... not to find out whether YOU think they are worth the money or not. If you are happy with it, that's great. But that is not what I asked about. I would prefer contrstructive responses.
Nerfball6 maxman hobo9941 I got some wide plastic storage boxes at Walmart I've thought about those plastic boxes as an alternative to anything cardboard. However, all the plastic items come with tapered sides so that they can all nest together on the store shelf. It would seem to me that the upper layers of cars would tend to flop around unless each layer had custom fit separators. Have you found a way around this, or are you only using boxes deep enough for only one layer of cars? Thanks The sloped sides are the issue I have found with those plastic home storage boxes. However I was just looking at a lockable, hanging file folder box and the sides are vertical. They are plastic with metal reinforced edged and corners, and a carrying handle on the top. And come with a combination lock. And they look pretty crush proof.
tomikawaTT I got around the sloping sides of my hanging file storage boxes by tapering some thicker foam to fit. Viola, straight interior sides. Then I fitted bulkheads between the various pieces of rolling stock, full-length longitudinally and individual separators (with coupler cutouts) between car ends. As for durability, I've recycled them as general-purpose totes - and they have taken a beating without damage worse than a few scrapes and scratches. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Did you look at some of the cases I posted links to on eBay? You wanted alternatives and this is one.
I don't see how you could go wrong with outfitting something like this with some thin wooden shelves and thin foam on the inside. It's much sturdier than corrugated cardboard, has a handle and looks easy to use.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-ALSCO-Salesman-Display-Case-Suitcase-25-X-18-X-4-Shows-Presentation-/381817258014?hash=item58e615001e:g:MRIAAOSwdzVXn4CCJim
ctyclsscs Did you look at some of the cases I posted links to on eBay? You wanted alternatives and this is one. I don't see how you could go wrong with outfitting something like this with some thin wooden shelves and thin foam on the inside. It's much sturdier than corrugated cardboard, has a handle and looks easy to use. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-ALSCO-Salesman-Display-Case-Suitcase-25-X-18-X-4-Shows-Presentation-/381817258014?hash=item58e615001e:g:MRIAAOSwdzVXn4CCJim
Thanks Jim!! I did look and that very well may well be a good option. I wish I could see one in person. I'm not sure how I would affix the shelves.
How about these:
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/freightcrate-ho
tstage How many locos and pieces of rolling stock are you looking to transport? I assume you don't have the original boxes that they came in? Tom
How many locos and pieces of rolling stock are you looking to transport? I assume you don't have the original boxes that they came in?
Tom
Hi Tom, At minimum I'd like to be able to transport maybe 30 cars and 4 Locos. I'd prefer 60 cars and 6 or 8 locos though.
I have the original boxes for many, but not all my rollingstock. And it seemed preferable to be able to open two or three sub-boxes, instead of 30 or more individual ones
Thanks!Dave
maxman riogrande5761 Ummm, you don't have to go cadillac. Just get 2 or 3 boxes plain and $10 each is pretty economical. I agree. I was only pointing out that he wanted a carrying case and that was what was driving up the cost. If anyone wishes to go the do it yourself route, similar boxes can be found elsewhere. For example, Papermart (http://www.papermart.com/tuck-top-corrugated-mailing-boxes/id=1172#1172) has many different boxes. They have 23X13X2-1/2 deep for $1.31 each, and 23X13X3-1/2 deep for $1.34 each, not including tax and shipping. Of course they are sold in bundles of 25, but at that price the OP could use 4 of them, throw the rest away, and still break even. And I agree with the OP that storing the cars on their wheels is a much better idea than on their sides.
riogrande5761 Ummm, you don't have to go cadillac. Just get 2 or 3 boxes plain and $10 each is pretty economical.
I agree. I was only pointing out that he wanted a carrying case and that was what was driving up the cost.
If anyone wishes to go the do it yourself route, similar boxes can be found elsewhere. For example, Papermart (http://www.papermart.com/tuck-top-corrugated-mailing-boxes/id=1172#1172) has many different boxes. They have 23X13X2-1/2 deep for $1.31 each, and 23X13X3-1/2 deep for $1.34 each, not including tax and shipping. Of course they are sold in bundles of 25, but at that price the OP could use 4 of them, throw the rest away, and still break even.
And I agree with the OP that storing the cars on their wheels is a much better idea than on their sides.
Great link, Thanks!!!
A friend gave me a similar one over 30 years ago. I glued in strips of 1/4 molding using just wood glue and they've stayed in place ever since. I set the cars on their side on thin foam that I glued in. Mine is about the same size and it can hold 35 40' box cars.