Brass Locomotive Storage Containers

The use of the original box that a Steam, Diesel,models. All engines and cars stand on their wheels
Passenger car and Freight cars come in is notwith a foam floor. I also use this type of box for
necessarily the best thing to do in caring for yourthe majority of my diesel engines.
brass models. This is also true of plastic items. AsThe second is Grand Central Gems Inc. storage
far as freight cars are concerned I haveboxes. They produce two types of boxes B-1
destroyed all the individual boxes and store themand B-2. The B-1 holds four small steam
in large storage boxes as explained below.locomotives and most diesels. The B-2 is for
The modeler should always keep the original boxmedium to large steam engines and diesels. These
and keep it in the best condition possible. Theboxes contain deep slotted foam so the engines
exception is those boxes for plastic freight cars.can stand on their wheels and are very well
If the modeler is going to run his brass trains thenprotected. There is a foam pad that goes on top
he or she should provide a different container forof the engines so the engines are completely
steady use.protected. I use these boxes primarily for brass
The use of the original box for a steam engine,steam engines.
as an example, is not good for the box or for theThe third is Axian Technology, Inc. Model
engine. In lifting the engine out of the box mayRailroading HO and N gauge storage boxes. These
damage tubes, pipes, fine wire and otherboxes have slotted and beveled foam with foam
overhanging parts by catching on the foam. Evenstrips attached to the box cover. Rail models are
though you have wrapped the engine and tenderset on their sides in the slotted foam. I use these
in plastic, the sharp pieces can still catch on theboxes for plastic and brass steam engines as well
foam. The foam can also be damaged fromas all my passenger cars. This type of box can
overuse in removing and replacing the engine andhold four articulated steam engines and as many
tender. Handling the box over and over will causeas six moderate sized steam engines. They hold
heavy wear to the outside of the box.eight passenger cars.
In contrast, if you intend to store the brassI use the Axian boxes for streamliners which
models for any length of time you should keepincludes the diesel F units. Generally I need two
them in their original boxes.boxes to hold a complete train. In some cases it
There are several alternate storage containerstakes three boxes depending how many
that are ideal for the short term storage and usepassenger cars are in the set.
of your brass models. Several manufacturesSince I use all three types of boxes
produce boxes for this kind of need. In this articleaforementioned, I try and keep engines and
I am going to discuss three manufacturers andpassenger cars in order of the railroads I model. I
their respective containers that I am very familiarcreate colored labels on my PC which depict the
with.name of railroad along with my name that I place
The first is the HO and N gauge HOBBY-TOTEon each box.
STORAGE CONTAINER SYSTEM produced byAll three of the manufacturers can be found on
A-line Arrow Hobby division of Proto Power West.the WEB. There are other manufacturers as I
I use this system for all of my freight cars. Thepointed out in the beginning of this article. I have
system may be used for whatever the modelerlooked at them but have found the ones I have
desires as far as rail equipment is concerned. Thewritten about meet my needs the best. I do
boxes are simple to assemble and come withrecommend that you Google "Model Train Storage
foam padding to protect your brass and plasticBoxes" and see for yourself.