On several layouts that I have visited lately I have seen them using small chests of drawers under their layout for storage. On one layout they were used to store engines and cars that weren't being used. On another, they stored scratch building parts and misc. supplies. In both examples, they had labels so they could be easily identified. This seems like great idea to me.
Who else has done this?
Where did you get the sets of drawers?
Art
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I went to the big box stores and bought kitchen cabinets.
( under the counter type ) Already finished with drawers, doors ect.
I think the were reasonable when on sale.
It also saved a ton of benchwork.
Work's on my layout just fine.
I use nothing but plastic tool boxes for each locomotive, and RubberMaid tubs for freight and passenger cars. The large articulated steam models are in 26" plastic tool boxes from Menards, while the regular steam models are in 19"/20" plastic tool boxes. Locomotives tool boxes are stack three high, under the layout, while the RubberMaid tubs are stacked two high.
Who else has done this?
Where did you get the sets of drawers?
Art
I have a small chest of drawers under the layout at one end that I use for storage. Was not planned as such but it just happened to fit there and so it stayed.
Who else has done this?
Where did you get the sets of drawers?
Art
I have a small chest of drawers under the layout at one end that I use for storage. Was not planned as such but it just happened to fit there and so it stayed.
Small file cabinets for me for a bit.
I remember bedroom dressers being used.
There is an HO store in In, Ill, or Mo that has almost everything in drawers.
I have a floor to ceiling set of shelves W/ end caps from an old pharmacy that were cut in half, to yield two small shelves for under the layout.
They slide in and out, on their own wheels for access. And are guided by a peg and C-channel mounted on the underside of the layout.
Similar chests with sliding drawers, but much larger and industrial in nature, are used for back room storage at "big store" clothing depts.
A salvaged/used store equipment business is likely a good place to start.
Ask some store managers. This type of stuff is really just a pain to them if it isn't being used anymore.
Free "disposal" is often welcome.
We had an older waterbed to be thrown out. It had the standard drawers and cabinet style storage on both sides of the bed frame. I have used both sets on one end of my layout, set at a 90 degree angle from each other, thus two sides with plenty of storage.
And, because they are shorter than the layout height, topped them with plywood and have open storage on top of them, below the layout.... plenty of storage space. Something else to use, not throw out, my wife's older hanging shoe storage from her closet. It is divided into 30 storage cubicles, 12 inches deep. Have a lot of PW engines and cars stored. Front is a clear plastic, zipper closure to keep dust and little fingers out.
i use quite a few rolling plastic chests with draws under the layout. They store extra Fastrack, cars, train and electrical parts. The wheels make it easy to roll them out for better access and floor cleaning.
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