I know there is a reproduction box for the instruction car for the #52 fire car. But, Does anyone know if the fire car itself has a reproduction box available for it. East does not have it!
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I don't know of any other folks making reproduction boxes.
If there are, I'd like to learn about them too.
There are a few boxes not made by East Coast Train Parts that I'd be interested in buying.
Just curious, what's the attraction of a repro box? For stuff without boxes, I typically use the trading card storage boxes. They come in all sizes and with single or multiple rows. The multi-row boxes are great for sets of cars.
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Yuck John a bland white box lol
Just curious, what's the attraction of a repro box? For stuff without boxes, I typically use the trading card storage boxes. They come in all sizes and with single or multiple rows. The multi-row boxes are great for sets of cars.
Honestly, I'd rather have a plain box that fits.
I have some BCW card boxes (800 count) on hand. They are # 1-BX-800
There are a lot of items that do not fit into their 2-3/4 height x 3-3/4 depth.
Two examples are the 6517 bay window caboose, and the 3535 security car.
Last night I stuck a 675 into one of them, and the eccentric cranks stick out past the dimensions of the box.
I see that BCW makes a few other possibilities like:
1-BX-Vault (15 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 4 1/2)
1-BX-SVault (16 x 6 x 3 3/4)
But what to use for a 52 Fire car or a 53 Snow plow?
For a while I was using ULine 4 x 4 x 16 boxes and cutting down the excess length.
By the way has anybody identified which, if any, of the Uline corrugated wraps is similar to what Postwar Gilbert American Flyer used?
Some recommendations certainly would be appreciated.
I find most stuff fits in the BCW boxes. I have custom folded some boxes for odd shaped stuff that wouldn't fit in these.
I find most stuff fits in the BCW boxes.
Which ones are you using?
I have several lengths of the singles, 660, 800, and 930 count.
For the multiples, I've used these two sizes.
5000 Count Storage Box (Full Lid)
3200 Count Storage Box (Full Lid)
On the last order, I picked up some of these, but I haven't used them yet.
They also have the graded boxes that are wider and deeper for boxed cards that would fit stuff that doesn't fit into the regular boxes.
I cut foam shaped to keep things from moving end to end and wrap them in clear plastic for storage.
Thank you.
I took approximate measurements for a couple of pieces that are too big for the standard BCW card boxes:
6517 Bay Window caboose - 2.5 inches wide
628 Center cab diesel - 2.75 inches wide
2025 steam loco - 3.0 inches wide at the eccentrics
736 Berkshire - 3.0 inches wide at the eccentrics.
I think the BCW "Vault" boxes might be a good choice.
They have Interior Dimensions (W x H x D): 15-3/4" x 3-1/2" x 4-1/2"
The best price I see on EBay is 15 for $40.
I may order a lot to try.
Anybody use these?
The actual measured depth of the standard BCW single boxes is 2.75", so I don't see why a couple of those won't fit. Obviously, the 3" ones don't fit, but my Camelback at 2.7" at the eccentrics fits fine. There is a bit of "slop" for maybe a 1/10" or so with closing the cover. The only thing I see there is the 3" stuff wouldn't fit.
Thanks for pointing that out.
The bay window caboose and Center cab switchers do fit.
I don't know why I thought they would not.
I have a couple of bay window cabooses in the boxes, so I know they fit. I don't have the Lionel center cab switcher, of course, my MTH 44-tonner fits with room to spare. 
GRJ,
Do you use the small foam blocks that BCW sells to fit their boxes? Those looked like a good way to protect things from sliding around by taking up any extra space. If not what do you use for the foam?
I think I am finally beginning to like these baseball card boxes, just might order a few and give them a try. I have been looking around on the BCW site, in case you hadn't noticed...
I have been using the BCR boxes for my PW Lionel stuff.
I use the Foam Factory Hot Wire table to cut my own foam blocks from discarded packaging. When I can, I use the somewhat flexible but very strong foam, don't know the actual name for it. I also use standard Styrofoam and the 2" blue foam.
I didn't even know that BCW sold foam.
I will have to try some of them....I have a hot wire cutter for the foam
gunrunnerjohn posted:I use the Foam Factory Hot Wire table to cut my own foam blocks from discarded packaging. When I can, I use the somewhat flexible but very strong foam, don't know the actual name for it. I also use standard Styrofoam and the 2" blue foam.
I didn't even know that BCW sold foam.
You were supposed to say the BCW foam worked great! Their foam was pre-made to fit the slots in their boxes, looked like about an inch or so thick and I think it was 12 to a package. It did look a little large so it might hold it's place when you use it in one of their boxes? Would be good for the ends too. Not sure what kind it was?
I bet the good foam is that closed cell or whatever they call it like they use in packing for some higher priced computer stuff. It is more expensive than the other stuff. I might look into the foam cutter thing, I could probably use something like that for other stuff too.
Well, I looked on BCW and it's not obvious they have foam, but I didn't really search for it very hard. I believe the soft stuff is Polyethylene Foam.
I use this for shaping the foam, really makes it easy to shape the pieces to old stuff securely in the boxes.
I am wondering whether RTR12 is thinking of another product. My BCW boxes do not have slots. Maybe some of the other items they carry. Today I noticed that they also have "postcard boxes".
Found the foam, but it appears close to useless, at least to me. Probably works fine for trading cards, but I can't see why I'd go that way. It appears to be the really soft foam that wouldn't cushion all that much.
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I was looking at the foam cutters earlier. Not too bad on price. I should probably admit defeat on the BCW foam, I have to agree it looks like the soft stuff and probably wouldn't be too good for train padding. Now for the boxes and better foam. Now wishing I had kept all the good foam I have thrown away over the years...
C.W.,
By slots I meant the large area for the rolling stock in a multi compartment box. Probably a poor term on my part. GRJ's picture above is what I was talking about.
Here's the multi-cell box in actual use.
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Chuck, if you're storing a lot of stuff, $30 for a 26x16x4 is maybe a bit much for each box. Also, the BCW single unit boxes give you a lot of flexibility for storing single items, they're less than a dollar a box. The duals row boxes are ideal for steamers, etc. The BCW 5000 Count Storage Box (Full Lid) is 19 x 15 5/8 x 4 and costs less than $5 for quantity one. The BCW 3200 Count Storage Box (Full Lid) is 15 3/4 x 12 1/2 x 4 with four slots and costs $3.15.
I just wanted something so I could rotate things on the layout and not have to use the actual items boxes. Too much trouble to get in an out on most of them. The BST ones look nice but I think the less expensive BCW ones would be fine for my use. Now I need to do some measuring to see what will fit where and figure out what I need and how many. May need some more large shelves too!
Thanks for all the info!
If you order enough from BCW, the shipping is free, over $80 worth.
I decided to order some BCW "Vault" boxes to store some of the larger prewar (die cast) and postwar steam engines. Vault boxes are 15.75 long, by 3.5 high by 4.5 deep (inside measurements). I found them on EBay for approximately $3.00 each, including shipping.
(When buying on EBay, make certain they are real BCW boxes, and not knockoffs. )
The appropriate reproduction Lionel boxes are $12 each.
I also checked Uline to see their current pricing on their 18 x 4 x 4 boxes, which I have used in the past. They get $0.74 each in lots of 25. One advantage of these boxes is that they are easily shortened.
Might as well mention that I already had 800 count and 300 count boxes on hand. Many things do fit in those 800 count boxes.
C W Burfle posted:Might as well mention that I already had 800 count and 300 count boxes on hand. Many things do fit in those 800 count boxes.
That's why I use the 930 count boxes.
In looking at Uline, I don't see boxes with convenient lids like the BCW boxes.
In looking at Uline, I don't see boxes with convenient lids like the BCW boxes.
They have a mailer box with a hinged lid, but there is a 100 piece minimum order.
Nice size, but it would take me a long time to use up 100 of those. 
The 4" x 4" would be too big for many items, I'd need more padding to keep them from rattling around. One of the good things about the BCW trading card boxes is they are just the right size to store the item and wrap with minimal extra packing.
