What do you that have to move?

[Back2Trains]

I have moved twice in 3 years, the first time from Michigan to South Florida and the second was about 10 miles. I was praparing to build a layout before we moved the first time but hadn't begun yet, so all I had to do was pack up all of my accumulated "stuff" and hope the movers got it all here intact. They did and as soon as I could I started work. I built a two tier 4 track wall/ceiling hung layout and then a separate bench layout, 12 1/2 feet by 8 feet. I built the bench layout in 4 sections which bolt together around an open center, but I still had to take up a lot of the track and cut or pull out a lot of the wiring. I'm now in the process of reinstalling it. The first thing I had to do was cut 6 inches off the long side to get it down to 12 feet. Now I'm rewiring it and am installing a terminal strip or Molex plug everyplace where wires cross over into the next section of benchwork. I may also put track joints at each section line as well. Right now we aren't planning to move again, but we weren't expecting the first two moves either.
As for the wall layout, I will probably rework it for the new room, salvaging whatever I can.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Having been there and done that more than once, and swearing to never do it again, I would say take everything you can easily take.

From the Mall of America, I took the trains of course, all of the track that was easily accessable, the lighting system, all of the trees and structures, and all of the electrical system including miles of wire. The benchwork and plaster were pretty much all that remained. I heard they brought in a bobcat to do the demolition. Served them right.

When I moved to the house I live in now, I had just begun construction, so it was fairly easy to take the benchwork apart and just reuse the lumber. In that case, the room was absolutely clean, and I salvaged everything.

[Anonymous]

Good question...I'm facing that next spring. I will need to remove my shelf layout and Xmas floor layout from my family room to get my home ready to sell. I live in a Condo an won't have the room to save anything for salvage. I'll need to repair the holes in the wall where the trains passed into the utility and storage rooms. My biggest concern is what to do with my collection while I have the house up for sale. My first thought is temporary storage, but I'm a little apprehensive. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[lionelsoni]

I'll say it again: My around-the-walls layout has all the complexity in the corners, connected by straight sections. When I moved, I just had to shorten or lengthen those.

[3railguy]

I use flamable materials when building a layout such as pine benchwork and paper mache mountains.. It makes taking it down much easier. Just light a match and poof it's gone!

[FJ and G]

Most people, esp. women, don't like trains in the house and definitely don't think of them fondly like we do or as "furniture."

Even toy train hobbyists likely would rather move into a house and set up their own layout rather than one that suits your tastes.

Time to get out the sawzall, rotary hammer, sledghammer and ax and get started.

[ChiefEagles]

Its not fun. Kids an I left ex-wife and house. Took it all up but some benchwork. Frankie [son] and I built an O modular thing for apt. When we moved into this house, Frankie and I built him a small HO in his room. Remarried and filled all the bedrooms of this house [her's and mine kids]. Now the kids are gone, the O guage is coming out of storage and one bedroom will become layout room.

[eZAK]

The last time I moved I had to deal with a 6'x12' layout.
(Table top type with 2x4 legs & 5/8 ply)

I cut the rails at the ply joints then sawsalled the rest.
The plan was to rebuild using some of the same pieces.

After the move it sat for a year.
When I started the new layout I ended up just using the track and throwing out the wood.

[Anonymous]

If you have a large layout in your basement and you have to move, I'm sure your Real Estate agent will recommend that you remove the layout and repair/repaint all your walls etc., before you put your house on the market.

My last layout was in a very large, completely finished basement and measured 12 x 32-feet. The benchwork was all 2x4 construction with a sheet plywood top. I dreaded the thought of having to remove it, but I did. I packed away all the track, engines, rolling stock and accessories and gave all my bench work lumber to two local O-gaugers I got to know on these Forums.

It was more convenient for me to simply give the benchwork lumber away than to move and take it with me.

It was a chore, but the basement looked enormous when it was cleaned out. And that help to sell the house in a few months and now I'm constructing a new layout in the new house. The new benchwork is being screwed and bolted together for easy future removal.

Hope this helps.
BillFromWayne,
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[Roger Bielen]

That's the question my wife keeps asking. Also the reason why were probably here to stay when she retires and I for the 2nd time.

[Anonymous]

and have a large layout up in the basement do. Do you slavage what you can and leave the rest for the new owner to take down or what.
I hope that never happens to me. It would be a major headache to take down.
Dave,.