Hello,
I am looking to purchase a wall mounted display case for some of my trains. There are many companies out there that make them and there are also many types of materials used. I just would like to know what you are using and your thoughts about it.
Thanks!
John
&nb
I have 2 very nice oak cabinets that my dad built me years ago.He is gone now so it’s up to me to build at least 2 more cause I need em! 5 shelves each,42 inches long and 3 an a half deep with sliding glass doors-kinda heavy but have solid wall mounts.I"m no cabinate maker but since I have these to copy I think I can dupe em.
I built the one I have. All cedar. Not the greatest looking thing but it works.
I built the one I have out of 1/2-inch oak plywood. I need another.
One way to store them.
BVRR, nice rack!
I’ve got 3,
Case 1, I found at a yard sale for 10 bucks, deal! I just clear coated it, and got glass at Lowe’s.[:D]
Case #2 I found at a car dealership that had closed, we were emptying the building for the new tenant. I had to fix lights and add shelves, but still pretty cheap! Oh and I’ve added 1 more shelf since the pic was taken.
Case 3 is a Sauder Bookcase. I added 1 extra shelf. The risers on the top 2 shelves are foam, all the rest are expandable spice racks from the widget isle in the grocery store. I then added rope lights under the shelves and glass doors made at an auto glass shop
.
My point here is you CAN go the premade route, but I find they are big bucks. Or you can be cheap like me, you just have to use your imagination. [:D]
I do prefer the free standing vs the wall mount for 1 reason. If its already on the floor, it aint falling. I had one years ago that was “supposedly” anchored to the wall. Fortunately it was back in the day when the trains were cheap (Tyco and AHM) so most of the stuff just bounced. Those days are over!
[:D]
I purchased a display case made by Plummer Creek Woodworking. Not the cheapest route but they make really nice cases. Many sizes, several scales, several wood choices. The web site at www.plummercreekwoodworking.com is presently under construction. You can email jwpiercewithpcw@aol.com and he can send you more info. No axe to grind, just a satisfied customer.
Hmmmm- - first I’ve ever seen anything like this, its purpose is? ? collecting? storage for use on the layout? just storage? display? do these engines ever run? do these people have a layout? or are they just for display? enquiring minds need to know.
I have purchased three cases from thelittleshowcasefactory.com.
Great pricing for the quality of work.
Hi, John!
While this isn’t exactly what you are looking for, this is possibly more practical, in that you can move it easily without having to fill the screw holes in the wall… :
http://fhn.site90.net/Display_cabinet.html
The secret is to have patience in your search…
Like others, I built 3 of them using just 1x4 pine/white wood and painted them. I used better grade wood for the door frames and clear plexiglas for the window part. Haven’t built the door tor one ot them in the photo but they aren’t very dificult to make.
-Bob
TATANS,
I think the answer to your question is “all the above.” Each person may have a different reason why they have display cases.
I believe it is Mr B that changes some items on his layout so he can model a different era, these would make a good place to keep his extra equipment. There certainly are collectors. Some of us have more equipment than will reasonably fit on our layouts, store them, but be able to see them.
Collectors locos may never be run and their cars never roll. Other folks probably have favorite locos and cars that run frequently, others, not so often, but they like having the variety. If you have children around, there may be special locos that they can run or ones the owner wants to keep off the layout when the kids are around and/or operating the layout.
Some folks here have said they keep their extra locos and rolling stock in drawers or other cases, when they are not on the layout. The display cases just make it so that they and others can see all the equipment they have available.
I had made some storage cases for my Lionel when I took Jr High woodshop. I hadn’t used plexiglass fronts, but the fronts could have been removed for display. Unfortunately all of them sacrificed themselves in a house fire trying to protect the contents. They had limited success, but not bad since they weren’t designed with fire protection in mind.
Just a few reasons that come to mind.
Have fun,
Richard
BINGO!
Hmmmm- - first I’ve ever seen anything like this, its purpose is? ? collecting? storage for use on the layout? just storage? display? do these engines ever run? do these people have a layout? or are they just for display? enquiring minds need to know.
A little bit of everything.
For me, the Western Maryland and B&O stuff is for one era on the layout, the CSX and Maryland Midland stuff is for another.
The remainder of the engines are either for club layout use, or just my own whimsical fancy. The world will not end if an SP Daylight engine appears on the layout pulling a few Amtrak cars. 98% run, and 95% of those have decoders already installed. Moving into a new house 2 years ago saw my layout go away, but the room that will house the new one is coming along nicely, but slowly.
Til then, they are on display, ready for use, and have been known to travel to other layouts for “exercise”.
I’d much rather have them there, than in boxes.[:D]
I found a display case through Kijiji. It was a wobbly legged one from the 50’s or 60’s, I removed the legs & placed it on top of a shelving unit. Paid $20 for it.
It’s not as large as some of the other ones shown here, but I’ll be able to get 3-4 diesels or 2-3 Steamers in a row, 5 rows deep.
I’ve bought the wood to make the risers from scratch, but will have to wait for warmer weather to arrive to get the table saw out to cut them. Hopefully next month, fingers are crossed!!!
Gordon