How do you store your empty locomotive and rolling stock boxes?

[BN-6811]

I currently am storing all of my empty boxes on a shelf, but not many boxes are the same size, and then when you get something new it never seems to want to fit anywhere easily without taking a bunch off the shelf and re-arranging everything. Wondering if anyone else out there has come up with a better idea for storing the boxes when you don't have a ton of extra space? I want to keep the boxes in case I decide to sell something or want to take some of my stuff to another layout.

Thanks!

 

[Espeefan]

In empty xerox copier paper boxes.

 

[AirbrushNo5]

It’s a headache no matter how I store them

 

[migalyto]

I have Dollar store totes with snap lids for rolling stock. Locomotive boxes get put back on the shelf.

They can then be put under the layout for storage.

 

[2Tracks]

I have a self under one part of the layout for these boxes, sort of a pia, but I'm having pity for my kids.......

 

[ctclibby]

I currently am storing all of my empty boxes on a shelf, but not many boxes are the same size, and then when you get something new it never seems to want to fit anywhere easily without taking a bunch off the shelf and re-arranging everything. Wondering if anyone else out there has come up with a better idea for storing the boxes when you don't have a ton of extra space? I want to keep the boxes in case I decide to sell something or want to take some of my stuff to another layout.

Thanks!

We were at CostCo months ago and Maria found those black totes with yellow lids. Got 10 at that time ( $7.something ). Heck, we started putting those in the cart 1st and filling with the smaller stuff, then the checker/boxer put all the small stuff back in them. Easy-peasy to get in/out of the Expedition. Don't even want to think about how many there are around the house. They do have 1/2 size ones too but a tad more expensive. We use the smaller for the ...um... heavier items. I found that you can put a ton of stuff in them and since MRR stuff is usually pretty light, you can move them around and are stackable.

L8r

 

[RhB Michael]

Mine are stored in a spare room upstairs. They are stacked a couple of feet high in a cross-hatch pattern to keep them stable. I hate saving boxes, but most of my equipment comes in hard plastic boxes, some in heavy cardstock and I hate to throw them away.

 

[santafewillie]

Like Alan, I use empty copier/computer printer boxes. I then move the boxes into the attic of the train shed. They're not there for me as I probably won't part with any of it, but for my heirs to use when dismantling.

 

[Twinboystrains]

The only time my boxes are empty is when the unit is on the tracks. Otherwise I use small plastic containers from the dollar store. Each one is labeled with contents.

 

[bnsf971]

Unless it’s a locomotive or a Microtrains car, I store the empty boxes in the trash can before taking them to the dumpster. I have rolling stock boxes to store cars when they’re not on the layout.

 

[westtexjohn]

I buy 'Bankers Boxes" at Office Depot. These come as a flat box in a package and you have to cut and bend on the dotted lines. It only takes a few minutes to make one. These have nice lids and stack well. I think they are just a bit smaller than the copier paper boxes. I don't have a source for copier paper boxes so I use the banker boxes.
I have an inventory list of what is in the boxes. I number each box and all items are listed on an 8 1/2 x 11 legal sheet as to which box they are in, then put the sheets into a three ring binder for safe keeping.
This works for new stored items or for empty car boxes. I have some items stored in boxes for over 10 years just waiting to be put on my layout.
When it comes time for a family member or you, to have to sell your freight/passenger car collection, this will make things a bit less difficult.
Buyers usually prefer to have train cars, new or used, to be in their original boxes.
It works for me......John

 

[Kusojiji]

I have an inventory list of what is in the boxes.

You sir, are very organized.

My trains and I have moved across the country several times for the military and civil service. Most are still in those moving boxes, but my new stuff is all over the place. Some of the new locos come in boxes that are humongous, but no griping here since they are well protected.

May have to look into bankers boxes. Hope I can get them out here.

 

[Mixed Freight]

Probably depends somewhat what scale you are in. For instance, I was into N-scale for a couple of decades, and have amassed enough N-scale to stock a small hobby shop (or so it seems). Since N-scale takes up so little room, I have virtually all the boxes/cases/containers that they all came in. And most of my collection is now back in their boxes, as I have been focusing on O-gauge for the past 10 years or so.

As my collection of O-gauge started increasing, I started noticing that empty boxes were taking up an inordinate amount of room. After perusing the internet to see what other O-gaugers were doing, I adopted a method that a fair percentage of them reported doing.

I keep all locomotive, passenger car, and caboose boxes. Virtually everything else, which is freight car boxes, I toss in the trash. I have far more freight cars than anything else. So it's more of a pain in the arse to try and store all of those empty boxes as opposed to pitching them.

Another reason for pitching all my O-gauge freight car boxes was the fact I've purchased a lot of my freight cars used (and some older ones not used at all!) for really good prices, both on-line and at train shows. Some didn't come in boxes, but a lot did. If I ever go to sell my freight cars, I'm confident I should easily get my money back out of them, even without a box to put them in!

To store all my off-layout rolling stock, I use Banker's Boxes and clear plastic storage containers. I do label the Banker's Boxes as to what type of freight cars are in them (Mainly O27 Size, Traditional Size, 1/48 Scale, etc. etc.), but not necessarily a list of every single car in them. By using a horizontal cardboard divider plate, I can easily get 10 cars in each Banker Box. 5 cars in the bottom, and then a divider plate followed with 5 more cars on top. Then I can stack the Banker's Boxes and plastic storage containers on wooden furniture dollies obtained from Harbor Freight Tools. I can roll these stacks under my layouts for storage. Maybe not 100% perfect, but works good enough for now.

 

[TLOC]

All my equipment right now is in storage! Original boxes and stored in Rubber Maid or similar type bins. The few I do not have the orginal boxes for were bubble wrapped and carefully placed in 2 bins. Out of 116 pieces of rolling stock and 11 diesel locomotives less than 20 pieces do not have their original boxes

 

[Bill Streep]

Like others, unless it was or is expensive, they go to recycle. We have enough junk in our house already.

 

[BN-6811]

Thanks everyone, this has been helpful.