Shipping

Better to ship within an outer shipping carton.  In fact, UPS and Fed-Ex have so many automated handling processes along the way, they many not even accept packages wrapped in brown shipping paper unless EVERY seam is very well sealed.  And even at that, they prefer not to accept them.  If you absolutely must do it, USPS will accept it.

 

David

Pack it really well, the more the better. I've had several items damaged by all 3 shippers. Even a paper back drop was destroyed by USPS, a MTH engine by UPS and another by FED X. Trainz just sent an engine and the outer box was really big but the contents were in perfect condition.   TRAIN NERD AL

If I purchased a Lionel item in the original box, just covered in wrapping paper, I would not be very happy. While the engine would likely get there in one piece, the box would almost certainly end up with dents and bruises.

 

One fellow constructed an outer box for a boxed Lionel engine out of thick blue foam insulation board. He completely taped all the seams with duct tape, and then wrapped the whole thing in brown paper. Worked like a charm.

In another box with foam peanuts or crumpled shipping paper. Absorbs any external impact. I like the crumpled shipping paper on all sides.

This is pretty easy to unwrap, too, and really the way to protect the engine while easily packing it.  It's a good idea, if you have the foam.

Most marketing boxes are very thin offering no protection just eye candy.  Items bought new always come in a heavy box with packing material sheltering the marketing box.

Most insurance claims will not cover a single boxed item. Package must be double boxed.

franktrain

Double-boxed for sure, and as mentioned already, preferably the outer box should be large enough so that you can surround the engine box with crumpled paper or packing peanuts.

I agree, If you don't have the outside shipping carton, I would double box it.

Most place discourage or ban shipping paper it tears and fouls their equipment. At the very least ship it with an outer box like Lionel does

i ship hundreds of packages thru usps and ups. to ensure safe arrival of the item always double box and leave a minimum of space of 2 inches surrounding your item tightly packed with packing peanuts. ups will not honor claims with paper for packing and less than 2 inches of tightly packed foam. remember the samsonite tv commercial with the gorilla loading the airplane baggage hold well now he is employed by the major shipping companies!!!!!!!!!!!   the more time spent packing directly equals the less time fighting for reimbursement for shipping claims.

Sing with the chorus here, don't ship in brown paper!  If you don't have a proper box, just fabricate one with a lot of packing tape and cutting up a box, that's better than nothing.

 

The key thing that has not been mentioned here is what you do inside the box.  Make SURE the locomotive and all the moving parts are SECURELY padded.  When I put a locomotive in the factory carton, after putting in any factory supplied foam padding for the trucks and handrails, I pick it up and shake it vigorously.  If I hear any rattling or feel any movement in the packing, I add padding until it can't move AT ALL.

 

Shipping 101: If it moves inside the packaging, it can beat itself to death during the shipment.

I don't ship often, but if you are shipping an expensive item, heed the above so that if a claim is made, failing to meet the carrier's packing requirements won't be a reason for denying the claim.

 

Also, are the condition of shipping cartons of trains now a concern for resale value; i.e., if the carton is scuffed, it lowers the value?  If so, double box the shipping carton.

 

 

Thanks to all for your answers. You leave no doubt as to the correct method. Thanks.

Train Nerd Al; Not to pile on but if you've had 3 items damaged in shipping you either have very bad luck or your not packaging correctly.

Great advice!  The last sentence especially-why deal with a situation when it's avoidable in the first place!

 

 

Two extremely good pieces of advice for shipping anything! Anyone shipping anything should study these carefully and memorize for suture reference! I'm taking notes myself here.

 

I would be willing to bet that almost all shipping damage could be prevented by proper packing before shipment.