Shipping a locomotive

Try a UPS or FedEx shipping store.  They have lots of box sizes for sale.  The USPS used to offer a Priority Shipping box called a shoebox.  These fit many O gauge running stock.  You have to order them in bulk, but they are free.  If you are handy, get some cardboard flat stock, and make your own box.  It's pretty easy if you have a square edge table or workbench to bend the cardboard at right angles.

 

Buy or make the box bigger than the original factory box, so you have rooms to add some packing peanuts or bubble wrap.  Protect yourself, and insure the item for it's proper value.  UPS and FedEx automatically include insurance for $100 value.  The USPS charges for all insurance.

you can try home depot as well as they sell boxes, but i would also try an auto parts store as they get cases of oil and usually throw away the boxes or air filter case boxes. you need to add a minimum of 2 inches of packing around the item in all directions not paper or if damaged they will deny the claim. the usps boxes should only be used for postal shipping. so if you want to ship ups or fed ex they usually won't take the box

Why buy a box? Walk your neighborhood on trash night and you've got free pickings. Of course, only get the clean ones....Grab the ones that you think might work. I'd recommend doing so after dark or the neighbors might think you are a bit "off".....

Picking trash where I live could buy someone a $50 fine.  Better to buy a box than risk a trip before the local magistrate!

Phillman, if you're willing to pay for a box, I recommend going to a UPS store and buying what they call a "Ski Box". 

It comes in two halves, Top and Bottom, and you can buy either or both.  It doesn't matter which half you buy/use.  I find them to be perfect for shipping locomotives. 

As you might imagine, they are long!  That's a good thing because you can cut them down--if necessary--to fit whatever size locomotive you need to ship.  I can't begin to count how many times I've used these, and always keep one or two on hand.

I normally ship stuff by USPS, so for stuff that fits, I telescope two Priority Mail shoebox sized boxes together and put them in that, the bonus being they're free. 

 

One of the key things is to make sure the item can not move AT ALL inside the factory box.  If there is any rattle or movement of any kind, add padding until there isn't.  That's the root of many shipping damage issues.  Whatever the outside box is, the same rules apply, the inner box should be tightly packed with no possibility of movement.

TWO words:

 

DOUBLE box. 

No matter how many layers you use, you still need to make sure they are packed solidly.