I am considering offering out my portable door layout for birthday parties. It is 36" wide and can run 5 trains at the same time and would be operated by the kids. If I run beeps or slow switchers I do not have to worry about anything going too fast. Has anyone ever tried this? I figure I can bring in about $150 for a one or two hour visit.
Your suggestions and experiences are appreciated.
Jim H
Interesting idea, Jim. I can’t say if the price is too steep or not. Have you compared your price with other party rentals like inflatable space walks for example?
Yep,
A clown is $60 -$100 and hour. Inflatables are about $80 for a four hour rental. I am still working on the pricing. My goal is to 1. Have fun watching others run my layout and 2. Make some money to buy trains.
Jim H
Sounds like a fun idea! Do some checking to see if anyone else is doing something like this…see what their prices are.
underworld
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I know that I’ve seen slot car tracks at different fairs and events. Here are a few links that I found.
http://www.unclekals.com/portabletrack.htm
http://events.clowningaround.com/Web%20Pages/Casino-gaming-carnival-parties.htm Look on this link for car races
http://www.eccentricent.com/slotsoffun.htm
The second one has prices listed from $250 to $600 for a four hour period.
I think this might be somwhere to start.
underworld
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If I could get free cake and beer, I’d invite anyone (esp. flirty ladies) over for a birthday party
on second thought, I’d even provide the beer; they’d just need to come over to my basement
Thanks for the great links. The car track rentals are $100’s per hour and I can be much less than that. So far I have not found anyone doing a similar thing with trains.
I will keep you all up to date.
Jim H
Sounds like an idea worth pursuing as long is the speed and switch positioning is carefully controlled.You know that the kids would want to see how fast the trains would go or delight in a major crash!
It was suggested to me about 6 mo. ago. I thought about it . Might try it myself if the foundry closes!
Have you started to put anything together yet???
underworld
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I already have the layout 95% complete. I will start with a library program and use that to market my self to customers. The hardest thing will be the marketing. There are so many jobs out there that can be done profitably except you can not afford the marketing expense.
Jim H
Jim, how are you transporting layout ?
What time investment will you make setting up and breaking down ?
What type of program are you doing at the library for you marketing ?
I have owned two business, and marketing always is the make or break issue.
I wish you the best, great idea.
Tim
Please do post some pictures when you are ready.
underworld
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Jim, where did you go ???
Tim
I want to see a picture of that door. I’ve got a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood that will only run two trains. I suppose that with careful modification I could get three, or maybe even four, but for the life of me I can’t fit five. [:D]
Sorry I take so long to respond. I only email about every two days.
I will transport it in my Minivan. It is a one piece unit except for the transformer control box I transport separately. Set up time should be under 15 minutes.
The library has asked me to do a short 15 minute program on the train hobby. We will follow that with the kids running the trains on the layout.
Here is a picture of a 36 inch door layout with 031 (K-line shadow track) on the outside and 027 on the inside with 027 K-line switches. The shadow track has 3.5" straights on the ends to space out the track. No problems passing. I have sense built a mountain with tunnels on one end. On it I have a very short trolly line. I have also since added a decouple track, an automated flag man and Lionelville operating train station.
I regularly run 4 trains (2 on inside and 2on the outside via block wiring) while storing cars on the branches.
Jim H
There is an outfit that sets up LGB for parties here in Portland, Oregon. I will try to find the name, price and details.
Thanks in advance Gary!
Jim, sounds like you are prepared. Just have lots of flyers to hand out and get the word out. Go for it and let us know how it comes out.
Tim
Looks like a lot of fun, Jim.
underworld
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