The doors on all running box cars on my layout are closed for realism and appearance. A few times around the layout and the doors slide wide open. Doesn't matter what brand; Williams, Lionel, MTH, K-Line. All have the same problem and its probably not unique. The doors could be glued closed but that would IMO ruin the cars and whatever value they have. Is a temporary non- permanent, non-marring solution available? How do other operators deal with this?
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Or, a small dab of Elmers glue. Easy to peel loose when needed. Some rubber cements have a solvent in them that can attack certain paints or plastic.
Jeff
Dennis LaGrua posted:The doors on all running box cars on my layout are closed for realism and appearance. A few times around the layout and the doors slide wide open. Doesn't matter what brand; Williams, Lionel, MTH, K-Line. All have the same problem and its probably not unique. The doors could be glued closed but that would IMO ruin the cars and whatever value they have. Is a temporary non- permanent, non-marring solution available? How do other operators deal with this?
Keep the hobos off the tracks. 
Use a toothpick and wedge it in the door guide.
I use Aleene's Tack-It Over & Over. It's a water-based contact cement, so it won't attack plastic or paint. A small dab or two will keep your doors shut but still allow them to open if needed. Non-permanent and non-marring, just like you want.
Paul.
Ever so tiny dab of clear silicone works.Kind of the same thing that has been mentioned. Nick
A piece of stiff foam wedged between the doors works well and is removable.
I use Tacky Wax. It's easy, non destructive and you only need a tiny dot on the door edge or door guide no need to take anything apart.
Some great ideas. I like them all. A very good friend of mine complains of passenger car doors doing the same thing. Hopefully he will catch this post.
"FunTack" works great!
I like the toothpick idea as long as it is accessible. Did it regularly with the 6464 and 6565 boxcars.
Fred
Danr posted:I use Tacky Wax. It's easy, non destructive and you only need a tiny dot on the door edge or door guide no need to take anything apart.
That's my go-to, as well.
prrhorseshoecurve posted:Use a toothpick and wedge it in the door guide.
Yup, this is what I do. Usually "paint" them black with a magic marker so they blend in.
"are closed for realism"
Boxcars were sometimes run with one or both doors open, especially before the 1970's. This allows the cars to air out/dry out. Or they just weren't closed. Climate and season played a role. I certainly saw open doors when I was a kid. Some open boxcar doors here and there on a 50's layout, for instance, are realistic, and add some visual interest.
D500 posted:"are closed for realism"
Boxcars were sometimes run with one or both doors open, especially before the 1970's. This allows the cars to air out/dry out. Or they just weren't closed. Climate and season played a role. I certainly saw open doors when I was a kid. Some open boxcar doors here and there on a 50's layout, for instance, are realistic, and add some visual interest.
This is kinda what I've seen and thought.
I took a little different approach to keeping boxcar doors shut on a couple of my more problematic doors. I used mini rare earth magnets on one side and a small metal piece on the door frame. Always keeps the doors shut and I can easily open them when desired. From the outside of the car you cannot see any difference in appearance.
Toothpicks
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