Train Boxes !

I think you answered your own question(s).  Selling or shipping would be the only reason.  Some folks won't buy w/o a box.  You have to do what makes sense to you.

Greg,

This topic comes up on a regular basis, although not too often.

This link may help:

     Boxes, boxes and more boxes! To keep or not to keep! (6/28/16) | John C

Mike

What does this have to do with 3RS per the descriptions at the top of this forum?

Hot Water: What's it matter?

I would keep the boxes, you might later regret getting rid of them.

I always buy with the intent that I will never sell it.  As years pass, I change my mind on some items, as they have not lived up to my expectations or my interests have changed.  In those cases, I'm glad I have the boxes and paperwork.  It makes it much easier to sell and ship.

Everyone has their own thoughts.  Do what makes the most sense for you.

You could always meet the problem half way and break down the boxes so they lay flat.  You could store a lot of boxes in a lot less space.

Keep ALL of your boxes and just store them under the train table. If you can’t fit all of them under there, then you have too much stuff. Simple.

Depending upon your nuclear family situation your beneficiaries will thank you for keeping the boxes and packing materials for while you may not want to sell, they might.  But I acknowledge that storing empty boxes can be a daunting task space wise for even a modest collection.

I haven't seen a single case where a train item was worth the same if it came with or without a box.  I keep them all.

I keep the box's, and throw away the trains.

I keep my boxes but discard some of the outer shipping cartons.

@David Eisinger posted:

I keep the box's, and throw away the trains.

Tell me which Dumpster that you are using!

@cbq9911a posted:

I keep my boxes but discard some of the outer shipping cartons.

Actually, I keep any outer cartons that I have for boxes.  If I do want to ship it, I already have a box, if not I have to find/make one!  If I'm going to keep the box, I most certainly keep the outer shipping carton.  The outer carton takes very little extra space, after all it's not much bigger than the box!

I have over 300 pieces of rolling stock and there is no way I would/could keep the boxes. I keep boxes only for motive power and very special limited run items. I have not had any issues with selling items without the box, I figure if they want the item they will buy it.  I have not lost out because I had no box.

Pre-war or postwar trains - absolutely keep the boxes regardless of condition.  Modern trains - if you plan to do a lot of selling (you said not), keep them; otherwise, keep them if you have room, if not, keep them for locos only.  Eventually, under-table storage will make it a challenge to deal with wiring.

Some people rent storage units for their empty boxes - IMO, that's a LOT of money for very little value in return.

Personally, for modern trains I only keep the engine boxes.  For rolling stock, I keep the box and flatten it; I keep a few foam cradles for each car type just in case I need to ship something.

It sounds like your main motivation is to enjoy your trains - good for you!  The difference in potential future resale value by keeping the box is minimal - don't sweat it. 

Have you looked lately at what prewar & postwar boxes are going for. In a lot of cases the box is worth more than the train.

I've contemplated building storage racks in my bedroom as it has cathedral ceiling that is essentially wasted space ~ typical 1980s design feature ~ that would hold mega amounts of trains and train boxes. The project is feasible however would occupy too much time and my hobby time is already limited.

One perspective...Boxes are kindling.  (Home insurance agent's comment about 50 years ago.)

Actually, I've found that for the past, say, 40 years it's not so much a box question as it is the foam or clam shell innards that's the real problem.  Sure, you can reduce it to just "the box", fold it down flat, minimize the PITA.  But from a salability perspective, you might as well have totally tossed the entire packaging.  It's the innards that provide proper cradling and shipping survival of those priceless gems (?) when they must find a new home...or another trip to the repair shop.  The box itself is just a fancy albeit flimsy bit of color and contents identity that holds it all together...mostly...sometimes...maybe.

I figure the way the world is heading it won't be long before those #@%$& white foam cradles and vacuum- formed clam shells (which lack any recycling ID!) are legislated to be hazardous to the health...of Mother Earth...and outlawed forever.

Those infernal choo-choo boxes .  A conundrum ad nauseum et eternam.

I've kept the boxes that I received with new or used equipment.  I store then in one of our attics.

After the inevitable move one day, the policy will he revisited.

Bob

If you buy postwar trains, most do not come with boxes, and they are much less expensive than new trains.  No box problems with postwar trains.

Charlie

Use the cardboard from the boxes for scenery!

I save boxes based on the value of the item. Over time I may later toss them if I don't think the box is a value add. In the case of some things like subway sets I'm really glad I kept them. When I go to the big layout in the sky they will make a difference.

Eddie’s have you looked at Stout Auctions there is a what I believe to be an empty set box going for $1000.00

@marshelangelo posted:

Just a general question forum members:  I’m currently building and installing train display shelving, coming up with ideas and places to hold and display trains in my train room and with the idea that I want all of my locomotives either on display or on the table, this leads me as to where do I put rolling stock.  For right now underneath the train table becomes the answer and the rolling stock will be swapped out when necessary. Underneath my table is ALOT of train boxes. I don’t see in the near future a reason to sell my trains, I’ve become extremely attached to them. Other than using them for shipping for repair or sale, what is the importance of keeping train boxes ? The space that the boxes utilize could be used for trains. There are a lot of sales on the second hand market where the trains are sold without boxes. Enlighten me please.

I remember as a kid, tear open the box play with Train forget box. I store my boxes in large boxes from the Home Depot. Mark the tops and good to go

At York a long time ago, in the purple hall there was a seller with the "Pizza Box" set box for the 1805 Air Land an Sea USMC set. It was water damaged and sagged as a result.  He wanted 1400.00 for it. This tells me that things have somewhat gotten out of the realm of good decision, even then. Still wish I had it. Then in the Silver Hall I find a table that has the complete set, in the box, for 3800.00. OMG, that's crazy!  Went away and regret it this day.. Instead I bought the PWC China copy, it sits sealed and unopened on the shelf.

I keep all of the boxes that my O-gauge trains come in. This keeps them safe until they get used. When my layout is done, I will pack all of the boxes and put them in the attic. That way my family will have an easier time packing my trains up and getting rid of them when the time comes.

I prefer to buy trains that come in the original box for the reasons listed above.

I would suggest keeping the boxes. They are relevant to the collectible value, often exceeding the value of the contents within.

To each our own on this topic of boxes.  I certainly understand and respect everyone's views on this topic.

Personally, I've stored what boxes I can and have run out of space for box storage.  I don't find it cost efficient to rent storage space to store the  additional train boxes.  By the time my trains are ready to be sold ( hopefully not in my life time ) I will have sunk more money into storage rental than what the total cost of the trains themselves would be worth.  

I have broken down some boxes for storage purposes, kept locomotive boxes fully intact with their packing, kept scale passenger car boxes, and discarded a lot of freight car boxes.   I'm having too much fun with my trains  now to worry about their value later.   I  buy trains for their play value today not as an investment for tomorrow.  No one in my family will want them after I'm gone so I don't have any interest in what their worth will be then.   The whole kit and caboodle will go to an auction house and whatever they fetch in $$ will be what it is.   I would guess that 75% of my collection I've purchased on the pre-owned marked and the remainder were either given to me or bought new on deep discount sales.  I've yet to see a hearse with a trailer load of model trains following it to the cemetery .. LOL!!  

Before I got into trains, I collected vintage toys. In that world, to have an original box, even in less than optimal condition, is a big plus. It adds value. I currently also collect vintage diecast toy cars and pressed steel Japanese versions of classic American cars. Same thing with those collectibles. Even a partial box is better than nothing. I've bought various things over the years without boxes, but sometimes the piece is so rare, you may never find it with its original box.

May I suggest if anyone has some boxes to discard, please consider posting the boxes with their inventory numbers for collectors who'd like to have them. You could flatten them down and they'd ship pretty inexpensively. It beats tossing them out.

I've found that after purchasing any collectible, even though you can't imagine selling it, situations change. In those cases, having a box may not make anything more valuable, but many people prefer to have the box.

marshelangelo, I recently found a display shelf that can comfortably hold 12-15 loco and rolling stock. It comes in a beautifully finished oak cabinet with a plexiglass front to keep your trains dust-free. I've ordered ten of them, and my train room looks awesome. Here's a link, if that's permissible, to the vendor on Etsy I got them from. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1...ganic_search_click=1

Tom

I keep my orange and yellow boxes in my hobby room and put the brown shippers in the attic for later use if needed.

Brad

I keep all my boxes as well.  As for collapsing the boxes, that works well for post was stuff, but all the modern stuff comes with those plastic clamshell inserts to protect the car and can't be collapsed.

I can’t imagine my family sorting trains into boxes to earn a few bucks extra. What a job. I mean, the standard O cars are not bringing much with or without a box.

Since I currently don't have a layout (recently moved), I'm keeping mine in the boxes. Regardless once I have my layout up and running, I'll still keep some in the boxes as that adds some protection from dust.

Just take them out of the boxes when I want to run them and then back in the boxes.

Getting a car with delicate pats in and out of boxes can take a toll too. The boxed cars just don’t get run. I just like tubs better.

No brainer. If you have room to store your boxes do so.

ECI