I am developing a new product for HO base off my N-scale line. I currently offer a line of storage boxes using a foam tray system specifically cut to fit some of todays most popular models. If you look at this my site www.high-iron.com you can see these products and get an idea of what I am talking about. Within the next year or so I would like to begin offering this same product in HO. My questions are these: First, How big of a box would work for HO, what would be too big? Second, How much of a capacity is needed, (kind of related to the first). Third, suggestions... what type of boxes would you all need? I think one would certainly be a nice Unit Coal box similar to my N-scale boxes. I value the opinions of the people on this board so let me know whatever you think. Thanks in advance,
Like the N scale case concept. However given that HO scale equip. is larger, the layout will be different, e.g. Automaxes & 3 pac draw barred intermodal cars. Better if they are in one row. Trick will be to come up w/ a case size to fit all. Much prefer Axion Technology cases over ALine's as the lids have foam strips that hold the cars/locos securely. The Axions have been talked about alot on trainorders.com MR board. You'll see there that good cases ARE needed. And of corse abag to carry the cases would be great. Like the whole passenger train in one case concept. Good luck & keep us posted here & elsewhere.
Interesting concept there. I'm not sure how valuable my input might be as it doesn't directly answer your questions, but here it is... I mostly store both power and cars in their original boxes on shelves. That way I can read what an individual car is from the end of the box when I need, say, a 40' boxcar for operating. I think that in HO scale modellers tend to do more "loose car" railroading than in N scale where unit trains work better. Where I can see a market is for a passenger train box up to 48" x 14" x 2" with a handle for moving a whole passenger train. The superliner concept might also transfer to HO scale, but I don't know many people who model Amtrak. Likewise, I haven't seen near as many coal or intermodal unit trains in HO, though there have been a few. Just my $.02 worth.
One more errant thought. Maybe a lockable fiberglass case for travelling. I've never had to do it, but I don't know of a good way to take a train on the airplane with you, say if you were going to a show.
These types of cases serve modelers who have to tranport their cars & locos to club houses or shows. Having done alot these past twenty years much has been broken to & from. Tried The ALines but not too good. They didn't protect things w/o ALOT of additional work. The Axions are very good for protection. The High Iron ones look just as good. Can't wait to see them.
I'd been considering getting one of the A-line sets, what would you say the issues are with them? Do Axion have a website or something I can look at? Currently my loco's get transported in box files, and rolling stock is packed in layers in boxes. The loco's are fine, but I'd like a better way of moving the rolling stock around. BTW, I do have HO scale units trains! I'm not sure a box long enough to take a drawbarred double stack set would be feasible, it would be about three feet long?
Martyn Go w/ the Axian Technology over ALines. Axian can be reached at 800-466-3131. Don't know about web site. For $75 you get 4 cases plus carrying bag. Shipping was free in USA. Big problem w/ ALInes is no way to secure your equip insde the cases w/o added ALOT of padding around your equip. Kind of defeats purpose having to do that much additional work. Axian's lid which is attached to case secures equip w/ foam strips. High Iron's cases appear to work on same principle. Neither Axian or ALine cases will hold draw barred intermodals w/o modification & then they won't fit in carrying bag. Hope High Iron can solve that problem.
Bryan, greal looking website, and very easily navigated. Super work! Now for the boxes, why not start with the obvious, an HO passenger train set box, and make a few prototype boxes. Give a couple to the local clubs in your area, with the understanding that they must use them and give you feedback. You will learn a great deal from them about any necessary improvements needed or gripes, and it won't cost you much at all. I know of several people that carry their custom painted passenge trains to shows and club nights, and would love a box like that.
Oh, and by the way. After you've refined your research and development, and have begun your designing process, make sure you make a N&W coal drag box for about 40 cars,
