When visiting someone else’s layout there’s definitely some implied etiquette rules we all follow. Most of them are common sense. I thought we could list them here. What are your etiquette rules for layout visits and operating sessions?
Keep negative comments about the layouts to yourself.
If you break something, own up to it. I personally won’t be happy you broke something but I’ll be a lot less upset if you tell me about it.
This is a big one these days. If you take photos, get the owner’s permission before posting them on social media. Personally, I’m okay people posting photos of my layout on Facebook, but not everyone else feels that way.
Get the owner’s permission before bringing your child. If you do bring a child, make sure they are well-behaved be prepared to leave if they aren’t.
I would add not to touch the trains or buildings unless permission is granted. You have no idea how many people like to touch things. I have a sign posted that reads:
PLEASE DON’T TOUCH THE TRAINS. IF YOU NEED TO TOUCH SOMETHING, GO TO A PETTING ZOO!
Good advice! One of our club members was visiting a very nicely done layout not too long ago and he decided to see how sturdy the scenery was. So, he gave it a poke with his finger. His finger went right through, leaving a very noticable hole![D)][|(]
Don’t monopolize the host’s time – particularly with “show-offy” questions – when other guests also want to ask questions.
Try to keep thievery to acceptable limits.
Bill McClanahan once told of a visitor who picked up one of his passenger cars, scratched at it with a finger nail, and said “oh you put your paint on really thin don’t you?”
I have operated on Ron Mei’s Sunset Route layout. He was very polite. Told us that if something went wrong, a dropped loco, for example, to inform him. He is a very polite host.
When I visit a layout I’m to engross at looking at the layout for any industry ideas I might be able to ste–er,ah,borrow.
The majority-well at least 90% - of the layouts I have visited the owners knows how I like to take in the details and scenes so,seeing me slightly bent forward with my hands behind my back doesn’t make them think I’m Mr.McGoo.
At two of the basement empires there was a coat rack to hang your coat or jacket…A very nice touch.
One local club had signs up that said “Touch Only With Your Eyes.”
Am reminded of a long-ago tour when a visitor’s neck-strapped Pentax swung right through a coaling tower when the guy leaned over to look at something. Quietest room I’ve ever been in.
Look with your eyes, not with your hands!
No food or drink and of course no smoking.
Don’t even pretend to want to knock stuff onto the floor.
Don’t put anything on the layout, it’s not a cup holder or a pen holder or anything else.
Don’t steal unless you want your hand chopped off.
I am very glad to be able to call Howard Zane a friend and an inspiration.
One day, a visitor used a coat to steal an expensive item off his layout…what it was is irrelevant in this discussion. (I only say that because some have love or hate relationships with certain types of models, and those discussions have become…far too polarizing for me to participate).
Now he does not allow any jackets in the train room, at all.
Thought it is an important thing to note, since we are making practical rules here.
I would also add: do not lean on the scenery along the edge of a layout one is visiting. I have done that in the past and have heard the dismaying crunch of the scenery giving way, slightly, beneath my arm or elbow. Embarrassing, to be sure.
While it is practically impossible to vet all guests, it is highly desirable to know the guests one has at one’s layout if there are expensive items loose about the room.
I’ve gotten this on a couple occasions … people who come to see your layout and spend the entire time talking about THEIR layout and how THEY do things. If that’s only where your interest lies, talking about yourself, stay at home on Facebook.
John and Other Posters: If my “layout” had a calendar it would read somewhere in the 1940s - the actual calendar on my wall reads 2018. Social graces and norms have changed in those 78 years. Individuals and clubs that open their layouts up for public inspections and viewings will get the public of 2018. I am sorry to bring such a shadow to this thread but there is a risk taken when you do this open houses.
I saw something similar to this at a club. It was a big apothecary jar or a gallon-size pickle jar or something filled with liquid and 15 or 20 various fingers and thumbs. No sign, no commentary, no warning or anything . . . just a big jar of stumpy fingers.
Mine would be, even if you are a “professional” model railroader, don’t get this idea that you are entitled to even the simple things like putting a derailed car back. What you should do is find the owner of the train and kindly inform him of the problem.
Layout tours and Operating sessions: Two of my favorite parts of the hobby - both as a visitor and a host. It is worth noting that Layout tours and Operating sessions are different types of events.
At layout tours one follows all of the rules suggested here. Especially don’t touch layout surfaces or equipment. You are a guest of the layout owner and best behavior is always advised. I have hosted many tours and have had very few problems with visitors. Most are train guys and their friends who are interested in seeing the layout and know the rules well. We have a great time. For me, hosting tours is one of the highlights of the hobby.
OPs sessions are quite a bit different in that the visitor/operator will have to interact with the layout and equipment. The layout owner will generally outline the rules regarding re-railing equipment, food in the trainroom etc… I generally don’t invite operators to the layout that I don’t trust to be careful and respectful with the trains and layout infrastructure. No long sleeves or heavy coats to avoid dangling sleeves that will catch scenery items.
It is also important for the layout owner/designer to build the layout so that operators don’t have to reach over delicate scenery items in the course of regular operations. I put away fragile models that might get broken during a session that are not easy to repair. I have a series of trees at the fr
Great topic…I now average around 1500 visitors per year, and other than a few thefts and even lessor number of butt heads…I love sharing the pike and fielding questions and comments. I can honestly say that 99.9% of visitors have been terrific on all counts. Occasionally I open the layout for groups of elementary school kids. I ask (insist) that all cell phone/devices remain upstairs. Give a kid a DCC throttle, and he/she is hooked…(at least to they become reaquainted with their device.)
At the top of the stairs is an old antique Russian stove which prior to kids arriving, I place some plastic novelty bones, and chorcoal powder under the stove… "Now gather around kiddies…any of you know what this is?..referring to the stove. Not yet, has one kid answered correctly, so I tell them that it is a Bulgarian kid cooker explaining that for centuries Bulgarians have cooked kids if they fondle adult toys. Almost everytime levity does the trick…well it is better than duck taping their hands together! (no insult meant for Bulgarians as just the name sounds neat)
Without visitors, what is the purpose of it all? Art literally has no meaning if it is not shared.
What I have done now to alleviate possible thefts is not allowing coats, boxes (including camera bags), and any kind of shopping bag. Actually not allowing coats or loose clothing is quite a bit easier on the scenery close to aisles. I do encourage photos and video, and I’m honored that folks want to shoot the pike.
