Gents,

I have a brass OMI Milwaukee Road S-3 Northern that I had upgraded with DCC. While the original box is okay (and I will be keeping it for value's sake) I would like to have a case/box/container to keep it in since the tender is now hardwired to the locomotive. It would also be nice to have some way to have the case integrate into existing track work (just like a cassette). Has anyone built their own case? It doesn't have to have windows to display it, I'd just like to keep it safe while it's off of the layout since it is my largest locomotive.

Look here my storage and transport boxes and click my website for more pictures - http://us-modelsof1900.de/?p=1809.





Important - the storage channels can be opened so that models will not demaged.

If you use something like Bernard has shown, with the box just big enough to hold the loco & tender if you don't need to store additional rolling stock in it. Then if you have something like the "sleeve" Bernard uses, and the sides fold down when it is removed from the box. You could glue Kato Uni-Track to the bottom of the "sleeve". Put a small shelf that could be removable if needed, but would lock in place on a track on the layout perhaps in an engine terminal if you have one. Then just line up the Uni-Track and drive the locomotive out of the storage sleeve onto the layout. You could also use flex track or snap track as long as you create a method of aligning it to the "entrance track" on the layout. You could also install removable bumpers to that entrance track to go in place whenever you are not actively putting the loco on or off the layout.

Russ, you are a genius! I have a bunch of old Bachmann EZ Track sitting around. I like Bernard's way of storage a lot and will implement the EZ Track with it. Looks like I have new plans this weekend. :mrgreen:

I'm still interested in seeing other ideas in case there's something else superior to this.

Thanks everybody!

Seems like snap track or flex track would be cheaper than either Kato or Bachmann track. Also their track is on roadbed wasting space.

The purpose of the roadbed in the storage is to keep the track straight. The roadbed of the Kato Unitrack or Bachmann track can also be fastened in place with small screws in addition to glue. The o.p. is talking about protecting a brass engine. snap track or flex track is cheaper, but if it comes loose and allows damage to the loco, was it worth it?

Seems flex or snap track can be screwed & glued as well. And if the sides are lined w/ non detail catching foam then brass locos would be safe.