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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.