--- In [email protected], Bob Werre <bob@...> wrote:
>
> Ken's situation with a kids is one that we deal with at every open house
> and train show I'm involved with. He is also correct in stating that
> the big kids sometimes do more damage.
>
> Our club has been debating when and how to use our stanchions/ropes to
> protect the layout or does it make us seem unfriendly to the masses.
><skip>
> Bob Werre
> PhotoTraxx
>
>
Bob:
A long time ago I learned that if you set up loops at shows, it can quickly
devolve into "who can run fastest around the Christmas Tree". But if you have
a small switching layout, you can coax kids - and adults - to actually operate
the trains. You won't attract as many people, but we always tell ourselves S
folks are a more selective bunch anyway
! It is admittedly a broad
generalization, but I learned it from the CJSS guys and I've seen it work at
several of their shows.
Years ago, when I lived in southeast Michigan, the club there set up at
Greenfield Village "Railroad Days". Across from us a group set up a loop of G
gauge with a funky 0-4-0 and a couple cars. They hooked it up, walked away and
let kids have at it all day kids had a ball and that darn stuff is just about
indestructible! A bit different from S where folks shudder at the thought of
their Flyer, SHS, AM, built-up kits, brass, or whatever, getting scratched,
dented, bent, folded, stapled or otherwise mutilated
Score points for G
gauge.
At the same show I got bored with trains running in circles so sat down and
began applying dry transfers to a couple Milwaukee Road rib-side cars. I got
wrapped up in what I was doing and suddenly looked up to see only a few kids
around the layout and most adults staring at what I was doing. Interesting
day... I answered a bunch of questions and talked about actually participating
in the hobby of model railroading, not just running trains. And bonus(!), I
got some of my own work done too!! Moral of the story is to always have
something to do for when you get bored with trains running in circles!!
Not sure this has anything to do with anything, but thanks Bob and Ken for
keying a trip down memory lane
<G>
Jim Kindraka
Plymouth, WI
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