Well Tom you would be welcome to visit my place I'll even buy a welcome mat and place at the door!
I will even provide lunch, tea and coffee, it's not an ego thing I don't get to talk to many model railroaders over here plenty of Model railway people but virtually no USA O Scale modellers.
And thanks for the invite BOBBYD we are still looking into going back through the USA next year from England. Roo.
Forum members, as well as TCA members are welcome to visit any time they're in the area.
There's a thin line between telling the whole world what's in your basement and being so paranoid that you share your trains with nobody. All my non-train friends know about my hobby, as do most of my clients. To me, a big part of the fun of this hobby is sharing it with others. I love it when people visit and want to see my trains. However, there are some ground rules, especially when it comes to children and the opposite gender. If neighborhood kids want to come see my trains, there will be at least one other adult present. The same goes for another woman. All some kid would have to say to his or her parents is that I did something inappropriate, and I'd be out of business in a heartbeat. It's a shame to have to think that way, but that's the way it is. I also have security cameras as well.
John
Roo, thank you for your extension of hospitality. If and when you are in the Mid Atlantic area there are dozens of great 0 scale RRs that would be a joy to visit. Any chance your travels will coincide with the o scale nationals next year? THAT would be a great time for visitation. 2018 site will be outside of Washington DC. The hot bed area of 0 scale 2 rail. I would be glad to help you get around to the open houses.
Right now i am leaving for the Indy show, probably off line for a few days.
Very wise, bares repeating:
If neighborhood kids want to come see my trains, there will be at least one other adult present. The same goes for another woman. All some kid would have to say to his or her parents is that I did something inappropriate, and I'd be out of business in a heartbeat. It's a shame to have to think that way, but that's the way it is. I also have security cameras as well.
Yes, this is worth repeating. Always have an adult present. This comes under common sense. I am happy that people on this post threw this out.
I agree, Marty, it's common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people ask me why I have those rules.
John
According to YT analytics over 350, 000 YT viewers have seen my train room in over 20 countries. Just like everything we do in this hobby, there are pros & cons. The pros out weigh the cons, so I would recommend you give YT a try. Below is my YT header.
Gary
I think there is a major difference between YouTube videos and physically having people in your home.
I was thinking of magazines that list the home town of the author (I think MR does this?). If your name isn't "John Smith", that gives someone a halfway decent chance of finding where you live. In the case of folks with stuff that is valuable and can be re-sold of fenced for decent coin, that's almost as bad as posting where you are and how much cool expensive stuff you have.
C W Burfle posted:I think there is a major difference between YouTube videos and physically having people in your home.
Agreed. You don't have to post anywhere what your real name or location is.
Heck, I've had people see my layout's website or saw the article I wrote this year and emailed me (either from my site or through the editor) and ask to come see it, thinking that a layout which takes place in Tennessee must also be physically located there. I've had to let them down, saying that I'm nowhere near that part of the country (I wish I was, though) but not telling them exactly where I am. In those cases, those are likely honest hobbyists wanting to see it in person.
But all that said, if you post here or anywhere online, I suspect if the motivation is there, someone would be able to find where your toys are, regardless.
Only a handful of people has seen my layout. Most of my neighbors don't know I run trains. Even when I transport them, they are in a tote. Our club only invites people we know. Members can bring guest, but not in large groups. Our location is out in the country in a barn and the entrance is facing away from the road so no one sees what we bring or leave with. The club member that owns the property has cameras with motion detectors and can see who comes and goes.
Club layout
My layout
Very public. I have had three open houses (March Meet, NMRA Midwest Region Convention, and the C&NW Historical Society Convention) and will have two more this year (S Fest and the annual November open house). I have never regretted having an open house or inviting smaller groups. A majority of my fondest model train memories and friends are from these open houses (or the open houses I have attended). I would hate to give up these memories and friends because I was too worried to invite people into my house. I have added multiple layers of security (some visible and some not) but I choose not to live in fear and just enjoy life...
John, that is the same way I feel too. Sounds like folks enjoy your layout.
645 posted:p51 posted:
Heck, I've had people see my layout's website or saw the article I wrote this year and emailed me (either from my site or through the editor) and ask to come see it, thinking that a layout which takes place in Tennessee must also be physically located there. I've had to let them down, saying that I'm nowhere near that part of the country (I wish I was, though)
I remember the Reid brothers' N scale 'Cumberland Valley RR' back in the 1980's when it was featured in Model Railroader magazine. At that time it was state of the art for what could be done in N - layout was based on the Pennsylvania RR / Western Maryland Railway around the Pennsylvania/Maryland border. Heard many people assumed the brothers lived in that region. Nope - they and the layout were in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
Beats me why, but so many model railroaders model what's local to them and they assume everyone does that. Makes sense why people would think that, as it is very common within the hobby.
I have always been interested in modeling areas far from where I lived. I grew up in North Florida, a really disinteresting part of the country (SCL black locos and flat pine barrens with beach sand for scenery, I doubt hardly anyone ever wanted to model that). I live where the Milwaukee Road used to run and very close by a former NP/BN branch line being run by another carrier. The "upper left' corner of the country has some magnificent areas and interesting trains, and I do love chasing, riding and photographing them. But modeling them?
Nah.
I'd be willing to bet I'm probably the furthest person modeling the RR I model from where it actually run, on this side of the pond, anyway (as I heard someone in England has a ET&WNC passenger train running on a layout there).
P-51, bet not. I model Milwakee and have never seen it. Maui is a long, long way from any old Milwaukee Road. Don
I have been opening my layout to the public during the month of December for Christmas since 1986. We average 800 to 1000 guest each year. Many come each year. I to have had a convention visit with 4 busloads. My guestbook has over 30,000 names in it from as far away as Alaska. I have never had any problems.
Karl
Above is the sign that I put in my front yard for my open house events. These open house events are sponsored by the Historic Home & Garden Association. They handle all the advertising and scheduling. The guest move from each home via 8 seat golf carts, walk or bicycles. No cars. Each home on the tour has to provide snacks. I have 4 main lines. I run LionChief Plus locomotives on 3 of the 4 main lines. Each child gets their own controller, no sharing and I run the MTH DCS system.
Gary
My layout is open by invitation only.
I have to know you really well to get an invitation.
p51 posted:645 posted:p51 posted:
Heck, I've had people see my layout's website or saw the article I wrote this year and emailed me (either from my site or through the editor) and ask to come see it, thinking that a layout which takes place in Tennessee must also be physically located there. I've had to let them down, saying that I'm nowhere near that part of the country (I wish I was, though)
I remember the Reid brothers' N scale 'Cumberland Valley RR' back in the 1980's when it was featured in Model Railroader magazine. At that time it was state of the art for what could be done in N - layout was based on the Pennsylvania RR / Western Maryland Railway around the Pennsylvania/Maryland border. Heard many people assumed the brothers lived in that region. Nope - they and the layout were in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
Beats me why, but so many model railroaders model what's local to them and they assume everyone does that. Makes sense why people would think that, as it is very common within the hobby.
I have always been interested in modeling areas far from where I lived. I grew up in North Florida, a really disinteresting part of the country (SCL black locos and flat pine barrens with beach sand for scenery, I doubt hardly anyone ever wanted to model that). I live where the Milwaukee Road used to run and very close by a former NP/BN branch line being run by another carrier. The "upper left' corner of the country has some magnificent areas and interesting trains, and I do love chasing, riding and photographing them. But modeling them?
Nah.
I'd be willing to bet I'm probably the furthest person modeling the RR I model from where it actually run, on this side of the pond, anyway (as I heard someone in England has a ET&WNC passenger train running on a layout there).
An interesting side theme, "what we choose to model"... I have to say that I always imagine in my mind what an idyllic 1940's - 50's small steam-diesel transition era railroad town would look like and I mess it up from there.
Picking up on another, earlier reply, I too - feel my layout is "not worthy". That is compared to YOURS. However, in the general public eyes where a simple loop is standard, and that ONLY at Christmas, it might be exciting for some to look at.
Thanks to all for many great replies on the "going public" idea. The reading has been like a favorite novel to me and I appreciate it. I am pondering all of your points, erring on the side of taking my time to figure out what I want to do.
While I have never had a fear of showing my layout to visitors, I can't host more that a couple of people at a time. My wife blessed me with the use of a spare 10 1/2' x 12' room. The layout is built around the walls and is shaped like a knuckle coupler. The aisle is VERY narrow, hence, if more than three people are in the room, things start to get claustrophobic. The bright side to this situation is that I can keep an eye on all visitors to ensure unauthorised contact with the trains or structures is avoided.
I don't advertise that I have trains. A visitor to our home wouldn't know I even liked trains unless they saw a stray copy of OGR or CTT laying about. If one wants to see the layout they must first be invited into the house. If I sense things are agreeable, then I will offer to show them the trains. I actually had someone turn me down when I asked if they wanted to see the layout!
I would gladly share my layout with any OGR Forum members who might be passing through my area. All I ask is that a phone call or email request be made in advance.
Tom
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