Setting Up A "Intro To O Gauge" Poster at Local Show - Advice Wanted

Examples of track types, and explanations about what will and won't work together?

Ditto for the command systems.

We've heard so many people surprised when they find out different brands of rolling stock and locomotives will work together, even if the track doesn't. Yes, odds are pretty good Grandpa's postwar engine will run on new track and pull new cars.

Come to think of it, you might mention that most old Lionel and Marx will still run with a little maintenance (and a new, safe transformer or at least cord.)

Thanks. I was thinking of mostly leaving it to basic, getting started type info with little to no info on command control, maybe a quick little "bigger and better control systems, etc available". I'm trying to provide a streamlined, easy to follow and understand poster than the average no trains Joe can follow. 

If you are in the TCA check out the last quarterly (towards the back). We had a booth at the re-opening of the Denver Union Station

Putnam Division has made a "story board" with examples of various sizes of tracks; smallest to largest. It is extremely useful when talking with folks with "old memories" of their childhood trains. He has also set out examples of the various O gauge cars from tinplate through scale. Hopefully Peter will post some pics for us later.

Gilly

A good visual also brings the point home!

Various track types/history, AC, AC/DC, or DC motor note, Why this AC isn't too dangerous for use!(a question only first asked of me a few years ago, but repeated quite often by visitors now. People seem to be getting afraid of AC again). Note on 2 position, 3 position E-units, sound, special features available, and overview of controls.-old vs new, new minimum requirements & mixing of new for various results. Basic tools, care and lube. How to shop, where to shop, and hobby info reference sources.

Thanks for the advice. Of course, I'd like to put it all but can't. Regardless, input from everyone here helps me as what may be an obvious thing can get left out, etc. I hope Peter sees this post - I'd like to see his board. I'm debating on attaching to or seperate a piece of Fastrak and Realtrax, maybe a piece of GG/Ross if I can grab one. I'm also going back and forth on having examples of RTR set engines and/or rolling stock available to see (not touch). 

I'm thinking of having, from left to right of the tri-fold poster board, 1) Why O Gauge, benefits, etc. 2) The center panel being what is available from the manufacturers. Most space given to the "Big two" Lionel and MTH with smaller spots given to WBB, Atlas, etc. Finally, the 3rd panel a "where to buy", links, info, comparison to other scales poster (like that idea), etc. 

Thanks again. 

Make sure your grammar and spelling is correct.  It should be "Intro to O Gauge," or just "Into O Gauge."  "Into to O Gauge" makes no sense.  People will notice things like this, and it will affect how much weight they give to you for their time and how credible they feel you are.

Here's a pic I could find quickly........it's missing the G, Z & Standard gauge track I added later........I'll look again tomorrow.

Peter

If you want to demonstrate how O gauge 3 rail has evolved and continues to become more simple. Why not plug in a wall wart connected to a LionChief terminal track with an engine sitting on it and a remote (without batteries) lying in front? It'd take up about 10 square inches of space.

"It's O Gauge or No Gauge" tag line with an image of Sheldon Cooper...

Here's the finished board in action:

Peter

Here's the educational display.....I tried to explain O gauge and O scale.....

Peter

Just curious, why not include 2-rail proto 48 track, or any narrow gauge tracks in O? There's more to O than just 3 rail...

THanks for additional replies - Peter - like your poster board. That is similar to what I'm thinking. 

This is the first time I've done such a thing. This is intended to answer basic questions and stir the interest in 3 rail. THe Trackers are a 3 rail club and I'm NOT trying to make this an incredibly confusing poster with narrow gauge, 2 rail, etc. We are a club of 3 railers and the public that often wants to know if grandpa's trains can run on new track, I had a Lionel train as a kid do they still make them, etc, etc, etc don't need a bunch of technical terms, etc. Just a basic intro to getting started in 3 rail. Again, there is only so much room on a single poster. The goal is to inform those interested in the hobby and perhaps bring some back into the hobby by getting them into the local stores to buy a set and/or dust off dad or grandpa's old train set.