Non-Display Type Storage for N Scale Locos & Rolling Stock?

[tehachapifan]

A recent and ongoing medical scare has me wanting to start storing my N scale locos and rolling stock in their cases and in some type of shallow drawer cabinet, where the drawers are about as deep as a jewel case. I want to store rolling stock that's not in use this way in case something bad happens to me, so my family can sell off my stuff without having to first find the jewel cases for everything. Right now most my locos are in a display type cabinet on the wall with all the jewel cases stored elsewhere. Anyone have such a cabinet?

[GN Fan]

As far as your medical condition is concerned, keep on fighting.  It's not over till its done. 

As far as a cabinet is concerned, I do not have one or know where you can get one, but what you are looking for is a map cabinet.  The drawers are at most 2 inches deep and very large in both horizontal dimensions.

Best wishes

Tom

[StewRRFan]

Agree.  Keep fighting. 

I have seen people use the mobile tool chests on wheel with multiple drawers.  Similar to what you see garage mechanics use.

[Kentuckian]

Hang in there.  I use a plan file I got from a work move a few years ago.  You might search a local used office furniture store, or antique stores.

[up1950s]

Hope the news was in error .

This looks like the biggest bang for your buck too me . http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Piece-2-Deep-Black-Plastic-Display-Tray-Jewelry-Storage-Stackable-Organizer-/400786316356?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d50b9dc44

[RioGrandeRod]

Good luck with your health.
You might try a map cabinet. They were commonly used for USGS maps. They are very large and heavy, but the drawers are shallow. You might find them for a good price used.

[davefoxx]

I don't know how much map cabinets are, but I use this tool cabinet:



When my trains aren't on the layout, they're in their jewel cases and in this cabinet.  The top drawer is exactly one jewel box deep.  The others are deeper.  The second and third drawers are about three jewel boxes deep, and the fourth and fifth are much deeper and are where I store my hobby toolbox, many tools, and other supplies.

This tool cabinet cost $99.00 at Lowe's.  And, as you can see it's on casters, so it can be easily moved.  In fact, I've moved residences with it twice, and my rolling stock survived unscathed.

Hope this helps,
DFF

[tom mann]

I have the same fear: a room full of "stuff" that will have to be sorted out.  If you still want to display everything, maybe tag each item and it's corresponding jewel case?  This way, someone can match "item 0001" with "jewel case 0001".  I would also add an expected retail value for items that should be sold if the cases aren't marked. Also, flag each item that should be treated as a heirloom - something custom made or of similar importance.

[mu26aeh]

I don't know how much map cabinets are, but I use this tool cabinet:

Do you know how many jewel boxes this cabinet holds ?

[davefoxx]

Do you know how many jewel boxes this cabinet holds ?

As shown, the top drawer holds approximately 40 MTL-sized jewel boxes one layer deep.
The second and third drawers hold that same count but are three jewel boxes deep (approximately 120 MTL-sized jewel boxes per drawer).
The fourth and fifth drawers hold that same count but are five jewel boxes deep (approximately 200 MTL-sized jewel boxes per drawer).

Grand total is approximately 680 MTL-sized jewel boxes.  Obviously, though, larger jewel boxes, e.g., locomotives, passenger cars, and longer freight cars, will eat into this total somewhat.

Hope this helps,
DFF

[mmagliaro]

I use these:

http://www.peachsuite.com/630-1791w/sterilite-17918004-clearview-white-3-drawer-organizer-17918004.html?gclid=COfhkOi5l8ICFUhffgodAmIAqw&kwid=productads-plaid^95194088699-sku^630@ADL41791W-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^47509930379

I can get them for under $10 when Fred Meyer has them on sale.  Each drawer can hold 35 MT 40' cars in their boxes,
stacked 2 deep.  There is very little wasted space.  When I am industrious, I have cut a piece of thin 1/8"
aircraft plywood and placed it between the two layers of cars in a drawer, so the top layer can be completely
lifted out to see all the cars below.  That really helps when you are looking for a particular car or cars, because
you don't have to dig through a whole layer.

There are 3 drawers in a unit, so that's 105 cars.  And the units stack nicely on each other.  I have 8 of these
3-drawer things under my layout right now to hold all my unused rolling stock, as well as all my locos and loco boxes,
and all my engine carcasses which will provide fodder for future projects.

Clean, inexpensive, sturdy, expandable.

[peteski]

When I am industrious, I have cut a piece of thin 1/8"
aircraft plywood and placed it between the two layers of cars in a drawer, so the top layer can be completely
lifted out to see all the cars below.  That really helps when you are looking for a particular car or cars, because
you don't have to dig through a whole layer.

Good idea!  When I store cars in multiple layers in larger cardboard boxes I started taking photos of each layer before covering it with more cars. Then I print those photos on letter-size paper and place them on the top of the box.  I also keep a copy of the photo on my computer for easy viewing.

[eja]

Xerox paper boxes ......

They can be cut down to the length of a jewel case and they come with a tight fitting lid. You can even read the "label at the end of the case" .  I put foam core material between layers of jewel cases to separate them which  allows easy access to "that case".

Cheap, simple and works for me.

Sincere best wishes regarding your health .......

eja

[up1950s]

Another idea is a baking cooler rack . You can but baking pans as needed , and cover it with a pan and add elastic skirts for pregnant overweighters in layers like a multi layered chimese dress , http://www.dhresource.com/albu_718069683_00-1.200x200/wholesale-womens-sexy-sleepwear-lingerie.jpg , allowing easy access at all levels . Or you can box it in or stick it in a cabinet of your choice .

http://www.centralrestaurant.com/Lakeside-155---Roll-In-Cooler-and-Proofer-Rack-29-1-4-inW-c79p44743.html

[Lemosteam]

I too hope that all is well and the scare in nothing more than that.

For the exact same reasons you suggest, I use a drafting flat file, common from the architectural and design industries (this may be like the 'map cabinet" as GN fan suggests).  They can be found on craigslist and ebay periodically.  I found mine in someone's waste, and refurbed it.  The drawers will typically hold MT and atlas jewel cases two deep.  My 5 drawer unit holds over 500+ pieces of rolling stock.  this is a 42 x 36 unit but there are also other widths, 36" and 24" .  i have not seen one less than 24" (I am in the design industry, and yes I remember the days before CAD  ).  They are usually stackable and there is room inside to mount heavy casters underneath.  They are heavy and I added heavy duty carrying handles on each side.  Mine will eventually have casters when I build a large layout so I can roll them to a location and load cars onto the track.  as you can see the drawers are full extension, up to about the last 6" or so.