I don’t have boxes for most of my trains. What big box store do you go to, to buy them and what size?
For putting away my trains that have no boxes I have purchased repro. Lionel boxes and liners on ebay. You can also use trading card storage boxes but they are not found at big box stores. But at a neighborhood card shop.
For general pack away storage I prefer to use plastic storage totes over cardboard. You can often find them on sale at the big box stores.
One solution you may want to try is purchasing “Baseball Card storage boxes”, which come in different sizes to accomodate putting trains in. One supplier I found was BCW Supplies, and the prices seem reasonable. Just do a “Google” search for BCW Supplies and check on what they have. It may help, if you aren’t interested in trying to accumulate original boxes at above average prices on Ebay.
Large plastic storage boxes whether I have boxes for the trains or not.
I got a lot of flat cardboard boxes they ship beer six packs in. One time, this was years ago I was on my way to a TTOS meet and spotted a bunch of these boxes in a big bin behind a liquor store. As I was loading up the boxes this was in a kind of secluded area and there were a bunch of bums loitering around near and I had about $700 green cash in my wallet.
I use 15 1/2" x 12" x 4 1/4" white corrugated boxes from Staples. They have several other sizes too.
Becky
I bought 8 Bella brand blue 10 gallon plastic totes. Nice compact size for storing below layout.
Besides the original loco and car boxes, I use repo and card boxes for used purchases. I then put them in copier paper boxes for master storage (free at most companies). 11 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 10. I will also put unboxed cars in the master boxes using scrap styrofoam to separate to avoid scratching. These master boxes are sturdy and can be stacked quite high depending on weight of contents. Boxes are numbered and contents listed on front and sides with a label maker. Contents of a master box may be by car type (boxcar) train type (all cars for a work train) or sets (where a set box is available). Cars are entered into a spreadsheet by number, description, type, etc. and box number and location of master box. If not stacked too high, bottom boxes can be pulled out easily when desired. I have about 250 items in 25 masters. Avoid placing cardboard boxes directly on unpainted concrete as they will absorb some moisture.
Hielsie
Unless the original cardboard boxes are looked at as an extension of collecting or authenticity, I found that cardboard is a lousy storage medium…crush-able, prone to moisture issues, tearing…Then you have a sizable amount of these little boxes to place in storage …storage for the storage containers…So…I went with plastic tote boxes and wrap the long term stuff just as I would sending a shipment from a Ebay sale. Bubble wrap being cheap.
I use the clear plastic tote containers sold in Walmart and target. They are about 20 inches wide by 2.5 ft. or so long, 6 Inches deep with snap on lids. These keep moisture out and will protect trains if stacked on the floor. Might even float if your basement floods.