The Gamble Setting Up G Scale at Train Shows?

[Plow_Bender]

So as of the time of me writing this, the local train club I'm a part of has just finished up our annual module show at the mall for this year.  The turnout was great with many people through the door, and the club got quite a bit in donations and/or requests for applications to join the NMRA.  This makes 3 years now that we've been setup at this location, and for the most part it's been good.  We had a couple setbacks this year in regards to insurance, mainly due to lack of communication between the mall owners and the NMRA.  Still, we were able to setup before Black Friday and were open every Friday and Saturday up until December 27th.

That all said though, this year I noticed some concerning issues in regards to the G scale setup, of which I hold the responsibility of running, as all the models are from my own personal collection.  I've been reluctant to bring the matter up with the train club, as I'm not exactly sure how to approach the situation, nor do I want to cause any conflict among the members.  The issue at hand is unfortunately, young children and/or irresponsible parents.  Now I want to make it clear, I'm not one to flip out anytime one of my trains is touched by a child.  I'm not that kind of person, but like many modelers out there I'm sure, I've invested a lot of time and money into what I have, and don't want anything getting damaged.  In previous years it's always been an issue of the occasional child doing something they're not supposed to be, but I can report the parents have addressed the matter and taken charge.  However, this year it honestly seemed like there were more problems than we've had in the last 2 years combined.

Opening weekend we had a situation where I was not present at that moment, and the setup was basically running itself for the time being.  Because of that, members running the modular layout nearby were watching the setup for me.  A mother came in with 2 toddlers, and basically let them do whatever.  Aside from them messing around with the G scale figures/accessories and other trains, the young boy also took the cover off one of my locos that was sitting in a siding, and for whatever reason tried pulling the DCC electronics out.  One of the club members shouted when he noticed what was happening, and the mother just grabbed her kids and left without saying or doing anything.  Thankfully nothing was damaged and the model still worked, but I honestly can't believe that given the circumstances, someone could be that irresponsible and have little to no respect for someone else's property.

In addition to that one occurrence, there were several other incidents regarding the G scale setup during the past month.  I'm not going to go into every little detail, but I'll summarize some of the other issues that occurred.  There were a few kids who touched the tracks and got bit by the power system, a number of times kids were stepping on or over the tracks, and there were a couple kids messing with the trains which were off to the inside.  There were also a couple cases where the trains that were running got derailed or knocked off because of kids touching them.  I can even report that someone (unknown who) apparently messed with the control system at one point.

Because of the number of issues that went down with the G scale setup this year, it honestly got me thinking and trying to come up with a solution on how to rectify these problems.  Other members and myself already have signs all around our layouts asking people not to touch the trains, and yet apparently that's not enough to get the point across.  In all actuality, it really seems like people just don't care.  I understand, it's really not the child's fault, as they're young, and it's the parents responsibility to explain to them that they cannot touch.  However, it honestly feels like parents don't want to be parents, and instead just let their kids do whatever they very well please.

As mentioned before, I worry about my models getting damaged by a child who is not properly supervised.  My C-19 is a good example of a model that I was fortunate enough to get, and likely cannot replace.  It was a $1,700 model that I was lucky to only pay $600 for back in 2018.  Yes, if a detail part gets knocked off, a little bit of glue can put it back in place.  However, what if a child damages it and breaks something such as the valve gear?  I then have to send the model to Bachmann and pay the shipping, plus also pay the $125 service fee, and the additional cost of parts.  That's money I really don't want to spend because of someone else's negligence.

Another concerning issue is one that I've already mentioned happening this year.  Kids have touched the track and gotten bit by the power running through them.  My big worry is the possibility of this happening to where the child bursts out crying, and then momma bear gets angry, throwing all the blame back on the train club for her little darling being hurt.  Not to mention that if something happens and depending on the severity of the matter, the mall could potentially prohibit the club from setting up there anymore.  Then if something should happen and it's my setup that causes said problem, I really don't want the club to kick me out because I'm seen as a liability.

All things considered, I've been throwing around the idea of trying isolated the G scale setup to where kids and/or the general public have less access to the trains.  This is where I have concerns about bringing the matter up with the club, as again, I don't want to cause a disturbance within the division.  Looking online I've found that placing barriers around layouts at shows seems to really divide people within and outside of the hobby.  Some people say that putting up barriers is necessary to protect layouts from damage, while others see it as discouraging, especially to young children.  From what some are saying, kids see barriers around the trains and/or layouts, and to them that sends the message of, "Go away, keep out, you're not welcome."  Other people go on to say that this sort of activity is unacceptable, as it's does not help invite others to pursue the hobby.  To quote one person, "If model railroad shows continue to display layouts like this, then it's a fantastic way to kill off your so called AMAZING HOBBY".  While I can somewhat agree with what people are saying, at the same time I can't really say I blame those who just want to protect their models and/or layouts.

After reading through a lot of back and forth on the subject of putting up barriers around layouts at shows, it honestly feels like more of a Catch 22 situation.  Do you have everything out in the open so the public can engage with it, or put up barriers and kill off the hobby?  It just seems like a lose/lose either way.  I've always displayed G scale on the floor for simplicity sake, and have never bothered with putting up barriers of any kind, but I'm starting to think that just can't be done anymore.  People don't pay attention to the signs that are placed all around the layouts, and instead just do whatever they want.  Again, I'm not trying to throw the blame on children at these shows, as all the responsibly falls back on the parents who are grown adults and should know better.

While doing some looking online, I did find that another neighboring train club in my area has a similar setup with their G scale, however they have everything roped off with Christmas lights.  Another thing they do differently is that instead of allowing people to walk all around it, access is limited to only 2 sides.  I'm sure this setup could still have issues, but perhaps it would send a clearer message that the area where the trains run is out of bounds?  Not only that, I feel it's less of an obstruction compared to something such as clear acrylic panels.  I was kind of thinking that if my local club is setup in the same location next year, the best option would be to move everything into the far back corner, with a 10' walkway to the one side.  The hope would be that this setup would still allow the public access to view the trains, but at a safe distance without the risk of damage to property or person.

I'm looking for advice from other modelers out there who may have displayed their G scale at events such as this, and how they go about it.  Maybe someone also has an idea about how I can bring this topic up with the train club without it causing any trouble.  I understand, I'm probably throwing around a lot of "what ifs?" in this post, but these days we live in such a crazy, mixed up world, that anything is possible.  Again, I don't want to see any of my models get damaged, anyone get hurt, and/or the division get a bad reputation after something goes wrong.  I'm sure there's probably some modelers out there that will say the easiest solution is to just not have the G scale setup at this event anymore, and maybe they're right.  Still, I feel like even that approach would have a negative effect to some degree.  Anyways, I'm curious to hear what others have to say, and what advice they have to offer.  I'm kind of at a loss at this time.

-Mr. Plow

[Greg Elmassian]

elevate the layouts to childs eye level...

put the floor "posts" and plastic chain or webbing between them, making the layout just out of reach.

Kids don't think about "that is not welcoming", kids are kids and live in the here and now.

Some are well brought up, some are not. If you really feel there is a need for hands on, put a small oval on the floor, buy a few eggliners, let them circulate, you can add some 2 axle aftermarket cars to go with the eggliners...

[ricnpat]

Plow Bender
It has been a while since I have seen your name pop up in the train forums.

I think you have pretty well listed every pro and con of public display of model railroading. In my opinion there is no single answer to your issues but some things just have to be done no matter what "people say" and those people saying things usually have no horse in the race. 

Our local Garden RR Club here in Southern Oregon has put on a Christmas train show for the 3rd year in the local mall. We rent a vacant store front and decorate the whole place for Christmas. Last year we had over 20,000 visitors, don't have the door count yet for this year. WE Open Black Friday and close on New Years Eve, we are open during all Mall open hours, can be a tough schedule to keep.

We have experienced almost everything you mention, but have learned to cope.

We always have a large G scale display on the floor and it is only accessible from one or sometimes two sides. It is ALWAYS roped off with Christmas lights/garland, no matter what. Not only from children but from adults that just have to get that perfect picture.

The modular layout is elevated at about 42 inches high with no barriers of any kind.
All other displays are also unprotected.

We always have 3-4 members in club colors and also couple in plain cloths with name tags circulating and interacting with guests. It keeps problems at a minimum.

Good luck sorting it out
Rick

 

[RGSNH]

I would only run club equipment, not personal treasures that cannot be replaced, in a public display.  and Barriers are a must IMHO weather it is n scale or g scale. you need to eliminate any possibility of folks being shocked from track voltage.