It is easy to determine the proper packaging on modern Lionel or MTH trains in their set boxes as either foam or cardboard inserts are used. Postwar trains are another issue. It seems Lionel was able to use every cubic inch in the set box. Have a set that I can't figure out for the life of me on how to get all the pieces in the set box. It was bought with the components in various other cartons.
It is set 1583WS aka 733. Other than the engine and tender, all other cars are unboxed according to David Doyle's "Standard Catalog of Lionel Train Sets"
Maybe we can use this thread to post pictures of boxed postwar sets as a reference for others.
