Train Case Help?

[Cat]

We picked up a couple of Casco 16 car cases for 21m cars to use for our B-Train Shorty collection.  Each one holds 32 Shorties pretty nicely since we can fit two of them in each slot.
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10379909

 

However, the height is too tight a squeeze to comfortably fit in stock with delicate upgraded Tomix Pantographs.  The height of the foam cut-outs is just under 29mm at the bogie ends, and about 27mm in the middle.  A Shorty ED75 with folded pantograph is a little over 29mm from flange to panto.  There isn't enough excess foam in the side walls to cut deeper notches and maintain structural integrity of the wall.

 

The Series E231 and E531 might stand a little taller, we haven't assembled those yet, they're in the midst of pre-assembly stickering and painting.

Are there any cases with taller openings?  The 21m class length is great.

[cteno4]

Coping saw and a round jeweler’s scroll saw blade cuts the foam like butta if you have the room to carve out a bit.

 

jeff

[Cat]

Sidewalls are thin, only 4mm.  If we don't find a deeper option, I will cut notches. This is nice firm foam, an XActo should slice it pretty nicely too.

But, ummm, we might be needing more storage space than when we thought slots for 64 was more than ample.

Since then we discovered we could model the entire fleet of Kihas for the Minato Line, and scored a 7-car Fresh Hitachi at auction, and the 6-car Series 485 is calling, and I think I've found the combo of Shorties to kitbash together to make the Kiha E130, 131, and 132...

So since we'll be shopping for another case anyway, finding one that can comfortably hold the pantographed cars will be good if there is one.

 

Otherwise, we'll get another Casco casket so they all stack neatly.

Edited July 3, 2020 by Cat

[Cat]

Scrolling through many options at HS, found a few have potential, although not with as many slots as the Casco one.

This Wamu case may work for Shorties.  Does anyone have one they could measure please for the coupler to coupler long slot length at the bottom and the height from bottom up to the center notch for takis?
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10150009/30/1

This Kato one for twelve 21m cars (24 Shorties) has room on the sideways slots at the outer edge to cut deeper into the foam if needed.  The foam looks to be more flexible than the hard Casco stuff, so there might be more give in any of the slots.  Does anyone have the measurement for the tallest point from bogie well to top?
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10605257/30/3

And this Tomix case is only for eight 21m cars (16 Shorties), but with extra depth on 2 of the 8 slots for pantographs.  Does anyone have the heights for these?
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10070379/30/1

[roadstar_na6]

Hm there should be urethanes dedicated for B-Trains somewhere I bet. On HS they‘re all sold out but maybe you can find some on YAJ

[Cat]

Hmm, good thought roadstar.  I hadn't used 'urethane' as a keyword search, I had searched 'case' and 'casket'.

Casco had one, but the question of height remains. 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10070379/30/1

 

Found another on 20 car Shorty one on YAJ by Caratech, but the height still looks questionable for what we need.

 

Stock Shorties with the lumpy folded down pantographs wouldn't be a hazard to get in and out.  Upgrading to the lovely Tomix Pantographs causes the safe storage question.

Without actual measurement on other options, it looks like the safest bet would be something like the Kato or Tomix case for regulation cars with extra space given for the pantographs.

Edited July 3, 2020 by Cat

[Yavianice]

Does anyone know the dimensions of the foam for KATO cases (that you buy as a case and don't come with a train?)

 

Specifically, the KATO 10-202 12 car TAKI?

 

Just the dimension of the foam, not the case itself or the inserts. Note that not all KATO foams are the same size, even the ones you ordinary purchase with trains in them (even though they look the same size).

 

https://1999.co.jp/eng/10696243

[roadstar_na6]

Insert of 10-211, 10-432, 10-1399, 10-1548 and 10-1677 are 19.7x29.4cm. Only 10-489 is a tiny bit bigger, but I didn‘t measure it.

[Yavianice]

Thanks, but the 10-211 are the same size as the "standard" KATO size methinks. 10-202 is larger, most likely, because the weight is different. Which is why I specifically asked about the 10-202, also because that's the easiest for me to obtain.

Edited August 12, 2020 by Yavianice
grammar

[roadstar_na6]

Oh according to HobbySearch it is the same size as the 10-489 😄

 

I‘ll edit in the measurements in a few minutes.

[Yavianice]

Hobbysearch only lists the dimensions of the case. I was asking about the foam. The foam size can be different even though the case size is the same, depending on which case you get, I found.

[roadstar_na6]

I do know that but I suppose if the outer size is the same the inside foam will be as well.

10-489 is 20x29.7cm.

 

Interestingly HS lists all cases the same size, but my 10-489 is clearly bigger than the others..

Edited August 12, 2020 by roadstar_na6

[Yavianice]

5 minutes ago, roadstar_na6 said:

I suppose if the outer size is the same the inside foam will be as well.

 

And it isn't 😄 I found out the hard way. Anyway if someone has the dimensions of the foam of KATO 10-202 I would be very grateful.