NMRA Open house, Have you ever done this.

[C&O Fan]

 

I'm on the Houston Layout Tour for the general public

And now i'm worried

 

We tell people to be sure and have some gaurds/watchers there. Friends or club members. They should be prepared for someone to get out of line. If there are people there who arew wartching, who do not get distracted, things should be just fine. We do tell people not to assume a trouble free set of visitors.

 

I plan on my son helping me

San Jac MRR the host really has no staff to help you they just put out the flyers

and act as a co-ordinator for info

You can see the list of homes here

http://sanjac.leoslair.com/tour.htm

 

 

[ARTHILL]

 

I'm on the Houston Layout Tour for the general public

And now i'm worried

 

We tell people to be sure and have some gaurds/watchers there. Friends or club members. They should be prepared for someone to get out of line. If there are people there who arew wartching, who do not get distracted, things should be just fine. We do tell people not to assume a trouble free set of visitors.

[Piedsou]

I've hosted many open houses from visiting individuals and clubs to NMRA divsion meets and NMRA-MER regional conventions.  I can say that I have never had a problem and it's been a great experience to have. Over the years, at least 500 modelers or more have visited the old 'Piedmont Southern".

Insurance is no problem as long as it's an official NMRA function as they provide insurance for you.

The only regret I have had is not putting out a 'guest book' for many of my visitors to sign.

 

Dale Latham

[UP2CSX]

Thanks ...the above is a wealth of information...OK let's see,,,a gun in my right hand, point with the other and a sturn look...like I use to do getting past my teenager's first two storys about being late...

John, you've got it down now, just take some time on the range before the tour to sharpen up your shooting skills. Seriously, I'm sure you'll do fine with just a small NMRA tour, especially with your wife there to ride herd on the boys.

[UP2CSX]

Terry, sorry, I really didn't mean to scare you. I'm probably overly paranoid but 30 years in law enforcement will do that to you. It would be a good idea to contact the tour chairman and find out if they've had any problems in the past and what kind of staff they provide at each layout. If I was your security consultant (I can be had for the price of a pair of new Walthers F-units ), I'd make sure everyone who was "official" staff was wearing orange vests like those you see at construction sites. I'd neatly letter them by function so their role was apparent to the public. For example, the guys you want to explain things to little Johnny and his dad would have vests that say "Information". Same thing with operators. I'd pick two of the biggest guys and label them "Security". All they have to do is not talk to people, stand at either end of the layout, and look stern. They can practice looking stern in the mirror. Make sure the route into and out of you layout room is clearly marked and that any other way into the house is either locked or physically blocked by a chair or table. I don't want to start scaring you again but you are inviting a bunch of strangers into your home and you should take some prudent precautions.

[jwar]

Thanks ...the above is a wealth of information...OK let's see,,,a gun in my right hand, point with the other and a sturn look...like I use to do getting past my teenager's first two storys about being late...All kidding aside, It shouldent be a be a big event, it was suggested that just a hand full would attend, perhaps mostly NMRA armchair modelers only. (A public thing would open too many problems) I'll post signs to go around the garage and I was already thinking of preventing any temptation, mostly just to make my layout room look neater. My wife will look after the guests, A coffee pot and some snacks, should do it. Will ask about the insurance bit....Thank's guys...John

[egmurphy]

I'm on the Houston Layout Tour for the general public, and now i'm worried

While a bit of care and concern would be normal and prudent, I don't think you ought to get overly concerned.  The San Jacinto Club (sponsors of the tour) have been sponsoring this for years.  I keeps getting bigger each year (more layouts open, more weekends) and most people open up their layouts year after year.  So they can't have had too much trouble in the past.  Why don't you contact Byron, the Layout Tour Chairman, directly and ask him how things have gone in recent years.

I expect to be up there the weekend before and the weekend after Thanksgiving, and I am looking forward to seeing some of the layouts that will be open those weekends.

Best of luck,

Ed

[C&O Fan]

I'm on the Houston Layout Tour for the general public

And now i'm worried

[UP2CSX]

LOL, Terry. I'm retired now and, although I still carry a gun, it's for protection for me and my family. My days of looking over crowds sternly are over now. I must have missed it - are you having an open house on Novemebr 18? Is it for NMRA members or the general public? The NMRA guys really weren't too much trouble since most of them have their own layouts and were reasonably respectful. If it's a show for the general public, then it's Katie bar the door. The show I wrote about was in 1969 Los Angeles. LA wasn't a great place even then in terms of crime but it was a lot better than it is now. Houston has had some significant increases in crime, mostly due to Houstonian's kindness in taking in some people from a natural disaster. If you are having a pubic show, I'd certainly consider having enough staff people so some had nothing else to do but watch the crowd. It's a sad commentary on life now but some people will use any excuse to get into your house and steal whatever they can get away with.    

[C&O Fan]

John,

 

The third day, with the general public, was a zoo. There were people stealing anything not glued down and some stuff that was. One of the lessons learned - put up some kind of barrier to keep everyone at least an arm's reach away. I actually had to chase down and arrest one guy who was making off with a brass cab forward he had neatly deposited in a lunch pail. Additional note - purses, packages, and bags need to be left with someone before entering layout area. I will say it was the only time in 30 years of law enforcement that I ever made an arrest for stealing a cab forward.

 

 

This does not sound good !!! Come on down to Houston Nov 18th and bring your gun please !

[pike-62]

John,

A major benefit of this being an NMRA event is the NMRA's event liability insurance. Be sure to have the layout tour organizers check into this and ensure coverage for all of the participating layouts (especially yours!).
Enjoy!

 

Good point on the NMRA, Kind of forgot about that. Make sure you get something though that shows the coverage provided in case your homeowners agent does question it. The only reason I bring this up is a guy here in town had a large party at his house a while back. His insurance company found out about it and canceled his insurance policy. They said he was too much of a risk. With all of the payouts they have had in the last couple of years they , understandably, are kind of nervous about these things.

There has been a lot of good advise here so far and I am sure others with experience doing these will chime in with their own recomendations. Best of luck to you. 

 

[ARTHILL]

I have opened my layout and am the associate layout coordinator for my division. Good suggestions so far. I would ad:

1. Have clear signs indication where NOT to go in the house. Some may want a house tour as well.

2. Have a security person. There is the possibility of theft and a likelihood of TOO MUCH TOUCHING.

3. Don't expect to "operate". Just "run trains". Be prepared to "Talk" about operations to those with that interest.

4. Have clear signs as to where to park and how to enter the house. Have clear signs as to where to wait if the whole group cannot get in at once.

5. Did I mention "clear signage"?

6. Have your mind prepared for: a) gremlins, b) a mess. Not everyone will be as clean as you are.

[Beaver14]

John,

A major benefit of this being an NMRA event is the NMRA's event liability insurance. Be sure to have the layout tour organizers check into this and ensure coverage for all of the participating layouts (especially yours!). I know the Pacific Coast Region which you are part of is well aware of the proceedures, as we have had a number of Bay Area events with NMRA co-sponsorship to ensure this coverage.

Beyond that, by all means, open yourself up to the event--with all the thoughts expressed above (security, Murphy-proofing, etc.). From the images you have shared with us on this Forum, I know your visitors will enjoy your work. Take the "suggestions" with a grain of salt (but there may be some real nuggets there) and remember it is YOUR vision of a railroad!

Enjoy!

[pike-62]

I don't want this to come across as trying to "rain on the parade" but, how many people do you expect and what does your homeowners insurance agent think of this? In todays lawsuit happy environment I am sure he would have concerns if you have a large amount of liabilities (people) entering and leaving your property. Just something to think about.

 

If you do have the open house make sure you test run your layout completly a couple times before the big day to chase that Murphy guy away. also, having read some of the other posts on this as well as some in the past, I would suggest that anything of real value be put away.

 Also, try to come up with a plan to keep people out of areas of the house that are not part of the "tour". I recall a couple of years ago a similar thread on a forum where the home owner found a person in another part of the house that was closed off to the tour. When the police were called it was determined that this person heard about the tour and although he had no interest in trains decided to check things out. 

[PA&ERR]

Southern California in general and L.A. in particular is hardly representative of the Human Race!

George

[loathar]

The first two days went fine except for one guy who tried to pocket a LaBelle wood coach (anyone remember those?). Claimed he was just giving it a closer examination but it proves that even other NMRA members will steal your stuff if given a chance so keep an eye on things.

The third day, with the general public, was a zoo. There were people stealing anything not glued down and some stuff that was. One of the lessons learned - put up some kind of barrier to keep everyone at least an arm's reach away. I actually had to chase down and arrest one guy who was making off with a brass cab forward he had neatly deposited in a lunch pail. Additional note - purses, packages, and bags need to be left with someone before entering layout area. I will say it was the only time in 30 years of law enforcement that I ever made an arrest for stealing a cab forward.

 

Ain't human nature GREAT!

[UP2CSX]

John,

I did help a friend with his NMRA open house. He had a pretty famous layout in the LA area in the late 60's so he had quite a crowd. The open house went over a three day weekend because it was so popular. All the suggestions I've read have been great and it was what he did also to plan for his open house. Well, he also rented a porta-potti but I don't think you need to go that far. The first two days it was NMRA members only and the last day it was the general public. I think the total attendance was about 4,000. Since my operational skills are such that I can cause a major collision at any interlocking plant anywhere, I was put in charge of security. I was an LA County deputy sheriff at the time and he paid me a dollar a day so I could officially work off-duty time on a private contract but still have peace officer powers. I was in my uniform, gun and all, and looked over the crowd very sternly...well, at least as sternly as a 22 year old rookie could look. The first two days went fine except for one guy who tried to pocket a LaBelle wood coach (anyone remember those?). Claimed he was just giving it a closer examination but it proves that even other NMRA members will steal your stuff if given a chance so keep an eye on things.

The third day, with the general public, was a zoo. There were people stealing anything not glued down and some stuff that was. One of the lessons learned - put up some kind of barrier to keep everyone at least an arm's reach away. I actually had to chase down and arrest one guy who was making off with a brass cab forward he had neatly deposited in a lunch pail. Additional note - purses, packages, and bags need to be left with someone before entering layout area. I will say it was the only time in 30 years of law enforcement that I ever made an arrest for stealing a cab forward.

 

[jwar]

Roger- Kevin...Thanks for the info.. Looking forward to doing this. Need a critique and need to meet some avid modelers reguardless of scale. Will be the first week of Oct and a have a ton of things to do, plus the hunnnnnney doooos. thanks...John

[Ibflattop]

 It would probably be easier for you to have your layout ran by a couple of your train buddies who know how your layout operates and they also can be helpful to you. They can also answer questions,security, keep the crowds at bay, ect,ect. We just did this last April and it went off without a hitch, well a couple of LPs went missing.    Kevin

[rogerhensley]

Have your railroad operated by others. You can't do it yourself. Second try, operate your railroad without your operation. In other words, let it run by itself. You just won't have the time to operate and talk which is required.

Have everything cleaned up and ready for visitors. 

Have a guest book ready for visitors.

Have a restroom available.

Have snacks available or not as you see fit. If there is a wait to get into the train room, have snacks. Decide how many can be in the trainroom at a time and a method of controling that.  Sticks work wonders for deciding who can be in there. They pass on the stick to the next person as they leave.

This will do for now.

[jwar]

Was asked if I wanted to have an open house of my Feather River Route and I think I will do it. Would be for NMRA members on a layout tour. If you have ever done this, I would appreciate a bit of your insight. Thanks in advance...John