Model Railroading > HO Locomotive storage

How do you handle locomotive storage on an operating layout? In the past,I have used a craftsman rolling tool box that I fitted with dividers made out of MDF. The dividers are about 3/4 inch wider than the locomotives. It is a reasonable attempt but the cabinet is too narrow and I can only fit 2 larger six axle units or three small 4 axle units in each slot. I need room for about 120 locomotives.

Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/14 15:35 by speederman01.

I wish I had your problem Dave!! I have seen people utilize the "post office / mail box" structure. Each slot would be labeled, and sized appropriately, depth for you longest loco, etc. This is an efficient, space saving method, but does not allow displaying / viewing.

Matt
Chattanooga, Tn.

Model a Nre or one if the locomotive dealer / repair yards

Posted from Android

I have a question about locomotive storage. If you don't run a locomotive for say a year or two can that cause issues? I ran the other day a Proto GP30 that I had not run for about 18 months. It ran fine before but now it stops, hesitates and really runs like crap. I cleaned the wheels, track and all but really not much better. So can the wheel plating degrade over time of none use?

Sorry to take this in a different direction. Feel free to ignore.

Chad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a question about locomotive storage. If you
> don't run a locomotive for say a year or two can
> that cause issues? I ran the other day a Proto
> GP30 that I had not run for about 18 months. It
> ran fine before but now it stops, hesitates and
> really runs like crap. I cleaned the wheels, track
> and all but really not much better. So can the
> wheel plating degrade over time of none use?
>
> Sorry to take this in a different direction. Feel
> free to ignore.

Protos are well known for having gears that crack if not used for an extended period of time. I'd recommend taking it apart and checking to see any of the gears have cracked in the drive train. You should be able to get replacement parts from Walthers at a reasonable cost.

Storage doesn't make any difference on the older P2K Locos; the gears all crack with age. Just replace them with Athearn's gears, they are cheap.

Peter Arnold

Chad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a question about locomotive storage. If you
> don't run a locomotive for say a year or two can
> that cause issues? I ran the other day a Proto
> GP30 that I had not run for about 18 months. It
> ran fine before but now it stops, hesitates and
> really runs like crap. I cleaned the wheels, track
> and all but really not much better. So can the
> wheel plating degrade over time of none use?
>
> Sorry to take this in a different direction. Feel
> free to ignore.

Posted from iPhone

speederman01 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How do you handle locomotive storage on an
> operating layout? In the past,I have used a
> craftsman rolling tool box that I fitted with
> dividers made out of MDF. The dividers are about
> 3/4 inch wider than the locomotives. It is a
> reasonable attempt but the cabinet is too narrow
> and I can only fit 2 larger six axle units or
> three small 4 axle units in each slot. I need
> room for about 120 locomotives.
>
> Dave

I have seen a variety of methods. If you can locate discarded blueprint storage cabinets, they are ideal. The drawers are wide and about 3" - 4" deep on ball bearing slides. Used office furniture dealers sometimes have them - check around and alert a dealer that you're looking for one. A friend got storage cabinets from his dentist who was remodeling the office. I have a cabinet my church was throwing out that has seven slide out drawers that I lined with low nap carpeting. I have over 200 locos stored in it.

Mike