What is the best way to store electric train stuff if you can’t leave it out all the time because I have two little brothers that could destroy it entirely in 5 minutes.
I can’t say it’s the best way, but one good way is to keep all the original boxes and keep all your stuff in them. Keep them put away in a closet or dresser drawer to keep prying eyes (and fingers) away.
W E L C O M E A B O A R D!
[#welcome] my suggestion to you is that if you don’t have the original boxes use a shoe box or maybe some sort of tool box / tackle box to keep your stuff in.
[#welcome] samtrain96. Enjoy the forums. Ask lots of questions, and read, read, read.
I have a two foot tall container with drawers that is perfect for trains. Walmart, Target, Kmart have them. I think it was $14.99 but not sure.
Good Luck and welcome.
Tim
[#welcome] samtrain96
You can learn a lot here. There are many knowledgeable people willing to help. Enjoy!,
I use plastic containers to store my unused cars in. The clear plastic ones with the snap-on lids. They come in many sizes. I build cardboard trays for them lined with bubble wrap. That way I can get two layers of cars in a box with no damage or crowding.
I keep one for passenger cars and a second for freight cars and cabeese. I’m going to have to add another one for freight cars soon.
There appear to be two options here. Either get your parents to get you a large gun safe, or have them make your brothers behave. The latter is not fashionable in the new millenium I realize.
Seriously, whatever you get, it better be large, heavy, and have a lock or it will do not a bit of good.
Used to keep Engines on a bookshelf until 1 of 9 of my kids knocked it over and I spent the next 2 weeks replacing all the front couplers. Moved up to a dining room hutch and much more education on the value of dads hobby. Seems to work cabinet has glass doors and none are broke. Next to that I would try the plastic boxes or bins. Joe A.
If you have or go to the library, MR July 04, page 13, storage boxes but build your own.
You may be able to get some boxes from Kinko’s. They go through skids of paper
that come in 17" long, 11" wide, approx 8"high boxes.
[#welcome] to the forum where the sane and not so sane meet. Glad to have you aboard. To answer your question, I can’t add much to whats already been given. I have an older chest of drawers that I keep my hobby stuff in and a large plastic toolbox that holds several layers of trains between foam layers and the lift out tray keeps my tools and repair parts handy. I use this to carry trains to the club and back. Again, welcome aboard, Ken
can’t add anymore… just pointing out that only one person seems to have mentioned what i feel is the most important thing has been mentioned by one person… a lock… and make sure the keys or combination is in a secure place
The suggestion of putting your little brothers in boxes with secure padding might not be taken too well, so putting your trains in one is a good substitute.
Spend $5 on a storage container at Home Depot or your equivalent–the sort that has a hole for a lock. Spend $2-3 on a small courtesy lock to put through that hole. If they really try they can still get in, but not without a certain amount of noise and mess that will convict them of whatever administrative punishments your parents prefer…
Well, there’s always the really solid option…
Army-Surplus (empty!) ammo boxes, should be available from assorted places and in various sizes. I use a .50 calibre box to store my Fleischmann N scale collection and it seems pretty good - very solid, waterproof in case of spills, protects the contents superbly. They come in assorted sizes and the larger ones are lockable by putting a padlock through holes in the latches. Just pack your stock into the original boxes then store these inside the ammo box - add some foam padding if necessary to stop them moving about if the box is inverted or tilted - what damages models is the sudden stop, so if they can’t move in the first place this will prevent damage. Anyone attempting to damage one of these things will do themselves more injury than the box! Prices seem to vary - they will be more than plastic boxes but they are pretty much indestructible and far more secure. Hope this helps!
[#welcome]. I keep my trains in a special box from from ikea. Although I dont know
the name of the item, it can hold a HO scale4-8-8-4 & it is made of wood, making
it sturdy. Welcome to the brotherhood of model railroaders. Girls are welcome too !
- Not fashionable? Hmmm! That’s usually with parents that have a very “soft” backbone or lack common sense in disciplining kids! I love that old saying: Training should start in the play pen, not the STATE PEN! [;)]
i think those sugestionsare great thanks!