I’ve mentioned this off and on for it seems like a year now (we had some hiccups in the sale of our place) but now the big move is really happening in 4 weeks.
Today I’m going down to the layout to start cutting track with my Dremel and 1" cutting wheel, and pulling up other sections which lie across the boundaries of my sectional layout.
I think I’m going to wrap all the trailing wires with one of those big rolls of movers’ plastic wrap up and over the sections (I have not done any ballasting or landscaping because I have been seeing this day coming).
I will probably piece most of the layout back together just as it is presently. Then I will be adding more to it in the new location.
At least you have been expecting it, too bad to have to do it though. It does sound like you did a bit of pre-planning by not finishing some things.
My one suggestion would be to label your wires. Use sticky labels folded over and plainly mark what they are for. You can use different colors for track, switch control, accessory lights, etc, just makes it easier when you are working on each, while crawling under the layout in its new location.
Pack your rolling stock carefully, if you have the original boxes and no added accessories, I’d use them, use packing peanuts to fill the box of kit cars that are a little loose in their boxes.
Hope you don’t have to wait to long before you can start reassembling and that your movers “care” about the fragility of the components of the layout.
Since you designed for the move, I can only offer a few ‘packaging’ suggestions.
After one crosswise wrap of pallet wrap (to secure loose wires and potential flying bits and pieces) pack each end in several layers of box cardboard. Then wrap endwise. Then crosswise. That will protect the corners and rail ends from being bump-damaged, and will also protect whatever they might bump into. If there are rail ends on the longer sides, give them the cardboard treatment also.
Label each piece, preferably in a way that will identify where it goes in the scheme of things.
Keep any odd parts and fasteners together - labeled zip-bags in a shoebox or similar size container.
Check Search for lots of suggestions on how to pack rolling stock.
Stacking on edge or end in the van will discourage piling heavy items on the flat surfaces.
Upon arrival at the new railroad site, prep the new space as necessary (anything from insulation and drywall to painting the walls ‘backdrop blue’) before unwrapping the layout sections (except to inspect for damage.)
Adhering to this idea preserved my sanity on my move from Tennessee to Nevada.
Depending on the size of the sections, mattress boxes work well for shipping in a van. Stuff any voids with old sheets or blankets. At worst you may lose some pieces of plaster terrain, ballast or grass, all of which are easily replaced.
When you do your cuts, don’t try to do them to the final length, 1/2 inch in should be fine, you can rail nip to the final size when in place. Last after all is cut up and wrapped, take a large sharpie and label the plastic 1-2-3 etc. so there is not guess work where they go.
In addition to labeling stuff, I urge you to get a notebook and take notes, and also pictures. While much of the layout’s connections and wiring may be very clear to you now, by the time you get to put it all back together again it may mostly be a faint memory.
More than a few times I’ve fallen victim to thinking “no sense taking a picture or making notes”, only to realize later that I should have done so.
I didn’t mention that this is a crosstown move, so that will save some wear and tear over the miles, but still the packing is the same and I appreciate all your ideas which I will follow.
Luckily it will be my son and I handling the layout sections and rolling stock etc. in and out of the house into our own rented van, just for the layout and a few other “irreplaceables” in the house.
Get big pieces of corrugated cardboard, like refrigerator or other appliance boxes, and staple them to the bottom of the layout. This will completely cover the underside, and prevent stray wires from getting caught on things during the move. The cardboard will come off easily after the move.
Don’t be in too big a hurry to set up again. Take time to prep the new room. Think about adding power, making sure the walls don’t leak, etc. Add overhead lighting before you set up anything below it. Paint the walls, and think about backdrops and coved corners. Consider cheap carpet if the floor is bare. If it’s a concrete floor, or walls, at a minimum paint them to reduce dust. Finish the ceiling, which will also reduce dust, but also improve the lighting and overall appearance of the layout. It’s a lot of work, but you’ll appreciate it in the long run.
Pack the rolling stock up early. It will take you 2 to 3 times more time than you think. Don’t hack up anything that can be taken apart. Step back and think a little before you act when you run into a problem.
I moved my layout 5 years ago and finally got around to to setting it up again a little over a year ago. I packed all the rolling stock and structures in bubble wrap - bought it at Sam’s - and nothing was broken or out of place when I unpacked everything. When I disassembled the bench work I was able to do it in four 8 foot sections and was also able to fold up and screw the legs to the inside of the L-girders. These ended up being very manageable and made the re-construction much easier.
Good luck - these things are never easy but since you knew it was coming you did have time to prepare.