Storage options

If you're keeping them "laid out" in drawers, you might want to look at tool box drawer liners. They come in varring thicknesses of rubber. I've seen some mechanics use carpet or even thicker rubber cut to fit the drawers for more padding. Or you could just use soft wood like balsa to form your rows.

I've also seen some mechanics cut out foam to fit around their power tools but that's probably not a good idea for delicate parts.

I have a three-phased approach. Cars/locos are either:
1. In their original jewel cases, stored in clear plastic boot boxes from Container Store. (they fit...barely...under the bed)
2. In my wall display. (see below)
3. (coming soon) stored in modified TrainboxesPlus N-Scale box. This would be the "loose storage/train show" option. The inserts for the Trainboxes plus come two ways...three slots per section (3 sections per tray, 3 trays per box) or two. The three slot version is about perfect for loose Z cars sitting upright. (versus wheels down for the N cars) The two slot version is about right to hold Z jewel cases, which would be locos for shows, some key rolling stock. I have a few of these from when I was in N, and my goal is to cut them down ".727272" of the N width. I will have some cars that will likely stay in these always, like some Shapeways stuff and things like the MTL Circus cars that either come in cheap blister packs or won't fit back in the case with customizations and/or loads. I'm not 100% this will be a success, either...but that's the plan.

Here's a pic of the wall display:

Here is what I did and it works really well is is not that expensive. I bought the items at a website called gemsondisplay.com.
under trays and liners I bought 1" stackable trays and the liners for bracelets or necklaces.


And for travel I bought this side loading case that holds 25 trays. when going to shows I just put a sheet of bubble wrap on top of the cars to keep them from shifting.