Has anyone built display cases for their rolling stock and engines? I need to build one and wondered if anyone had any good ideas other than what I see advertised for hundreds of bucks in Model Railroader. Any ideas?
I just brought a thread to the top that held considerable discussion on this subject a few weeks ago. I just thought of a discussion that a few of us had at my local hobby shop. A fellow was trying to find display cases for an A-B-B-A set of f units and for a Kato S.P. buisiness car and a GS4. The cases at the hobby shop weren't long enough for the GS4 if I remember correctly. My friend behind the counter suggested going to a Home Depot or Lowes and look for a clear cover for a shop florescent light tube. An 8 foot clear acrylic u shaped cover would make a good start on a display case.
Hi TrainDude, In spite of being inept at woodwork (not joking), I decided to build such a display case. It is fairly simple to make if you have access to a mitre saw for the corners of the outer frame.
The drawings I made are metric dimensioned.
The internal dims of mine is 44" wide x 23" high.
It turned out quite presentable. If you're interested I can send details to you.
The photo of it here shows what it can hold. I have HO, HOn3 and N tracks within the unit.
I, like you shudder at the price of the commercially produced ones.
For another twist on the "display case", I've built several of these "shadowbox dioramas, which can be hung on the wall, or set on a shelf, or furniture, & are a great place to "park" locos & rolling stock...(& they're great fun to build! )
I love that one of yours Charlie. If I remeber correctly it is only a couple of inches deep. Some day I'll have to build one myself.
It's quite amazing just how much atmosphere can be put into such a small space.
Totally agree with Shamus and others...more shadowbox dioramas. what a great idea...trying out new ideas, experience with scenery..."park" for some stock not being used but still visible..I imagine that these could eventually be incorporated into a larger layout. A good beginning for those that have not started a layout....looks like good rainy day fun....
Thanks for the kind words!
Sorry, I only have two here at my house...
I gave one to my father-in-law, sold two to a friend of his, & gave one to the Ky Ry Museum.
Here's the other one I have here...the dimentions of this one are, 16"x8", & 5" deep. The one in the earlier post is 24"x14", & 5" deep.
I keep both of these on a shelf in the living room, & they generate LOTS of comments!