Packing and Moving HO scale models

[rob1973]

Hello, I'm new here and already did a search in hopes of finding suggestions for packing and moving models from a train layout, but all I came across was an article on packing up train cars.  That part seems easy if you have the boxes.  So I'm searching for more advice and hoping this post will bring some.

Do to a death in my family, I have to move about 100 HO scale completed models that were part of a large layout my family used to put up every year around Christmas back in the 1980's.  Most of the indivudal models have boxes they've been stored in but no packing material.  I'm thinking of getting the smallest packing peanuts I can find and filling each model's box with them - below, on the sides and above.  Then carefully packing each box into a larger box which will get loaded into a POD unit for transport across the country next week.  Some of these models are very large and complex and fragile.  All were purchased and assembled from various kits.  Some made in Germany, some in the US.  Does anyone have experience doing this or can provide suggestions?  Are packing peanuts the best option?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Wolf359]

Hello! Welcome to the forums! Having moved from central Colorado to south central Wyoming with about 110+ locomotives and around 150 or so cars plus a number of buildings, all HO scale, I think I might have some suggestions that would help. Most of my stuff had the original boxes, but like you, no packing material. For the stuff with boxes, I wrapped each piece in a layer of bubblewrap and taped it before putting it in the box, then I put small pieces of foam in the boxes to keep the engine or car from moving around in the box. Loose engines and cars got an extra thick layer of bubblewrap and were put in small boxes that many of them were originally mailed to me in. Building got put into small boxes with regular packing peanuts, since bubblewrap would've broken details like flag polls etc. After that, it all went into those big plastic storage tubs places like Walmart sell. My 14 stall scratch-built roundhouse went into a large heavy-duty box from a bicycle that my then neighbor was kind enough to let me have after he got his bike out. The roundhouse fit like a glove, and I padded it with heavy duty bubblewrap. It all survived the U-Haul ride with no damage at all, which is amazing due to the fact that I thought some of the expansion joints on the Denver area I-25 bridges were going to break the truck's suspension.

[Little Timmy]

Most of my freight / passenger cars are kitbased and detailed Athern, Model die Casting , Accurail,  ect.

I wrapped each individual car in about 3 or 4 wraps of toilet paper, then packed wadded up tufts of toilet paper in and around each car, making sure to tuck the paper into every crevice  and void in the box.

When using a larger box that will hold multiple cars, I put a layer of cardboard, bubble wrap, cardboard, in between the first layer of cars and the second layer, and on the bottom ov the box.

DO NOT GO MORE THAN 2 LAYERS IN A BOX !!!!!

For locomotives I try to cocoon  them in foam forms, and only 1 loco to a box. Their own weight is there worst enemy.

Packing peanuts, in my opinion, are useless for smaller ( ho and n) scales , but their ok for the larger stuff ( O, G,  ect.)

I have had mixed results with wooden structures, but most plastic structures survived my last move stuffed with toilet paper.

[BroadwayLion]

I use paper towles. They are longer than the car I want to protect. Three layers should do it, and it will also protect the ends of the cars even thought they are not closed.

I use a large box, and place the cars on end. I can get fifteen to twenty cars in a box. Naturally almost all of my cars are passenger cars. I have no need for freight cars. (Besides passengers are tasty!)

And I can look at the ends of the cars and know what cars they are. Locomoties are heavy and so are laid flat.

But then I am a LION, with big furry paws, and so closing the ends of a package is not an option.

[Water Level Route]

I would give this a shot for those buildings.  Good luck.  Sorry about your loss.

https://www.uline.com/BL_2005/Bean-Bag-Peanuts

 

[maxman]

Someone in another recent thread mentioned that bubble wrap and "peanuts" coming into contact with models could cause issues with the painted model surfaces.

Regarding the model storage box mentioned above, I personally don't care for any box system that requires the models to be placed on  their sides.

[rrebell]

Put a peice of foam in the bottom and glue tack the model to it with like caulk. Most damage I have ever recieved from getting stuff or shipping myself has been from a shifting model. I also fill the cavity with packing peanuts, cars I do the bubble wrap. There are two causes of bubble wrap damage which I have never seen on my stuff but know it can happen. One is acrylic paint that has not cured compleatly (dry is not cured) and the other is brand new bubble wrap (plastics will off gas for a long time).

[maxman]

rrebell

Put a peice of foam in the bottom and glue tack the model to it with like caulk.

tack the model to the foam with caulk?

[NVSRR]

Yeah. Use a latex based caulk.  It will hold long enough to keep the structure centered and not move  wrap it with paper towels, tissue paper or something of the like and fill remaining space in box with peanuts.

shane