Need advice on storing my trains, track, buildings, and etc.

Put them in the original boxes if you have them. Pack all of it into larger boxes.

I would suggest a climate controlled facility,

Put them in plastic containers. Cardboard boxes will not keep the mice and bugs out.  Don't ask me how I know this.

I would get some packing paper from U-Haul. It's basically newspaper without any printing on it.

Wrap the trains in packing paper, and put them in plastic tubs. I like the ones with the two piece folding top, as they stack nicely. They will not shed water from above, though.

Remove any batteries.  John

You might also want to spray the storage unit for pests and set up a number of glue traps to avoid any stow-a-ways on the trip to the new home. 

I second the suggestion of storage tubs.  You might want to throw a few silica packs into each one to absorb unwanted moisture.

Take the time to document and label the contents of each tub.

Good luck with your move!

@Rudy T posted:

Put them in plastic containers. Cardboard boxes will not keep the mice and bugs out.  Don't ask me how I know this.

Plastic containers definitely are more robust and offer much better protection than cardboard so I agree with that, but plastic containers won't necessarily keep mice (or rats) out.  Don't ask me how I know this. 

Make sure the plastic containers tops are sealed to keep out any liquids.

When we moved from PA to NC, I packed up all my trains and had them in storage for about 10 months.

All my trains were in their original boxes, and those boxes were packed in larger boxes.  I arranged for a climate controlled storage unit in NC and purchased a bunch of plastic pallets to keep everything several inches off the floor.

I kept an inventory of every box that we moved from PA to NC and included a description of the contents.  Naturally, all the train boxes were labeled T-xx (xx being a sequential number).

We did 3 runs from PA to NC with U-Haul trucks.  One of the U-Haul trucks had a slight leak and of course we had to drive in the rain.  A couple of train boxes got a little wet.  But, the moisture didn't even get to the original boxes.  No critters in the storage unit.

If you put them in a storage unit or some other facility, I would check with your homeowners insurance and get a policy covering them. The policy was around $100.00. I canceled after 3 months and got $75.00 back.

I did this when I moved from Columbia, MD to Lancaster, PA. The engines I moved to my daughter's basement. Everything else went into the mover's storage facility.

Charlie

I moved from GA to PA with a sizable amount of post war accessories, engines and rolling stock - most without original boxes  

Be very careful on what you use to wrap these items.  I only used acid free tissue paper. For the cars I used 4x4x12 boxes both taped and secured with rubber bands.  I added some corrugated packing paper, wrapped the car completely in tissue paper and then another layer of corrugated packing paper in the box - one car per box.  I used normal moving boxes - put a layer of foam packing peanuts, a layer of cars in boxes and then another layer of peanuts then another layer of cars in boxes then more peanuts.  For accessories I tried to create some type of cardboard shell and then they went solo into a box with a lot of packing peanuts.

Used a climate controlled storage facility.  They were in storage about 5 months. I moved them separate in a rented truck - movers moved the rest of the household. All the post war items made it fine - no damage.  The same could not be said for much of the furniture and other items the “professionals” moved.

Luther

@JD2035RR posted:

You might also want to spray the storage unit for pests and set up a number of glue traps to avoid any stow-a-ways on the trip to the new home.

I second the suggestion of storage tubs.  You might want to throw a few silica packs into each one to absorb unwanted moisture.

Take the time to document and label the contents of each tub.

Good luck with your move!

I concur. I discovered an App called "ToteScan"...it's great for documenting what's in a tub. You get QR codes through the App or website then just list what's going into the tub. In many cases you can scan the barcode on the mfrs. box and it populates automatically with a picture. Or you can take pictures and add that to the item list.  Here's a link to it:

  https://www.totescan.com/

I've used it to store my entire collection...some boxes with trains but most are empty boxes.  I just scan the QR code on the tote and I know what's in it. Also, there are various search techniques in the app to find which tote holds the thing you are looking for. Finally you can print out a hard copy of your ToteScan inventory.  I print the inventory in "booklet" then put it in a binder.  I slip the QR Code and a tote ID  the large letter below into a holder that I tape to the Tote. (Makes it easy to search) It does have an adhesive backing also if you choose to use it. ( ProSimpli 3x5 Adhesive Index Card Pocket Sleeves - 50 Per Box; on Amazon)

As you can see I'm approaching the entire alphabet!  Hope this helps.

Here's what it looks like in the App:

If you don't use plastic totes and use cardboard boxes.. Make sure you don't place the boxes directly on the concrete.  The dampness in the cement/concrete will be absorbed into your electronics and metals, wheels, frames, etc. Place additional cardboard, foam, plastic, 2X4s..   Ask me how I know this...  Good luck;... 

Ted, good advice. Cardboard and concrete don’t mix well.

Ted, the layout is on a carpeted floor.

Don't pick your storage facility based on price alone; go and inspect it to see if how well the facility is maintained, how good or bad the housekeeping is, are there pest control measures in place, are there fire alarms, etc. installed and so forth.

I used a U-Haul storage facility years ago that was inside a former three story school building.  They met all those requirements while some of the no-name or "mom and pop" facilities in the area did not.  One of the local U-Haul facilities near me offers both climate-controlled and non-climate controlled storage rooms.  It looks like at least one U-Haul facility near where you plan to move offers climate-controlled secure indoor storage