How do you organize your collection?..

[CRL]

Organize...

What is this strange word of which you speak?

[jpwisc]

I use a pretty unorthodox storage system. It's a little bigger than most, bust I like it. I did apply some scenic materials to it, so the trains would look more at home. I call this system: layout.
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In all seriousness, I do have some cars that I rotate onto the layout so ops sessions don't get too repetetive. Some are in an Axian case, and some are in a wall mounted display.

[transitionalman]

I used Sterlitte 16qt clear boxes for mine - and keep all the jewel cases for my cars because this fits a 38-45 car train (and in one case 50).  I then organize my cars by what I would see in a given train (locos and cabooses are stored in separate Sterlitte 6qt boxes. 

For example, I organize my cars then as follows:

1) KCS Belle Grain Train - 50 Intermountain Cars
2) SLSF Freight Train - roughly 70% SLSF Cars and 30% connecting road cars - about 42 cars
3) SSW/SP Freight Train - roughly 80% PS or SSW Cars and 20% connecting road cars - about 45 cars
4) Saskatchewan Potash Train - grain and pink hoppers - about 38 cars
.... etc.

Using this approach, since I don't currently have a layout, I can set up a single train to run, take a train to N-Trak/T-Track to run, or if I am looking for a car, I can fairly easily figure out what box it would logically be in.....unless it is one of the 20-30% connecting road cars, then it takes 2-3 boxes to locate it....but since they are clear with the jewel case labels sticking out it is easier

[Philip H]

Not sure why my picture didn’t attach the first time:

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[OldEastRR]

I built a shelf that will someday maybe become staging tracks or a yard or .... something. It abuts my layout where there's a junction and two tracks that curve off toward the shelf. A foot wide and six feet long. For now I put some KATO unitrack on it and store most of my off-layout stuff on that. Obviously that means everything is right out there and visible for easy identification. Between that and the cars on line everything is pretty accessible. HOWEVER I do have two boxes of more stuff too modern for my current layout which are sitting in jewel cases, boxes and a briefcase fitted with individual car spots. That stuff I'm supposed to be selling. Overall tho, I don't have much RR stock. 

[rickb773]

My cars are stored by car type then RR alphabetically on L-girder shelves directly beneath my layout. The process was described in the August 2019 issue (page 120) of Model Railroad Hobbyists magazine ( https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mrhpub.com/2019-08-aug/online/index.html ). Each single sided 6’ shelf holds 135 cars.

A few reader questions were dealt with on the MRH blog: https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/mrh2019-08/train-storage





On the layout: during a recent rebuild the main yPavonia Yard got stuffed with 120+ cars while we worked:


And 9 tracks of staging also helps:

[glakedylan]

I found boxes (cardstock) at Michaels (photo boxes) on sale one day.
They measure 4" x 8" x 12.25" and hold a good amount of MTL size jewel cases.
That day they were on sale for $1.25 a piece. They come in a variety of colors
and designs.
They are actually on sale now and have an extra 20% off offer but in store only.
I find these to be convenient and easily accessed and stored.
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[dougnelson]

This is an IKEA unit that, unfortunately, is no longer available.  It works pretty well for N scale.

[Rivet Miscounter]

I don't differentiate between vintage and modern...if I own it, it is intended to run on a layout and follows a fairly specific timeframe and locale.  Otherwise it goes up for sale.   For my roster, I organize by car type for the most part.  Sort of following my digital filing system for proto pics, modeling articles, etc. as follows:
1. BoxReef - Boxcars and Reefers.  Combined since insulated/cryo cars sort of muddy the waters anyway.
2. CovHopTank - Covered Hoppers and Tank Cars
3. FlatGon - Flats and standard gondolas. (not high sides which are include in #7 "Coal".) .  Includes Coil Cars.
4. IntmdlAutork - Intermodal and Autorack.  Also includes containers and trailers.
5. LocosPass - Locomotives and Passenger Cars.  Also includes Business Cars, Commuter Cars, and Cabooses.
6. MOWCircusMisc - Maintenance-Of-Way cars and equipment, RBBX Circus cars, DODX Military flats, CWR Trains, et al
7. OpenHopCoal - Includes both open hoppers and also coal gons since there is significant crossover.

Since my layout is (seeemingly perpetually) under construction, I do have a display case for a subset of items and those are set up as if they were trains.  It's a bit of a work-in-progress too but I'll share the latest version since everyone else is.

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Aside from this, my cars are stored in Container Store clear "boot boxes" that fit under my bed.  We have extremely limited storage in our home and that's the only place they fit if I want them to stay in a climate controlled environment. (I do)  I also have some N-scale TrainBoxesPlus boxes that I intend to modify if/when I decide to run at train shows.

[MK]

This is an IKEA unit that, unfortunately, is no longer available.  It works pretty well for N scale.

Wow, those would be perfect if only IKEKA can make them again.  Put a few on the floor and put a piece of plywood on top as a surface, instant layout!

[Kentuckian]

Old plan file from work. Digital records do have some advantages!




Hazard Fraught tackle box: