Train cradle - When I went to change couplers on some on my train cars, I needed something to kind of hold them upright. Since there are small parts like smoke stacks and brake wheels and ladders, I needed something that wouldn't mess with those. My passenger cars were long so I would need something long.
I looked around at some of the boxes I had gotten small packages in but they were too short.
There happened to be a half full box of Kleenex sitting on the table while I was contemplating this. Then it hit me! Right in front of me was the perfect cradle with a soft cushion of Kleenex. I cut the hole larger with scissors and it worked great.
While I used it for On30, cut a smaller hole and use a fuller box and it would work for HO.
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30171623_10156291863610522_6426678314598461992_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeGDqzssnV-U1cAe-35inQUo0uiY3_KlsE_BIdYHzD0kUQnEocr8qE3ZuKL6nPyM1yBqpiAYrajym0RX_A5zPto6TS8D0vbJS2FQz2TKlDPcRA&oh=91e470dd02799ca0d6c885f3adef0053&oe=5B66AE11)
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30072887_10156291863795522_5162066626417121273_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeF6bhh0cMCJq6br6_zPYizcV8BlxfJogxgxqfTjFE28DaxE_rkt5vDqALoeCmy31Sid19DiLszG3AJIXqhkxiNwvRzU0mbjHmeOTD1O8AiBcA&oh=6412c5d8b6029cbcaee9b4a13cd12128&oe=5B714F78)
:o
Beautiful idea!
This works well, maybe cheaper than your Kleenex box.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frost-King-1-in-x-6-ft-Foam-Plumbing-Tubular-Pipe-Insulation/3133247
Sand or cut a flat on the bottom.
I use this;
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/bowser-n-23-foam-locomotive-cradle/
Any piece of scrap closed cell foam can make a satisfactory cradle.
Cut to the width you desire.
I suppose I could just use the foam from a Bachmann box too. This was handy. If I'm working on a short car like a gondola, I can just put more Kleenex in the box to raise the level.
It's the idea that counts..
Nice "out of the box thinking" Terry... ;D
Ton