Will Lionel sell shipping boxes for Legacy and Vision Line engines?

Although I doubt they're available, did you check w/ Lionel customer service?

David Ogletree posted:

Hi Forum Friends,

I have several Lionel Legacy and Vision Line engines which have come to me, both new and used, without their factory shipping cartons (I have all of the orange Lionel boxes, just not the 'shippers'). Can anyone tell me if I could order factory-correct boxes for these engines from Lionel or not? I can't seem to find any information on this on the forum or elsewhere. Appreciate the advice!

David Ogletree
Needham, MA
781-799-4335

 

I hope you can get them.  It is amazing to find so many people don't keep them.  Especially people that buy and sell on eBay.  They get mad when you ask if they have the original shipper and wonder why they don't get more interest.  I explain that by throwing the box away, they kill almost 25% of the value.

I am thinking that if you can get them easily, you can go into the box reselling business.  I am going to watch this post because Railking can certainly use a good single outer box.  Some are shipped 3 engines in 1 shipper I've been told.

So, I just spent an hour on hold waiting for Lionel customer service. The woman I spoke with indicated that they do not have any cartons available, nor can they make them. So once the shipper is gone, you're S.O.L., if you want one. That's too bad. Seems like a business opportunity to me. If someone wanted to make replica boxes with replica labels, I would suspect there'd be a good market. Also, folks who have old or tattered boxes might opt for replacements... but that's just me.

David Ogletree posted:

Hi Forum Friends,

..... (I have all of the orange Lionel boxes, just not the 'shippers').......

 

 

Just curious, so feel free to correct me if I am wrong but, I have a few Lionel  Vision Line products, however I don’t recall them coming in Lionel orange boxes, not even the reefers.  They all came in custom Vision Line boxes, which were not the standard orange.  I can’t check for sure because all the boxes are in storage.

MrMoe50 posted:

David Ogletree posted:

Hi Forum Friends,

..... (I have all of the orange Lionel boxes, just not the 'shippers').......

 

 

Just curious, so feel free to correct me if I am wrong but, I have a few Lionel  Vision Line products, however I don’t recall them coming in Lionel orange boxes, not even the reefers.  They all came in custom Vision Line boxes, which were not the standard orange.  I can’t check for sure because all the boxes are in storage.

I think you are right.  My visionline boxes have all been black I think.  I think Legacy comes in the orange boxes like other items.

Dave - you might want to give Charles Ro in Malden a call and see if they have any leftover shipping cartons they want to get rid of.

Yes, sorry. The Vision Line equipment all comes in black boxes, and I have all of those as well. It's just the shipping cartons for both Legacy and Vision engines I'd like to find. I will speak with Charlie Ro and see, but I suspect they don't keep them either. Unfortunately, I suspect I'm outa luck...

Honestly the shipping boxes are all garbage.  I have kept mine, but they are thin and flimsy. By the time I got them they were pretty well trashed, and they continue to fall apart just being moved around int eh house.  I don't think one would make it being shipped empty.  They are to keep the retail box safe by getting damaged instead, and they do that okay for the most part.

As for a business to make replacements, there are so many different sizes and shapes that it would very cost prohibitive.

I have made custom shippers on occasion by cutting down and customizing an existing box, but it's time consuming and tedious. I think the original shippers are made in China on a one shot basis for the number of specific engines made to order, and once shipped over the pond, that's it, there are no more.

Rod

This is just me.....But the boxes for my trains are just boxes. I have saved a ton of money buying postwar and even modern trains without boxes. I don't get pleasure from sitting and staring at the boxes. The shipping box is even less important especially with the words MADE IN CHINA big and bold.......... I don't need to be reminded of this.

One day, and probably soon, … the boxes will be worth more than the engines.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Get the discarded cardboard from furniture, refrgerator or full size copier boxes.  Take a flat piece and roll the engine box in the cardboard and crease it with the round end of a sharpie where needed.   Leave an overhang piece, then cut and elmer glue it as necessary.  Leave a slight amount of extra room inside or you won't be able to get the original box out.   Use american cardboard, asian stuff is low fiber content. 

One day, and probably soon, … the boxes will be worth more than the engines.

You may be right and then I'm the big loser.......But I'd still rather collect trains and not boxes. Again this is just me and I can understand how boxes are a big deal to most collectors.

Go to ULINE they make all kinds and sizes of boxes.

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I guess I should preobably clarify that I am not incapable of making nice shipping boxes. I do that all the time, as I buy and sell trains regularly. The issue is simply one of the value of the item. An original Lionel shipping box adds CONSIDERABLY to the resale value of these items. It’s totally consistent, and it’s not small. I, and I suspect many others, feel that having an original shipping box is one demonstration that the item has been cared for and is highly valued by its owner(s). You could certainly argue that point if you want, but there’s little arguing that the value of the pieces is significantly affected by the presence or absense of an original ‘shipper’. So, that’s the reason I’d like to be able to buy original boxes, not for storage or shipping.

Truthfully, I think you're tilting at windmills here.  The only place you can get "original" shipping boxes is obviously Lionel for Lionel products.  Since you've already gotten an answer from them, I think the rest of the conversation is somewhat moot.  A repo box is not an "original" shipper, no more than a repo car or locomotive is an "original".

I rarely get the shipping boxes do to picking up my engines in person at my hobby shop. He always checks them out before I take them home as it’s a two hour drive, Clarksville, to Evansville, Indiana. When I sell my trains, I triple pack everything so that it hopefully arrives safe and sound. Lately, the original shipping cartons have not been that sturdy. Normally the shipper is just a covering for the Lionel engine box, and even that, needs to be packed in an outer Carton for safe shipping. UPS, FedEx, etc., toss these packages like footballs and this is why triple packaging. 

Don Quixote I am not, Gunrunner. I am merely lamenting the newly-found fact that Lionel does not offer a replacement shipping box for their products.

Over the years I have had numerous people, including several Lionel dealers, say to me something to the effect that ‘Oh sure, you can get replacement boxes from Lionel, but they’re a bit pricey.’  As a result, I have gone along my merry way buying used (and even some new) Lionel products without original shipping cartons, assuming that I could obtain replacement Lionel shippers at some point down the road, at least for those locos with high resale value.

You know what they say about assuming....

I can tell you this: now that I have confirmed from the source (after a 1.5 hour hold time) that no shippers were, are or will be available from Lionel, I won’t be paying big bucks for any used Lionel product without one, regardless of its rarity or how much I might want it. Without a shipper, it will have to be a clear, demonstrable bargain, or I pass!

And I bet I’m not alone in feeling that way.

I think what David is saying, the value of the Locomotive/Diesel stays closer to the original manufacturer selling price as a more complete set, than without the shipper. This may be truer than not, however, as we buy on the secondary market, getting the piece in without damage is a top priority. I do understand his thinking and he has a good point.  Great thread.