Well, maybe not attached to the box but I could imagine for some it might be handy to have in a binder as a visual desktop directory of sorts. Where to find it as well as where it goes when it's time to put it away. I don't have THAT many... yet.
Well my main storage solution started when I helped an elderly neighbor with a garage cleanup project. He is a retired engineer. I noticed a wide, low, beat up, multi-drawer cabinet in the corner. He used it to storage sheets of drafting paper and engineering drawings. I let him know if he ever wanted to dispose of it, I would take it. That day came and I spent many hours rebuilding the drawers and sanding off the old finish. Here's the result. I'll add casters when the train room is built.
The drawer depth holds two stacked MT jewel cases. Each drawer can hold approximately 180 MT cars. Pretty sweet train cabinet.
Thanks Mtn Trainman! I was pleasantly surprised, when I sanded off all the chipped paint, how nice the wood was underneath. Decided to stain it and replace the old stamped metal handles. You should have seen my neighbor's jaw drop when he saw his cabinet refinished.
Ikea makes a nice flat file unit. I have one of these under my layout -- can stack two jewel cases in the upper three drawers; three cases in lower three
It's a map drawer! If you ever need to get rid of it, I have N scale AND USGS maps that I could use it for. I've been looking for a good reasonable priced on for awhile now.
cool, it didn't know it's a map drawer. Given some of the prices I am seeing on old map drawers, i feel very fortunate to have this offered to me.
This is a copy of a reply I just made to a similar thread. Realizing I hadn't posted a follow up on this one, I thought I'd copy it here just in case somebody finds it while searching the topic. Hope it helps somebody. This is something I came up with recently after a similar inquiry and the responses to that. Basically it's the factory jewel cases placed in "Pizza Boxes" or more accurately, "Mailers". They are pretty durable, relatively cheap when purchased in a bundle (I got 50), and come in a variety of sizes. I wound up with 11 7/8" x 11" x 2 1/4" inside dimension which holds 32 standard sized Micro-Trains jewel cases, two deep, and snug enough to not rattle about but not so snug that you can't easily get a finger in to lift one out. The other size cases fit with varying efficiency but all do fit one way or another. Biggest advantages are they are pretty durable, relatively cheap so also disposable if ever they become worn out, good protection, efficient use of space, and a uniform size that stacks well wherever stored and system expansion just means folding up another box. I've also found that they work well for all sorts of supplies too, all uniform size so able to stack neatly on a shelf in the closet. I have yet to complete a printed directory but will do so with info like box, placement location, and a brief description including important operating details such as type, road name, vintage, coupler, etc. I try to keep some semblance of order as to type, road name, etc but as these things have a way of continually changing I have decided that the directory will be the best way and will be searchable as needed and in any fashion needed. Occasional reorganization may be desired and will be as simple as a shifting about of equipment and a directory edit. So far it seems very workable and just what I needed. Then, for the odd equipment or that acquired without a box, I've purchased spare Micro Trains cases of various sizes. With a paper cutter I cut up standard size paper tags of the same dimensions as MT uses and then with the same paper cutter, cut 1/16" foam liner bases. The foam I used is available from Woodland Scenics, sold in a 4 sheet package as "Assorted Modeling Sheets" and is rigid enough to hold some shape but soft enough to be protective. It's also my expectation that it is not a material that breaks down over time or makes any attempt to adhere to the car or loco finish as some sponge foams can do. They are 16" x 18" sheets packaged with 2 pcs. at 1/16" thick, perfect as the base liner, and then one each of 1/8" and 1/4" thick that can be cut to any size needed and used for the nesting barriers, glued in place with Foam Tack Glue. I hand write the description of the item on the sheet tag to keep it all in order. That may seem like a lot to go through and also to exceed the value of a few old Bachmann pieces but in the interest of a standard system that works for all equipment, not all without some value, I consider it a good investment. If there's anything I've learned over the years it's that lack of organization is an often overlooked time and cost drain. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. This is a prepped box, ready for use as described. This is one in use with the cushions fabricated as described. And even some locos will fit the small standard MT box. It keeps it neat. And this is the cushion material used. Hope that was useful at some level.
