KR Cases

[Steven B]

I'm looking for some storage cases to fit Dapol Mk3s in pairs, corridor to corridor.

Does anyone know if the KR Cases foam lined tray will fit two Mk3s in each slot?

Those made by JB Model World, Kato and my DIY efforts based on Weston's Boxes don't allow space for a second coach (unless it's Mk1 BG or GUV), meaning lots of wasted space.

Steven B

[PaulCheffus]

I'm looking for some storage cases to fit Dapol Mk3s in pairs, corridor to corridor.

Does anyone know if the KR Cases foam lined tray will fit two Mk3s in each slot?

Those made by JB Model World, Kato and my DIY efforts based on Weston's Boxes don't allow space for a second coach (unless it's Mk1 BG or GUV), meaning lots of wasted space.

Steven B

Hi

I have some made by JB Models and they fit two mk3s in a slot. They are the ones with seven slots in them and are 36cm x 26cm.

Cheers

Paul

[robert06]

Hi

I store my class 158 coupled up in a KR case and ther is room to spare, so I see no reason why two MkIIIs would not fit.

Robert.

[Brian-1c]

The Ten Commandements inserts do the job, link below

In one of these 5 slot inserts, I store 8 x Dapol Mk3 coaches, corridor to corridor, in pairs. The remaining slot has the two HST power cars. Hope this helps. The box is also in the link.

https://tencommandmentsmodels.co.uk/product/n-storage-foam-5-slots/

[Steven B]

Thanks for the comments so far - good to know that a 158 fits.

I've got some of the JB's Models but they're a bit flimsy. I've reinforced them by gluing a layer of 2mm thick card on the bottom after an incident at a show where the bottom came away from the slotted top part. They also don't appear to be selling the 7 slot one at the moment - just a A4 sized 5 slot which won't be big enough.

The Ten commandments ones also don't have enough slots - I'm trying to avoid splitting 11-13 coach trains across multiple layers in a stock box (which is the situation I currently have).

I've also been looking at the ones sold by Avocations on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121247213046

Steven B.

[PaulCheffus]

Thanks for the comments so far - good to know that a 158 fits.

I've got some of the JB's Models but they're a bit flimsy. I've reinforced them by gluing a layer of 2mm thick card on the bottom after an incident at a show where the bottom came away from the slotted top part. They also don't appear to be selling the 7 slot one at the moment - just a A4 sized 5 slot which won't be big enough.

The Ten commandments ones also don't have enough slots - I'm trying to avoid splitting 11-13 coach trains across multiple layers in a stock box (which is the situation I currently have).

I've also been looking at the ones sold by Avocations on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121247213046

Steven B.

Hi

Mine are in plastic drawers so don't have the bottom dropping out issue but that is worth knowing thank you. It's a while since I bought any so I wasn't aware the seven slot ones were no longer available.

Cheers

Paul

[Portpatrick]

Interesting comment about John Burman's boxes.  I have several (too much stock!).  Including a couple of the 3 tier boxes he no longer sells - they became uneconomic.  The trays can seem flimsy if full of locos especially.  What I do where it works with my storage needs, is put locos/DMUs on a bottom layer and coaches/Wagons on the top layer which is the one we need to lift out.  Of course that will not always work!  He does sell the foam inserts separately and I have replaced a couple.  Though I have repaired others with PVA.  I like the card idea.  I may take that up.

[njee20]

I've also been looking at the ones sold by Avocations on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121247213046

I use those, and two mk3s fit comfortably end to end. They're better stored flat, if you have a lot of heavy items (eg locos) then the foam can come away from the base. Generally happy though; I've got 6 cases, and they've worn well.

[Steven B]

Interesting comment about John Burman's boxes.  I have several (too much stock!).  Including a couple of the 3 tier boxes he no longer sells - they became uneconomic.

Of the JB's cases, I've got a couple of the 3 tier aluminum flight cases and the 2 tier plastic cases. My biggest "disaster" with them was when I loaded a middle/top tier with some wagons with heavy white-metal loads. The bottom tore away as I lifted a layout using the foam sides. Not great but fortunately no models were damaged. I went through all the ones I had re-inforcing the bottom with 2mm (or 1.5m?) grey board and also replacing the double sided stick-tape used to join the top with the bottom. Evostick was used for both jobs and I've not had a problem since.



Steven B.

[eddief83]

I've also been looking at the ones sold by Avocations on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121247213046

These one's definitely do, I have some KR multicase but I now get the Avocations ones

[Portpatrick]

With any of these foam inserts we must be very careful when inserting steam locos.  Front bogies on modern Farish locos can swing right round. THe old Poole design did not.  And valve gear is vulnerable quite apart from that.  Other delicate parts can easily be damaged.  I normally hold the loco and tender in one hand and with the other ease the foam slot outwards a little .  Very carefully lay the font end of the loco in first.  Sounds complicated on paper but easy enough and I quickly got used to doing it. 

This is not (often) such and issue with diesels, electric, Multiple units and rolling stock.

[Steven B]

On diesels, coaches and wagons there are sand pipes and brake gear that can snag, even on closed cell foam.

Using a cradle of acid-free tissue paper helps stop this.

Steven B

[Newportnobby]

I found the worst issue was NEM couplings being pulled out. Almost every visit to club night ended up with stray couplings in the slots.
As above, I got round this and potential stock damage to delicate parts by using a polythene cradle which could be lifted out at both ends of the item simultaneously