Willi didn't arrive with a carrying box. The postman delivered him well packed, in an old Amazon cardboard box. By the time I'd hacked away all the sticky tape holding it shut, that wasn't going to do the job containing him in the future.
For years, we've made boxes for model boats, so producing something suitable for a small steam locomotive wasn't going to be much of a problem.
The main parts are cut from 6mm plywood by our local wood shop. They do an excellent job with everything being straight and square. The open-fronted box is assembled with PVA and some 6mm square stripwood strengtheners.
Once dry, the angled pieces to hold the sliding front are added. There's usually a bit of faffing around with the measurements on these, but they are soon glued in place as well.
Finally, the box is given three coats of Ronseal hard gloss varnish - the stuff that dries super-fast and the brush can be cleaned with water. I like to sand between each for a nice finish and to make sure the door slides in an out without too much effort. On that score, let the varnish harden overnight before slotting it into place.
A couple of stripwood lengths stop the model sliding back and forth. I'd put them lengthways except the loco can run in 32 and 45mm gauges and getting those right was a fiddle. This way works nicely anyway.
I'm pleased with the box and have another under construction for the Piko "Clean Machine", a loco that is properly packed, but the packing is a nuisance to extract it from and this will be so much easier. And better looking.
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