Could really use some advice

I would save it and just replace the track.

Save all the lumber you can and start over after the move. Ground cover and ballast don't cost that much. Sounds like you've learned a lot from getting that far in the current layout, so the next one will only be better.

You're right about moving it and rebuilding being a hassle with little benefit. Salvage the bench work, forget the scenery and build a new and improved layout. Look at the money as the price of entertainment.

Save what you can and want to. First projects seldom turn out the way you wish they would, so don't feel bad about ditching any elements you need to. they weren't a waste; they were tuition and lab fees.

Think about building the next one so you can take it apart. It doesn't have to be full-on modular if you don't want it to be, but built with an eye toward the next move or reconfiguration. You don't know where life will take you after college and being able to take some layout with you is a good thing.

--Becky

Save what you care to from it and then start over.  Consider that first layout as a sort of "learning lab" where you picked-up and fine-tuned various techniques that can be incorporated into the next layout.

Almost none of us have our first, or even our second, third, or fourth layouts, and each successive pike generally improves upon its forerunners as we learn new and better ways of doing things.

Show us your layout!

I agree.  Save what you can reuse, pitch the rest, move on.

.....

Dennis

Save,save and save has always been my motto.I personaly have to do it out of necessity though.

Lots of good advice

Hopefully college is going well for you.  You need to focus on the next three years in college.  Trains, one way or another, will always be there.  A college degree, in a good field, is extremely important.  IMO.   You may want to sell some of the train items and apply the cash to the college experience.   The least amount of debt when you graduate is to your advantage.  IMO.    

Those of us who moved often during our work careers are very familiar with your situation. I have dismantled 5 layouts in various states of completion, including two recent in '08 and '09--one complete and one 75%. If you built it with screws you can save and recycle most of the lumber which is a major expense. If not abused you can even save some of the electrical components including wire.

My experience with trying to reuse units or modules has not been productive because of having to disassemble and rework the units anyway to accommodate a new and different setting. However I have been able to recycle a majority of the individual 1x4s, 2x4s and 50-60% of the plywood decking.

And, as many have said, the experience gained will produce new, improved ideas and a more satisfying layout next time. Good luck.  

If you're paying a moving company, consider the cost of moving anything you want to salvage. When I moved with the Air Force back in the day, cost was based on weight and the weight of wood can add up. If that's the case, it won't be a dollar for dollar trade-off, but may tip the scales in favor of starting from scratch in the new location AFTER college.