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Post by riss2509 on Sept 30, 2009 13:51:25 GMT -5
Now, here is my question. This maybe more suited to guys who are apart of a club. I need to find a way to transport my engines when my club sets up there modular layout at shows. Any ideas? Usually I bring @ 6-8 units. I remember A LINE and PPW I think made some. I hate to spend a ton of time detailing units when I spend extra time redoing them before the show starts, but, thnaks god Ive had only minor issues! Thanks guys!
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Post by railfanalex on Sept 30, 2009 18:59:32 GMT -5
For a bunch of cardboard and foam, the A-Line boxes are expensive.
I made my own using some used Banker's Boxes that weren't being used anymore. Chop them down to the correct height, get some foam at fabric store and away you go! They work best with similar length cars.
I can take a few photos if you like.
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Post by Raeder on Sept 30, 2009 20:16:49 GMT -5
I can tell you that myself and the guys in my club that superdetail engines and rolling stock don't like the A-line boxes for their tendancy to knock parts off. A lot of what we do is transport the unit in it's original box from the factory, assuming that was decent to begin with. Most of the recent releases come in a windowed box with vacuum molded holders for the unit, so if they're good enough to get from China/California to me in them, they're good enough for getting across town on the bus.
For older units, especially the Blue Box units, the same applies, but we make cardboard "sides" that are the same length as the box, but tall enough that the unit to be carried will ride upright on it's wheels, with the foam inserts at the ends butted against the couplers, and more foam inserts between the sides and the fuel tank. This way the unit isn't on it's side, but will ride upright, the same as on the layout.
Let me know if you want photos of the "Blue Box" mod we do, and I'll post 'em. For transport to the club, I use my backpack for locos, throttle, lunch, tools, magazines, camera and layout project parts, while additional tools, tripod, and more cars ride in an old laptop case.
This setup gets back and forth to the club without any problems or lost parts, since anything fragile stays away from the sides, while the "hard-mounted" parts, like the wheels, couplers and fuel tank take the vibrations and thumping.
My TEBUC6/SD38P project units described over in the EMD switcher section ride in a box from work that has one of those tops that is hinged at the back, folds over the top, and then has wings that slid into the sides of the front panel and "lock" it shut. Even if the box flips completely upside down, the parts are trapped.
I've thought on this subject myself, as picking up a set of A-line boxes and carrier are kind of expensive, not to mention REALLY inconvenient for a fully loaded crosstown bus. Let me know if you want photos of any of this stuff, I'll post them. Perhaps they will give you an idea for your own fleet.
Kevin
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Stan
Superintendent
Posts: 150
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Post by Stan on Oct 1, 2009 11:59:11 GMT -5
Id love to see photos of what you guys have done. I will be moving sometime in 2010 so my wife can start her second career. I will need to transport safely some locos that dont have the original boxes. The original atlas boxes are pretty darn good if you have them. But I do like the idea of being upright as to prevent them leaning on any of the side details.
Stan
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Post by riss2509 on Oct 1, 2009 14:32:15 GMT -5
unfortunatly in the past I ve gotten rid or boxes or used them to ship out other items. Throw some pics up on here of some of your homemade boxes. This may give me some good ideas, and might help someone else out also!
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Post by beentherecnthat on Oct 1, 2009 14:57:01 GMT -5
Two tricks that I use which can be used for any type of box, is a piece of white cotton to cradle the loco, and foam packing that only goes handrail high. Other packing methods I used would inevitably break off sunvisors and just packing the locos in foam I found that some parts will snag on the foam. I have pieces of cotton material that I put the loco on, then pick up the fabric by the edges with the loco slung in the middle. I can then lower it between the foam packing and adjust it by running a finger between the fabric and the foam. I will try to take some photos for you.
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Post by railfanalex on Oct 1, 2009 22:07:46 GMT -5
Here's the Banker's boxes: This showcases a box full of Auto Boxes and Autoracks. I have no problems with details breaking off. If they don't break anything off an Accurail open autorack, then they've passed the test! Outside: I use a bit of tape to help protect the sides a bit. Inside: Everything is nice and snug, it won't move around, but won't break anything either. The yellow piece of foam comes out so you have easy access to the cars. Inside: I use this thin packaging material between cars, and I leave a gap at the bottom of the foam for couplers.
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Post by Raeder on Oct 2, 2009 7:32:35 GMT -5
Here's an example of the Blue Box carrier I use for transporting a Dash 9 to the club and back home. Not too much work to make one, but it does a good job of keeping the unit safe in my backpack while I'm on the move. Plus, other boxes stack on top with no problem. I'll post a pic of another carrier when I get home tonight. Kevin
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Post by dylanviey on Oct 2, 2009 11:38:10 GMT -5
If you eat a lot of pizza like me you could use the pizza boxes to hold your HO scale trains. I used that fome that put place under carpets. But i bet there's better stuff that you can buy in bulk at some arts and supply store.. I also cut strips of it placed them between the train cars and when i was transporting them Then to make sure i would wrap them in paper towels just to add a little extra protection. Other then you club mate may think you brought dinner it should work just find. lol
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Post by riss2509 on Oct 2, 2009 11:59:26 GMT -5
In the words of Homer Simpson....mmmm pizzzzaaaaaa ;D
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Post by dylanviey on Oct 2, 2009 12:30:29 GMT -5
In the words of Homer Simpson....mmmm pizzzzaaaaaa ;D isn't it more pizzzzaaaaa...... MMMMMMM..... ? lol O ya and depending on how fresh the box is it may give your trains that yummy cheesy pizza smell lol
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dtinut
Chairman
Modeling the DT&I of the 60's & 70's
Posts: 661
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Post by dtinut on Oct 2, 2009 16:05:05 GMT -5
I found that the box that keyboards come in to be an excellent box for rolling stock. Like other's do, I line the box with closed cell foam, and have pieces cut to fit between the equipemnt. I cut strips of foam to protect the couplers, and a strip to stick to the top of the box, so it keeps the cars from shifting when the box is closed.
Luckily, I work at a software company, and we get lots of computers, as I have about 25 of these boxes now.
Brian
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Post by Raeder on Oct 2, 2009 20:26:52 GMT -5
Here is a picture of the other style of carrier that I use, for transporting my TEBUC6-SD38P switcher set. The lid locks closed on this one, although at this point I don't have the foam blocks setup to keep the units from bouncing around if the box goes topsy-turvy. A future project. Open Closed One source of foam I use is the foam that lines the top of boxes of apples. Nice, soft, fairly flat, and free from grocery stores, restaurants, etc. The block foam can usually be picked up at fabric stores or upholstery shops. Hopefully these give you a better idea for what to use for carriers. Kevin
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