Kato OH painted samples posted to twitter.

[skytop35]

A little sneak peak for everyone. Enjoy ! (I did  )

[u18b]

Maybe I'm late to the party.....

But this is the first view of the inside of the box I've seen.

Not sure how I feel about the hard Styrofoam versus the softer stuff.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kato-10-753-2-10753-2-Milwaukee-Road-Olympian-Hiawatha-9-Cars-Set-N-scale/352198773239?hash=item5200aec9f7:g:9IMAAOSwTQtZ-qLA

[wcfn100]

Not sure how I feel about the hard Styrofoam versus the softer stuff.

It's the same packaging as the California Zephyr which is on it's 7th release and I don't recall hearing about any issues.

Jason

[peteski]

I think that all the Kato train sets which do not come in book-style cases are packed in molded Styrofoam trains. This type of packaging has also been used by many other manufacturers in the past and present (usually European manufacturers). Even Bachmann used it in the '80s (as nests in the white cardboard boxes). The packaging is pretty stable (it doesn't crumble and make a mess), yet it is soft enough not to damage the models.  I wouldn't worry about it. I have several Kato sets in that type of packaging (and several Fleischmann sets too) and all is well.

Having said that, I would still much prefer the book-cases because they are easier to store than those large and unwieldy boxes. It is not like Kato doesn't do that. For example my 15-car Orient Express sat from Kato was packaged in 2 book-style cases in a sleeve holding them together. It looks really good and it easy to store.  But I guess it is not as impressive as a giant flat box.

[MK]

Operation North Pole comes in gray sponge cutout tray.  No Styrofoam.

[peteski]

Operation North Pole comes in gray sponge cutout tray.  No Styrofoam.

Is it in a cardboard box or in a standard Kato book-style case?

[MK]

Cardboard box.  If you buy the additional two cars, they come in a bookcase.  The bookcase has four additional spaces for the 3 cars and loco that are in the set.  It's almost like they are encouraging you to buy the additional two cars just so you can get the bookcase.

[peteski]

Cardboard box.  If you buy the additional two cars, they come in a bookcase.  The bookcase has four additional spaces for the 3 cars and loco that are in the set.  It's almost like they are encouraging you to buy the additional two cars just so you can get the bookcase.

OK, than all I can say is that Kato packages their larger (quantity of cars) sets in large flat cardboard boxes with with stiff Styrofoam insert/nest.  Sounds like yours came in the same dense foam rubber nest they use in those book-style cases (and also use that foam for locomotive nests).

[wes_sutton]

I think the End of Days is upon us

[peteski]

I think the End of Days is upon us

Neah!  But if you are in USA, don't forget to move the clock back 1 hour on Saturday night. Time travel is fun! 

[OldEastRR]

UP Excursion Train came with gray foam. It's not so much whether they cushion as well, but the optics: the gray foam stuff looks much classier than plain Styrofoam. Like whether you'd like people to see you in a Lexus or a Kia.

[w neal]

I thought you said you only liked the yellow kind Bill. I tried to talk you into seeing the remains of lines west a few years back...

[u18b]

I know this may sound silly.... so forgive me if it does....

But one of the things I think about is shrinkage- which I have see in some old styrofoam.

Of coarse, who can forget the way that those old Con Cor sponge foam turns to dust over time.

My experience is that if the styrofoam is tight- like in the well cars, then I guess all is OK.
But when it is NOT tight, and the car can move around a little, abrasion can happen.

That's why I really like that stuff (don't even know what it's called) that Kato and Atlas have been using for the last 20 years or so.

And that's partially my point.   I kind of expect/want the packaging on my trains to last 50 years or so (if possible).   I know that seems absurd to some, but I have a few pieces from the 60s and a few from the 70s.  That's 40 and 50 years ago.   And I have a lot from the 90s- which is already almost 30 years.

Don't take this as complaining or bashing something that has not even come out.  I'm just pondering and musing.   I guess the packaging matters to me....... maybe because I have moved about 12 times in my career.

[Lemosteam]

Apologies in advance... 

[skytop35]

I thought you said you only liked the yellow kind Bill. I tried to talk you into seeing the remains of lines west a few years back...

Well, the yellow and gray is still my favorite since that is what I remember when riding the trains as a youngster. The 1952 scheme is also cool and Kato's price is right for me to add this to the collection. Actually I'll also be mixing in some yellow to this train occasionally for fun !