Sadly very true. Far too many have become an island unto themselves. They are stunned when they run into the concrete wall of discovering the world doesn't do things their way, and has no interest in bending to their will.
Yeah I remember that thread and my thread as well, that is why I jokingly said "The I hate Kids zone". It's sarcasm, nothing more, in light of Matt and I's decision to use the higher elevation of display. For the "I love kids zone" I have T-Trak and proof in a picture. The idea of adding an age restriction to shows is ludicrous, but I get the sarcasm implied. I think we all can agree after 8 pages of stories, ideas and funny posts, that the best idea of protection (at any level) is vigilance. Stand by or in front of the display and watch and field questions. I personally feel as a spectator that one is more approachable in this manner than one seated behind the layout. The later makes me feel like the modelers is hiding and doesn't want to talk to you.
Just as a 'not so subtle reminder', to the general public, the ability to even SEE N scale at a brick-and-mortar store - hobby shop, train store, or mass-market retail outlet - is diminishing rapidly. While we started N scale where you could usually see stuff laid out in a glass case, or carefully handed to you by a store owner, or seen running in a display window - that's getting pretty rare now. Chances are the only place anybody will see any 'real' modeling of trains - N scale - or any scale - is at these public shows. Just imagine if youv'e never, ever seen N before - or a sceniced layout before - and the 20-something parents aren't much better, you simply don't have a clue what you're looking at. There's no longer any context - trains or scale models - going back 2 generations. It would be like if we had tickets to tour the Hanford Nuclear Reactor. "Ah, sir....don't touch that!"! What? That thing? I think the public shows are really important. Seriously. If we want N scale to have any ongoing development at all, that's the public face to show this scale is rather amazing. But if you've got absolutely irreplaceable stuff out there within arms reach, who are you trying to impress? I may have some really good stuff with me, but I don't run it unless I've got a modelers audience. On my little portable layout, the 1976-era Rapido 2-6-0 still soldiers on for the prime power, though its been retired for years by the all-scratchbuilt, once-in-a-lifetime replacement Lima 2-6-0. They both pull trains, and run, and look similar enough that viewers don't care. And I don't have to freak out if somebody would bump it. I'd rather be relaxed and friendly than hypervigilant. So far, in the 40 years the Hickory Valley has been on public display, I still am its worst enemy. I've dropped it several times, and a couple years ago snagged a shirtsleeve on the mill smokestacks and ripped the boilerhouse roof right off with it. And on and on. It's going to take some hits. The companion module I'm building with it is designed the same way - as rugged as I can make it, and nothing that can't be replaced or fixed. I got volunteered to do a school program for third graders on the railroad industry and safety around tracks, that was yesterday. They are still so interested in trains just like I was growing up. It used to be a 'boys only' thing, not any more. The biggest difference is that the teachers have no more context or knowledge than the third graders, and we sort of have to step in.
'Vigilance', yes, and not running your most expensive articulated loco with a string of $34 cars within reach of anybody. I'd suggest Atlas GPs with a string of Trainman cars if it will be anywhere near arms reach.
The first time our NTRAK club set up in public at a train show back in 1992, we decided to break from the normal setup that was prevalent at the time. We moved our old Lindsay triple throttle packs to the outside and mounted them at the corners of the layout where we could run trains while standing just inside the stanchions and ropes. Much easier to talk and answer questions from that position. (Also easier to intercept the little ones ducking under the ropes.) We got to calling the other clubs "Fort NTRAKs" because the members would all hid inside and occasionally peek out over the backdrops. Usually they were sitting around tables chewing the fat while the public could hardly get their attention.
T-Trak is rapidly gaining as a display mode. It represents a very appealing method for anyone tempted to enter the hobby. And is most often displayed at a viewing level where youths can see it easily. It is a good way to 'keep it simple' for any show damage, if desired. Or get as complicated as one might be tempted.
Exactly Ken, I love T-Trak for those very reasons. One area no one has brought up and one I feel bad about with my one project are those with disabilities. I had a woman in a wheel chair thank me at the last show I was at for displaying the T-Trak on a level (table top) where she could enjoy it. The T-Trak goes to just about every show while my N scale switching layout will be bound for more modelers meets and historical society meets.
Having attended train shows since 1979 with either a layout or several modules in at least three formats, I have to say that I've NEVER had any damage done to either rolling stock, motive power or scenery by onlookers or their attendant children. The Ntrak modules initially were run like most Ntrak displays, from the rear...but the club had a bright yellow rope barrier around the whole thing, with portable safety yellow steel stanchions holding it up. We also had layout "monitors" who would watch what onlookers were about to do. Never had any problems. Later, we modified the modules to fit our own new club standards, which included jacking the railhead-to-floor-height up to 46", and operation from the front with radio DC throttles, which eliminated the layout monitors and encouraged interaction with onlookers. We still retained the bright yellow barrier rope, but the extra height was a good thing from both a viewing and a security standpoint. Never had any problems. After the club disbanded, I decided to build a portable layout to take to shows which was built for model railroaders, not small kids. Railhead-to-floor-height went up to 52", operation was strictly from the front with Radio Digitrax DCC or Rail Lynx, but I still had the original Ntrak club's bright safety yellow steel stanchions and that nice yellow safety rope. Another fellow modeler accepted the new standards and joined up, and we have never had any problems with kids, or grown onlookers in the three shows a year we participate in. The only "incident" we had was way back during our Ntrak years when a couple of steam locomotives were stolen during a show. But, damage has indeed been done to many of our modules, including Ntrak, Wasatch N-Scalers and now Bob & Gregg's Insane Adventure modules, and ALL THE DAMAGE has been done during transportation...while the modules are in the trailers and SUV's. The worst damage I had done to mine was when I managed to avoid an oncoming truck with a huge horse trailer coming across the double yellow line in a narrow canyon road by swerving off into the small drainage ditch alongside the road which caused the trailer to hop around for about a second. That caused two modules to crash together for a micro second and stripped off two hand-laid code 40 turnouts and approximately three feet of one rail on my hand-laid code 40 branchline. I was happy that I'd hand-laid that trackage as I was able to repair it all without re-ballasting by straightening track, replacing some de-laminated PCB ties and soldering the track and broken turnouts back on. I would have had to replace all of it if I'd used non-existent RTR track components at much greater effort and cost. So...you all can say all you want about the onlookers and their brainlessness and their rampant kids (all of which is true and humorous), but...truth is, the main problems occur during transportation to and from the shows in my 30+ years of show participation experience. As for the OP...as has been stated, the very best solution is to build your layout so you enjoy it, then be vigilant. Plexiglass is NOT the answer since it seriously blocks the view of ALL onlookers, both considerate and inconsiderate alike. Make sure you never leave the layout unattended, put up a barrier rope, and then invite the truly interested to come on the inside to take a close-up look. If it fits your likes, build it high for easier viewing by grownups and bigger kids...who cares if the toddlers and rugrats can't see it by themselves? A ride on dad's shoulders will solve that problem quick enough. But, make sure the layout is sturdy enough to withstand the stresses of transportation. Here's a shot of my two boys in their much younger days following my Key brass FEF-2 around the Ntrak layout back in the 80's. They're mannerly, and get to operate and help dad at home, so they're allowed inside the barrier. I had, and have, absolutely no qualms about running my expensive brass and custom built cars and engines at shows. Why keep the good stuff at home? I want to show it off and I enjoy running my best stuff way more than the RTR-Out-Of-The-Box stuff, so I'm not about to punish myself and not reap the modeler's reward just because there might be some nimnul with grabby fingers at the show. Cheerio! Bob Gilmore
When at shows with our N-Trak, (I joined in 1978), our group made it a policy to have people in front of the layout. We had a rope setup to keep folks back. But they'd push in, so the roving members could move those ropes back again, and speak with the crowds. Some of us did incur minor crowd damage, usually such as dislodged vegetation, but most of the time it was derailments caused by poking young fingers or people bumping the modules. Many a time I would be down on one knee, with a child standing on my other knee to see the trains. The adults were quite appreciative of such a gesture. We counted many a car going past us, and the kids had a great time.
While at the National Train Show this year I couldn't help but notice the irony when one club had a layout displayed. There were Lexan panels all around the layout and on the panels were signs looking to recruit new members. The signs spoke of the fun and friendliness of the club. As I was admiring the layout and pointing out the beautiful display of modeling that was completed on a couple of the modules to my girlfriend one of the members was sitting in a chair in the middle. Instead of getting out of his chair to answer questions about the displays and the great techniques on display he sat there and grumped at people including me saying "don't reach over the glass". No one was endangering anything and this guy did nothing to recruit any members to his club. I would be certainly upset if any of those models were damaged by rogue probing fingers but there are tactful ways to get the message across...especially if you are recruiting!!!
