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13 tips for storing your trains
I have always stored my trains in ziplock-type bags but unzipped, packed together, with a silica gel pack or two thrown in the trunk. 16 years later, the trains are totally fine and I’ve seen no evidence of any interactions between the ziplock bags and the plastic or metal train bodies.
Although with the motive power, if there’s no box. I wrap the engine and tender in a clean, soft cotton cloth then stick it in the bag.
Many thanks for the advice–being old, but new at storing and trying to bring some old rail cars, etc back to life, this is most helpful.
Great story on storing lionel trains.What is the best thing to store them in,boxes or plastic bags.
Good tips. I hadn’t considered the need for a humidifyer. It’s now on my list.
I have stored my trains from the forties and fifties in wooden boxes for the past 12 years. Taking them out, I saw white dust or mold on all the plastic wheels and some of the metal wheels. I have cleaned my collection and they are back in wooden boxes again. None are stored in the original boxes. I have plastic covered bins that will hold apx. 30 pcs. of rolling stock. Is it a good idea to put these trains into their original boxes and then stack them in the plastic bin, which has a secure lid? larry@mrvinerack.com
Where do you buy acid free tissue and gel packs paper?
Very good tips
Sounds to me like there is almost no way to store them that doesn’t have q down side other than in their origonal boxes which I don’t have. I finally now store my trains on shelves I have put up on my walls so I can enjoy them year around rather than just during the holidays. They get dusty but I blow thm off with a fireplace bellows that I have dedicated for that purpose.
I also store my trains in plastic bins. I have most of them in their original boxes and some in reproduced boxes.
Great information! Thank you