Simple Storage for Model Trains

I store all of my HO scale rolling stock in the original boxes - generally, they are pretty uniform in size, so they stack on the shelves nicely. I label both ends of the box using Avery 5160 labels printed with road name, road number, and car type. This makes it easy to locate the cars I want. For cars that have no box (e.g. used equipment) and for cars whose original box has been damaged, I buy empty boxes from Accurail. A standard box holds cars up to 50' long and costs just under $2 each (in packs of 3). Long boxes hold cars up to 90' long and cost a little over $2 each (again, in packs of 3). Foam inserts hold the assembled cars in position so they don't slide around when the box is tilted. A-Line also makes an assortment of deluxe (and rather expensive) containers which hold multiple cars in either N or HO scale.

something else to consider is called pluck foam. they are big in the tabletop games community. They are fitted sheets of foam that are precut into cubes that can be removed and replaced, so you can remove some in the shape of your train. its all surrounded by a hard shell as well to keep everything safe. it may not be super budget but the idea is still there.

It's a nice idea, but quickly looking at Amazon UK for trading card boxes vs actual boxes for storing model trains, and the price is basically comparable. Plus, the train boxes already have the foam with them, already cut to size. 🤷

Love the paint on your head! LOL

I store my pieces in the original packaging if possible. If it's not possible, then I have made boxes out of cardboard.

Always looking for good ideas on how to store stuff. Thanks for the ideas.

Great idea's will check into that box. I save all my stuff that they come in.
Thanks for this storage advice.
GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

I have all of my N collection (MTL, Kato, Atlas, Red Caboose, etc,...) in 8.1L & 4L Real Useful plastic boxes (Made in the UK) and they especially fit the MTL small jewel cases perfectly at 54 per 8.1L box and 14 locomotives per 4L box! 👍

Original boxes are good to have for the second hand market too. Thanks for all the great tips, Jimmy.

For my HO rolling stock, I mostly use the original boxes. For cars and locomotives without boxes, I use Plano model 3730 storage containers with some bubble wrap or foam. The container latching system keeps the container securely closed and the contents safe.

you are a good father

Great for N scale. HO, more of a challenge, so if possible, keep original boxes.
I keep those boxes in the clear plastic tubs with locking lids so you can see what's inside. So.e labeling helps too.

Newspaper and shoeboxes is how I’ve always stored trains. But I like that box you got there

I use a tackle box with multiple drawers for transporting N scale trains to shows and club ops sessions. These are not inexpensive but they really protect the rolling stock and locos when traveling.

I have a small portable layout that gets put up and taken down so I'm regularly swapping the stock. I found that using the original boxes was really fiddly, took ages to get everything out/in and caused wear to both boxes and stock. The empty boxes are now all in storage in my roof and I use foam lined drawers for the stock. Mine are metal office drawers slightly bigger than A4 paper made by Bisley here in the UK. I can fit 8 HO cars or locomotives per drawer, and they take up far less room than the boxes. Cars/locomotives and boxes are safe and the cars can easily be accessed when needed.

Comment about the larger cardboard boxes. I have had a problem with plastic boxes not unlike the cardboard boxes. They were designed for Christmas tree ornaments and I put foam and cardboard to hold things in place.
Unfortunately two of my HO steam locomotives, a Mehano2-6-0 and a spectrum K-4 4-6-2 got bashed due to some rough handling in the house. The 2-6-0 the tender coupler was snapped off(easy fix and I changed from truck to body mount). The K-4 was another story the tender plate over the draw bar was snapped and needs replacement. Bachmann doesn't seem to have a replacement. And I've been trying to fabricate a replacement.
The majority of my models are still in their original boxes.
Anyway generic Wal-Mart black tea

PS One other thought on the Kato 4 car box sets. Put a small bit of Velcro to keep the boxes stacked together. To keep the sets in one place.

I found an old RISK Board Game with missing pieces for a couple of dollars at a thrift store. It had all 6 original jewel cases. I made custom foam inserts for them and worked out great.

For 35yrs+, had most rolling stock rolled in paper towels and stored in pizza boxes. As long as you don't stack pizza boxes too deep, they've held up fine. More recently I started putting my 1/64 cars in little clamshells from ebay. And wanting to do the same thing for HO 60ft rolling stock from ebay that came without container. I eventually found the Garlic Hoagie clamshells from Kroger work well enough. You get a sandwich for lunch, and a clear storage container for a railroad car. [that's a lot of hoagies my friend]

Most of my models are Japanese trains, Kato and Tomix. They all come in those nice bookshelf cases.
For my US rolling stock, I store the individual jewel cases in the three drawer plastic units they sell at walmart. Great way to organize by freight car type. Boxcars in one drawer, flats in another, etc.

what agreat idea Jimmy, I alwas worried about loco & cars being damaged when not in use, thankyou I now have another idea for storage.

Except for a caboose that I bought on eBay, all my locomotives and rolling stock came in jewel boxes. Needless to say, that's how I store everything! The one other "exception" is a Micro-Trains runner pack of four tank cars. The cars come in individual jewel boxes, but the boxes then go into a very nice cardboard box. I am reaching a point now where I could at least use something to put all the cars (in their boxes) into, now that I'm up to three locos and 34 pieces of rolling stock. I do like the trading card box idea!

I've been wanting to know where I can buy foam like what you use, but in larger, thinner sheets. I learned some tricks from members of Blue Water N-Trak about storing cars in old pizza boxes (cleaned out mind you) lined with foam. But I either never learned where the foam could be acquired from, or I simply forgot it over the years.

Something I just came across is a case used for art supplies. I picked it up at my local ( chain) hobby store. It’s plastic, the size of a small briefcase
(6”x12”x14”) roughly… and it has 16 little boxes inside that fits about 4-5 rolling stock cars/tankers. It was a great find for under $15.00.

I 3d printed boxes and lids the same sizes as jewel cases and added craft foam to the insides. You have to write on them or use labels to tell whats in them

Lol. Might be a better way to store than what I do. I wrap them up with tissue’s till around the car three or four times. Then I store them in a shoe box. Most of my n scale engines still have the boxes I bought them in. They go in the same shoe box

I've bought a few A4 document storage cases that are pretty good for HO/OO.
They are kind of a hard frosted plastic with a lid and handle a tad bigger than A4 and 60mm deep (about 2 1/4 inches)
Only cost AU$6 which is about US$4 I think. With foam inserts for protection, they will still easily fit 4 HO locos or carriages.
Amazon sells something similar I believe.

I use MTM Ammo cases from Cabelas. There stackable, strong and lightweight and offer several different sizes. I keep the original box and add foam where needed. Thirty bucks for a large box is worth it.

Jimmy, there is a Japanese gentleman called Susukuma, he has a channel with the same name on here covering his N Scale Japanese layout. Its amazing to see all the train jewel/box sets he has (looks like a library!) - I think it could make any model railway guy (and gal) jealous LOL

I went overkill for my storage, I got an $80 Shoe Shelf that's '6 tall 'and 4 wide, but it's perfect because it has a lot of small cubbies to put my HO trains.

I store all my newer stuff in the jewel cases, but I inherited a bunch of stuff from my Dad without cases. I like the trading card box idea and will make use of that.

great advices. Atlas used clear boxes already in the 1960s, looks the same even today. If you want a good price when selling your stuff always keep those boxes. That goes for all scales. Collectors want the right box that goes with the car or engine. Thanks !

Thanks for the link to the Kato boxes! Cheaper then I was expecting,
Ive been using a fishing tackle box to store my rolling stock that I got without their original case, works pretty well

I model in HO and have been using the 5000 count trading card boxes for rolling stock the while time. Usually can fit 30 cars in the 5000ct box. Bigger stuff like auto racks, usually can only fit 2 per section. Definitely going to look into the foam spacers. I've just used the "shop towel" paper towels for lining the sections, putting between layers, and fold towels up at the ends for buffers

I had one of those card boxes for all of my wooden Thomas trains as a kid, never knew what it was until now!

This a great idea. But I make my own boxes out of form core boards from 99 cent store for $1.50 and line item f wit a foam use foe backing used for quilting. The box's can be made to fit size car and separated to protect the cars and engines.

The big "card boxes" can hold about twenty HO scale cars if double stacked on their side. I first put a layer of thin foam , then have a piece of cardboard with thin foam on each side to separate the next layer of cars. I take a photo of the bottom layer an top layer and print it , put that on the side of the box so I know what is in the box. The sports card stores sometimes have used boxes for next to nothing and new ones are very inexpensive. I have over 400 cars stored this way (20boxes) at less that $3.00 per box.

Dude I want to get that Chicago northwestern!!

who kept the old athearn blue box's. sure if your into N scale you get to pay for a great storage case. (doubles your price point). but then what to do with the cases while the rolling stock is in use? takes up a lot of space. and as i am in HO scale, not a convent way for storage, then the details on HO scale equipment will get damaged handling it too much. i like to keep some of my rolling stock on the rails. i have that much. working on my layout now, but i am turning a spare bed room into a storage track room. (i live alone).

Thank you.

When I was working in IT, I got a lot of keyboard boxes. They can hold equipment that are kept in their jewel cases, but they are also tall enough to hold loose rolling stock. With a little foam core board and some hot glue, I fashioned custom sized partitions to hold my rolling stock in place. I also like plastic tackle boxes as they are often sized just right for N scale rolling stock. I've used both of these to carry my trains to shows where I'm participating as part of an NTrak layout. If I can get some time, I'll photograph them and send in a few pics.

Some great ideas , thanks for sharing as you are a positive wealth of knowledge. Hopefully, someday I’ll need storage space but right now everything still has original packaging.

This dude is awesome! Totally impressed with this attention to detail video!

I have found corrugated cardboard shoe boxes work well for storage. I have access to sheets of foam for padding and it makes it easier to store things together or even for transport to club events.

I have a question. Which boxes would you recommend for LGB wagons and coaches. Most of my rolling stock are in their respective boxes, but have a few without. They’re all 2- axle set sized wagons. I’m not sure if you could provide some information, but I thought I’d ask. Thanks

I want that Kato Amtrak set

I found that putting them in boxes and storing those on a shelf or in a drawer with the label facing out works. Of course, the one draw back is that this only works for boxed rolling stock and locomotives.

These are great. I got some a few years ago (not sure if I saw them here first). I took about 40 cars on the road for 7 months in my rv. I think I had one coupler box pop loose was all the damage our dreadful roads caused. I highly recommend them. Extra foam is good. 50 footers definitely reduces the number you can bring as the size favors 40’ cars in ho.

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