N Scale Storage Recommendations Please

[bc6]

I have 20 assorted freight cars that Ive misplaced the jewel boxes for (dont ask how) now I need a safe, affordable way to store them any suggestions?

[davidgray1974]

Axian makes a box with foam lining for N and HO scale.  You could probably very easily do the same thing on your own.

http://www.axiantech.com/ModelRR.html

[Kisatchie]

You can buy Atlas and Micro-Trains jewel boxes from dealers like MB Klein and others. Prices range from $.79 each up to a couple of dollars, depending on the size.


Hmm... get the giant
economy size. It's cheaper
in the long run...

[Philip H]

I grabbed an HP laptop box they were throwing out at work and lined it with some A/C register foam filter material, held down with double stock tape.  If the opportunity presents itself tomorrow I'll photograph it.

[w neal]

Foam lined cardboard storage boxes from G&G trains. About $12 each and hold about 26 SD45s or about 40 freight cars. Sure beats opening and closing all those plastic boxes. But then, I'm weird like that.

[joebalto]

Try Plano tackle box from walmart for $15 stores alot of n scale stuff.  The larger one with the slide out drawers. Then just line it with foam.

[TiVoPrince]

If 
you don't mind creating your own interior dividers.  Shops that build computers will have system board boxes leftovers.  If you are kind or do some business with them they are almost always free. 

They tend to be pretty strong and consistenly sized to hold Nscale cars.  You can reverse the box to get those fancy graphics and such on the inside to make labeling easy.  There is usually a thin foam that protected the bottom ofthe board in transit and any supporting cardboard can be used for dividers or recycled...

[wm3798]

I store my rolling stock here:


Lee

[CoalPorter]

Deluxe Innovations precut foam boxes, if you can still find any.
Are these still made? I put some on eB** and the
bidding wars blew my mind! I can sell a used box for
more than a nice locomotive

[Philip H]

As the resident science geek - I used to have four or five long skinny plastic boxes from gas chromatograph and ICAP columns. They were foam filled, foam lined, and fiarly strong - they survived college, grad school, moving to Seattle, and moving to DC before they finally, literally, cvracked.

[Scottl]

I have come across old power tool boxes (Dewalt, etc.).  I cut out the plastic divisions and put in a block of pick-pluck foam (digikey sells this) and you have a custom storage box that is secure,  easy to carry, and inexpensive.  I made one up for my intermodal containers and it has been great.

I've used computer boxes too with success, and the Plano fishing boxes as well.  If I was worried about a consistent look, the latter are just about perfectly sized for n scale.

[mecgp7]

The heavy corrugated pizza boxes lined with foam or even fabric.  I lay the cars on their sides. The foam or fabric or even multiple layers of papertowels keep the cars from sliding around.  I used material from old towels. This is simply for storage and not recommended if you are moving the boxes around (travelling, etc.). If you figure the correct thickness of the foam/fabric you can put a piece over the cars and when the lid is closed it "clamps" the cars in.  It has worked well for me. The boxes stack nicely and they are easy to label. I tend to use the smaller boxes.  The pizza guy thought I was nuts when I first went to ask for some. BTW I prefer my PS2 2 bay hoppers without anchovies!