I need a carry case

[bearman]

Anyone have any suggestions?  I need one that will safely transport 2-3 HO scale locos, and up to 20 - 24 rolling stock, and some idea as to who carries the item.

thanks

 

[dstarr]

Check out the Tupperware section at Walmarts.  Lots of sorta transparent plastic containers with lids.  Bring a ruler to check on size.  Pieces of foam and some cardboard can make a plastic shoebox into a cozy container for four passenger cars. 

[BigDaddy]

http://www.springmillsdepot.com/boxes.htm

Or you could go to the nearest local school, ask for an empty copier paper box and get yourself some bubble wrap. 

We have one of these threads every 3 weeks or so a search of the archives will bring you lots of other ideas

[tstage]

Bear,

For that many pieces of rolling stock you'll need two boxes.  A-Line boxes store your locomotives and rolling stock in the "upright" position - i.e. on their wheels.  Axian boxes store your locomotive and rolling stock on their sides.

I use both and they each have their pluses and minuses.  As per Axian's recommendation, I do line the interior of both types of storage boxes with tissue paper to avoid the possibility of the foam sticking to the paint.

I also like and prefer the dividers that come with the aforementioned boxes vs. the open/non-divider storage arrangement of the Spring Mills Depot boxes.  If your rolling stock is on the large-ish size then the Spring Mills Depot boxes would be more advantageous.  It still would be wise to protect the paint from the foam.

Tom

[SBX]

I know that this guy is in the UK but something similar must be available in the US. 

Sphere Products

David

[ATSFGuy]

The A-Line Storage bag is a good option, it can hold 4 low or 5 high boxes inside.

[Anonymous]

I definitely prefer these inexpensive tool cases to Walmart totes with bubble wrap taped to the bottom (which I have also used).  These cases sometime go on sale.  I cut out what I need.  I have two types from two different makers.  Most have plastic sides made to look like aluminum, but the frames definitely ARE aluminum.

The good thing is that once the lid is closed the case can be picked up by the handle and carried sideways without movement of the locos....because I have cut the depth of slots so that the top's dimpled foam sits on the tops of locos/cars.  Not so with the last one in my pictures.  That last one is the kind I use for rail cars and I mounted wheels on the bottom to roll on the floor.  It is always used/carried in lateral positon.

So these are good for locos, but you would need several for as many railcars as you have desired in the post.

(edit)  In the past a similar foam can disintegrate with age.  Now, that was ages ago, and perhaps the new one does not.  But if this foam shows signs of disintegrating in 20 years, then out it goes...becuase that stuff is terrible when ancient and granular.  I have a feeling I will never last long enough to see it go bad, though.

 

[Graham Line]

I use Plano 3600 and 3700 series boxes and a small duffel bag. Use the the flat plastic slippery packing sheets to lift models in and out and to protect them a little.

Using a duffel bag with handles ensures that the correct side stays on top.

[hon30critter]

Bear:

I bought some boxes from a packaging manufacturer direct. I chose boxes that would hold four cars on their sides. In hindsight I should have ordered them 1" taller so I could put six cars in on their wheels. The same manufacturer can make boxes of just about any size. I chose a smaller size simply for ease of storage and handling. Big boxes are great, except when you need to put them down to open them up.

 Here is where I got my boxes:

https://www.uline.ca/

This is a Canadian source but you will be able to find similar suppliers in the US.

There are some limitations. First, you have to buy a minimum of 25 boxes, although at the prices they offer you can buy a lot of boxes for the equivalent of two or three of the boxes designed specifically for model trains. Second, you have to come up with your own partitions and padding. Third, you have to find a carrying case to put the boxes in. I'm just going to use a duffle bag.

Here are a couple of recent threads about storage boxes. 

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/258874.aspx

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/259325.aspx

Regards

Dave

[hdtvnut]

Suggest you look up the Multicomp 22-2455 tool case, 28" by 14" by 7", which would be strong and drip-proof, with latches.  One way you could use it is to buy two sets of the foam W shaped pieces from Axian Technology that they use in their HO cardboard boxes - they will sell just the foam.  Then make a deck board the size of the inside of the box, such that it will hold two layers of trains.  This could carry 16 full-length HO passenger cars, or the equivalent in engines, frt cars, etc.  They make both larger and smaller boxes as well.  MCM sells them.

I have used smaller Duratool boxes, about 17x13x6, very successfully, the same way.

Hal

 

[hon30critter]

Hi Hal:

I found the Duratool (Multicomp) cases:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/content/en-US/landing_pages/weatherproof-cases&?&gclid=CMiokof_rNACFQkoaQod-6AGbg

In the future, do you suppose you could provide a link if its not too much trouble?

Dave

[cats think well of me]

Another vote for the A-Line cases. I've been using them for about a year and enjoy them. Unless you'really running double stacks or other tall rolling stock, the low-side boxes should work well. The A-Line carrying case is well made and easily handles five loaded boxes of rolling stock.

Alvie