For years, I’ve used a modified attache case to carry rolling stock to my clubs, but it’s wearing out. So after a recent thread on the subject, I was inspired to do a survey of the net to look for a hard case sized right for HO rolling stock.
I found a company called Mezzi (.com) that sells aluminum Art Portfolio cases which come in two sizes: 24 x 18 and 36 x 24 inches. The depth is slightly more than two inches, same as Axian Technology. Their foam wedge linings fit well.
I received the 24 x 36 inch today and am finishing the foam now. I find it will hold a 12-14 full-length car passenger train with three or four power units and more.
This case is all aluminum and not very heavy. It has metal reinforced corners, latches and handle. It appears impervious to dripping water. It will not deform with heavy locos or unexpectedly dump stuff on the ground. It will not quickly wear out from handling. And the cost from a Canadian supplier is reasonable.
Will do a pic with it loaded, if any interest.
Hal
Definitely interested in seeing this. At the last club show I didn;t have anythign along to run as I currently have nothing to carry locos and rollign stock in other than the original boxes. I only got to run trains because a couple other members gave me permission to run theirs. Next time I want to take some of my own along, as well as some cars and one or both of my throttles. Some members have those cardboard ones but they look pretty beat after just a few trips, a nice solid luggage-like piece sounds like just the ticket.
–Randy
Here is a pic with Cal Zephyr and three power units. Stll plenty of room left.
i like it.what did the case cost
jeff
$46 plus $26 shipping, from the Mezzi website (Parnus Global Trading Co. in Richmond, BC). The 24 x 18 is about $10 less.
Hal
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I, also, would like to see it, and what you have done to it.
Thanks,
DC
How did you get it for $46? I just checked Mezzi’s website and the 24x36 is $79
Thanks for posting this. Looks nice. Where did you get the molded foam for the cars and locos?
BTW, I found them on Ebay.
The price is cheaper thru Canada (see Ebay). The foam rubber is from Axian Technology, removed from three of their cardboard 27x12 boxes. They sell sets of just the rubber, for refurbishing purposes, I assume.
The reason I angled most of the foam was to allow two of the rows to hold three full-length cars. That was not worthwhile; doing it again, I’d just have eight horizontal rows. It would allow 14 cars plus maybe a 15th along with locos in the back row. I might re-do my case.
The molded foam supports weighted plastic cars fine with the case vertical. But I always put the locos upside-down in the back row so they are lowest and wheels down when carrying. The weight of locos tends to distort the molded foam in time, so I suggest substituting a denser foam or solid rubber strip under the wheels at the very back.
The main feature of these two cases I could not find elsewhere is that the interior height dimension is exactly what’s needed for HO. Since Axian’s N gauge version of their box is the same box, the cases should also work for N with their foam.
Hal
Thanks, Hal. I actually found them on ebay last night and was going to post that today. I purchased the 24x36. Thanks for the recommendation!
In looking, It seems like yu goulkd get two cars a rom going all the way down, plus a sideways row on the left or right, maybe two of them. I’d estimate closer to 18/20 cars in there. That’s using the engine row’s spacing as a guide and a guess on the 85ft cars.