Best way to handle/lift heavy locomotives

by the ribbons equally, and then when it just about free, i favor one side pulling the ribbon free on the upper side and then pull up the lower side

 

my problem is how you unwrap the still wrapped engine; i usually try to cradle the lower chassis with one open hand and then roll it out

 

key point, remind yourself these things can be $1,000 + / that slows me down

This has always been a concern for me, too. Any advice as far as where best to grab or support is appreciated. 

 

Ribbons are helpful, when provided, though my recent steam locomotive purchases (Y6B and gold PE Berkshire) did not have ribbons.  I generally try to find a point without detail pieces that is also solidly part of the engine to elevate the engine form the Styrofoam.   When unwrapped I generally support the engine w/a hand under the drive wheels until I set it down on the track.  I align the drive wheels on the track by lifting the weeks with side pressure under the drive gear (without stressing the connecting rods).  With other wheels I just lift & set like I would any other truck.  I avoid pressure on detail pieces whenever possible.

 

I have no idea if my method is recommended, or even wise, but it's the best I could come up with on my own.  Again, any tips or suggestions are appreciated. 

Once it's out of the packaging, when it comes to placing it on the track I lift by the cab roof and the front cylinders. 

the best way to pick them up is to tilt to side just so you can get your fingers under drive wheels and pick it up. this helps from braking things.

With some locomotives, the best way to get them out of the package is to lay the styrofoam insert on the lid and lift the box off. Of course, this may allow any small parts, spare tires, etc that are stored in recesses in the box to fall out as well, so if you're going to do this be sure you can control anything else that falls out. 

 

Some Lionel locomotives are packed standing up - just lift the top off and they are exposed and easy to remove. MTH packs some of their electrics in a metal cage - you remove the cage and then remove the screws holding the locomotive in the cage. 

 

Also note that 3rd Rail locomotives are packed differently from anything else. They are strapped to wooden planks on the bottom. You need to lift out the foam insert and then unwrap the locomotive and tender. 

I've done that too. I've also used the cab roof to lift out of the box when packaged "standing".  Front cylinders seem sturdy enough. 

Most Lionel locos don't have ribbons. I use those. But on MTH I flip the foam so that the engine comes out once I lift the packaging the engine sits on the top of the foam, super easy to get stuff out of the box.

I've found that the ribbons are helpful, but sometimes I have to tip the foam cradle a bit so that the engine can gradually slide out with the help of gravity.

 

As an aside, as much as I love foam packaging I came across an issue where the foam inserts were a little too tight. In that case I'm convinced the chances of getting the cars back into the foam inserts without breaking a few detail parts is pretty slim.

 

-John

 

 

First look for holes on the other side of the foam cradle. Ifno holes then do use the suggestions above. With holes, I standhe box up horizontal andpush the loco out sideways until I can grab the drive wheels.

Whether it's a boxcar, tank car, a diesel engine, or a steamer, I always pick up and carry a railroad item by the trucks or drivers.  

I cringe at train shows when I see a guy pick up a nice 6464 boxcar by placing one grubby thumb on one side panel and three grubby fingers on the other (with his grubby pinky delicately hovering in the air).  I think about the finger oils, dirt, nicotine stains, etc. that are transferring from his grubby paw to the sides of that nice, original yellow D&RGW or Rutland paint scheme.

On my layout, I pick up items exclusively by the trucks/drivers as those are either unpainted cast metal or black plastic and are less likely to show any marks from whatever I was handling shortly before (e.g., solder flux).  The other advantage of this is it makes it easier to place the item on the tracks using your fingers as a sort of re-railer.

FULL DISCLOSURE -- I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS WITH A LARGE STEAMER -- but concerning foam packaging, why wouldn't you do the following?  Most of the foam boxes I've seen have a skinny side panel that you lift off to see the engine.  Once the skinny side panel is removed, you expose the engine that is pressed into the remainder of the foam cradle.  I would put the skinny panel side face down on a flat table, and lift the larger foam cradle up and off the loco.  From there, you could easily pick the loco up by the drivers and move it to the table or shelf.  Again, I've never done this (because I haven't ever purchased an engine that required it), but it is how I customarily remove something heavy from similar packaging (e.g., a flat panel TV).  In other words, make sure the heavy object is well secured and then lift the lighter packaging from around it, not the other way around.  

That would be my $0.02.  I'd be interested to hear how others do it.

Steven J. Serenska

Sorry, guys, I somehow missed SW Hiawatha's post before I made mine.  Sorry for the duplication.

 

SJS