Ken,
I totally missed this post.
Jos,
I'm curious what Ken has to say. This is a very specialized layout.
Ken,
I saw the comments about N-scale. Given the layout you are giving up, N-might be a good compromise. When I started my new layout, I found that I had accumulated a lot of train stuff I was never going to use. So far using eBay, it has funded my new layout. Anyway, I think you might enjoy the prospect of rethinking everything smaller and grander. Let your mind go for a second.
We really don't know how long we will stay at this place either I'm thinking 5yrs should have enough $$ gained for resale, so I would like to keep all my HO for the future.
Ken.