I am an operator not a collector. I remove the track and transformer from every set I purchase and keep it in one location. I run all my equipment so it will never be collectable. I rarely ever sell anything. I do keep boxes that I can use to store my engines and car sets in. My question is should I bother to keep all the other EMPTY boxes and styrofoam that I have? Track boxes, single car boxes, train set boxes, accessory boxes, expansion set boxes (that have boxes inside).
Jim H
i would. you never know what you might decide down the road. as you might decide to sale and the person who’s buying will only buy if it is in a box.
I am NOT a collector as well, but I HIGHLY advise you to keep the boxes. They are good for storing your pieces should you ever move or something.
I’m an operator and the answer from me is Yes/No. I keep the boxes of engines [may have to ship back for warranty or may sell them] and cars that I think might be of value, I save. Regular cars’ boxes, hit the trash. If I saved all the boxes, I would have to build another house.
That is my problem. All those car/switch/track boxes are taking a lot of space!
Jim H
yes, switch boxes went to the recycle bin, plastic inserts went to the trash. I had a pile of switch boxes you would not believe. They were Reatrax and they come in oversized boxes anyway.
I generally try to keep all boxes except set boxes and boxes for track components (although I do have my FasTrack switches in their original boxes). You may not need those boxes now, and they do take a bit of space, but if you ever move or do decide to sell or trade some items, those boxes are sure nice to have.
Granted that you aren’t a collector - but others are. Take a look at what THEY consider collectibles, then save those boxes and trash the rest. You may not ever use them, but somewhere far down the road your estate executor and heirs will love you for it.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with a very few collectibles)
I also think you should keep your boxes just in case you had to move or sell your trains due to illness,bankruptcy, Job Loss,etc. & they are handy for keeping your trains in good condition when they are not running on your layout. Take Care.
Take all of those boxes you don’t want to keep and list them all together on ebay on one auction, somebody WILL buy them. Maybe not for much but someone will, and you never know you’ll maybe get enough out of them to buy something new for you layout.
Keeping the boxes is almost always a good idea (moving, shipping,selling etc) but if they are taking a lot of space, jchase1970 has a good idea. The guy that I bought my pre war Marklin from makes much of his living selling old diecast car boxes (Matchbox, Dinky, Corgi). I’ve seen some boxes go for more than some cars.
underworld[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
Take the stack of styrofoam from the switch boxes and build it into a scenic mountain or a valley.
The clear plastic is most likely PETE 1 and can be put in a recycling bin.
Another thing to do with the clear plastic is to get creative, cut, glue, and paint it to make a new structure.
Car and Locomotive boxes might have parts inside that you will need later. Look carefully.
Andrew
This is a question I’ve asked myself. So far I’ve kept everything, but as space becomes less and less, I will probably sell off or throw away the boxes of the cheap stuff and keep the boxed of the more expensive things.
A little late to answer your post: I would keep the boxes. (Why?-I’m a packrat! And you never know if you will need to pack for a move or “something”) I usually open the flaps and flatten the boxes. This works pretty well for me. I don’t, however, keep the newer stiff molded plastic stuff or styrofoam inserts. Thanks for asking.
Most of the time when you see a box of junky train stuff for sale, the original boxes are gone and everything is just thrown in one big box. You hardly ever see nice neatly boxed stuff for sale that contains junk.
Moral: People that keep the boxes usually take better care of their trains.[:)]
My family owns a 122 acre ranch about 15 from where I live. Since no one lives out there, I have been given the master bedroom for some of my trains and guns. That is where my car boxes reside. Right next to the two gun safes and my gun cabinet.
Just look at what the value increase is with them even on ebay . I put them all in a huge trash bag … seal it and hang it in a far out of the way floor joist in my basement. Never know … I sold all my HO to go O and it helped the values for me . Never thought I’d sell either years ago — but I did .