These are probably not the best pics and it is just a trial at this point but here it goes. I've been getting tired of either sorting through boxes to find rolling stock or engines, I've seen some cool display case set ups but man are they pricey. I saw something on a Facebook suggested post where metal wall studs were being used to build a room. I know, nothing to do with trains right. Anyway, I found it interesting that these metal wall studs were basically C channel so I looked them up at a big box hardware store and then the dimmer switch on the lightbulb got turned up some. So, I picked up a pair at HD yesterday. Under $10 for two 8ft sections. Not bad. I'm thinking these could be mounted on the wall in my train room storage closet and be a great display set. Here are the two I picked up yesterday. In this first set of pics, the bottom one is loaded and the top one not. I was thinking I could paint them but the wife actually said the metal look was nice so who am I to argue with that And here with them both loaded So, what do you all think? Am I on to something?
Cool, I like the industrial look of them not being painted. Would HO fit them? I might want to adopt this as a way to display my locomotives. Double-sided tape to hold flex-track in place and set the locos on them.
I thought maybe HO might but it looks like they are just a tad shallow for HO at only 1 1/4 inches deep.
Fantastic idea Richard, need to purchase a couple for my Frisco locomotives and passenger cars. Thank you for posting. Joe
The only potential problem I see is that if you need to take out something in the middle that's on the bottom row. In the process of doing that would you then accidentally knock down the top or adjacent items? Locos are expensive falling to the ground! I would be a bit nervous. If you want storage like that with jewel cases, why not a bunch of 1x2 glued/screwed on to a piece of plywood backing (furniture grade, one side)? Then each row can have its own shelf and no disturbance. Price wise, the metal studs can't be beat.
You could just buy 2 inch L shaped moulding in wood...plastic...or metal and mount them above one another individually to the wall. http://images.esellerpro.com/3648/I/37/PVC ANGLE x10.jpg https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/images/products/Sheet/400/45731p.jpg Each 'shelf' would hold one line of locomotives in their jewel cases. I also would feel uneasy with stacking them on top of each other.
Good idea mtntrainman! I wonder if you can get aluminum J channel. This way there's a little bit of an edge to keep things from falling off.
That would be more like an L. You want that little lip in the J to prevent the items from falling off from accidental bumps.
Look closely, there’s a lip! In these pictures, more easily seen in the top edge but they’re both the same.
Hard to tell in those pictures but I don't see it definitively. If there is, that would be great but now the question becomes how to split those down the middle effectively and efficiently? Tin snips are probably not a good idea. Maybe a metal cutting wheel on a table saw?
Bingo! Cut-off wheel ...and it’s cheap! Just follow The embossed line on the back wall = 16 feet of shelving
The Commodore is right, there is a lip at the top and bottom. For the photo, I just stacked a bunch in there to see how it would work. I think locos would only go on the bottom row so the small lip will keep them in place. I messed around with it a bit yesterday trying to see how easy it would be to knock something out by mistake and was surprised that everything seems to sit pretty stable. Also, for me, a lot of what will go in these are my collections of cars. Think state cars, NASA series, solar system, etc. So there really won't be a lot of shuffling. I do like the thought of cutting some in half as well to make J channel. Here is a stock pic of the end of one.
If you cut it down the middle lengthwise...be sure to wear gloves ! I foresee a lot of 'bloodletting' !!
That's what I wanted to add---Those edges can be SHARP. Maybe add a small U channel on the edge? Sort of the type added to fiberglass panels in shower kits. Sounds like a good idea, but with CAUTIONS. Also if CUT with a cutting wheel/disc on a table saw: 1) Make sure your saw has the horsepower to turn the wheel/disc for what you are trying to do. 2) Those cut edges will be HOT and SHARP! This sounds like a good idea, but with CAUTIONS to be aware of. I'll stick with nice solid wood shelves and display cases. But then I am a Wood Worker also in my hobby. Nothing like a stack of stained, finished display cabinets, in my book.
That's why I suggested 1x2 lumber as the "shelves" as wood is easier to work with. Certainly it will cost more.
