My Premier CP Holiday Engine arrived this morning. I've got to say the packaging protecting this engine is the best I've seen from MTH. I thought I would share the unpacking process as it is quite a bit more than the standard pulling on two colored ribbons and unwrapping the engine. The step-by-step labels are provided on the packing and I recommend you examine and study the packing before each step. The LED wiring is very thin and, as shared on other related threads, appears susceptible to breaking if mishandled. You will also want to take good care of the plastic packing for future repacking.
The outer box itself is very heavy duty with a stiff and strong outer lift-off lid shown here in the back. There is a single layer of 1/2" flex foam on top of the engine storage compartment.
Next, I recommend turning the box on its side (engine up) and carefully working the plastic casing outward. The plastic is in three (3!) separate components that each require individual manipulation. As you can see here, as the casing is slowly worked out of the foam box, the MTH warning labels and unpacking steps become visible.
Once the plastic casing is out of the box, you'll see the outer portion is a clear slip-off sleeve. Remember I mentioned studying the packing. The next inner piece has concave finger inserts on the ends which allow you to hold onto the casing and the right end doubles as a male/female tab that holds the second plastic wrap together.
Step 1. Slide the inner packing out of the outer sleeve.
Step 2. Carefully separate the second packing wrap by lifting the outer flap from the inner flap on the right side. This is the male/female tab I referred to. Once done, you will find the packing is freed from around the sides of the engine. Move this packing aside.
Step 3. On top, carefully lift the step 3 tab which then separates the top/end/bottom plastic wrap. Don't remove the Styrofoam. MTH glued it in and intends it to be there to prevent the top of the package from crushing downward while handling.
The engine is now free to be removed from the third plastic protector. I recommend care in lifting the engine as the LED light wires are right where you might normally grasp to lift your engines.
Additional care is recommended when removing the foam inserts that protect the hand rails. Those LED wires are right next to them!
My engine loaded to DCS with no problems and the LEDs all lit with no problem. Huzzah!
This is a beautiful engine. The painting is crisp and clear, particularly the added Christmas and holiday prints. The PFA is unique to the CP Holiday program and there is a slight Canadian English accent which I liked. The speech isn't bi-lingual though which would have added some flair to the Canadian PFA. Some folks might say there is more that could have been attempted like lighted packages perhaps with electroluminescence (EL) but added cost would certainly be a factor. The LED lights add nearly 10% alone. My only gripe is the right-hand ditch light has the LED misaligned within the fixture and is not bright as a result. :-\
Overall, I give MTH high kudos for this engine. It is disappointing the associated Premier rolling stock did not arrive in time for this Christmas. I look forward to seeing how those lighted boxcars are packed!
Enjoy your holidays and all the best,
Bryan
. And totally agree on handling the LEDs. Caution is the word.
