Thanks to ModelTrainStuff.com for some good ideas here.
As model railroaders, building our layouts cost us much time, effort, and
money. We show as much of our engines and rolling stock as possible on these
layouts but often we simply end up having more in our collection than we have
space for (sound familiar?). While some fortunate modelers may have the space
to feature a massive classification yard where they can store and switch out
their entire rolling stock collection as needed, most of us usually need some
external storage.
Here are some guidelines for storing your equipment off-layout.
Do: Store Your Collection in Their Original Boxes
The best way to store anything when you’re not using it is by keeping the
original packaging. Whether for trains, track, or structures, holding on to
the original box will ensure a safe means of long-term storage. Items which
include their original packaging will also retain a higher resale value than
those without them, so even if you plan to use another storage method, make
sure to hold onto those boxes! Since many boxes come with partially
see-through packaging, do not store them in direct sunlight. This will avoid
fading and heat-related damage to both the box and the model inside.
Don’t: Wrap Trains in Newspaper, Bubble Wrap, Clothing or Sarah Wrap type
products
Here’s why:
- Newspaper can leave permanent smudge marks through ink transfer when you handle the trains
- Bubble wrap can also leave marks, and can damage delicate components such as railings if the models are packed too tightly
- Old clothing can hold anything from residual dirt and dust to detergent and dyes. These elements can ruin models over time, removing color and detail; potentially leading to corrosion. Loose strands and fibers can also catch on small details and damage them, and hairs can find their way into motor mechanisms
NOTE: brasstrains.com sells packages of 100 plastic sheets they use to wrap their brass models. If it's good enough for brass, guaranteed it's good enough for plastic. The author recommends you use these in combination with the next DO.
Do: Wrap Your Trains in Acid-Free Tissue Paper
Wrapping your trains is a good idea, but if you use an acidic tissue paper,
this will eventually become brittle. This leads to the acidic properties
seeping out of the paper, which could discolor or corrode your stored pieces.
This is especially crucial to consider if you’re storing for a long period of
time and don’t have the full original packaging for the item.
Important: Acid-Free has several meanings. For further very good information on tissue paper read this article.
NOTE: To avoid over-handling of items in storage, you should label them. It
would be best if you produced an inventory checklist of where things are to
minimize how much sorting you’ll have to do when looking for something.
Don’t: Combine Items for Storage
You should always aim for one train, one box. Likewise, with buildings, trees,
rolling stock, or other detail pieces. If items go together, such as a
specific passenger consist or train set, keep them separate but ensure you
store them together. Don’t tie them together and do not use rubber bands.
Do: Develop a Safe Method for Short Term Storage
Unless you can fit all of your rolling stock on your layout at one time,
you’ll likely be swapping out cars and locomotives fairly frequently.
Obviously storing them in their original boxes, while safe, will make any swap
cumbersome and time consuming. For short term storage of items constantly in
use, we recommend using dense foam padding (cut to size) in either a cardboard
or wooden box, or even a drawer under the layout. Cars and locomotives can be
stored upright or on their sides (providing you also cover the base of your
storage container with a layer of foam) and should be separated in rows to
ensure maximum protection. This will allow you to safely and efficiently store
your most frequently used items without the need to package them up after each
use.
For more information on foam storage look here.
Don’t: Store Trains Loose in Boxes
If you have an appropriately sized box or have retained the original box but
lost the Styrofoam housing for the model, don’t simply put the item back loose
into the box. This will allow it to roll freely with any movement, potentially
damaging it, and won’t provide the padding or protection needed for storing
with other boxes.
Do: Use Robust Storage Containers
Sturdy cardboard or wood containers are ideal for safe storage of your
collection. All you need to do is cover any staples, screws, or anything else
that may rust or potentially come into contact with their contents. As
mentioned earlier, you can also store items in drawers, whether in their
original packaging, or on their own in a foam cradle with other models.
NOTE: If you still want to display your models when you’re not using them, a
display case is a great option which can double as both storage and decoration
for your train room. They free up storage space, and allow you to view your
models even when not on the layout.
Don’t: Use Acidic Odor Emitting or Green Wood
Woods that omit acidic odor, or green wood (wood that has recently been
felled) can be potentially disastrous for your trains and other items in long
term storage. Whether it’s acid or moisture seeping into your storage, both
have the potential to ruin your collection over time.
Do: Store Your Models in a Climate Controlled Space
While it might be tempting to store your collection out of sight in the attic
or garage, this can create a range of problems. Fluctuations in temperature
can cause plastic to expand or potentially melt if the space gets hot enough,
and spaces such as attics and garages can often be damp, which will lead to
damage to exterior packaging and potentially cause metal components to rust.
Similarly, cold and dry storage can lead to performance issues with
locomotives.
Your best bet? Store your trains where you run them, in a climate-controlled
environment within your house. If you have no other choice but to use an attic
or garage, consider adding a humidifier/dehumidifier to mitigate some of the effects of
changing conditions. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to storing your
trains. However, once you have a system, a suitable space, and a way to
catalog what you’ve stored, you’ll find it’s easy to keep your collection in
pristine condition. And getting your storage habits right early-on will save
you from a lot of problems in the long-run.
If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it.
June 23, 2020