Moving from N. Florida to Chandler, Arizona

One way is to purchase plastic tote bins similar to what Firestone uses to ship parts to their retail tire stores.  The lids have teeth which mesh when closed and there is a hole at each end which will accept your cargo seal.  If the seals are broken when delivered, someone may have been in the tote.  With a list of what you placed in each tote, you can immediately tell what, if anything, is missing.  John

I made a long distance move and used these.  My engines were boxed and used foam to fill in.  Used zip ties to seal.  Had no problems.  Cars, bldgs, track etc , I pre boxed and the movers packed into china barrels  All came through fine. 

Mort

@Churu The totes will protect them a lot, hopefully you have the original boxes, if not use plenty of bubble wrap on the engines and pack them snugly.

When you arrive in Chandler, and catch your breath, come visit us at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, about 30 minutes from Chandler. We are a club of 100 plus who enjoy sharing the hobby, have a huge layout here in the Model Railroad Building, and always enjoy the company of train nuts like ourselves.  We have weekly gatherings on Thursday evenings, dinner prior at one of the local restaurants and a weekly theme for bragging rights, or doing club business. 

Two recommendations From someone who has lived in 7 states and moved innumerable times:

1) Instead of bubble wrap buy a roll or two of foam sheets (from Uline or a moving company) - they are softer, gentler, & take less room in boxes or containers overall.

2) Add a rider to your homeowners insurance policy for the trains. Moving company's insurance plans are usually protection plans which exempt them from most consumer protection laws and state insurance regulations.

@Churu posted:

About ten years ago or so I moved from S. Florida to N. Florida (Lake City, 350 miles apart), back them I bought a Chevy pick up truck and with the help of my lovely   wife (unfortunately she pass away January 8  and left my heart broken in pieces, but this is another very sad history) I moved all my trains and electronic gear with no problems at all, I am not a young guy anymore and I have to move to Arizona, Chandler (1800 miles apart) where my daughter lives, my old layout had 250 feet of GarGraves track and about 8 trains (Lionel and MTH) my actual layout has 1250 feet of GarGraves track in a room 25x50 feet and about 50 trains (passenger and freight Lionel and MTH), I think I have to hire a moving company, but  I am scared about my trains are going to be damaged during transportation. Does anybody has an idea how can I be able to transport all my trains without any damaged to my trains? Please, I need your help guys, give yours ideas.

Churu old buddy, so very sorry to hear about your wife’s passing. Josephine was such a wonderful person. My deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family.

I used to love visiting your old layout with my then young kids when you lived down here in Hollywood. Your wife and you were so very hospitable, even when upon each visit, my kids seemed to bring additional friends with them to admire your layout. It was always a fun time.   If your collection is approximately the same and intact from back then, I can appreciate your concerns.  The boxes with peanuts or bubble wrap ideas listed above are spot on and i have seen them used by a number of acquaintances that moved down here with similar sized collections.  Hopefully, that wonderful signal and track system you developed can be taken down once again and reconfigured in your new location.  That was quite an impressive layout.  I can only imagine how difficult this must all be for you. Hang in there buddy and keep us posted.