Carrying Case Examples for
Model Train Transport To Shows.

Recently, at the Midland 2009 Model Train Show in Ontario, Canada, fellow Nottawasaga Model Railroad Club members Max Watts and Paul Bailey brought equipment to run on our modular layout.

Model train transport to shows and other friends' layouts can pose a problem. Here are several inexpensive solutions.

Front view of the carry case when closed

Max has a hinged carrying case made out of thin plywood, the kind used as "door skin". This can also be done with any thin plywood. The dimensions aren't critical as long as you leave enough room for the height of your locomotives and rolling stock.

The interior shelves are lined with foam for protection

Max can transport rolling stock on both sides as shown in the pictures. He uses a sheet of thin plywood as a separator before closing the unit. I have omitted it in the photos.

The carry case is hinged in the middle

A simple latch and hook on each side closes the unit securely.

Double handles on the top

Double handles make it simple to carry.

Paul Bailey approached the problem differently. His concept is based on a carrying case that his grandfather used to transport fresh pies.

The closed front of Paul's model train transport box

Again, dimensions aren't critical. Paul's box is about 2-feet square. He used slightly thicker plywood than Max did.

Simple sliding shelves

Paul's shelves slide on narrow pieces of plywood glued and stapled to the sides. Nothing fancy. Very inexpensive.

A closeup of the interior shows how simply the model train transport box is built. A latch locks the front in place.

Note the wood pieces on the sides.
These could also be notched with a router instead.

Instead of foam dividers, Paul simply wraps his engines and rolling stock in paper towels to protect them.

Paper towels for protection
(and spilled drinks)

Inset handles are on each side. Paul finds it awkward to use the handles to carry the box. He plans to put casters on the unit and pull it with a rope handle.

Inset handles

Plastic storage bins
for model train transport

Our Nottawasaga Model Railroad Club uses plastic storage totes for model train transport. The bins hold two levels separated by short lengths of PVC pipe. Foam is used for separators and rope handles lift out the center divider of foam insulation board. Works great and it's cheap.

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