MTH PACKAGING

The MTH Coors Silver bullet engine from 2006 was also packed this way as was also the 44 tonner engine back in 2015.  I'm sure there are plenty of other MTH locomotives that are also this way but I do agree it seems to be more common lately.

My most recent purchases did include the small sample bottle of fluid.

My 2 new Pacifics were packed on their sides. It seems to me the safer way to pack them is right side up as it allows for more packing around the side rods. No small bottle of smoke fluid, either, but that was no surprise as Premier locos are not "starter" trains and I suspect are, for the most part, purchased by veteran collectors/operators who most likely already have a good supply of smoke fluid.

Never had an MTH engine shipped that way. Always on their side. However the last 3 Lionel engines (2 legacy and 1 Lionmaster LC+ 2.0) were shipped that way.

Brad

A lot of locomotives are shipped upright side by side, that's pretty much the Lionel standard packaging of late for larger engines.  Newer MTH engines have been that way as well.  IMO it's a better way to pack them, I don't need no stinkin' ribbons!  Truthfully, I rarely use those clumsy ribbons anyway.  I normally hold the engine(s) in place with one hand and turn the box over on a soft cloth and lower them to the table.  It's way faster and easier to get them out.

The first and only MTH Locomotive that was packaged differently was the Premier CP Rail Holiday Locomotive. It was upright mounted on foam and a series of snap together by the numbers plastic containers. Back then MTH said this would be their new packaging. It’s kinda cool.

This packaging configuration works fine with me. However, what happened the an extra set of traction tires?