|
|
Post by fr8kar on Jul 11, 2012 11:02:03 GMT -8
I have what I consider a large fleet of locomotives and rolling stock (200 pieces ±). I don't have a home layout; instead, I participate in local and regional Free-mo gatherings. After years of doing this, you'd think I would have it figured out by now, but I'm convinced there's a better way: how best to transport my rolling stock?
As it is now, I use men's shoeboxes from The Container Store, which aren't shoeboxes in the traditional sense. They are clear plastic containers with snap-on lids. They are stackable and extremely durable. For most of these, I have made cardboard dividers to keep the wheels of the cars on the upper level from damaging the roofs of the cars below them. Typically, I will have all the cars be of a certain type on the lower level so the cardboard divider rests evenly on the roofs of the cars on the lower level. I also use paper strips to keep the cars from rubbing against one another. A couple specialized cases, such as my intermodal flat cars and locomotives, I have made special supports so the divider does not touch the roof of any of the lower level models.
That's my method. It's worked so far and I've experienced little damage over several years and travel of hundreds of miles. Lately I'm beginning to wonder am I cautious or lucky? There is virtually no padding or shock-absorbing material in my packaging, so maybe I'm one bump away from damaging half my fleet.
I've seen the A-line system and while it is very nice, it's also very pricey and bulky. I've seen some folks use the original boxes their models came in, but that's not an option for the models I no longer have the boxes for or the models that don't fit in or would be damaged by the original boxes as a result of installing detail parts.
I know not all of us transport our models, but those of you who do, please share your methods. I have only tried a few things and I certainly haven't thought of everything.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2012 11:36:36 GMT -8
I have an old version of the Proto Power/A-Line tote system. I don't think it gives sufficient protection, especially for today's highly detailed rolling stock.
Improvements with the foam look to have been made, but you still have cardboard dividers separating the rows. Heaven help you should the tote tip over or be set down a little hard.
|
|
|
|
Post by sd80macs on Jul 11, 2012 11:43:50 GMT -8
I use the Aline boxes and they are pricey but they do work good for freight cars and passenger cars. I get better foam for the car ends and wrap them in plastic to protect them from rubbing on the dividers. Each car has a pecific place in each numbered box and I print out a picture of the car and glue it to the bottom of the divider so you can just look at a colored pica nd know what car belongs there. I did transport locos in the ALine boxes but they would get damaged to much breaking details off that now I keep a tote or two for locos in their original boxes. It is time consuming to pack the cars the way I do but I rather take my time then keep repairing the cars.
|
|
|
|
Post by Donnell Wells on Jul 11, 2012 14:28:11 GMT -8
The boxes from Axian Technology are far superior to A-Line boxes for transporting rolling stock.
www.axiantech.com/ModelRR.html
When placed in A-Line boxes, rolling stock has a tendency to slide and/or shift resulting in detail damage.
Donnell
|
|
|
|
Post by bnsf971 on Jul 11, 2012 14:40:37 GMT -8
The boxes from Axian Technology are far superior to A-Line boxes for transporting rolling stock.
www.axiantech.com/ModelRR.html
When placed in A-Line boxes, rolling stock has a tendency to slide and/or shift resulting in detail damage.
Donnell I also use the Axian boxes, with very good results. I have the zippered bag to put several of the boxes in, for ease of carrying. |
|
|
|
Post by fr8kar on Jul 11, 2012 15:36:41 GMT -8
The boxes from Axian Technology are far superior to A-Line boxes for transporting rolling stock.
www.axiantech.com/ModelRR.html
When placed in A-Line boxes, rolling stock has a tendency to slide and/or shift resulting in detail damage.
Donnell I also use the Axian boxes, with very good results. I have the zippered bag to put several of the boxes in, for ease of carrying. How do plastic handrails, sunshades, firecracker antennae and other free-standing details on locomotives hold up in those boxes? I'm concerned my stuff will be damaged laying on its side. |
|
|
|
Post by sd80macs on Jul 12, 2012 6:26:33 GMT -8
The axian boxes are great for rolling stock that is durable like Athearn Blue Box kits, RTR cars or Atlas Trainman. I would never put a loco in them or a highly detailed car as they would get damaged. Also they are about the same length as the ALine boxes but are wider due to laying the rolling stock on its side. Both boxes have their pluses and minuses and I rather go with the Aline boxes. buy some thick foam and cut in into blocks to fit between the cars and ends. Hot glue then in on the ends once you settle on what cars will go in what box and your good to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by bnsf971 on Jul 14, 2012 5:14:14 GMT -8
For locomotive transport, I use the Grand Central Gems boxes. You can put 4 large steam engines and their tenders in them, with room to spare, or up to 8 diseasels. I do line the slots with kraft paper, so the foam inserts don't snag any detail parts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul Cutler III on Jul 14, 2012 7:13:13 GMT -8
The thing with the A-Line system is that for maximum protection, you need to get the add-ons like the foam blocks (to add between units) and the foam sheeting (to make a cradle that protects the sides of the units against the cardboard dividers). The only real "flaw" (and I use that term loosely) is that there is no foam on the bottom of the lid. I can see why as the varying height of HO equipment can make it impractical from a manufacturing standpoint, but it is something that's needed in case of disaster (like dropping a box or tipping a stack over). However, if you treat these like they don't have a lid, like they are trays rather than shipping boxes, then they work just fine. Of course, one could add foam padding to their lids and either velcro tabs or large rubber bands to hold the lid on, too.
I do like the A-Line carrying case. It can either carry 4 or 5 boxes, depending on the sizes of the boxes purchased. They have tall and short ones, the short ones being perfect for hopper cars and other kinds of freight and passenger equipment. However, never put engines in a short case...there isn't enough clearance and roof detail can get damaged.
The Axian boxes are, IMHO, an inferior product for today's highly detailed models. Laying models on their sides with all the fine details on them (let alone the finely scaled plastic handrails on today's diesels) cannot be a good idea. Long term storage would also be an issue with these, as we all know foam can have a tendancy to become stuck to a model rather permanently.
The one problem I can see with the Grand Central Gems boxes is that one has to seperate the tenders from the boilers. With some, that's a real pain.
|
|
|
|
Post by atsfan on Jul 14, 2012 18:54:58 GMT -8
Wal Mart sells some nice sized plastic storage containers I use.
I use micro fiber clothes they sell in the automobile section (for washing) in them to keep stuff from moving around. They don't shed either.
|
|
|
|
Post by fr8kar on Jul 14, 2012 22:34:13 GMT -8
This is the first I've heard of the Grand Central Gems product. I'll have to give them a look, since I have misgivings about laying my diesels on their sides.
|
|
|
|
Post by umtrrauthor on Jul 17, 2012 16:01:02 GMT -8
I have N Scale as most of you know. I cut down paper boxes (the ones that hold 10 packages) to size and fit them with carpet underlay foam for storage and transport of cars. Other than once dropping an entire box (ouch!) I have not had any worries with this method. My supply of paper boxes has dried up though so I will need to come up with another idea eventually... or maybe sell off some stuff  |
|
|
|
Post by bnsf971 on Jul 17, 2012 17:39:03 GMT -8
This is the first I've heard of the Grand Central Gems product. I'll have to give them a look, since I have misgivings about laying my diesels on their sides. With the Grand Central Gems boxes, they sit upright in the box. |
|
