I walk my trains, people caught the hint. That's what the omni rail members were doing at both shows I've attended thus far, it's worked pretty well.
Yes, because that is the "I hate kids height." I got that too when I started redesigning my B&M layout and no doubt will get that when the CB&Q Galesburg City Job goes to its first show. Again, me and a friend are doing this for the modelers and I personally think N looks better at a higher elevation.
I was more discouraged that I got lambasted by members on here about the height argument. If anyone should understand the building of a layout, and who the enjoyment it is built for, it should be fellow railroad modelers. To tell us we're against kids (when almost all of us have kids, or have grown kids), is a ridiculous statement.
You could always put a table cloth on it, have a sign warning that the trains are extremely delicate and not to touch, then put a web cam positioned as if it's recording activity around the table. Then run the wire for the webcam under the cloth where people can assume you have a laptop recording everything.
Not dissing anyone and can understand the problem. But with replies like... ...we built it for our enjoyment, not necessarily kids enjoyment... ...me and a friend are doing this for the modelers... "We built em high enough that we force parents to have to hold their kids up so they can see." "Put the kids on a chair." etc. etc. etc. It seems to me the easiest solution would be to have train shows with a "Must be at least 18 years old to enter." requirement. Just sayin. :closedmouth:
Even if that was remotely possible, someone would complain, or worse. And, many adults are not as tall as one might picture in mind.
Train shows are usually "advertised" ahead of time. Having 'restrictions' is not against the law. I wasnt talking 'height restrictions" to get in to a train show..just an age restriction. Besides... getting in the face of a shorter adult for grabbing things is less frowned on then yelling at kids ;-)
I wouldn't bet on that one. Not in this age of lawsuits over everything, by so-called "advocacy groups" and whoever else can get a lawyer... Even if they don't win, it costs a bundle of money and time to gain the upper hand, or just protect yourself.
So something we built for our enjoyment, but are willing to share with the public for them to enjoy as well should now fit their needs??? I'm just batting this around. It got ugly last time this was discussed, but I'm still perplexed at the train show thought process. Groups volunteer to come in and set up their creations to share, but then should adhere to some unwritten rule that it should be geared for the greater population of the show attendees, especially kids. There's all different levels of this hobby. I don't go over to the Lego guys and complain that it's too low, and hurts my knees when I have to squat down to watch it with my kids. I just don't get it.
Matt.... Most of the complaints are about people touching and grabbing the trains. It seems the kids...with parents who could care less what their kids do...are the worse offenders. I understand the complaints are about both kids AND adults. Restricting access to kids under 18 seems like it would at least slow down the amount of people violating the train display 'boundries'. Reminds me of people who love anaimals yet dont want animals in the houses because of the dirt, fur, and destruction the animals cause. So they get 'outdoor' dogs and cats...not letting them in the house. Ken.... Restrictions are restrictions. You cant enter a lot of venues unless you are at least 18...even if alcohol isnt being served. ;-) Yup...its a "Catch 22" situation....but the responsiblity starts with those organizing the train show...and those displaying their trains at it. JMHO.
You'd figure folks have common sense though, that's not much to bank on nowadays. The public is more than welcome to enjoy the trains but they must be advised not to touch or handle the models.
BTW...if memory serves me...the last time it was discussed...someone posted they actually hated kids and thats what set off the firestorm. No one is talking about hating kids here...at least not yet. Just discussing how to impliment 'damage control' at trains shows.
It's not the kids you need to worry about, it's the droolers leaning too far over the tracks. he he he
lol, this is probably gonna be my problem at the puyallup train show. I'm bringing my two tone green NP set, my SP&S RS1(with chip gons, and more than likely a CB&Q passenger train.
If it is a public exhibition, you'd be hard pressed to legally attach restrictions. "We're open to the public. Except for you, or you..." That won't fly. If it is a private gathering, then you can impose limitations. Must be a member, etc. Even there you won't see an age restriction. You add that in, and a lot of folks just won't attend. This could be true if it was a privately owned establishment. Or if a set condition might be related to safety. Even so, we constantly hear of such private places being served with legal papers for their alleged discrimination aginst A, B or C.
Having been involved in putting on a large train show (The Big Texas Train Show in Houston), it would be suicide to exclude kids. The venders would not show and probably half the attendees would give it a pass. I would say a huge portion of the sales are kid related. How can we maintain the hobby without catering to them? I am willing to put up with the occasional mishap and having to be vigilante in keeping little hands down as just part of the process.
Russell & Ken and all.... Kinda the point I was trying to make...in a roundabout way... You really CAN'T exclude the kids from train shows. You can put up a minimal amount of protection/determent....but if someone (adult or child ) is determined to curcumvent it...its kinda the price you...as a particpant...has to pay to play. SH...no one likes it...but its bound to happen. You could put up a presidential 6 inch thick bullet proof floor to ceiling barrier...but dont bet the public will stay on their side. Even the White House has been breached !!!! BTW...I LOVE Kids...and my dogs ! Even when they track mud in the house and the dogs get furballs everywhere ! :teeth:
Don't want to exclude the kids. Sometimes they ask good questions, while the parents ask some really stupid ones. I'm going with Plexiglas. Thanks for all the good ideas, and the funny ones. Polski
