We have two layouts, O and HO.
Because of a situation beyond our control, the HO layout has to be dismantled.
Storing the major structural components and electronic equipment pose no problems but the rolling stock is something else. The original boxes have long been discarded.
Since the majority of the rolling stock are high-end with spring trucks etc. how would you suggest that the cars be packed? Would they be individually wrapped (with what) and bulk packed or would each be put into it's own individual box (50+ = $)?
As always, many thanks for your suggestions.
When my family made the 'last in this lifetime' move to my current abode I packed all my HOj rolling stock in a couple of big file storage boxes purchased at a big-box office supply house. Each was lined with thin foam (fan-fold underlayment left over from a re-siding project) and additional strips were cut to fit between the rows of cars. Each unit was packed in a trough of plain (unprinted) paper towel which was either folded over the tops of underheight units or trimmed to fit. Little separators were placed between cars in each row, cut out to clear couplers. Similar separators went at the end of each row. Slack was taken up by stuffing newspaper between the final separator and the end.
Once the first deck was loaded I cut a 'tween deck' of thin foam and started over again. Each file box accepted four levels of rolling stock, with space enough on top for car cards and an inventory sheet.
I packed the heaviest items (locomotives and some all-metal cars) on the lower decks, and the items with odd shapes and high smoke jacks on the top, with cutouts in the closer deck to clear them.
Thus packed, they survived seventeen hundred miles in the bed of a pickup and several months of storage before I had a chance to unpack any of them. Nothing suffered any kind of damage, and everything returned to service with nothing but a look-see inspection and re-lubrication. Of course, I was the only one to touch those boxes.
Packing was labor-intensive for a couple of days, more than made up for by not having to make minor (or major) repairs before putting my rolling stock back in service. Would I do the same thing again? in a heartbeat!
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Chuck:
Wow! ....... Thanks, so much for your reply.
My guess is that I may have to do much of the same thing. Appreciate your advice.