Re-packing Videos or instruction sheets

I know that when I repack an engine for shipping I always have extra foam parts left over when I'm done.  I think that's a good idea Marty.

MARTY,

  I had the same problem recently in re packing my VL Challenger to send back to Lionel for repair.  I did use extra bubble wrap to adding areas.  Good topic.

Very good suggestion, Marty.

Nothing ever seems to fit back in the packaging the same way it did when new!

Jeff Davis

When I got my MTH deisel, I marveled at all the little foam pieces to protect the metal railings front, sides, and rear; the different levels of the walking platforms, the couplers, and on an on. So I took a Sharpie marker and labeled them, such as "front", "R front side",  "L side rear", etc.  I even marked the little wedges that pin the engine into the styrofoam box. An "L" mark indicates the left side foam wedge and when the letter is visible and upright, I know it's been inserted in the correct direction and position.

Now when the cleaner comes to do my house and I need to repackage the engine, it's pretty darn easy.  Not perfect, I can never get the lid to fit on with the wrapping paper. But it's otherwise pretty good.

Also, since I wasn't 100% sure I would keep the set at first, I photographed the disassembly of the entire RTR box. I'm not compulsive typically, but it was such a daunting task to unpackage everything, that I figured a record would help. I am delighted with the set and never need to repackage the entire set, but I am really glad I marked all those little foam edges to protect the engine detail. Especially given that I have to rebox it fairly often for its safety.

There's definitelyban art form to compressing and repositioning the foam wedges without bending the wire/metal details, but it's a lot easier when you know you've got the correct factory piece and the original intended direction!

Tomlinson Run Railroad

Ever try re-inserting those styrofoam pieces under the wheel sets?  I personally have never successfully be able to re-insert them before storing away for the off-season.

walt

Yes! Resulting in many hours of "entertainment". (But at least they are marked "Front" and "Rear" :-) .  I must say I gave up on those skinny shims over the trucks -- not worth the hassle.

TRRR

While this is not foolproof, for engines I generally will try to carefully place the pieces roughly in the location they were on the styrofoam/plastic protective sheet and then wrap the sheet as if the engine was there (so it's sort of "hollow", with the pieces inside the "tube").  I then fold over the ends and place the items in the large styrofoam block for storage.

There have been a few accessories where I thought the packaging was complex enough that I either took notes or photographed various phases while removing the item from the box so I could figure out how to safely pack it back later.  The late 90's 305 Hellgate Bridge and the early 90's Steam Clean and Wheel Grind Shop come to mind.

One thing I never did understand the benefit of and I have never tried to reproduce is the way Lionel used to (maybe still does for the few sets remaining) put twist ties around the trucks of 18" aluminum passenger cars.  I'm assuming for the long trip across the oceans maybe there is a benefit, but I feel like I am risking introducing scratches or worse if I tried to re-tie them.

-Dave

Same reason I quit working on cars years ago, too many parts left over when finished.

Back to the original topic, If anyone has a tripod (I need to get a good one), I think it might be a good idea to video the process when you un-box the item. Some things are similar, and some not so much. Probably be a real PITA to keep track of all the videos for everything though?

When we moved a couple years ago, I had the same problems when trying to re-package something. Matching the box to the proper item is sometimes tricky too. With MTH, the Premier boxes usually have the road number and a pretty good description, but the Railking items don't. Since then I started putting a sticker on the RK boxes with the road numbers of the cars. After the last move I took a vow to never, ever do that again (and we had movers). Still looking for stuff that hasn't been un-packed, and can't remember where I put half the stuff I have un-packed. We still have a couple dozen or more boxes we haven't touched.

Not sure if it's applicable for the Big-Boy, but sometimes the hard foam pieces protect the railings on the pilot deck, I think? 

Or maybe it was held loose up against the boiler front (like to protect a headlight or other details?, again - I can't say if this makes sense for BB)

-Dave

Along with the instructions I would also like to see all of them start using the closed cell foam instead of Styrofoam for the main packaging enclosures for the items. May be too expensive? But would probably almost eliminate any damage from rough handling, while still in the box anyway.

How about just taking pictures while you unpack the engine. Wouldn't be hard to do. Just a photo of every step. List it on your computer. Don