Are there any rules for running a display train at a train show? Do some shows even pay people to do this? It would be fun to run my long train of 24+ 9013 cars.
Hi Boyd,
I beleive that some shows do offer a small incentive ($50.00, I have heard) for clubs to set up a running display layout. I don’t know if this would also be available to individual modelers or not.
Rules may vary a little from one show organizer to the next, but most would likely be basic common sense rules, I would expect (nothing vulgar, obscene, Political, or Religous). Also some kind of saftey rules would also be expected in todays litiguous society. (any power cords on the floor properly taped to avoid tripping hazards, exposed wires/shock hazards)
I have thought about this a little myself, but I have never looked into it, and at this point, I don’t have a suitable display layout built yet either, but I have THOUGHT about it (it’s the THOUGHt that counts right[swg]).
Doug
If you’re thinking about running on someone else’s layout, rather than setting up your own, that would be entirely up to the layout owner(s). I have done that several times at shows with the local tinplate club, several of whose members are friends or acquaintances, and on other show layouts. If you find someone agreeable, don’t expect a whole lot of running time–they have their own stuff that they want to run.
I have run my small demonstrator 2 loop TT scale layout at a train show about a month ago. Because we were not selling anything, and we had other unique items on display (i.e. 8 3/4" gauge 4-4-0 locomotive), the table fee was waived.
If you have something unique, the people running the show may be willing to work a better deal for you.
I have been to several shows in the south Florida area and some shows depending on who is hosting the show, TTOS or TCA or other RR model club, you have to pay a small fee for electricity because the place where they have the show is charged for electrical useage. If you have a wind-up or battery powered train there is usually no extra fee.
Other parts of the country might be differant.
Lee F.
At a annual train show we set up and run for free, vendors pay a table fee.
Jim
If you’re running on someone elses layout make sure that no little ones can throw a switch on you!!!
I was at a show at Canterbury Downs (Minnesota) several years ago and a little guy had access to a layout switch. So curiously, he threw the switch - not knowing that this would send the owners Hiawatha across a block onto a track where the train’s speed immediately doubled and ran into the back end of another train. OUCH! [B)]
I noticed later as I looped back past this layout a second time that a generous piece of duct-tape had been applied to the switch’s lever.
Probably a good idea to have a roll on hand if you’re running anything at a show!