Thoughts please on making a bespoke transport box for a 29 inch long articulated OO/HO rolling stock item

[TEAMYAKIMA]

Hello

 

I have a 29 inch long articulated transformer wagon in HO gauge. It currently store in three pieces in its original Bachmann box.  My layout is only run at shows and so this modcel has been assembled and disassembled many times and has suffered as a result - i.e. the model is really designed to be assembled once and then left that way. The model is getting damaged with these constant builds and break-downs and it also takes up valuable time at exhibitions.

 

So, I was thinking if anyone had built a bespoke carrying box/case for something like this. Ideally I was thinking of something which I could simply place on top of a fiddle yard track and it could be pushed off and onto the track - maybe using a PECO re-railer.

 

Any thoughts please?

 

[Bernard Lamb]

I would suggest a cassette of a suitable length with sides that are high enough to protect the stock.

That of course requires enough room to enable the stock to run onto it. A re-railer should be able to do the job with the cassette placed on top of the track.

I have a German DMU by Kato that came in a long box. A very sensible idea. I have often thought that a few more of thee boxes would be very useful.

As usual I have been too lazy to try and source such an item.

Bernard

[TEAMYAKIMA]

Just now, Bernard Lamb said:

I would suggest a cassette of a suitable length with sides that are high enough to protect the stock.

That of course requires enough room to enable the stock to run onto it. A re-railer should be able to do the job with the cassette placed on top of the track.

I have a German DMU by Kato that came in a long box. A very sensible idea. I have often thought that a few more of thee boxes would be very useful.

As usual I have been too lazy to try and source such an item.

Bernard

That sounds the kind of thing!

 

I will need to make something like that.

 

Any photos please?

[jonhall]

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/really-useful-clear-wrapping-paper-box-22-litres/571746-1000?glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuP-OBhDqARIsAD4XHpfNuLsnCeK-0l4DIzfd8QeKKQVHo25JGk_6sY0OqO-TlFAqJNQT_nIaAppsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[BR traction instructor]

Some whiskies are sold in ideally sized oblong tins that have a hinged lid, ideal for a loco or coach…just cut some foam to line it and job done.

 

BeRTIe

Edited January 13, 2022 by BR traction instructor

[jonhall]

4 minutes ago, BR traction instructor said:

Some whiskies are sold in ideally sized oblong tins that have a hinged lid, ideal for a loco or coach…just cut some foam to line it and job done.

 

BeRTIe

 

If you are buying whisky in the sort of quantities to require a box that can fit a 29" long train in it, you are either a publican, or ought to talk to someone about your alcoholism.

 

Jon

 

[BR traction instructor]

Apologies…read inches but understood cms.

 

BeRTIe

[Phatbob]

Have you seen "Trainsafe" from Germany?
https://shop.train-safe.de/index.php?lang=1&cl=start

 

Edited January 13, 2022 by Phatbob
typo

[Londontram]

What about these boxes you see people carry snooker cue in, there about that long with a full length hinged lid you just need to see if you can get one deep enough!

[Michael Hodgson]

If you make one yourself inexpensively, perhaps the clip-on diffuser cover that fits over a conventional fluorescent light fitting could act as a basis for a protective body shell, ?  Sort of thing you could find in a skip, cut to the required length and line it with foam rubber.

[Bernard Lamb]

15 hours ago, TEAMYAKIMA said:

That sounds the kind of thing!

 

I will need to make something like that.

 

Any photos please?

From the crude but effective school.

These plug into the end of the scenic part of the layout with a similar, but opposite handed, guide. Crocodile clips can be used to power them up. i use them with low sides and they are stored on a shelf above the layout. For transport a deeper side and a lid with some sort of foam lining would be needed. A yonks old idea so I am unable to credit the originator.

Bernard

 

[Il Grifone]

One of the comments to a video on YouTube to a video on H0 scale UP Big Boys, suggested the boxes that windscreen wipers come in for storage. It must be an American thing as here they come in those wretched transparent plastic things. (I cannot recall if they called them windshield wipers!)

The custom cassette above seems a better idea though.

[Steven B]

Given the value of the wagon, I'd opt for one of these:

 

16 hours ago, Phatbob said:

Have you seen "Trainsafe" from Germany?
https://shop.train-safe.de/index.php?lang=1&cl=start

 

 

If you're set on a home-brew option then have a look to see if any of the electric/network cable Trunking/Conduit sizes would fit the wagon.

 

Steven B.

 

[SamThomas]

For a very valuable/delicate item I'd go with the "Trainsafe" (there used to be a UK importer).

 

BTW - North Americans have Windshield Wipers, in the UK we have Windscreen Wipers.

[SamThomas]

4 minutes ago, Steven B said:

Given the value of the wagon, I'd opt for one of these:

 

 

If you're set on a home-brew option then have a look to see if any of the electric/network cable Trunking/Conduit sizes would fit the wagon.

 

Steven B.

 

Not a bad idea - a section of 3 x 3 would allow for ample foam protection, although the lids of many types are a very tight fit.

[Grovenor]

Could you adapt a Peco loco lift?

[sjp23480]

What about a Peco Streamline flexitrack box? 

 

36" long, should be large enough to line with foam protection and probably rigid enough to protect and accommodate your model.

 

Steve

[TEAMYAKIMA]

Thanks to everyone for your input, I have been attempting to put all these suggestions and ideas into practice.

 

Total cost so far - ZERO - all left-overs from other projects.

 

The base is a slice off an old wooden shelf. The sides are cut from some left-over ply  as is the foam.

 

The two sides are 'hinged' and fold up and all I need now is some super large robber bands or similar to hold the whole thing together.

 

 

I will try to test it on Sunday when I can get to a FY board.

[Jonboy]

For the large rubber bands consider a bicycle inner tube cut into slices.

[TEAMYAKIMA]

4 minutes ago, Jonboy said:

For the large rubber bands consider a bicycle inner tube cut into slices.

Will do - thanks

[TEAMYAKIMA]

On 14/01/2022 at 10:27, Bernard Lamb said:

These plug into the end of the scenic part of the layout with a similar, but opposite handed, guide. Crocodile clips can be used to power them up. i use them with low sides and they are stored on a shelf above the layout. For transport a deeper side and a lid with some sort of foam lining would be needed. A yonks old idea so I am unable to credit the originator.

Bernard

 

 

Here is my version in action. 

 

It sits on top of the FY roads and connects to a PECO rerailer - note that I have added some more packing.

 

 

[melmerby]

Looks like the Chinese version of a Schnabel car

 

This is a Bachmann version:

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by melmerby

[TEAMYAKIMA]

15 minutes ago, melmerby said:

Looks like the Chinese version of a Schnabel car

 

This is a Bachmann version:

 

 

 

 

Yes, it's also Bachmann.

 

Here is the real one, steam hauled in March 2005

 

 

 

                                                           

[ozzyo]

Why not use Velcro rather than robber (rubber) bands.

 

OzzyO.

[TEAMYAKIMA]

33 minutes ago, ozzyo said:

Why not use Velcro rather than robber (rubber) bands.

 

OzzyO.

 

Yes, that was my first thought and I will look into that - good call!  

 

Thanks