Perfect stowage case: CRASH TEST RESULTS It comes up every so often, and has again. I think I posted a thread a couple years ago on this stowage solution, but I will go over again what I have used for years, and so far has beat any other stowage solution for me. It is MUCH cheaper than what I have found out there specifically for N scale trains. Even the cardboard stowage boxes cost more than these.. I have always used a Plano model 3700 tackle case. It is the perfect size as you can see in the photo to hold up to 16, 85' passenger cars. I use two of these to hold my Rock Island and Golden State consists. The can be configured to hold many other different sized cars and locomotives as well with the dividers configured differently (they come with the cases). I use foam bought from a fabric store, or recycled from other things and projects. Be sure you use the type that does not decompose if you use this for long term stowage. I plan to also purchase soon, the newer Plano 3701, which is basically the same, but a lower profile box. The 3700 is 2" deep, and the 3701 is 1 3/8" deep. It has 5 rows of compartments instead of the 4 that the 3700 has as well. The reason I want to try the low profile 3701 is because I can stow up to 10 of my 85'ers, but flat on their side so I can see them when I open the case. Each car will have their own compartment instead of two sharing one like I have in the 3700 case. I think I like the idea of stowing them on their sides rather than upright like I have them in the 3700 pictured. Just for better viewing, and maybe not be so crowded that sometimes makes it a hassle sometimes getting them out of the case (not really a hassle, but it may be easier with the thinner case). Anyway, as you can see in the picture, I simply glued foam in stratigic locations to provide padding, and to keep the holds secure in lue of slidding around in the box sides, and each other. Rubber cement works great gluing the foam in place.. At about $6 each for these cases, (cheaper if you find used ones, or on ebay), they are a cheap, and secure stowing solution.
These boxes also fit inside those plastic milk crates that are available at Walmart and other such stores. Each crate will hold 6 of the #3700 plano boxes. The crates are stackable and make for a handy storage and transport system if combined with a folding two wheel dolly.
Yes they do.. I also have a canvas tote bag from Plano.. Not sure if it is still available, it is a simple canvas bag with handles.. Now, they have fancy bags with all sorts of zipper compartments that carry these cases. My canvas tote holds 4 or 5. But, I just ordered several of the thinner 3701 boxes, and it might hold about 6 of those... nice for tossing what ya want to run remote in the tote, and go.
that is a great idea. Simple and cheaper then the ones made for n scale trains. Good job to you on that.
UPDATE: I just got in a few of the newer Plano 3701 cases. 1st impression, I think I am going to like them more than the older 3700 cases. They are the same dimensions as the 3700 with the exception of the thickness. The 3700 is 2" thick, and the 3701 is 1 3.8" thick. I think I like the newer thinner ones for ease of viewing contents, as well as being easier to get the cars out. Granted, the 3700 the way I have them in, (2 to a compartment) standing up in the case hold more 85' passenger cars (16), but, laying on their side, and one per compartment, will still hold 10 with the slimmer 3701. Here are some pictures with a few cars in them to get an idea how they fit. I like the idea that you can take the nests out of your rolling stock, and locomotive jewel case and it seats in the compartments very nice. You might have to trim a little to get them end to end, but, with some creative trimming, I think you can utilize maximum space. I will need to go ahead and add some custom cut foam padding to get the passenger cars to go in, end to end in each layer, but I was expecting to do that anyway. I just thought it was a nice unexpected option to use the stock nests that come with your equipment. These are the new Plano 3701 cases. As I posted before, here is for comparison, the Plano 3700. Notice the 3700 has 4 wider rows, and the 3701 has 5 narrower rows which fit the cars better IMHO. Before the proto police take notice, yes, I know I have Rock Island passenger cars in the cases for now, along side Rock Island FTs in the freight color schemes... Sue me, lol...
I have a guy sending me a sample of the Plano 3449-5 case which is a nice compact case that looks like it will hold 5, 40' freight cars perfectly. Nice to stow 5 cars in one case to stack. 3 or 4 of those are better than having 15-20 jewel cased bouncing around, And the plastic is much more suited to tossing around and dont crack like the brittle jewel cases. The guy says he has hundreds of the little cases, and I will post how those fit if anybody wants any of them. He sells them in lots of 10 for about $12 if I remember.
Here's how I store my trains - I got some of those plastic office supply storage drawers you can get at Staples or Office Depot, place it under the layout and line them with rubber non-slip shelf liner (a sheet of bubble wrap will also work): My autorack drawer: My reefer/boxcar drawer: My loco drawer: I actually devised this system a few years back with my HO trains when I was in that scale. But since converting to N, of course I can store even more trains per drawer!
Those are nice, but not very portable. Besides, I have kids, and a cat, and them sitting their like that, by the time I got in the drawer, they would all be laying down on top of each other scrambled up, and me pulling my hair out.. lol.. Actually, I have a few of those draws too, and store unused rolling stock in them, but still in their jewel cases.. They are nice to have in the train room..
After cleaning tabby fur out of my SD40-2, I realized that cats and n scale do not mix! A single cat hair is like the size of a large oak tree laying across the tracks. :thumbs_down:
I'd be careful with that shelf liner. Some people have reported having a lot of problems with a shelf liner such as dissolving the paint on their engines and rolling stock. I am not sure which brand it is or if it is the brand you use but I'd be careful.
Absolutely! I don't think it's brand related but more material related. Unfortunately I used those liners a few years ago and instead of storing the rolling stock with the wheels on them as pictured, I stored them lying down on their sides. After about 6-9 months I noticed some where sticking to the liner. One was so bad it pulled the paint off. Luckily I didn't use them to store my better rolling stocks nor locos. They went right into the garbage. Now I use DI's rolling stock boxes. BTW, I can't find these anymore, not even on woo woo woo woo woo woo. Is DI still making them?
I think they still do. But, I just find the Plano boxes plus the cost of the black charcoal foam end up costing about the same as the DI boxes, and I just like the fact that I end up with a nice plastic box over a cardboard box. The only nice thing about the DI boxes, is the black charcoal foam, and I found a cheap fairly local place to buy that foam for in the "pick" type foam where it is perferated in 1/2" square blocks so you can customize it for whatever you want. By the time I pay $6-$7 for the plano box, then another buck worth of the black foam. I think I have a much nicer box than paying the $9 for the cardboard one.. Just sayin..
Yep. I also just took a quick look at the link to the jewelry saleman's case posted elsewhere. That seems to work too. All that is needed is a thin foam liner. Trays (wooden(!) or plastic) are about $2 each. NILE - Jewelry displays - Jewelry Boxes - Jewelry tools - Jewelers Supply - Showcase Display
Stowage solution Phase II Today, I got my aluminum cases in that I choose to tote my Plano 3700 and 3701 cases around. I found this case on ebay and got a pretty good deal. I got 2 brand new ones for $18ea. postage paid to me. They are a perfect size to hold the Plano cases. This aluminum case is 15" wide, 10" tall, and 7" thick. Perfect for holding 4 of the thinner 3701 cases with some room to spare, or 3 of the 3700 cases with a little room to spare, OR 2 of the 3701 cases, and 2 of the 3700 cases as I have them in the pictures. These cases are lockable. Not the most secure lock, but secure enough to keep little peanut butter covered grandkid hands out of your prized rolling stock. Just leave enough of the crap rolling stock around for them to play with.. lol.. Now as soon as my new pluck to fit charcoal foam gets here, I will re-pad all the plano boxes to fit my stuff perfectly.
Thanks for the tip. Been using it 3 years so far and no problems. The trains rest upright (wheels down) on the shelf liner, so there's usually no contact with the body, and a good nmber of my rolling stock uses metal wheels. And if it does mess up the paint a little...time for a weathering job!
Nice tip those Plano Boxes are quite reasonable and much easier than going through a bunch of Jewel cases. Thanks I placed a couple on order today, should make storage much easier. :thumbs_up:
Those Plano boxes can be purchased in the fishing dept. of any Walmart or other sporting goods store. I got mine from a woman at a flea market for $1 each.
The ones I have are Plano mainly because I have always had them around. I used to be an avid bass angler before my injury that disabled me and made me give up allot of my old hobbies. But, not all a bad thing, because it gave me the time to pick up one of my older lifelong hobbies (model railroading) and spend more time with. But, what I was going to say is yes, they are around $7-$8 each, then buying the foam which will add another $1 or so to that cost of the case. But, like mentioned above, they can be found even cheaper if you look. And, there are aother manufacurers of these types of cases other than Plano that are cheaper, and every bit as good as plano. I have one "off brand" laying around somewhere that is as good as the plano.. And yes, this is what inspired using these was I was getting tired of rummaging through all the loose jewel cases, and having those laying all over the layout trying to find the rolling stock I wanted to run. These cases make it much nicer, and the aluminum case pictured above makes it a nice a pretty package to toss in the truck to take to shows, clubs etc.
