Track boxes you should be able to 'flat pack' by opening the flaps on both ends and then letting the 'tube' collapse sideways. Then stack a number of them together and put a rubber band around them to keep them under control.

Locomotive and rolling stock boxes are harder to deal with because of the plastic inserts.

Hi

Alan gave a good idea for track boxes etc. Although some are glued and originality may be your thing if you ever wanted to reuse them as a box.

I keep all my empty boxes - just because......

Maybe one day I'll need to store all the track etc again - who knows.....

Mike

You don't need to break the glue along the side of the box. Once all the flaps at the ends are open then it will collapse sideways almost flat. The trick is to do it in a manner that has the corner with the glued edges go flat instead of being one of the corners folding back on itself.

some people will actually buy the boxes, iv'e been to mea swapmeets where one gentleman was getting $1.00us for 70's-80's passenger car boxes. i wouldn't quit my day job but it's an idea. mike

Just a couple of thoughts regarding keeping the boxes;

1) If you need to move or store your trains they will be invaluable
2) If you ever come to sell any items I think if can be said with certainty that they will sell better in the original boxes, they may bring a better price, and it makes shipping them easier.
3) I can confirm that the plastic / polystyrene inserts can absorb substantial shocks arising from accidents that often happen. Better to have a damaged insert than a damaged loco. [Please do not try this at home]
4) If you ever do come to store items for any reason the interlocking plastic inserts and polystyrene, are very good at preventing casual water ingress, and no I would not like to elaborate further

So I would say it is definitely worth the effort to try and keep all the packaging that you can, including the inserts.

BR

Glenn

PS: As for my empty boxes, the items that are not on the layout are stored in their boxes, and those items on the layout, the empty boxes are stored under the layout for easy access. I have even purchased a couple of empty boxes off Ebay to put a couple of locos in which did not have original boxes. I even have two locos in mismatched boxes, as I feel they are safer carefully packaged in a mismatch box than in newspaper or tissue paper.

Ray,

Interesting observations, I know you rotate stock with more frequency than I do. I do have concerns over rubbing.

Would you say the white felt like fabric that comes with some models helps protect against the rubbing or not?

I would say that if the plastic inserts become loose or damaged they are not much use and I can imagine them being more of a hindrance.

BR

Glenn

I have a 3649 GM Demonstrator F7 ABA set where the shield painted on the nose of the loco has rub marks and damage because it doesn't have the cotton protector, and has rubbed directly on the plastic insert.

If any would like to dispose of any of thier older track boxes for M track i would gladly pay to have them posted to Australia

I kept the boxes for the locomotives and the other Rolling stock. I also kept a lot of boxes for my wiking and other trucks and cars. Stored under my lay-out. Over the years i throw away the other boxes. Most of the boxes are empty, but Some never used loco's are back in their boxes. So is my collection of museum cars.

Be careful what you put against your nice painted rolling stock. Many products are petroleum based and will in time, damage the paint. Put polypro or polyethyl between your beloved Marklin items and any packaging material. This after all, what M does now.

http://www.dtmagazine.com/polyvspoly.html

For the M sets that were directly packed in styrofoam, I bought from the guy above. Didn't wish to play craps with my M stuff and a product from China. As we have seen all to often here, once the QC guys go out the door, the product goes to hell, ie: lead paint on children's toys or dog food that kills the dog. All documented events here in US of A with Chinese products.

Also, read the bold type note, first paragraph this link:
http://www.reboxx.com/accessories.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2...?pagewanted=all&_r=0

I am not trying to be a Chinese bashing buy only USA products, I get a lot from China. There are just times when a bit of prudence seems wise.