To keep or not to keep...

Use the Advanced Search on this topic in the Forum.  Lots and lots of perspectives.

Definitely a "TEHO" topic!

I think it's pointless to keep the box without the Styrofoam personally.  I keep select boxes, but most simple freight cars I pitch the boxes, don't have room to store them.

I keep all locomotive boxes. Makes a big difference if/when it come time to sell items.

@Allan Miller posted:

I keep all locomotive boxes. Makes a big difference if/when it come time to sell items.

I keep the locomotive and passenger car set boxes.  I also will keep stuff like the new UP Rocket Train Set boxes.  Common rolling stock, OTOH, go into recycling.

The only reason there's value in the box is in the case you want,/need to part for the item for any reason. In many instances, it's someone else's "job".

Obviously, the risk of damage is substantially reduced when an item is shipped in its factory box. Purchasers will be willing to spend more knowing this.

A diecast locomotive is it's own worst enemy being shipped, trying to crush itself under its own weight.

Here's a rule of thumb I've always used. Although most of you train nuts out there won't like it.

Store ALL of your boxes, including shipping boxes and set boxes under your layout table. If they will not all fit under there, then you have TOO MANY TRAINS.

Your under the layout storage space is usually proportionate to the number of trains you have. Hence, the larger your layout, the more trains you'll have. Right? 😉  

We are moving & I'm glad that I have orig boxes for all my rolling stock.  I believe they'll have a higher survival rate - even with my packing the truck  !