How to Build a Storage Case for an Electric Train

29Comments

2 years ago I saw the how to build a storage case for an electric train. That was 2 years past is there ever going to be a set of plans for this project??????

Mark

Feb 16, at 6:24pm

29Comments

I remembered this project from a year ago and looked at it again for inspiration. My problem is, I know where my Christmas lights are, but I've seem to have misplaced the train set!

Warren Rudd

Dec 9, at 1:50pm

29Comments

Written plans? That's easy!

* Make two boxes.

* Put a hinge on them.

* Make compartments -to fit your items- (as shown).

I am sincerely not being a smart-alek... it really is just that simple! You can mock it up on a sheet of cardboard at home before heading to Lowes /Home Depot and then, as mentioned, they have panel saws and can cut the large panels on-site (and very precisely) making the project supplies easily fit into most cars.

You need to determine the actual dimensions of the box and compartments based on your needs. A few minutes with graph paper would help if you need to visualize things ahead of time but the end result will ultimately be based on your needs.

Ron's box is designed to be opened and laid on the floor beneath the
Christmas tree (thus the supports he mentioned and shows installing). I
suppose this is also to have the Christmas trains running on the board
beneath the tree but would suggest using a cut-to-fit sheet of that foam board to put
between the box and the track leaving the center open for a tree stand 'coaster'. The 'coaster' is a scrap piece of wood with a piece of
felt beneath it to support the tree & protect the box from water
& tree stand damage. (I wouldn't put foam between the tree stand and the box - might compress & tip the tree enough to fall.)

Overall, a great & easy to build project!

LTS-Inc

Dec 9, at 11:01am

29Comments

It has been 1 year now and we are still waiting for writen plans for the storage box what it the hold up?

Mark

Nov 13, at 11:59am

29Comments

What a great project.

Tom

Jan 3, at 4:06pm

29Comments

Would love to have written directions. Please!

Kathy

Dec 29, at 9:30pm

29Comments

Ron the train storage case looks great do you have writen plans for this project? I would love to get a copy!!!

Mark

Dec 28, at 1:49am

29Comments

Great project. I am going to show this to one of my brothers. This will be a great father & son project.

joe toth jr.

Dec 22, at 6:00pm

29Comments

Hello Ron and Happy Holidays to you. Would you have written plans for the Electric Train Storage case. Thanks

Phil

Dec 20, at 12:02pm

29Comments

I enjoy receiving your emails. like I used to enjoy your television show, time warner cable does not have it. I enjoy you videos especially this one with the train set I look forward to many more, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and your family

Paul Brown

Dec 19, at 3:06pm

29Comments

What a neat idea to use the storage box as the support for the tree and the train. It's great that you are keeping the tradition of a train under the tree and passing it along. I am a long time collector of Lionel trains and like to see more people putting trains under the tree and keeping this hobby alive. The only problem I have is that I would need about 30 to 40 of these storage boxes to house my collection, but it is a great idea that I will consider for my Christmas train!

Rock

Dec 19, at 2:55am

29Comments

Kind a neat...

Russell Darrow

Dec 18, at 10:44pm

29Comments

Great idea == It's even something that I can do. Thanks Ron, for a wood project that I can do. Have a Happy Holiday season !! Carole3

Carole Ann Beers

Dec 18, at 6:48pm

29Comments

Nice idea for a treasured train set. What type of insulation is in your attic? I couldn't see any. It must have been too dark to be seen. Love your show.

Jeanne

Dec 18, at 6:22pm

29Comments

Thanks Ron, it looks good. I had been thinking of digging the old train out. Maybe I'll be ready for next Christmas now that I have some inspiration!

Warren Rudd

Dec 18, at 4:36pm

29Comments

Nice Ron. My first train was given to in about 1945/46 and I still have it, as well as the original box - memories!

bob marconi

Dec 18, at 3:07pm

29Comments

Some great ideas for storing treasured items. I love making the customized compartments with the rigid foam and then covering them with felt. Very classy, and can be used on a number of projects. Thanks for a very smart storage project.

Kevin H

Dec 18, at 2:51pm

29Comments

This is great and I can see how it would mean getting the trains out more often and getting more use out of them. My son and I are going to take this one step further. Imagine building two more box sections and mounting them to the outside of what Ron built with latches like he used to hold the box closed. Cover the outside of the primary box with felt or whatever you want, and mount the track permanently on the beadboard. You can also mount accessories. When the secondary boxes are attached, they cover and protect the track and accessories. You just need to make these secondary boxes deep enough to work with whatever you have permanently mounted. To use the setup, removed the outer boxes and open the main box. Now you just need to hook up your transformer and you're ready to go - no time assembling the track is needed. We also plan to run the wires (like for track switches or lights) through board where the track is mounted and inside the storage area of the box so they are hidden. Yes, the box will be bigger to store, but it will save a lot of setup time whenever we want to use the train.

Dec 18, at 1:54pm

29Comments

What a great idea. This storage box can have many uses. Thanks for leading us through the process of building it.

Raymond Pflanzer

Dec 18, at 12:13pm

29Comments

I actually won a nice set from Lionel a couple years back and have been considering a project like this.Thanks,Ron and Happy Holidays to all!

Clark

Dec 18, at 11:50am

29Comments

I have 42 HO engines, and almost 300 rolling stock..and almost an actual mile of track O scale, I have enough track to fill your box....( yes I am bragging) I bought the peg board and other supplies to build travel boxes for my trains but the project was put on hold when my basement flooded due to a failed sump pump, and I had to dismantle my "in progress" layout to replace the laminate floor, but now I have the time( since I am laid off) and this has motivated me to get the job done. Thanks for the kick in the pants... Merry Christmas

jefrey

Dec 18, at 11:49am

29Comments

Wonderful idea, and not just for trains! I have some antique ornaments that need protection. And this idea can also be adapted to make some underbed storage containers. Thanks again Ron! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

Mary H.

Dec 18, at 11:14am

29Comments

@RON - Sorry to hear that you had trouble viewing the video. I watched on my six-year-old system and took it to full-screen; it was like watchin' TV! If you haven't already done so, seek out a punk kid computer geek and get him/her to check out your system. You might only need some inexpensive RAM, could need to get rid of junk software processes running in the background, larger Windows swap file setting, updated video driver, etc. If you don't know what I'm talking about, that's why you want to get the punk kid computer geek. Hope you get things worked out!

Pappy

Dec 18, at 9:14am

29Comments

Neat Idea but keep the old Lionel Set.

DAVID GRAHAM

Dec 18, at 9:12am

29Comments

Great idea, Extra space for my other trains. Have a merry Christmas.

Richard Kanuck

Dec 18, at 9:03am

29Comments

Love all your how to videos and tips and tricks Ron. Especially this one. Thanks for taking the time to make them. And Merry Christmas to you and all of yours. But if I had one complaint, it took like 20 minutes to watch this video because it was constantly buffering. It'd buffer, get done buffering, play a couple seconds and buffer again. It did this throughout the entire video. And all the videos do this which is why I only watch the ones that really interest me. And yes, I have broadband. But still, great video and again, THANK YOU.

Ron

Dec 18, at 2:43am

29Comments

I have a train set that was my dad's from the '40's my youngest son who is 24 and I are going to build this new years weekend....OUTSTANDING....much better than the old cardboard box!!

chris

Dec 18, at 2:16am

29Comments

I haven't built this yet, but have two train sets that need some protection. I have been thinking of how to go about this and your ideas are pretty straight forward. Now that my boys are 17 and 25, they don't play with the set very much at their Grandmother's house, so this idea will keep it safe for their children. Thanks.

John

Dec 3, at 3:11pm

29Comments

Been waiting for this but 2 problems... Video link broken and dimensions???? Some say it is dumb but I like the Idea. I have a unit that is ONLY for Christmas season and want it protectd the rest of the year.

Andy

Oct 23, at 7:43am

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How to Build a Storage Case for an Electric Train