N Scale Train Storage

[BCR 570]

Thank you that is helpful.  I was trying to avoid lying cars on their sides as I find the etched details get snagged and ripped off.  This was a problem with old computer parts boxes I started with, and then the V-Line boxes.  Also, locomotives should be stored upright so any oil stays in the mechanism and doesnt migrate onto the shell.

I got some of the Fast Tracks FreightCrates and they worked well as I can lift the cars in and out with the bubble wrap cradles, and they even protected the cars if the crates were not upright.  Unfortunately these have been discontinued so I cant get any more.

A friend at the LHS has the A-Line system and is quite happy with it so I am leaning towards it at present.  if you have close-up photos of that system I would appreciate seeing them as the illustrations on their website are mostly HO Scale.

I dont take stock to shows any more but the idea of the boxes sliding into a tote bag is also appealing.

Tim

[Mark W]

I built my own, I call them Train Tacos.  I shared plans for them somewhere... I'll try to find them again.

Basically a tray with a bunch of grooves, into which dividers fit.  These can be made to varying widths depending on the equipment being stored.
The 'taco shells' are made of 1/4" window sill insulation.


https://i.imgur.com/yVMLnWY.jpg

Once stored, equipment is kept quite snug, but not so snug to cause damage.  I've been using these for about 3 years now.

https://i.imgur.com/dWlEEeG.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/DYlsd1Q.jpg

Also built a stack able case to slide taco trays in and out. 


https://i.imgur.com/6pmzbJx.jpg

[Philip H]

I saw these on Trainboard, but as noted when we delved further into it they are no longer available.  Maybe someone has some hidden somewhere . . . .

JPT Sub - my new layout project

[nickelplate759]

Here's the current link to Axian:  http://www.axiantech.com/ModelRR.html

I think they reorganized their web site a while back.
I have several of their boxes - yes they are a little more money than I wish, but I'm happy with them.

[SkipGear]

I tried A-line boxes, then sold them before I finished building the last box. They have no foam and the accordion of cardboard nightmare they use for the dividers was poorly executed. I decided it wasn't worth the effort required to make them right.

I like the design of the Axian boxes but never have decided to spend the cash to get them.

I have been building boxes for my son's intermodal cars out of the boxes that magazines come to our hobby shop in.




Keyboard or Laptop shipping boxes from Uline or similar also work very well if you are willing to build inserts for them.

[SkipGear]

Also need to store the containers...

[SAH]

I understand exactly what you're looking for Tim.  I'll take some photos of my solution(s) tomorrow and post them. 

Steve

[SAH]

Not a commercial product but not entirely homemade either.  Inexpensive too, as most of the material was scrounged from wherever.  Stack the individual boxes into a larger carton and away you go.  After spending hours detailing a model, an extra 30 minutes to create the box is well worth the time IMO.  It's kind of fun too.  I've moved frequently and a model in one of my custom boxes has never been damaged.

Lift out cradles make removing the model from the box easy.


An early version.  I'd not use this design now as I've found lifting out the cradle, foam and model together is better to protect the model.


More like this version


Cut outs in the foam help keep the model in place and prevent smashing roof details.


A 3-fer for tank cars.  The box once contained honeycomb.


I use mostly surplus rolling stock boxes.  If you need longer boxes say, for your TOFC models, splicing two model boxes end to end is one solution.  U-line has a good selection of small boxes.  Craft stores have paper and plastic keepsake boxes for multiple car storage. 
Good Luck
Steve

[Van Horne]

Tim, I use the A-Line boxes and carriers. They work fine for my purposes, but I couldn't recommend them for your fine scratchbuilt cars. To make them workable, you'd have to replace the cardboard with something more durable.  The carriers are great, though.

Dave

[Scottl]

I needed a solution for cars with delicate etched ends and found I could suspend them in small foam cradles within a standard Plano plastic box.  It is a very secure solution for many types of rolling stock.



For containers, these things are nearly as pricey now as freight cars, so I treat them to deluxe storage.  I used IKEA "pizza" boxes I had, with pick n' pluck foam with 1/8" foam sheet for a bottom from FoamFactory.com.  Each box holds two levels.  It took a bit of time to make but was not very expensive.



I like @Mark W's  train taco idea for vertical storage.

[christoph]

I wonder whether any of you had issues with foam becoming brittle or worse, sticky over time.
There was a manufacturer in Germany back in the 1980's that made train storage parts from some green foam.  It was nice and convenient,  but later the foam became sticky and ruined the models' paint.  The pattern of the foam pores showed on the paint.  I have used this in the very beginning of my N-scale times, and they ruined some of my models, or at least added some unwelcome weathering.
So I am very reluctant about foam cradles since then.

[SAH]

I understand your concern Christoph.  I've experience foam degradation as well but not, thankfully, related to model storage.  The EL TOFC model is 25+ years old and the foam is at least as old.  Most of the green foam in the photos is probably 20 years old, minimum.  Back in N scale's formative years many models were sold with foam filler within the jewel box.  Some of my foam came from those boxes.  Most of the green foam came from fruit gift boxes.  Think Harry & David and others. 

Heat, humidity, sunlight all will degrade foam.  The chemical composition of the foam matters as well.  I don't know if there is such a thing as archival foam but that might be the ticket if starting from scratch.  It may be blind dumb luck that I've done as well as I have with my foam cradles, who knows.  But, as one of my physics profs once said, "I'd rather be lucky than good."

Steve   

[conrad]

I've used the Axian boxes for over 20 years with no problems.  Haven't had any foam degradation.  I did follow the advice of our late Long Island NTrak president, Bob Gatland, and used a thin sheet of plastic to cover the trains.  This prevents any cars sticking to the cover's foam wedges.  The plastic is really thin, almost like Saran wrap but not clingy. 

Conrad

[learmoia]

I've never had an issue with my Axian foam either..  I also use plastic liners...  I had bought some rolling racks with 10 storage trays to store my jewel case cars and used the plastic from those... (Or Dry clearner plastic)

My only complaint on Asian cases: since the cars lay on thier side

 There is no allowance for height variation..so Gons, Flats, Autoracks, ect don't fit..  and sometimes cars can slide around inside the case with Lot of movement.. but I've never had anything damaged as a result of that..

Though I've never trusted locomotive handrails in the Axian case.. always kept those separate in the jewel cases.