N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: barkfast on July 28, 2011, 06:19:14 AM

Title: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: barkfast on July 28, 2011, 06:19:14 AM
Now that my track is down, I'm at the point where I want to run lots of different rolling stock so that I firstly can identify any issues with track & stock, but also to get an idea of what kind of consists are possible on my small layout.

Taking stock in and out of boxes is starting to be a bit of a pain, so I was wondering what people use to store their rolling stock to make it a bit easier?

I had thought about some form of cradle made from foam (maybe with a peco rerailer to make it nice and easy)
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: port perran on July 28, 2011, 07:46:24 AM
A simple fiddle yard or siding(s) would be fine so that you can run trains/stock straight onto your layout.
Failing that a few sections of straight track so that you can sit your rolling stock on it.
Nice & simple !
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: tadpole on July 28, 2011, 09:30:12 AM
I have about a third of my stock on my layout in the loft at any one time. And it stays out (in stations, sidings, fiddleyards).

If I'm going on holiday/business, I put away my powered vehicles to prevent insects using them as a place to die. For this I have a padded box with a lid (ex-perfume/smelly stuff? - it's not pink, thank heavens), which holds about 20 loose locos, and I just place this carefully under the layout.



Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: Crackerbill on July 28, 2011, 10:10:33 AM
I havn't the space for extended fiddles yards and large stock sidings, therefore I use a wall display cabinet suitably manufactured and partitioned for N gauge.  Mine will take approximately 30 large size locomotives (if you can call any N gauge large) or any combination of similar and/or smaller railway vehicles.  The cabinet has a magnetic fastened clear lid which keeps everything inside nice and clean.  The size of the cabinet obviously depends on the total stock and the amount of wall space you can allow.  I find this method to be very satisfactory ensuring locos can be changed quite easily and they are kept clean when removed from the layout.  Also there is no pain of packing and unpacking loco/rolling stock boxes which takes time and could increase the possibility of damage.
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: poliss on July 28, 2011, 02:20:04 PM
I use the foam stock cases from JBs Model World.
http://www.jb2mmworld.co.uk/stock_cases.htm
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: Tank on July 28, 2011, 04:11:13 PM
I agree with Poliss.  I've used JBs stock trays for about 5 years.  Good quality, and you can stack the sponge trays on each other without crushing them.  Mine are 7 high in each box.
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: OwL on July 28, 2011, 06:13:57 PM
Great Topic barkfast,

I use a metal camera case. I brought 3 from jessops about 5 years ago, each one priced at £22.00 each. They have foam inserts which are formed in blocks of cubes, which you can pull out to form the shape of the item you wish to carry. I carry rolling stock and locos, and i have never had a problem with transportation or damage.

They also have lockable latches which is good to stop curious young children gaining access to your prized collection and playing 'Thomas and Friends' with your prized A4 pacific!!!

Here is a picture of the type I mean:


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camera-Aluminium-Case-padded-Flight/dp/B001NI6D3G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1311873190&sr=8-2

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: poliss on July 28, 2011, 06:15:41 PM
I keep my trays in the cardboard boxes they were shipped in. Much cheaper than buying the ones with plastic boxes. :-)
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: longbridge on July 28, 2011, 10:01:17 PM
I buy boxes from Crazy Clarke's or the Two Dollar shop to store my locos and rolling stock, I have been doing this for quite some time now, I place strips of thin Polystyrene sheet between each item, the locos and stock are standing vertical so no problems of loco oil leeching into paintwork.
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: poliss on July 29, 2011, 01:35:58 AM
If that's the white polystyrene sheet you need to be careful with it as it degrades over time and can get stuck to your models.
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: anselm on July 29, 2011, 10:04:11 AM
Quote from: poliss on July 28, 2011, 02:20:04 PM
I use the foam stock cases from JBs Model World.
http://www.jb2mmworld.co.uk/stock_cases.htm

Thanks for this.  Had not come across JBs before.  Two trays now on order.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: barkfast on July 29, 2011, 11:54:46 PM
Quote from: poliss on July 28, 2011, 02:20:04 PM
I use the foam stock cases from JBs Model World.
http://www.jb2mmworld.co.uk/stock_cases.htm

Thanks for the link!   :thumbsup:

These look ideal
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: OffshoreAlan on March 09, 2021, 07:52:29 PM
As a relatively newcomer to the hobby, I am slowly building up my stock of wagons, coaches, and locos (nowhere near as many as some of the numbers quoted on the "How many locos" thread), and am now encountering the problem of storage (I don't really want to be packing/unpacking them from the boxes all the time).  My fiddle yard is very limited capacity.

I note some of the solutions on this thread (I think I favour Crackerbill's option), and I have come across a relatively cheap option (AFAIK), and I wonder whether there are any users here who could comment on it, or offer alternatives.

The cheap option is here - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Cut-N-Gauge-Train-Rolling-Stock-Display-Case-N-SCENIC/202876612039?hash=item2f3c636dc7:g:FvoAAOSw4vpeGJu3 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Cut-N-Gauge-Train-Rolling-Stock-Display-Case-N-SCENIC/202876612039?hash=item2f3c636dc7:g:FvoAAOSw4vpeGJu3)

Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: guest311 on March 09, 2021, 08:03:19 PM
Quote from: poliss on July 28, 2011, 02:20:04 PM
I use the foam stock cases from JBs Model World.
http://www.jb2mmworld.co.uk/stock_cases.htm (http://www.jb2mmworld.co.uk/stock_cases.htm)

another vote for JB's foam trays, which can either be stored in his blue plastic boxes, or be stored in A4  cardboard photocopier / printer paper boxes, freely available from work [those who still have jobs] or your local stationers, if you ask nicely [when they actually re-open]
been using then for over 10 years with no problems whatsoever.
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: Adam1701D on March 09, 2021, 09:23:26 PM
I do not recommend losing track of any item of stock that might have fallen off the shelf...

(https://scontent.fbhx3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/158861091_10158194685291033_7987305409398719007_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=bJhd5SyjKDIAX8UAtIN&_nc_ht=scontent.fbhx3-1.fna&oh=e6704dbba69a64709c7bd99cec257ce5&oe=606EF7CD)
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: mickeyflinn on March 09, 2021, 09:25:37 PM
Quote from: class37025 on March 09, 2021, 08:03:19 PM
Quote from: poliss on July 28, 2011, 02:20:04 PM
I use the foam stock cases from JBs Model World.
http://www.jb2mmworld.co.uk/stock_cases.htm (http://www.jb2mmworld.co.uk/stock_cases.htm)

another vote for JB's foam trays, which can either be stored in his blue plastic boxes, or be stored in A4  cardboard photocopier / printer paper boxes, freely available from work [those who still have jobs] or your local stationers, if you ask nicely [when they actually re-open]
been using then for over 10 years with no problems whatsoever.

I have the JB's boxes too. I store mine in Pappis cardboard boxes from Ikea;
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/pappis-box-with-lid-brown-00100467/ (https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/pappis-box-with-lid-brown-00100467/)
and get 4 of the JB's boxes in each.
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: Gordon on March 10, 2021, 12:17:37 AM
I use foam trays, but I also use circa 1in deep boxes of various types (old printer's film boxes were nice and large (about 1 1/2 ft x 1 ft) and about 3/4in deep). Just placing N gauge stock loose on its sides is adequate storage in 'shallow' boxes like this especially for older models with few delicate external parts
Title: Re: Storage of Rolling Stock
Post by: Chuffington on March 10, 2021, 11:01:59 AM
Old VHS cases with some foam suitably shaped & cut out makes a great transportation case if you just want to take a few items along to a club night.
I got the idea from the Kato storage cases my Eurostars came in.