Don, I do hurt for those that have a community that they feel that they need to be so isolated. I am sure that it has given you great pride that folks have appreciated your efforts. I think the first time we did the Piedmont Pilgrimage we had 156 visitors on that day, most who I did not know. Nothing broken, nothing stolen...only smiles and awes. We fed them home made chicken vegetable soup, cookies, chips, pretzels, etc. It was fantastic, and has been each year since. Maybe I am foolish, but I do not want my work to be seen only by me. The little vignettes on the layout are meant to bring back memories....kids flying kites, a lemonade stand, outhouses, small country church, etc. On the day of the open house I have a sheet of paper that lists, "Can You Find" and there is a checklist to see how many dogs and cats can they find on the layout, a fox?, a wolf, raccoons, skunk, possum etc.
We often talk about getting youth interested in our hobby. I believe that is one of the last bastions to do so. If no one sees what can be done with imagination, few will ever venture into the hobby. It will be dead.
Am I worried about someone breaking into the house to steal my trains? I am probably really naive about this, but I do not think any thief would give a rat's you know what about the trains. Sure, they cost a great deal out of our pocket, but there are very few outside the hobby that cares about this stuff. And that is exactly what it is... stuff. Thieves want a quick turn around. There is no black market sales for my trains. They just aren't interested. So, if I get everything completed that I want...once the shoulder heals....I am going to have an open house one weekend at Christmas time.
Rick
