We are moving due to a new job. I just want to know any tips or suggestions anyone might have who has had to move their trains/layout bfeore. Everything is moving except the benchwork. That’ll be left behind (two 4x8 plys on saw horses).
Thanks,
Dan
Did a cross country move.
A diagram of the layout with custom cut track sections marked is nice to have.
It may be a good idea to physically mark certain pieces of track, and the pieces they attach to (mark switches and the track pieces that fit into that switch, or sections that have pins reversed, etc.) so that on the other end you know what pieces went together and aren’t trying to add or remove track pins, etc.
I stacked track sections together, wrapped them in plastic packing cling wrap, put them in “Rubber Maid” type containers, and then wrapped the container with a lot of that plastic packing cling wrap to keep the whole thing together (we went through a lot of plastic cling wrap).
All my trains have original boxes. I wrapped all the boxes in bubble wrap and plastic cling wrap, and then put those in boxes with foam peanuts. Overpack the boxes with peanuts so they buldge a little. That way when items are set on them the boxes compress a tad but do not collapse. Boxes that are packed just to the point of being exactly full, so they look nice and square, will get crushed in the moving van by the weight of other things on top of them as the van drives.
My KW transformer came a part as much as it could (handles off, etc.) and then each of those was wrapped in quite a bit of bubble wrap and the bubble wrap was wrapped in plastic packing cling wrap At the end it look like a large heavy ball of bubble wrap and plastic, but it was very well protected and somewhat moisture proof. The KW was then packed in box with peanuts.
You can create things called “bumpers” out of paper by making cumpling up lengths of packing paper and then rolling those crumple lenghts in two sheets of flat pakcing paper. These sausage type tubes of paper absorb shocks, keep items from moving.
We really over packed our goods, but as a result we had no damage to them.
Take lots of pictures from all angles. Pack heavy stuff in the bottom. Three medium boxes is better than one big one. Number the boxes and on a sheet of paper have the contents of a numbered box listed with the box number identified. Good luck
Jim
Dan, if this is a job transfer where a moving company comes in, let them pack everything and then it is insured. If not, BIRDS has the right idea. Good luck! Been there, done that.
All good suggestions. This’ll be a move with professional movers, but was unsure if I should let 'em handle it despite the insurance. hadn’t thought of the camera idea–that’s why this forum is so helpful. Thanks for the help and keep the suggestions coming.
Dan
Dan,
Let’s say the movers bust up one of your engines really bad. You can use Ebay to confirm the price of you claim or the Greenberg book.
If you pack it yourself, and let’s say the box busts open, they will look at you and say, “You packed it, not us. Obviously you did not use a strong enough box . Not our fault. See ya.”[:(]
Becareful on mover’s insurance. Unless you purchase full value insurance at extra cost your insurance cost will only be $0.60 per $100.00. You won’t buy a replacement train on that !!!
Ooops meant to say $0.60 per pound.
On second thought, maybe packing it myself and hauling it, my guns and valuables in my suburban, with my wife and kid in the other car with my wife’s valuables, may be the ticket. Insurance and guarantees always sound better than when you actually need them. Ever try to call a company on a lifetime guarantee? Only Sears’ hand tools has ever impressed me. So, with that in mind, maybe it’s safer to do a DIY and keep 'em in the back of my rig.
Dan
Pack it yourself with mucho care. You can never be too careful. Don’t worry about the track plan 'cause you’ll definitely build a new and improved layout once you settle in the room and start dreamin and schemin. The next ones are always better!!