n-scale display case recommendations

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello.

We’re looking for recommendations or ideas on wall-mounted display cases\shelves for our n-scale collection. We’d like something that provides protection from dust (sliding doors, etc). We’d e looking at having a couple hundred n-scale locos, and a similar amount of rolling stock.

Appreciate any pointers.

Mike & Nik

2

Take a look at this page.

Not quite cheap, though.

3

Here is a hack on an Ikea picture frame from a Norwegian modeler (not me):

Description of how it was built here (text is in Norwegian, pictures are understandable also for people who don’t speak Norwegian): http://forum.mjf.no/forum_posts.asp?TID=4977&PID=#

Basically, the instructions are:

  1. Buy e.g. a RIBBA aluminium picture frame from IKEA (a 12" x 35" one costs about $14 in the US …)
  2. Open and take off front (aluminium and glass)
  3. Gently pry off side frames (they are stapled from the rear of the back plate)
  4. Replace side frames with 3" x .5" wood, add shelves made of same material.
    Glue and screw or nail or staple together.
  5. Use putty, base coat of paint, then paint
  6. Mount on wall
  7. Hang front (aluminum and glass) on front of unit.

Looks nice as a display cabinet, but is not intended to be opened and closed to get stuff as you go - you have to lift off the front and put it down somewhere every time you want to get something from the shelf. Or e.g. add piano hinges to the one side of the aluminium frame and to the wood side.

Smile,
Stein

4

Somebody used to advertise in the hobby press for display cases but if I remember correctly they were just a little bit on the expensive side . . . . . . . . . . however I will conclude from the text of your posting that that may not be a problem. Why don’t you get a small display case and what you can’t display send to me.

I don’t know what your woodworking skills might be but a display case is essentially a box. You can go as simple or as elaborate as you want: cut the back(s) from a sheet of hardwood plywood; build the frame(s) from molding . . . . . it helps here if you have some sort of a chopsaw so you can get ACCURATE 45° mitered corners; either glue or tack the framework . . . . . and your shelves . . . . . to your back; lay in some kind of clear plastic . . . . . and hinges . . . . . for your doors. This isn’t substantally more difficult than building benchwork . . . . . and if you screw this up you should go back to stamps . . . . .

. . . . . und das ist alles!!!

5

… I am always surprised to see, how many folks actually speak German in this forum [swg]

6

My recommendation? build your own!

As has been mentioned, building a display case is only slightly more difficult than building layout framework. The difficult part is enclosing the display. Glass is heavy; plexiglas is lighter and hinges can be attached directly to the plexiglas. Building a display with sliding glass or plexiglas doors isn’t difficult but I wouldn’t recommend building a one-piece cover that slides out of the way. There usually isn’t enough overhead clearance to slide it up and often no clearance to the sides, either.

You can get as complicated as you like in building a display case, but simple works well, too.

Hope this helps.

Darrell, quiet…for now

7

I agree I built my own for my HO engines

Plexiglass covers have been removed to negate flash reflection