Just like your opinions about hosting an Open house. Y’know: your layout, your house to other hobbyist and people who be interested in RR.
Never done it, not sure if I will, but would appreciate your comments
I consider myself to be a friendly person, however, in these days in times I must admit to being extra cautious about who comes into my home. Criminals today are more bold, especially since it seems that the ACLU goes out of its way to protect them. One person I know who was robbed was by a “nice” visitor perp who had seen the inside of his house. [B)]
So if you are hosting an open house, please be exceptionally careful. Many criminals today notice little tiny details that potential victims overlook.
Not my intent to discourage you either. If you feel comfortable in hosting an open house, have family or friends act as extra eyes and ears.
Hope all goes well! [;)]
Hey mlwqc.
I think I’ve more-than expressed my opinion about this in a nearby thread you may see about open houses.
The short answer is - and this is my own viewpoint - I wouldn’t do it. Not a ‘public’ open house at any rate. The reasons are various, but as noted by Antonio above, strangers traipsing about is a big factor there.
The other thing I’d say is think through your motivation for doing it very carefully and in light of the fact that you can’t control what you’ll get… From 3 year olds screaming “choo choo” and trying to grab your prized loco, up through the “expert” who will tell you every single thing wrong with your layout, and all sorts in between.
Thanks for your quick replies:
(1)The “way” to the layout room is a direct entrance to stairs that leads to the basement/layout room. No one needs to go about the house.
(2)You’re both right about stranger. I would be uncomfortable having them in my house.
(3)It would be for friends and for the local “layout tours” from the MR group
(4)I’ve read your post about “open houses” but I thought you meant Club-house only.
Still unsure if I will go ahead with it.
Thx
Let us know what you decide… and how it goes if you do it.
I’m not trying to rain on your parade, by the way. More than anything I think it hinges on to what extent you can control the audience. If it’s local club members and their guests (meaning people who physically accompany them), that’s one thing, and I might even do that myself.
But as soon as it even becomes “we’ll put it in our club newsletter” which still sounds pretty closely held, the reality is that it could end up being someone that a club member’s spouse’s neighbor’s kid’s babysitter’s disreputable boyfriend mentioned it to… Then I’d have doubts.
I have hosted several Open House type of events for our NMRA MCR Division 11 Jamborees and also for my OPTUD (OP Till U Drop – 12 hour operation sessions).
With the Div 11 Jamboree most of the visitors are known model railroaders.
Now with the OPTUDs again it is an open invite to known modelers, but invariably someone wants to bring someone new as they have heard about these OP sessions.
I do not have any objection to them doing this as long as I know how many are coming.
Now as for having an Open House and inviting the general public I have never done this. Our Club does this on a regular basis and if the visitors express a genuine interest in model railroading then I will invite them to visit my layout.
It has a separate entrance so the visitors do not have to pass through the house. I had planned this when I built the house. Controlling the visitors is the biggest problem and my layout has wide aisles and is well lighted. But the scenery is built right to the edge of the bench work so it is easy to bump into things. The Club on the other hand has safety glass along the edges of the layouts. The Lionel and S gauge layout is built purposely low so the young kids and easily see the trains running.
BOB H – Clarion, PA
The only way I have ever had an organized MRR Open House is on a NMRA or Divisional ‘Layout Hop’. The days of ‘open to the public’ and photos in the local paper are an invitation to a break-in. In our local area, the police cruise by houses where there has been a death in the family due to break-in’s during the funeral services. And this is in an outstate area!
The 3 ‘opens’ I have done are with the division, and the folks have to sign-in on my register. I have had a bunch of the ‘guys’ over many times, but this is a group I know.
Jim Bernier
Tell us how it works out.
In the other threadI mentioned my desire at Keith Shoneman’s layout, seems it may become true. My 17 year old friend operates there, and is gonna put in a word for me. Yay!
I was going to, but fell behind on just about everything. So perhaps next year![:p]
I have hosted several open houses at my house including one during an NMRA national convention. One of the tours was sponsored by a local club. It was advertised in the local hobby shops. Anyone could purchase a map and join the tour. I had absolutely no problems. I won’t hesitate to do it again if asked. It was a lot of fun. Be sure to have a friend to run the trains while you talk to your guests
I wouldn’t worry about potential thieves. If you are worried, just don’t display your most expensive stuff.
John Slean
Thanks for all the feedback
It won’t happen for a while yet. I’ll keep you posted when I do
Thanks again