trainnut1250Locos are heavy enough to damage each other or themselves if they move in the box from a sudden shock
Unfortunately, many brass steam locomotives have their big, fat boiler weights held in with one little 1-72 screw, usually right on the wrapper seam at the bottom of the boiler.
A recipe for disaster! Often the locomotive, when new, has the weight packed separately in its own foam recess in the box.
Regards, Ed
I have received two or three Ebay purchased brass locos that were poorly packed resulting in damage.
I would suggest bubble wrap or foam in a double boxed system with foam and padding on all six side of the interior box.
Locos are heavy enough to damage each other or themselves if they move in the box from a sudden shock (like being dropped or thrown) even though the package will show no serious exterior damage.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I wrap each item in double parchment paper with folded or twisted ends. This provides a friction-reduced surface for both the item inside of the blanket and outside. I then crumple newspaper and fill in around the item, with the item suspended in a cocoon of both the parchment paper and the crumpled newspaper around it. The idea is to provide some resistance to the movement of anything inside of the shipping carton, so the crumpled newsprint has to be forced somewhat so that the wrapped item doesn't bounce around inside of the carton.
Alternatively, instead of newsprint crumpled, use some handy styrofoam 'peanuts' to suspend the wrapped item. Same thing, the popcorn/peanuts of foam have to completely fill the carton and require some strength to close the flaps prior to taping.
If the locomotives have walkways and handrails, seems like a good idea to put something between the handrail and the body, like styrofoam.
Ed
I've had a lot of experience with packing delicate stuff - including MR rolling stock. It is a handicap that you don't have the original packaging, but not a show stopper.
Examine the locos for any delicate parts that stick out - the ones most liable to break. If these can be removed, great. If not, I would cut out a piece of foam to surround them.
Yes, I would wrap each loco with bubble wrap, and lay them side by side. But I would not use a piece of ply (too hard) to separate them, I would much prefer cardboard or ever a small fold of more bubble wrap.
The key is to have the box fully packed with no room for movement. And, tape the box securely all the way around.
That should do it, and your package will survive to its destination.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Having just obtained a pack of 10 freight cars recently, I too appreciate when others follow sound packing practices. What this person did was wrap each car in bubble wrap that had small bubbles. He also put foam peanuts in the box to provide extra protection.
Sadly, items can (and often) do get damaged in transit. I can't tell you how many delivered items we've had stuffed in the mailbox. While I understand that shippers have to delivery fast, walking 20 feet to a door isn't too taxing.
gmpullman I sure wish all shippers would observe the "all six sides" rule. I'm amazed at how many packages I get where the item is lying flat on the bottom of the shipping box with NO protection, then LOTS of padding, or Peanuts, are placed on the sides and top. Surely a lack of oversight or simply no common sense. Good Luck, Ed
I sure wish all shippers would observe the "all six sides" rule.
I'm amazed at how many packages I get where the item is lying flat on the bottom of the shipping box with NO protection, then LOTS of padding, or Peanuts, are placed on the sides and top.
Surely a lack of oversight or simply no common sense.
Good Luck, Ed
Shippers laying items directly on the bottom of a box is a huge pet peeve of mine. Padding on all six sides is common sense.
I have had items arrived undamaged "despite" not being padded on all sides but I always cringe when I see stuff packed that way.
I frequently sell items and always do observe the 6 sides paking rule.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
doctorwayneBubble wrap is a good choice for wrapping the small boxes , also on all six sides, and it should be well-taped so that the small box can't slip out due to rough handling.
Excellent point, Wayne.
IDRick I'm sending two locomotives to a friend. I don't have the original boxes anymore.
I'm sending two locomotives to a friend. I don't have the original boxes anymore.
Rich
Alton Junction
Whatever you do, DO NOT put fragile labels on the parcel, it seems to invite the handler(s) to see how far they can kick it!!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I send delicate things in one of those plastic food containers with the snap down lids put inside a cardboard box.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Bubble wrap can be rough on details, so I generally put each locomotive in a box of its own (usually one similar to those used for Athearn Blue Box stuff). If you don't have a box sized to suit each separate object, pick up some empty cardboard boxes at the supermarket, and use a utility knife and a hot glue gun to make suitable boxes and lids.
The loco, lying on its side, has its wheels touching one side of the box, and is laying atop either a paper towel or a tissue which extends beneath the loco's wheels, with its excess length available to place over the loco before the box is closed - this helps to protect the paint. Before the paper towel covers the loco, I insert some fairly firm foam between the top of the loco and the side of the box - this is to protect details atop the loco, but more importantly, prevents the loco from moving within its box. If necessary, foam blocks can be placed between the tops of the front and rear hoods and their respective corners of the box.After the lid is on the box, it's secured with a heavy elastic band (several, if the box is fairly long).Crushed-up newspaper is a good absorber of shocks, as it has lots of "give", so makes a good cushion for all six sides of the larger box into which the small ones will be placed. Bubble wrap is a good choice for wrapping the small boxes , also on all six sides, and it should be well-taped so that the small box can't slip out due to rough handling. Once the small boxes are all taped-up, wrap them together with more bubble wrap.
Another good shock absorber for fragile stuff is corrugated cardboard, used as dividers within a larger box. You can customise it to suit stuff of just about any shape. If necessary, use a hot glue gun to fix it to the main container or other dividers within the main container.
When doing any packing of fragile stuff, it should not be able to move within its own container and the individual containers within the larger box should either be all combined together (bubblewrapped and taped) or wrapped individually (bubblewrapped and taped), then packed tightly together. and bubble-wrapped again.
Never assume that the package will always be facing-up the way you packed it: packages get piled, piles fall down, packages tossed or drop or buried beneath heavy stuff.
When you think that you've packed the items well, lift the closed package at least head-high, and drop it.
I've sent lots of train stuff to many places within North America without incurring any damage, and when my daughter wanted to send a framed and matted (behind glass) original painting to Florida, I got the job of packing it. The painting arrived at the buyer in exactly the same good condition it was when packed.
Wayne
I'm sending two locomotives to a friend. I don't have the original boxes anymore. Any suggestions prepare for shipping? I'm thinking to wrap each locomotive separately with bubble wrap, then lay them side by side in the box, add a wood shim between locos and finally add a final layer of bubblewrap.