Hello, everyone!
Please show me how do you store your trains for everyday use? (Not for long term storage)
I'd like to organize my loco and cars for easy access.
I know Japanese has the bookcase type and US has the cardboard box type.
Any ideas will be a big help for me.
Thank you in advance.
Dats475
Hello,
I use foam lined drawers to keep locos and rolling stock, easy access and saves the hassle of unboxing/boxing.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd491/jimmy1977uk/New%20Layout/P1000157_zps1bad6668.jpg)
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd491/jimmy1977uk/New%20Layout/P1000155_zps7f145d49.jpg)
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd491/jimmy1977uk/New%20Layout/P1000153_zps9f0c8127.jpg)
Cheers,
Jimmy
I regret to confess I keep everything in the manufacturers boxes. Locos and wagons I can identify but if I was to take coaches out and put them into foam filled storage I wouldn't know which box they should go back into ::) :-[
for locos, I use Parkwood arts "park N go" cases http://www.parkwood-arts.co.uk/html/n_gauge_.html (http://www.parkwood-arts.co.uk/html/n_gauge_.html) as I find that the close cell foam protects the heavy locos better than ordinary foam and doesn't bend as much.
for all other rolling stock, I use 2 different sizes of really useful boxes with foam inserts by JB's model world . I have used this system for a few years now and have complete confidence in them (usual disclaimer - I am just a satisfied customer.
Regards,
Alex
I use JB's model world plastic storage boxes with foam inserts.
Very good value. Jon, the proprietor, visits many exhibitions with his wares for sale.
His ebay store is here - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/JBs-Model-World (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/JBs-Model-World) but he does other storage boxes than those listed on his site. For instance a handy carry case with two layers of foam insert.
:beers:
I only have half a dozen locos and a few wagons and must admit they aren't run as often as I'd like :(
However, some time ago I was thinking about the oil accumulation (slight - I don't over oil anything!) that is sometimes present on the loco side when it's removed from the box.
Response to gravity and all that ................ but bit concerned about the overal balance of lubrication ie surplus and deficit at key points
So, ever since, my locos have been stored "on their feet" - albeit in their plastic boxes.
Interested to know if other colleagues have followed this course of action
Best regards
Adrian
Quote from: newportnobby on April 18, 2016, 03:49:57 PM
I regret to confess I keep everything in the manufacturers boxes. Locos and wagons I can identify but if I was to take coaches out and put them into foam filled storage I wouldn't know which box they should go back into ::) :-[
Snap!
I also pop a small home printed 'ticket' in the loco box to say when last run and if oiled.
The foam trays/drawers look great and agree it's a pain 'deboxing' but I'm thinking of (quite a bit) later on when the collection needs to be moved on, that in original boxes they'd make a bit more, rather like Dinky and Corgi vehicles do now.
Dave G
Quote from: Adrian on April 18, 2016, 05:44:05 PM
I only have half a dozen locos and a few wagons and must admit they aren't run as often as I'd like :(
However, some time ago I was thinking about the oil accumulation (slight - I don't over oil anything!) that is sometimes present on the loco side when it's removed from the box.
Response to gravity and all that ................ but bit concerned about the overal balance of lubrication ie surplus and deficit at key points
So, ever since, my locos have been stored "on their feet" - albeit in their plastic boxes.
Interested to know if other colleagues have followed this course of action
Best regards
Adrian
As you say I store my locos 'on their feet' in my foam lined storage boxes. This is mainly to avoid damage to steam loco valve gear rather than excess oil though.
:beers:
Quote from: Adrian on April 18, 2016, 05:44:05 PM
I only have half a dozen locos and a few wagons and must admit they aren't run as often as I'd like :(
However, some time ago I was thinking about the oil accumulation (slight - I don't over oil anything!) that is sometimes present on the loco side when it's removed from the box.
Response to gravity and all that ................ but bit concerned about the overal balance of lubrication ie surplus and deficit at key points
So, ever since, my locos have been stored "on their feet" - albeit in their plastic boxes.
Interested to know if other colleagues have followed this course of action
Best regards
Adrian
That's an interesting point, never occurred to me. Maybe I'll have to devise some sort of Del-boy 'crop rotation' system to even things out :D
Jimmy
Nobby, why not number your coaches on the bottom and that same number on the box plus make a list with details of the coach/s, to help when making up a train. john.
If the layout is up then the stock in use will be in the fiddle yard, however outside of this, mine are all stored in their original boxes.
As well as JB foam padded boxes, I have this display case - actually an old typesetter's lettering tray - hanging over my layout for items I want to keep to hand:
[Smg id=38366]
A lucky find in a junk shop for £20!
Mike
Quote from: painbrook on April 18, 2016, 06:48:51 PM
Nobby, why not number your coaches on the bottom and that same number on the box plus make a list with details of the coach/s, to help when making up a train. john.
No bad idea, John, but the current coach count is 180 (including parcels stuff) :doh:
Yeah - I know it's too many but I have 4 regions and 2 eras to cover (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it) ;)
I have 4 of these now - http://www.krmulticase.com/cases.aspx?system=NGA (http://www.krmulticase.com/cases.aspx?system=NGA) - the standard aluminium case. If you click through, you will see that there is the choice of either stock 'laying on side' boxes or stock 'on wheels' inside them. Each case takes 3 trays, so they do carry a fair bit. They may not be cheap, but they are strong!
Plus I also have a couple of these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-Gauge-Plastic-Storage-Box-Foam-Tray-BLUE-113-/272195606676?hash=item3f601f5894:g:-0AAAOxyhXRTNLV9 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-Gauge-Plastic-Storage-Box-Foam-Tray-BLUE-113-/272195606676?hash=item3f601f5894:g:-0AAAOxyhXRTNLV9) - much cheaper and handy for smaller amounts of stock!
Quote from: Paul B on April 18, 2016, 09:13:40 PM
I have 4 of these now - http://www.krmulticase.com/cases.aspx?system=NGA (http://www.krmulticase.com/cases.aspx?system=NGA) - the standard aluminium case. If you click through, you will see that there is the choice of either stock 'laying on side' boxes or stock 'on wheels' inside them. Each case takes 3 trays, so they do carry a fair bit. They may not be cheap, but they are strong!
Plus I also have a couple of these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-Gauge-Plastic-Storage-Box-Foam-Tray-BLUE-113-/272195606676?hash=item3f601f5894:g:-0AAAOxyhXRTNLV9 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-Gauge-Plastic-Storage-Box-Foam-Tray-BLUE-113-/272195606676?hash=item3f601f5894:g:-0AAAOxyhXRTNLV9) - much cheaper and handy for smaller amounts of stock!
These are the JB Models boxes referred to earlier. JB attends most of the shows within 50m of London ( and TINGS). Saves postage and are a bit cheaper.
Keeping stock in original boxes is a pain when you take it to shows (own and/or club layouts). Takes too long to get stuff out and put it away. I have a number of John Burman's boxes of all shapes and sizes. Some are used only for carrying stock selected for a show or for testing at the club. Others, mainly for the current era stock are used permanently. But all my coaches, wagons ,many diesels and older steam are on their sides in homebuilt plywood trays. these have a sticky backed baize cover for the base, and are fitted into a giant tool box from Halfords (I think). Steam locos are so fragile these days that they would not survive that treatment. Hence the top layer in the box is an adapted JB foam tray, and when that became outgrown, the purchase of more JB boxes. The original boxes - I have all post China era - are stashed away in case I sell anything.
I use my ancient Moore and Wright tool box which I purchase new during my apprenticeship (1963-7) when we had the opportunity to pay weekly for our tools.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38394.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38394)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38391.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38391)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38392.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38392)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38390.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38390)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38389.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38389)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38388.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38388)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38387.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38387)
Lined in green baize and partitioned with foam board.
Even got a Kensington lock which fits into a slot in one of the steel reinforced corners.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38395.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38395)
Perfect also for keeping my handset etc in the lower deep draw.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38393.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38393)
Not an excuse Nobby, pick a region and an era from your most used stash, it's called making a start :worried: . By the by how long is it since some of your coaches have seen the light of day ?. john.
Quote from: painbrook on April 19, 2016, 02:58:23 PM
By the by how long is it since some of your coaches have seen the light of day ?. john.
Have to admit many have not seen light for some months, but I like to run some trains at least once a week so rotate those that I do get out to play with.
I do have 4 of the blue stock boxes and store those coaches I purchased without boxes many moons ago. They are mostly old MK1s which will gradually get sold off as they've mainly been replaced with Blue Riband versions so I have various Farish (Poole), Lima and Minitrix ones to sell.
I use these boxes
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/29/thumb_22599.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22599)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/29/thumb_22600.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22600)
which allow me to store all my stock on their wheels, I can get upto 3 4-wheel wagons in each slot or 1 coach/loco and there are 118 slots per box.
These are hand made and cost about £60 per box.
Cheers
Neal.
I managed to nab some of the Lidl display shelves when they appeared earlier this year (they pop up as a special on rotation every now and again)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38407.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38407)
I've also got a lot of these blue storage boxes (via eBay) with foam inserts. Great for storing wagons and the odd coach. Prior to the display case, the KR Multicase (brown box) held 4 trays of locos and coaches and the Parkwood Arts Park'n'Go (black case) another 2 trays along with a smaller Parkwood Arts wooden box. Both are really good, although the Parkwood Arts boxes have more rigid foam so were a little restrictive for some of my German and American locos with wider running gear. You can trim the foam a bit like I did though.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/3/thumb_38408.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=38408)
I still use the KR & Parkwood cases for some stock.
I used to use a parkwood case, however as my stock got larger I replaced the case with sets of JB foam inlays stacked in Peli 1400 cases as 4 layers will fit in a case so if I don't want to take all my stock I can mix and match. However some of my collections have dedicated cases which are labeled
Your local Greengrocer usually has a plentiful supply of mushroom crates , which are a good fit for 3 JB foam inserts!
[smg id=38431 type=preview align=center caption="image"]
He also supplies the thin foam cover piece ( not shown above )
Nick R
Quote from: Calnefoxile on April 19, 2016, 03:31:52 PM
I use these boxes
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/29/thumb_22599.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22599)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/29/thumb_22600.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22600)
which allow me to store all my stock on their wheels, I can get upto 3 4-wheel wagons in each slot or 1 coach/loco and there are 118 slots per box.
These are hand made and cost about £60 per box.
Cheers
Neal.
Who or where do you get the box from please.
^^ agreed, for £60 they look great! I'm lucky enough to be able to store virtually all my stock on the layout, although I'm about to reach the tipping point, with several trains on the way, so I'll need something!
It's nice to have manufacturer boxes for when you sell, but they're such a huge faff to keep stuff in on a daily basis, plus they'll get tatty if you keep using them, which undermines the point in having them in the first place.
I tend to use the 'Really Useful Boxes', a 35XL takes 9 JB trays. I tend to leave my loco's in their plastic boxes without sleeves, and there's space to fit these down the side of the trays keeping everything from shifting. The boxes are quite tough, have locking lids and stack really well.
Cheers, Mark.
Quote from: Calnefoxile on April 19, 2016, 03:31:52 PM
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/29/thumb_22599.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22599)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/29/thumb_22600.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22600)
For all those interested in these boxes, send me a PM and I'll forward you the contact details of John Cox from the Alsager Club who builds them.
Be aware thought that there may be a bit of a waiting list, as he already has a large Customer base who asks him for them. I suspect that if you speak to him and order from him now, then they should be ready for TINGS, or earlier if you're lucky.
Regards
Neal.
You guys Rocks!! :NGF:
Thank you so much for your reply!
I had no idea there are so many options for storage.
I'm kinda like drawer styles since I can put it on lower shelf of my layout.
If you guys have more ways to store them, please keep post them here.
I think US doesn't have much of options for ready- made products than European. (especially N gauge)
If it's hand- made, especially inside of storage, please show me how.
Thank you again!!