Display Cases Updated - Now Populated

I remember this scene from a movie, several movies actually.  I hope you are tying them in either to the ceiling or with a board at the top running the length of the shelves.  Just a thought.

Idea-thinker, Wow, those are simply amazingly beautiful train shelves. Cool design and excellent wood working skills, great color and all I can say is thanks for showing us your creative handiwork. The view from both sides allows you to display a whole lot of your collection in a single cabinet. I’m envious. Happy Railroading Everyone, Happy Thanksgiving.

Those are nice looking shelves -- great to have the space to do that sort of build.  A couple of questions for you.  It looks like there is an internal frame (X-frame?) inside the shelving units with what looks like uprights (1x4?) running from floor to ceiling?  Presumably they are tied in to the floor and ceiling?  What did you use for shelving?  3/4" oak plywood?  They appear to be supported by shelf brackets (two per shelf)?  Do you plan to have (sliding?) glass doors (based on what looks like a display case on the wall in the background)?

Anyway, a great way to display your collection

Richs09;

      The center posts are actually 2x4 and the "x" brace in the center is used to provide stability for the shelf for left to right swaying. The display shelves are actually 3/4" poplar wood with v grooves cut in them to hold the trains in place. The original plan was to use glass sliding doors but that has turned out to be difficult so I am building simple wood frame that is beveled on sides with glass in the center. There are conventional shelf brackets and on each bracket there is a 3" spacer to support the back shelf.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

Neat

Put On rollers on a track you could roll them for access or out of the way.

@Bill DeBrooke posted:

I remember this scene from a movie, several movies actually.  I hope you are tying them in either to the ceiling or with a board at the top running the length of the shelves.  Just a thought.

Yes. After seeing photo #2 the first thing that I thought of was dominoes. I've had a couple of - minor - shelf failures. Not a thing to enjoy. Tie those things to the wall or ceiling - directly through to the studs or rafters.

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AlanHN"

No, really.

Idea-  thanks for the info.  Great build.  Lights?

Update to my Display case project. I have just about completed populating the first display case. It turned out to be quite an effort to unbox the trains and get them on shelves. I have to say it is like Christmas getting all the trains out of the boxes. Just two more display cases to go.

See the attached picture.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

Idea-thinker, Wow, your displays are beautiful, very uniquely made. One other thing is evident, you’ve got a lot of trains.... Great pictures. Keep the pictures coming. Merry Christmas, Happy Railroading Everyone

Great shelves. One question... were are the boxes going!

John;

      We have another storage area just for the boxes. About 99% of our collection is in the original box which presents an issue because of the volume of them.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

@idea-thinker posted:

About 99% of our collection is in the original box which presents an issue because of the volume of them.

idea-thinker

Might be an issue, as you noted, but it certainly is a good idea, as you already know, to retain the original boxes. I have that same box-storage problem, but fortunately solved that when we moved. Had half the basement finished for office, lounge, and train layout; and kept the other half (actually a bit less than half) free for train storage, box storage, and wife Wendy's cooking stuff. I plan to sell a good number of trains once this COVID thing is over, and having original boxes sure does make things easier.

Here are some ideas on shelving.  All have glass of plexi protection.

1. The double shelves were custom made by the late Jim Storer

2. The monster oak shelf was custom made off site and barely made it into the house

3.  I have several Greenway products shelves with glass doors. Simply beautiful but shipping made it impossible to purchase them  longer than 4 feet.

Lew Schneider

Lewrail, Your shelves and displays are beautiful, thanks for the pictures. It’s nice to see how many fellows and gals display their trains and things. So cool. Happy Railroading Everyone

Thanks Larry,

I've never understood how collectors can keep their treasures in boxes hidden from view. When I start running out of space I sell something.

Lew

@lewrail posted:

Thanks Larry,

I've never understood how collectors can keep their treasures in boxes hidden from view. When I start running out of space I sell something.

Lew

I would love to be able to sell something but I never learned how!

All;

     I have posted updated photos on my display cases that now have trains on them.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

Idea-thinker,

Excellent woodworking! I barely have enough trains to fill one shelf.

Thanks for sharing.

That there is a lot of choo choo's!   Love the display cases.