I have several freight and passenger cars without original boxes. Are there vendors who make boxes? Options for select different sizes?
Thanks
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There are vendors that make reproduction boxes for Lionel postwar.
For anyone else, I personally don't know (beyond specialty cases for transporting multiple cars or locomotives).
For other brands, "good luck with that". A number of Forum members make no secret that they discard rolling-stock boxes. Perhaps we should set up a clearinghouse to mate unwanted boxes with folks looking for rolling-stock packaging. (I could use boxes for an MTH 50' boxcar and RailKing SP-style caboose. I could also use a trio of Menard's boxcar cartons with the clamshell insert. I can compose and print my own labels for 'em)
For more generic rolling stock, I made a template from an MPC box to construct my own MPC-style boxes for cars up to 12" in length, complete with transparent window. Photos are in this thread from June 2015, which also discusses some other options.
---PCJ
(2021 edit: still looking for the above. Add a pair of Menards' three-dome tank car boxes with clamshells on top of them)
Good idea. At the moment, my highest interest is for two boxes for Lionel baby madison passenger cars. Anyone have some to share?
I would be interest in replacement boxes for modern era. My dog chewed through a couple of boxes trying to get at a mouse he thought was inside.
There are some cardboard box companies that make baseball card stock boxes that fit some Lionel boxcars & etc .
some boxes hold three cars .
If you're looking for reproduction Post War Lionel boxes, yes there are vendors who sell licensed Lionel boxes.
http://eastcoasttrainparts.com/
If you're looking for plain corrugated boxes, I use "trading card" (to us older guys, baseball cards) boxes. They are sized according to the number of cards you can fit in a box (550, 660...) or shoebox style with multiple slots. I buy mine from a local memorabilia shop that sells trading cards as well. Like these:
http://www.comicsandcardsuppli...ding-card-boxes.html
Hope this helps.
Mike
I use Trading Card Boxes from BCW. They work great for a wide variety of rolling stock.
Several years ago I purchased 10 MTH Car Carriers that came without boxes. The cars are 20" L x 2-3/4" W x 5-1/4" H. I checked out the trading card boxes per the above links, but nothing fit (the 20" long was the major problem). Any suggestion to obtain storage boxes for these?
Manhattan-RR posted:Several years ago I purchased 10 MTH Car Carriers that came without boxes. The cars are 20" L x 2-3/4" W x 5-1/4" H. I checked out the trading card boxes per the above links, but nothing fit (the 20" long was the major problem). Any suggestion to obtain storage boxes for these?
John, those are only 20" long, I think he needs something longer.
gunrunnerjohn posted:John, those are only 20" long, I think he needs something longer.
oops.. Thanks GunRunner
https://www.uline.com/Product/...ong-Corrugated-Boxes
or
https://www.uline.com/Product/...ong-Corrugated-Boxes
or
https://www.uline.com/Product/...ong-Corrugated-Boxes
Thanks so much. A great help!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I use Trading Card Boxes from BCW. They work great for a wide variety of rolling stock.
gunrunnerjohn,
Which of these BCW boxes to you favor?
My two cents: Boxes take up too much room. Over decades, one acquires many boxes and one must ask: why? As for storage, I use large rubber containers and put the stock in paper bags. When there are many paper bags in a container, they act as cushions. The boxes, I concluded, are marketing ploys. Big boxes makes one think there are big trains inside. I recall going to a K-Line Super Store several years ago and thinking the O-scale items on display seemed small. The reality is those items are the same size as all the others. Add to that a well-known color and you have a marketing tool. I sometimes wonder if the other, non-orange box companies, used their boxes as marketing tools, they would still be around. In fairness, some large legacy locomotives do require special consideration. But, generally speaking, by saving all the boxes, I was creating a monster, that would ultimately require a small warehouse for storage. That is no longer the case. As for value, I do not generally sell my trains and they will go out the door with me somewhere in the future. Why worry about it?
Mark
I think it is interesting that people search for boxes so that their car/engine will be worth more because it is in the (?) original box even though it is an acquired box. Somehow seems not right.
My solution is easier. Most of what I buy is New, Like New, NIB or maybe NOS or whatever the best terms is to make me feel like I am the first guy to take it out of the box even though I am sure that is not really true. Since I seldom if ever sell anything it does not make a big difference. In fact the last thing I recall selling was my 50's 773 and Madison cars to pay my property taxes in 1973
@Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:gunrunnerjohn,
Which of these BCW boxes to you favor?
I don't search for factory boxes, but with the number of cars I have, I like something that will stack evenly, that's why I use something that's a standard size. I favor the 660, 800, and 930 count boxes with the built-in lid flap.
If I had drawers or other places to stash the stuff, I'd probably not use the boxes.
I also store stuff like the shorter passenger sets like the Polar Express, Aerotrain, Hogwarts, and MTH Reading Crusader set in the four or five row boxes, depending on the length of the cars.
Attachments
Get the better boxes from ULine (other other sellers):
https://www.uline.com/BL_1351/...-Indestructo-Mailers
As to why to use boxes; if you use something of uniform dimensions in at least 2 directions, they all fit neatly on shelving, etc. And, these also make good inner boxes for shipping those cars that you no longer want.
gunrunnerjohn,
Thanks for the pictures. Each of those boxes look very helpful!
I'd like to get the various cars from sets like the Polar Express, a Christmas set, and some other passenger and freight cars that have no boxes off of my RailRax, and into stackable boxes. Then I can label the boxes, and easily stack them onto shelves.
Most of this rolling stock includes items that I have run with the grandchildren. This provides an excellent way to easily store this rolling stock until they visit.
For easy reference, here's the link that gunrunnerjohn posted above:
mwb,
Thanks for the link in the preceding post! Those boxes also look excellent, and would be very helpful for my project. The boxes also appear to be very reasonably priced.
@mwb posted:Get the better boxes from ULine (other other sellers):
I don't see anything "better" about them. I like the BCW boxes because they fit stuff perfectly with no wasted space.
if you are not fussy you can get boxes that 5lb cheese comes in...like Land O Lakes or Boars Head...the store will give them away...they come in master cartons of 6 boxes...good for most traditional rolling stock also some engines...can't beat the price.....joe
Ditto GRJ on his input.
BTW...BCW is a product source for the Games department at our LHS. That's how I 'discovered' the alternative use for their boxes. Lately, however, we understand that BCW has encountered supply issues related to the pandemic like many others. Their white card boxes have been in short supply (or non-existant) for some time, now. They're projected for delivery, per their website, within the month....we'll see.
Re the question of best sizes for O2R/O3R items... I typically order two sizes in quantity (they're delivered flat..."some assembly required"
):
- 1-BX-800 about 15" inside length
- 1-BX-G1000 about 13-1/2" inside length
Cross-section size of both boxes is perfect for O2R/O3R cars. I've used about 3 dozen of these so far to protect not only PW treasures (my original Lionel set cars given to me in the 40's, 50 's), but, more importantly, to protect the kit-built cars I've enjoyed building through the past 25 years! I use common Avery labels printed then attached to the box ends for identification
Of course the same cross-section (designed for game cards, sport cards, etc.) applies to the multi- section boxes, and I've used three or four of those to protect groups of cars that should stay together (beneficial to folks outlasting me.)
Meanwhile, we wait for BCW to re-stock...big order pending.
FWIW, of course.
KD
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I don't see anything "better" about them. I like the BCW boxes because they fit stuff perfectly with no wasted space.
Better than the 2 flap top manila cardboard boxes that I was referring to; nice white finished box with a single flap that folds into the box.....
As for no wasted space; pick your size, and add or do not add whatever packing or cushioning materials you want. The 4" x 4" series can be used to fit just about any O scale car, etc.
But the principle remains the same - pick a standard and your storage becomes easier for organization.
@barrister.2u posted:My two cents: Boxes take up too much room. Over decades, one acquires many boxes and one must ask: why? As for storage, I use large rubber containers and put the stock in paper bags. When there are many paper bags in a container, they act as cushions. The boxes, I concluded, are marketing ploys. In fairness, some large locomotives require special consideration. But by saving all the boxes, I was creating a monster, that would require a small warehouse for storage. That is no longer the case. As for value, I do not generally sell my trains & they will go out the door with me somewhere in the future. Why worry about it?
Mark
Most boxes include form-fitting inserts specifically to protect THAT item, far from a "marketing ploy." The value of original boxes becomes very evident: 1) if/when you move & need to use them for secure shipping; 2) if/when you decide it's the time in your life to thin, or dispose of, your collection & wish to sell; & ultimately, 3) for the day you croak & your family is stuck trying to sell & ship your stuff. They will not be "going out the door" with you at that point.
This is what I use (link to an older thread):
https://ogrforum.com/...60#83790477270195160
I can now add that, if you pull the front side of the box out just a little, you can get postwar Lionel NW2 inside; likewise, one of the older Standard-O boxcars. And, if you cut a slot into the inner end flaps to accommodate the coupler, you can even squeeze in an MPC GP7.
These boxes have now made one move with me. I used some foam rubber in the ends of the individual boxes to immobilize their contents. I cut some cardboard to wrap around each of the "card houses" so the boxes did not slide out of them. They traveled just fine--though I should point out that I did my own moving, so they were handled with ample care.
Thanks for the great help! I decided to start out with a BCW order, and, over time, may try some of the other excellent suggestions.
Hopefully, now I can "seize control" of some needed room on my RailRax, and box those items that don't have boxes, and are not currently being used.
Although I've enjoyed O Gauge railroading for quite a while, the old adage:
"You become a slave to your possessions"
...certainly can apply to storing trains, particularly when the time has come to learn a few more excellent storage tips from helpful people!
gunrunnerjohn,
Which of the 4 and 5 "stall" boxes do you usually order?
I buy the two sizes with the full lid, 3200 and 5000 capacity. For the larger boxes, I like the lid to be separate. However, for the single unit boxes, I like the one piece construction better.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I buy the two sizes with the full lid, 3200 and 5000 capacity. For the larger boxes, I like the lid to be separate. However, for the single unit boxes, I like the one piece construction better.
Thanks again, gunrunnerjohn! I have placed an order (backordered) for each of those items.
@paulp575 posted:Bad link!
They worked when I posted them in 2017. As far as I know, East Coast Train Parts is still around selling licensed Lionel reproduction boxes. As for the others, they are the same trading card boxes as posted above. Depending on the size aka card count, at the time I was buying them frequently at my local sports card shop, they started at $.50 up to a couple of dollars for the type with multiple rows. They work well, are flat so they store neatly until you need one and they are sturdy. A always wrapped whatever I put inside in acid-free moving company paper.
Mike
@ezmike posted:I always wrapped whatever I put inside in acid-free moving company paper.
Mike
Thanks Mike! Good idea. I purchased "Colors of Rainbow" brand acid-free tissue paper for long term storage. The sheets I selected are 15" x 20".
For an alternate approach you may want to consider something different. Having a very large assortment of passenger and freight cars I needed a place to store and transport them to shows (remember them?).
I picked up a couple of dozen Costco cardboard produce trays available in different sizes. Free. Their tabs and slots make for sturdy stacking. The most available size holds four 21" passenger cars. lengthwise of a bunch of freight cars width wise. Very easy to store at home and easy to carry in for a fast and clean set up at shows. I use quilt batting from Jo Ann Fabrics for protection.
I have hot glued dividers in some for semi permanent use.
With a quilt batting bed they can hold 80 - 100 1/48 people and other widgets laid out for display. The batting surface is a little grabby for helping to steady small parts.
Just watch out for sagging bottoms
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I don't search for factory boxes, but with the number of cars I have, I like something that will stack evenly, that's why I use something that's a standard size. I favor the 660, 800, and 930 count boxes with the built-in lid flap.
If I had drawers or other places to stash the stuff, I'd probably not use the boxes.
I also store stuff like the shorter passenger sets like the Polar Express, Aerotrain, Hogwarts, and MTH Reading Crusader set in the four or five row boxes, depending on the length of the cars.
John,
I have received the boxes, and started assembling them. They are really great, and stack very nicely. Thanks again for the excellent suggestions. These will be particularly helpful easily storing items that originally came unboxed in a set box.
I bought several different types of boxes at the same time, so I occasionally feel like I'm solving some of the spacial relations problems that were on the SAT examination back i in high school. The mix of odd cardboard shapes require a bit of thought as to assembly at times. I looked for some instructions on the BCW website, but couldn't find any.
Yep, but after you assemble a couple dozen of each type, you'll get much better at it! 
@Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:Thanks Mike! Good idea. I purchased "Colors of Rainbow" brand acid-free tissue paper for long term storage. The sheets I selected are 15" x 20".
Mike, I started storing some of the trains, and the tissue paper worked great! Excellent suggestion.
