I could not find any discussion on display cases, so I am starting this thread. I am ready to put some some sort of display case in my crew lounge. While I do have the skills to build one, I have spent the past 2 years now doing nothing but physically intensive projects when I am not at my physically intensive job. So, I am looking to buy something that is ready to install, or requires minimal effort in assembly before instillation. So far, I have two leading candidates. The first are display cases from Showcase Express. I would describe it as semi-modular in the fact that it is 4' sections that can be combined and stacked to created almost any size of display. The pro and con of this product is that the shelves are made out of aluminum. The pro being strength and durability, the con being looks. https://www.showcase-express.com/shop/train-display-case-ho-scale/ The second is a more traditional display case made from stained wood. While the stained wood looks much nicer, I wonder a little about how durable the construction is if I fill every inch of it with locomotives. The other draw back is they do not stack and extend like the above option. Here is one source I have found for this type of case. https://www.sfdisplay.com/collectio.../products/ho-scale-train-display-case-cabinet Anyone have thoughts and or experience with rolling stock display cases?
I have an decades old wooden display case. I do not even remember who made it. I will advise you to make sure that the individual shelves are sturdy. Mine are not, they are fine to hold rolling stock, but not locomotives.
Thank you for the input. Sturdiness has been my primary concern with the pre-built wood cases. I think the other made out of aluminum looks sturdy, but I need to dig in to that more when I have time.
Someday when the obsessive compulsive moderator stops turning every sentence into it's own paragraph, I'll respond with photos of our brass case that a friend built out of walnut. But not until then.
Ethan, Most of these photos were sent to you in a conversation, but so that anyone else considering display cases can see them, here are the photos I promised. This case was built by a friend in Colorado Springs who is a graphic designer and a cabinet maker. The legs were made to look like a trestle. The case is solid walnut, all of his design. I supplied dimensions and he designed it. All of the locomotives in it are either steam locomotives or four axle diesels. Since you model more modern equipment than I do, by rough calculation, it would hold about 40 six axle diesels.
Thank you for posting your pictures Paul. At this point, I'm still leaning toward the product made by Showcase Express due to it's sturdiness (or at least my perception of it's sturdiness) and price point. I've tried calling twice to get clarification on a couple things, but haven't received a call back yet. Hopefully, they'll get back to me soon and I can move forward with an order. If that doesn't happen, I'm back to square one.
I am a little leery of companies that want to sell you something but can't be bothered to call you back. If their service is poor before the sale, what will it be like after they have your money? Hopefully, they're just busy and your callback is on their list.
Couldn't have said it better myself, literally. I had all those thoughts in my head and couldn't put them on paper. My mind is already reverting back to the process of building my own again. I'm not thrilled by that prospect, but I could make it happen.
Just thought of one other possibility. Some friends of mine have used old retail cases for locomotive display cases. If you can find a "going-out-of-business" sale in Kansas City, Joplin, Springfield, etc. Look for POP or POS (point of sale and point of purchase) merchandising cases; retail display cases; etc. Some of the old downtown buildings have some pretty cool old stuff laying around that you might be able to buy for a song.
