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)

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 !

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.

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.

I use the foam stock cases from JBs Model World.
http://www.jb2mmworld.co.uk/stock_cases.htm

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.

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

I keep my trays in the cardboard boxes they were shipped in. Much cheaper than buying the ones with plastic boxes. :-)

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.

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.

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. 

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!   

These look ideal

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

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

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 do not recommend losing track of any item of stock that might have fallen off the shelf...