I’ve been storing all of my model trains and structures in the attic directly above my garage [where the trainroom is], while I dismantle my existing layout and build a new one without duck-unders. Problem is, the project timeline that I originally measured in months is now looking more like years! I was hoping to have the new layout at a point in May where I could take all my train gear back out of the attic, before the heat of summer. Now I may have to do that anyhow, but without a layout to put them on.
Do you all think it’s safe for me to keep all my styrene trains/structures in the attic over the summer? If this was the southwest US I’d say No Way; but this isn’t Arizona, I’m in Maryland. The humidity might make the attic feel hot, but hopefully not enough actual heat to melt or deform the styrene.
Styrene models and heat do not go well together. I live in Pennsylvania and have had some plastics deform while stored in the attic. Don’t underestimate how hot it will get up there.
Personally, I wouldn’t even take the chance. I’ve had plastic become so brittle that even touching it would shatter it, just from sitting in the attic during the summer.
Humidity doesn’t enter into the equation other than possibly causing rusting or corrosion of metal parts – heat is your enemy in this case and can cause plastic to warp or become brittle.
To be on the safe side I’d take the trains out of the attic and put them in a cooler location.
Ouch! 4 “nays” out of 4 - certainly not what I wanted to hear, but obviously what I needed![B)]
If I were to redo my layout, I’d need the entire garage floor free of obstructions; also, I’ve removed the wall shelves, so I can’t put them all there. SWMBO has told me she doesn’t want them anywhere in the main house. Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t tear down the old layout just yet…
If you are going to store the boxes on a cement floor be sure to put them on pallets or at least lay down some boards to keep the cardboard off the floor. Stored some boxes in a nice dry, comfortable cellar but the cardboard boxes still showed some deterioration.
I just got notified that my “train room” may have to be used for other things again. Knew I should have gotten right to it, cluttered it with train stuff so no one else could use it. OH WELL!!
I agree, the garage attic can get way too hot for all your precious pieces. Even here in New England, I crindge when ever having to work on an attic when the temps are above 80 degrees. Attice temps can be 20-30 degrees hotter.
I would carefully pack them into large plastic tubs and keep them in a cooler spot. Those tubs seal quite well and moisture shouldn’t be a problem.
And Lee, My dash pad of my GTS did the same thing only it was on the dashboard in So. Ca.
I’m with the rest. I wouldn’t trust the attic. I myself am going through a layout rebuild and though the wife allowed me to take two rooms in the basement and make them one the last time, I am limited to using that one room. I am faced with what it appears you are also. Planning around moving the boxes of items around while construction takes place in stages.
You gotta admit, it’s still better than no place at all.
If it’s looking like years, why not get rid of it?
Unless they’re limited edition, or from manufactures that don’t exist, what’s the point of keeping them and running the risk of either non-use, or damage from storage?
You might find in the future that there are new offerings of kits or models that are better in some way, or, you can store everything, and you may find that you have lots of boxes of stuff that in some way is no longer appealing.
You’ll rarely find a hobby fiscally rewarding, and even stockpiling things for a future with a soft timeline may not prove as monetarily successful as you might think.