Hi all
As subject, what the best way to store Locos, on their side or wheels.
I keep mine in custom made stock boxes lined with foam and all are on their sides, is that good practice or is it likely to introduce a set to the pickups, would it be better to store them on their wheels, or does it not really matter.
Thanks for any input
NGM
Most locos will spend months stored on their sides before purchase, so if that were a problem I think the manufacturers would have reconsidered their packaging. There really isn't much in an N Gauge loco for gravity to act upon.
I'll always store locos in their original box where I have it. It's the best "custom-fit" after all, though I've had a few Roco boxes where the inner lining needed cutting in half to release the pressure a little.
I try and store locos within transport case(s) so that they stand on the wheels when the case is flat on a shelf (let's face it, that's the vast majority of their life). It doesn't work for everything though, there are plenty that end up on their sides, and in that situation they're oriented to stand on the wheels when the case is picked up by the handle. What I definitely do avoid is any locos ending up nose- or tail-down.
It's not a particular concern with gravity and pickups or oil etc. There certainly shouldn't be anywhere near enough lube that any might run while the mechanism is in storage - and believe me I've had second hand locos where that was the case!! For me it's mainly about organising the boxes most efficiently within the case, and ensuring that their database id number and image label (slipped into the box) is visible and can be found quickly when needed.
I keep my locos in their original plastic boxes - the ones from Fleischmann, Kato, Hobbytrain and Minitrix I have are excellent. The boxes are made to stack with the locos on their sides, but I prefer, for no other reason than 'it seems right to me', to keep them wheels down.
I find the Kato bookcases are excellent and a couple have been adapted for locos too, then stored as they are intended like books on a shelf, contents all wheels down.
Like the OP, I store all mine on their side in foam lined drawers of the stock cabinet.
I must admit to being quite chuffed with building this.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/102/1058-301120225105.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=102563)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/102/1058-301120225155.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=102565)
You should be! That's a very professional job! :thumbsup:
You tease though Graham, taking it at such an acute angle!
That looks great.
I don't have a posh wooden box like Graham but mine generally lay on their side with no adverse effects:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/83/262-251019013402-831521037.jpeg)
Some end up on their wheels if there's not quite enough room for them all:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/83/262-251019013457-831591829.jpeg)
I built it on wheels as i was fed up of carrying stock boxes out to the garage where the layout resides. The stock normally stays in my study unless I am having a running session.
Yeah, I saw the wheels. Great stuff. :thumbsup:
Wouldn't work at Chez Bealman though. Several steps between study and garage! :(
Quote from: ntpntpntp on November 30, 2020, 10:02:10 PM
There certainly shouldn't be anywhere near enough lube that any might run while the mechanism is in storage - and believe me I've had second hand locos where that was the case!!
For Bulleid spamcans that's superdetailing :D
I also have steps so I built a set of portable ramps to help there.
No end to your ingenuity and woodworking skills, Graham! Most impressive. :thumbsup:
I don't think vertical or horizontal matter. Where you store them might be. I maybe wrong but I prefer to store mine inside the house (my wardrobe) where it is warm and dry. I don't think spending the winter months in a cold garage does the motors any good. I haven't done a test comparison on this but I do find locos stored for months over winter in the garage can be a bit reticent when put on the track.
Unfortunately, most of the time, my garage is roasting! :(
A topic we've done a number of times in the last few years, a couple of recent examples:
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=43756.0 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=43756.0)
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=45842.0 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=45842.0)
My Locos are kept in their original boxes stored upright.
The reason for storing upright is that from experience, locos stored upright are, as the OP suggests, less prone to pickup issues than those stored on their side.
This is because of the lack of springiness of the brass used by Bachmann for pickups, and if the loco is left laying on it's side for a prolonged time it does distort resulting in bias to the side that is taking all the weight. The 03, 04 & 14 diesels seem to be particularly prone to this.
:hellosign: When storing your valuable locos don`t do what my sister did with her ten , that was to oil them and store on their sides . Years after storage they took some serious cleaning to get them running again, also the oil had damaged some paint work.
Tony..
I keep all my locos in their original boxes (just in case they need to be sold) and either on their sides or on their wheels. Some of the interior packaging can be a very tight fit, in which case I cut some away to avoid damage in removing the loco whilst still gripping it so it doesn't slip. Where locos are held by foam I place a polythene sheet in the foam before placing the loco in it with enough polythene each end to lift the loco out as a whole. I do tend to prefer the 'hinged' plastic used more frequently lately as it's easier to rotate the loco for the layout before removing it, rather than lifting one from the foam and then manhandling it 180 degrees.
Yes, the packing on some stock is way too tight. I damaged my brand new Deltic and a couple of carriages on my BP, just trying to extract them from their boxes! :(
Incidentally, Mick, you did a great job in packing those three locos back in July. All arrived safely, and run beautifully. :thumbsup:
I keep the original boxes but don't store my locos in them. I've made a few stock boxes which carry a lot of stock in a very small space.
I buy a Hobbycraft geometric photo box (2 for £6.00) and then cut up some hobbycraft foam board to make the actual storage dividers. The sides are tall enough for N gauge stock to sit safely inside and I can stack three layers in one box.
The longitudinal sand the crossmembers are interlocked to keep them strong and everything is held together with ova adhesive. It takes a bit of time to make a box but the foam board is extremely easy to work with.
I put a little dip in each crossmember so it is easy to get to the stock to pull it out.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/102/3123-011220163125.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=102620)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/102/3123-011220163229.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=102621)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/102/3123-011220163300.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=102622)
This box is for my late sixties stock! Peace and love man.
Has anyone had problems with various types of plastic and paper they have used for wrapping and storing rolling stock?
I've used tissue paper, kitchen roller towel, and bubble wrap on occasion and was told that the tissue paper should be acid free and that bubble wrap can cause problems with paintwork.
At the moment I'm using a type of thin plastic foam slightly thicker than tissue paper to line rolling stock trays.
Most of my locos and stock stay on the track all the time. I dont like boxing and unboxing them if i can avoid it..thats when damage can occur
Quote from: Bigmac on December 01, 2020, 04:58:58 PM
Most of my locos and stock stay on the track all the time. I dont like boxing and unboxing them if i can avoid it..thats when damage can occur
You clearly don't have enough locos!
I'm using KR Models N Gauge storage trays, which can be ordered for either upright or sideways stowage. I use the latter as they have a little more capacity and make it easier to view the contents. I wrap freezer bag strips around the locos which allow them to be extracted without handling.
Quote from: longbow on December 01, 2020, 08:45:16 PM
I'm using KR Models N Gauge storage trays, which can be ordered for either upright or sideways stowage. I use the latter as they have a little more capacity and make it easier to view the contents. I wrap freezer bag strips around the locos which allow them to be extracted without handling.
How do you find the shipping costs to Oz? I assumed that KR were American, and the Yanks always seem to charge more for postage.
It's a strange set-up - KR Multicase invoiced me from the UK but in US$, and shipped my bulky case postage free in lieu of deducting VAT.
Ahh KR Multicase. I thought we were talking about the people doing the GT3.
I'd sooner keep models on the layout where possible. I do keep original boxes, but find them too much of a faff for everyday use, and many are just too prone to damaging stock, particularly the older 'yellow foam' Dapol ones.
I use cardboard storage cases from "Avocations" on eBay, similar to the KR Multicase ones they comprise five foam trays in a box, I idly aim to keep locos on their wheels because them being on their side may have an effect, but I've no actual evidence either way.
Quote from: Chris Morris on December 01, 2020, 05:15:59 PM
Quote from: Bigmac on December 01, 2020, 04:58:58 PM
Most of my locos and stock stay on the track all the time. I dont like boxing and unboxing them if i can avoid it..thats when damage can occur
You clearly don't have enough locos!
Shhh. 50 so far..dont want er indoors seeing this.
I'm in the process of migrating my British locos to Kato boxes, which are much more efficient in terms of storage space and accessibility.
Not quite a loco, but a Class 101 DMU undergoing downsizing:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50444912772_6cacb0dc43_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jRDn6o)
Bachmann vs Kato storage (https://flic.kr/p/2jRDn6o) by Rail Squid (https://www.flickr.com/photos/railsquid/), on Flickr
The grey inserts are surplus from after-market Japanese book-case inserts (which are a very efficient way of storing coaches and multiple unit stock), here a Kato mini 4-car bookset upgraded to store 6 cars (with space for two more):
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48808068638_2c0b31f6da_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hn17mN)
kato-standard-compact-case-torm_tu-702b_insert-6-car-set (https://flic.kr/p/2hn17mN) by Rail Squid (https://www.flickr.com/photos/railsquid/), on Flickr
Original boxes etc. all retained, but moved to the loft.
I have yet to experience any adverse effects from storing locos on their sides. Gear weevil infestations however, that's a different story.
PS on a general note a pox on any manufacturer (Fleischmann, cough cough) who puts the product number but no description on their boxes, that's one thing which Farish and Dapol at least do.
Viewers who read this thread might also enjoy:
Best way to store locos ? (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=45842.msg578759)
Storing locos, coaches and wagons. (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41203.msg504694)
Quote from: railsquid on December 02, 2020, 03:20:01 PM
PS on a general note a pox on any manufacturer (Fleischmann, cough cough) who puts the product number but no description on their boxes, that's one thing which Farish and Dapol at least do.
Yes, fully agree! :thumbsup: While it is easy enough to do to produce labels, particularly for each tailor-made box, having all the manufacturers do this as a matter of course on all boxes would be greatly appreciated.
Hello all,
My way to store all my rolling stock, have a look....
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=46717.0 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=46717.0)
Meickel
I have a selection of the blue boxes and KR Multicases. I generally wrap my locos in sandwich bags to avoid any snags hoiking bits off, and if bits do escape they should at least be contained in the bag.
A lot of mine are stored in cassettes on trays in a long plastic storage box with foam at the ends and a sheet of foam on the underside of each tray above, the top layer has foam inserts (similar to those in many of the boxes in previuos posts) for individual items.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/102/2855-031220170010.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=102678)
Thanks for all the replies
I have been busy making new trays so the locos are kept upright, fortunately the coaches and wagons can stay on their side so didn't have to replace them all. And now have the old Loco trays to fill with more coaches and wagons, every cloud etc.
Thanks again
NGM